NT openers and rebids when playing Precision.
When hot 1NT opening shows a balanced 13-15 HCP
- 1 - 1 - 1NT shows a balanced 16-18 HCP
- 1 - 1 - 2NT shows a balanced 19-21 HCP
- 1 - 1 - 3NT shows a balanced 24-26 HCP (2NT opener shows 22-23)
When not hot 1NT opening shows a balanced 10-12 HCP
- 1 - 1 - 1NT shows a balanced 16-18 HCP
- 1 - 1 - 2NT shows a balanced 19-21 HCP
- 1 - 1 - 3NT shows a balanced 24-26 HCP (2NT opener shows 22-23)
Responding to 1 (16+)
- 1 shows 0-7 HCP or the Unusual Positive response (responder has a game going hand with any 4,4,4,1)
(one exception 7 HCP consisting of an Ace and a King both in long suits or both in the same suit)
- 1 shows at least 5 hearts and 8 HCP or more
- 1 shows at least 5 spades and 8 HCP or more
- 2 shows at least 5 clubs and 8 HCP or more
- 2 shows at least 5 diamonds and 8 HCP or more
- INT shows a balanced 8-13 HCP with no 5 card suit
- 2/2 shows a 6 card suit with 4-6 HCP with the HCP concentrated in the suit
2NT would ask for shortness (singletons or void)
- 2NT shows a balanced 14+ with no 5 card suit
- 3 shows any broken 7 card suit. Game forcing.
- 3 shows any solid 7 card suit. Game forcing
- 3 shows a 7 card heart suit. Pre-emptive.
- 3 shows a 7 card spade suit. Pre-emptive.
The Unusual Positive Response of 1 over 1 opener. Opener bids as if responder has the 0-7 hand.
Opener's rebid after 1 - 1
- 1/1/2/2 all show 5 card suits.These bids are non-forcing. If you have an extremely strong hand, or a hand with at least 8 tricks do not make a minimum non forcing bid.
- 1NT shows 16-18 HCP
- 2/2 shows the equivalent of a Standard bidder's 2 opener
2NT shows a balanced hand with 19-21 HCP
- 3/3 show very strong,unbalanced hands with long minor suits
- 3/3 shows a solid suit with an extremely powerful hand (at least 9 tricks) and requires partner to cuebid an Ace or void. This bid sets trump.
- 3NT shows a balanced hand with 24-26 HCP. (22-23 HCP NT hands) are opened 2NT.
Responder's second bid after they have responded 1 to 1 and opener has bid a major.
- 0-4 pass especially if balanced, if you have a fit and distributional
values use your judgement.
If you have an Ace it is also advisable to keep the bidding open
- If opener has bid 1 or 1 and you have 4-5 support points raise partner to the 2 level.
If you are raising with only 4 points make sure you have some distribution.
- Jump raise partner with a fit and 6-7 support points. Always show a fit rather than
introducing your own suit except in one instance. If partner has bid 1 and you have
4 or more spades it is acceptable to bid 1 even with 3 card heart support.
Partner could have opened 1 with a 4,4,4,1 hand.
- With 5-7 HCP and no fit for partner, you may bid your own suit which shows at least
a 5 card suit except in the instance just discussed above, and it is non-forcing.
Try to avoid at all costs bidding NT. The strong hand should play NT.
Responder's second bid after they have responded 1 to 1 and opener has bid 1NT
Opener has shown 16-18 HCP and now responder has become captain.
Do not make any invitational bids unless you have 7 HCP or some
long suit to compensate. With 6 HCP Stayman is safe however.
Here are your bids over 1NT
- Transfer into any major of 5 cards or longer and pass with 0-6 HCP.
- 2 is a relay to 3, pass or correct to 3
- 2 Stayman with 6 or 7 HCP
Partner's responses are:
- 2 = 16-17 HCP with no 4 card major
- 2 = 16-17 HCP 4 hearts; possibly 4 spades
- 2 = 16-17 HCP 4 spades; denies 4 hearts
- 2NT shows 18 HCP with no 4 card major
- 3 = 18 HCP, at least one 4 card major.
- Responder bids 3 to ask which (opener bids hearts first)
The Auction after responder has made a positive game forcing response.
- If your hand is balanced, respond in the appropriate level in NT.
- With 16-18 you would respond 1NT over 1 or 1; 2NT over 2 or 2.
- With a balanced hand and 19-21 pts you will bid 2NT over a major response and 3NT over a minor response.
- When you hand is even stronger. 24+ balanced you will want to find another bid. Even with 3 card support for partner and a balanced hand you still might want to bid NT because a direct raise of partner's suit is the Trump Asking Bid (TAB). The TAB is usually reserved for when opener has slam interest. There are other ways to show support of partner. You could make a jump raise or splinter with 3 card support.With a balanced hand there is no need to rush to show your support. Give partner a chance to describe their hand further.
Trump Asking Bids.
A direct raise of partner's major suit response to 1,
confirms a fit and is asking partner about the quality of their trump
- 1st step = 5 or more trumps with no top honor
- 2nd step = 5 trumps, 1 top honor
- 3rd step = 5 trumps with 2 top honors
- 4th step = 6 or more trumps with 1 top honor
- 5th step = 6 or more trumps with 2 top honors
- 6th step = Five or more to the AKQ
Control Asking Bids.
The CAB is always used after the TAB .
You can make as many CAB's as the auction permits and responder must continue
to answer your requests until you bid trump.
- 1st step = no control Jxx or worse
- 2nd step = third round control, Queen or doubleton
- 3rd step = second round control, King or singleton
- 4th step = first round control, Ace or void
- 5th step = AK or AQ
If opener uses the CAB for the same suit after your response
- 1st step = length
- 2nd step = strength
Thus if you have shown 3rd round control and partner asks about that suit again,
the first step would show a doubleton the second step the guarded queen.
The same goes for a singleton. The first step would show a singleton and the second step would show the singleton King.
If the first CAB is at 5 or higher level the responses are compressed to these:
- 1st step = zero controls
- 2nd step = second round control
- 3rd step = first round control
When they interfere After 1 - DBL (opening hand values)
- Pass shows 0-4 HCP
- 1 shows 5-7 HCP
- Redouble positive game force, usually balanced
- All other responses are the same as if they had not doubled.
After 1 - DBL (showing majors)
Same structure applies except that if you bid NT you guarantee stoppers in both majors.
When they overcall 1 of a suit
- Pass shows 0-4 or trap pass
- Double shows 5+ balanced or 5-8 unbalanced
- Suit bids are natural and game forcing.
- Cuebid usually shows a balanced game forcing hand with no stopper in the opponent's suit
They overcall 1NT(showing the minors). A variation of Unusual v Unusual can be used over any bid by the opponents that show known two suiters
- 2 shows 5 or more hearts,game forcing.
- 2 shows 5 or more spades,game forcing.
- 2/2 natural but not forcing
- Double shows an interest in penalizing one of their suits
They overcall at the 2 level
- Double = 6-8 HCP, any shape. If the overcall 2, you can no longer jump to 3 for the unusual
positive, so you might have the 4-4-4-1 pattern. The 3 option is still open over 2, however,
since that would be a jump. Also, after responder doubles,a new suit by opener is a 1 round force.
- Suit bids are positive and game forcing.
- 2NT = 8-10 or 14+ balanced with stoppers.
- 3NT - 11-13 with stoppers.
- A cuebid shows the values to be in game but no clear cut action;
no long suit, no stopper in the overcaller's suit.
They overcall at the 3 level
- Double = a balanced hand with a positive response.
- Suit bids are positive and game forcing
- 3NT = 8-11 with stoppers.
What to do when they overcall after 1 - P - 1 - (1/1 overcall)
- Pass shows a balanced minimum with no 5 card suit
- Double = takeout (support for the other suits)
- Suit bids are natural (5 or more in the suit) and are not forcing
- 1NT shows a stopper and the upper end of NT range
- 2NT shows a stopper and the equivalent of a 2NT rebid without the interference.
- Cuebid = strong hand, lacking a stopper.
After 1 - P - 1 - 1NT (showing the minors)
- Pass shows a balanced minimum
- Double is penalty orientated
- 2 shows 5 or more hearts,and extra values (Unusual v Unusual)
- 2 shows 5 or more spades,and extra values
- 2/2 natural but not forcing
- 2NT = upper end of 1NT rebid range, stoppers in the minors.
After 1 - P - 1 - Dbl (showing diamonds)
- Pass shows a balanced minimum
- INT shows a diamond stopper with the upper end of the range.
- Suit bids ignore the double.
When the interference is higher than the one level
- Pass shows a balanced minimum
- Other bids take on a bit more weight
- Unusual v Unusual still applies over 2NT
2 opener.
This shows 11-15 HCP and either 6 diamonds or 5 clubs and a 4 card major
2 asks for shape.
responses are:
- 3 = 6 clubs with no 4 card major.
(a major bid after 3 would ask opener to bid 3NT with a stopper)
- 2/2 shows 5 clubs and a 4 card major 11-13 HCP
- 3/3 shows 5 clubs and a 4 card major 14-15 HCP
- 3NT shows 6 clubs, AKJxxx and no 4 card major.
2 - 2/2 is invitational
2 - 3/3 is game forcing
2 opener.
This shows 13-15 HCP and either 5 or 6 diamonds and a 4 card major. 2NT asks for shape. Responses are:
- 3 = 6 diamonds with no 4 card major bad suit
- 3 = 6 diamonds with no 4 card major good suit
- 3/3 shows a 4 card major.
2 - 2/2 is invitational
2 - 3/3 is game forcing
When we open 1NT 10-12 or 13-15
- 2 is Stayman. There is no drop dead Stayman because we need a way to show
the invitational hands with a 5 or 6 card major.
Over 1NT - 2 - 2 now 2/2 shows 5 card inv hand, 3/3 shows 6 card inv hand
over 1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 would show the inv heart hand. Pass, raise, or bid 3NT.
- 2 is game forcing Stayman
- 2/2 to play
- 2NT shows 5-5 minors or majors no game interest
- 3/3/3/3 6 card over 10-12 NT responder shows 10-12 hcp
- 3/3/3/3 6 card over 13-15 NT responder shows 7-9 hcp
2 Forcing to Game Stayman
Forcing Stayman bidder knows that partner does not have a 5 card major and another 4 card side suit.
Opener will only get a chance to show his 5 card suit if responder asks for further clarification of
the hand. When opener has a 5 card major and the bidding goes 1NT - 2 - 2 (New Suit),
Opener now does not rebid his 5 card major but shows support (or lack thereof) for responders suit.
Responder must also keep in mind when they have a game forcing hand that partner may have a 5 major
when opening INT. It is a simple process after opener shows he has at least a 4 card major to find out
if they have 5 by bidding 2NT as a further inquiry.
1NT - P - 2 Forcing to Game, does not promise a 4 card major.
Responses:
- 2 shows 4/5 hearts, (may have 4 spades if only 4 hearts).
- 2 shows 4/5 spades (does not have 4 hearts)
- 2NT denies a 4 card major or a 5 card minor
- 3 denies a 4 card major but shows 5 or more clubs
- 3 denies a 4 card major but shows 5 or more diamonds
1NT - 2 - 2 - 2 (responder has 5 or more spades). Responses are:
- 2NT shows a max hand doubleton spade
- 3/3/3 honor 3rd support or better with Ace of bid suit
- 3 honor 3rd support or better, either a minimum or no cue-bid.
- 3NT minimum hand with xx spade
- 4 xxx in spades
- 4NT is RKC for spades.
INT - 2 - 2 - 2NT - asks shape Responses are:
- 3 = 4 hearts + 4 clubs
- 3= 4 hearts + 4 diamonds
- 3 = 5 hearts
- 3 = 4 hearts + 4 spades
- 3NT = 3,4,3,3
INT - 2 - 2 - 3 (responder has 5 or more clubs - slam try) Responses are:
- 3 promises honor 3rd or better and the Ace of diamonds
- 3 promises honor 3rd or better and the Ace of hearts - denies the Ace of diamonds
- 3 promises honor 3rd or better and the Ace of spades - denies lower Aces
- 3NT a doubleton or no cue-bid available
- 4 RKC for clubs.
1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 (responder has 5 or more diamonds - slam try). Responses are:
- 3 promises honor 3rd or better and the Ace of hearts
- 3 promises honor 3rd or better shows the Ace of spades - denies the Ace of hearts
- 3NT shows a doubleton or no cue-bid available.
- 4 promises honor 3rd or better with the Ace of clubs and no other Aces
- 4 RKC for diamonds.
1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 (responder has 10 or more HCP & 4 or more hearts, slam try ).
- 3 splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more hearts, slam try,
- 4NT is RKC for hearts.
- 4 splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more hearts, slam try, 4NT is RKC for hearts
- 4 splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more hearts, slam try,
- 3NT to play
- 4NT is RKC for hearts.
1NT - 2 - 2 - 2NT asks shape. Responses are:
- 3 = 4 spades + 4 clubs
- 3 = 4 spades + 4 diamonds
- 3 = 5 spades
- 3NT = 4,3,3,3
1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 (responder has 5 or more clubs - slam try)
Responses are:
- 3 promises honor 3rd or better and the Ace of diamonds
- 3 promises honor 3rd or better and the Ace of hearts - denies the Ace of diamonds
- 3 promises honor 3rd or better and the Ace spades - denies lower Aces
- 3NT a doubleton or no cue-bid available
- 4 is RKC for clubs.
1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 (responder has 5 or more diamonds - slam try) Responses are:
- 3 promises honor 3rd or better and the Ace of hearts
- 3 promises honor 3rd or better shows the Ace of spades
- 3NT a doubleton or no cue-bid available.
- 4 promises honor 3rd or better with the Ace of clubs
- 4 RKC for diamonds.
1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3 (responder has 10 or more HCP with 5 hearts.) Responses are:
- 3/4/4 honor 3rd support or better with Ace of bid suit
- 3NT doubleton heart
- 4 xxx hearts
1NT - 2 - 2:
- 3 (responder has 4 or more spades, 10 or more HCP - slam try)
- 4 splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more spades, slam try, 4NT is RKC for spades
- 4 splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more spades, slam try, 4NT is RKC for spades
- 4 splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more spades, slam try, 4NT is RKC for spades
- 3NT to play
- 4NT is RKC for spades.
1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3 asks shape Responses are:
- 3 = 3,3,4,3
- 3 = 2,3,4,4
- 3 = 3,2,4,4
- 3NT = 3,3,3,4
1NT - 2 - 2NT
- 3 shows 5 or more diamonds - slam try
- 3 shows 10+ HCP and 5 hearts - slam try
- 3 shows 10+ HCP and 5 spades - slam try
Run-outs over 1NT - DBL (Must run with less than 9 pts 10-12 NT, less than 6 pts 13-15 NT)
- Bid a suit touching suits, that and higher.
- redouble forces the opener to bid 2. Responder has a single suited hand.
- Pass forces the opener to redouble, which may be left in or start of showing 2 non-touching suits.
Run-outs over 1NT - P - P - DBL. Responder may:
- Pass with balance of power
- Redouble to show single suited minor hand. Opener must bid 2.
- DONT run-outs for 2 suited hands.