Acol Bridge Kiwi-style!

We've been tweeking the system again.  I suspect this will not be the last tweeking!

The 2 main changes are MONK instead of Cappelletti and the intermediate jump overcall with Ogust responses.

If you want to print this, you are better to copy it to a word document first so you can remove extra spacing and sort out the page breaks that suit your printer

Michelle and John Killer System 08 08 08

OPENING

After a minor opening a rebid of a major is forcing for 1 round

4^th suit is forcing eg 1d:1h 1s:2c = forcing even at 1 level

4^th suit (non-jump bid) is asking for a ˝ hold (LSTB - 2 level and above)

In 1^st position describe quickly - flat 11 shaped 11 etc

In 2^nd position the passes limit yr options so it’s get in get out

(Refers only to limit hands)

      4^th position opener is never weak - all multi is OFF. 

Use normal acol strong 2D/2H/2S  in 4th seat

8.5 playing tricks, 6 card suit - forcing for 1 round:

response:

·         1nt up is negative, 0-7 points, nonforcing

·         any other response is positive  ie: 8+ points and forcing

No strong 2-minor opening (except 2D 4^th in hand) – if you have enough for gameforce open 2 clubs – otherwise open 1nt or 1 level minor

After a raise of openers major to 2 level:

Bidding a 2nd suit is a long suit trial bid,

opener’s raise of own suit to 3 level = 17-18 points

after 1suit:2 different  suit,  eg: opnr 1h, respr 2d

opener’s 3nt rebid  = 15-16 flat

opener’s 2nt rebid = 17+ flat

After 1suit:2 same  suit,    eg: opnr 1h respr 2h

opener’s 3nt rebid  = 17+ with stoppers

opener’s 2nt rebid = 15-16 with  stoppers in other suits

After 1suit:1 different suit or nt,  (CROWHURST)

     eg:  opnr 1c respr 1s then Crowhurst 1nt-2club  (use multi2 di for bal 20-22)

·                  1h:2s   = the 2s is splinter single jump = singleton 5-8 or 12+

·                  1minor:2nt  = 10-12 flat - no other suit to bid

·                  1maj:2minor, a raise of that minor from opener means 3 card support 

·                  1h:2c/d natural 9-10 +

1nt rebid = 15 -18 points (alert)      eg:  1suit-1nt

2nt rebid = 19 -20 points (alert)      eg:  1suit-2nt

3nt rebid = 21-22 HCP unbal (alert), with or without Crowhurst 1nt-2C sequence.

      Responder uses Crowhurst 2 club ask to find range

Opener replies:

2 level bid with 15-16 points

3 level bid with 17-18 points

·  Any 2^nd suit bid will be 4+ cards; NT bid will be balanced probably 4333 shape

1D – 1S - 1NT -?

            2C       = Crowhurst

            2D       = To play (opener can bid 3D with a max and a fit)

            2H/2S = Natural non -forcing

            Last sequence shows 5/4 hand, game interest only if partner max    

            with  4-card support for 2nd bid suit.

1nt opener

Use 1nt for all shapes 11-14HCP.  Explanation for ops is 11-14HCP, any shape,

but not containing a 6 card major.

·        11-14 any shape

·         may have 5 card major

·         If sgl or void in transfer suit, u bid either 4 c major or 2nt.

 eg: 1nt:2d - 2sp = 4 spades & short in Hearts

 eg: 1nt :2d - 2nt = long minor  -  respr bids 3Clubs, opnr passes or converts to D

·         If p staymans and u have long clubs – raise to 3 clubs

·         NT count for raising is HCP only unless you have a running suit

Responding to yr partner's 1nt opener

generally the rule is 12 or 12+

flat 11 no bid

11 + feature = 12/12+ so respond

Immediate bid at the 3 level

1NT - 3 C/D/H/S

·         Natural bids showing slam interest

·         Normally single suited hands (minors often 6+)

·         The 1nt opener should either:

Bid 3NT                = no fit                

Bid game in suit   = fit but bad hand

Cue bid                 = fit with good hand

1nt:Immediate game bid by respr = to play

If bidding goes me 1nt, you 2c, me 2s – to force opener to bid again,

responder must change suit. A bid of 3 spades is invitational, not forcing.

  Swine

1NT(double) then the responder bids either:

Pass   =          forces opener to redouble

XX       =          single suited weak hand forcing 2C, which is then converted to their suit.                         

2C       =          shows at least 4/4 with clubs and a major.

2D       =          shows at least 4/4 in diamonds and spades.

2H       =          a non-forcing bid which partner may raise in competition

2S       =          As with 2H

After 1NT, (double), P, P: opener is forced to redouble & responder may then:

Pass   =          happy to play in 1NT redoubled.

2C       =          at least 4/4 in Clubs and Diamonds

2D       =          at least 4/4 in Diamonds and Hearts

2H                   at least 4/4 in Hearts and Spades

Summary

An immediate bid shows the lower of non-touching suits

An immediate redouble shows a single suiter

A delayed bid (i.e. after pass) shows the lower of touching suits

Transfers – 4 way

After 1NT:

            2D    = 5+ hearts requests p to bid H

            2H    =             5+ spades   requests p to bid S

            2S    = 5+ clubs requests p to bid C

            2NT  =            5+ diamonds requests p to bid D

·         Only refuse the transfer if you have a sglton or void in transfer suit

·         Transfer followed by a new suit is game forcing.

·         Transfer followed by NT bid shows balanced or semi balanced hand.

·         Transfer & rebid of shown suit shows extra length and is not forcing.

 After they double in the middle of your transfer process

·         1nt u   2d (tfr) me    x them   pass u = 1-2 card support for 2H - mini points

·          You accepting transfer 3-4 card hearts

 

      Transfers are OFF after an intervening bid

•     If their interference over 1NT shows 2 suits (eg 1NT, 2D (majors):

Stayman

 ·          All normal balanced invitational hands must start with 2C Stayman.

           (As the 2NT response shows transfer to diamonds)

·          Stayman does not promise a 4card major if responders 2^nd  bid is 2NT

·          must alert

·          Stayman followed by a minor is non-forcing.

Rule:   Balanced invitational hands go via Stayman

Rule:   Stayman followed by new suit at the 3 level shows a weak hand with

5 cards in the suit bid and a 4 card major (the 4 card major may not be known)

Stayman - extended

over Stayman 2d response, 3d asks for 3 card major  (forcing)

and 3nt reply = two 3 card majors

When ops dbl Stayman:  carry on as normal 

OVERCALLS

systemic = 8-14 HCP for overcalls (mostly)!

 Over ops strong 1 club opener: (eg: Precision)

modified Cappeletti over their 1c

 x            = pen

1d           = majors

1h /1sp  = suit and another 1nt response asks for other suit

1nt          = long suit takeout – response is 2clubs

2c           = minors – respond with your best minor

SUIT  Overcalls

·        can be 4 card suit  , not nec. short in their suit & not nec. support in other suits

·        tends to deny 1nt overcall

·        8-14 but can be lighter if vul is favourable

·        they vul,  we nonvul = overcall can be real light,  ie: 0 points  - u protect p hand

·        suit quality does not matter – just interferes with their bidding

·        the weaker the hand the more u must act

·        can be a 4 card suit at 2 level as well – if partner has passed need to be able to

          stand zero point bid from your p

·        beware could be just a competitive bid

·        so ur cuebid  = gameforce

·        any other bid is competitive

·             Intermediate jump overcalls – 6 card suit, 11-14HCP,   Use Ogust for range:

When u overcall and p cuebids, rebid suit at cheapest level if u have no xtras

When u overcall, p responds then your rebid of 1nt = 13-14 points

NT overcalls      ie:  they open a suit and you overcall 1nt

if they bid a minor you have 2x4 card majors

if they bid a major you have the other 4 card major

nonvul            = 8-14,

vul v vul         = 10-14hcp

they v us nonvul   = 0+ hcp         

1major from them , 1nt u,  x from them,  if I xx,  asks u bid 4 card up the line

They open, I overcall 1nt:      Your cue bid asks how strong

Responses are:

2h/2s = minimum hand

2nt = medium 11-12

Cue bid again = maximum 

(note with15 you would probably have doubled but not always if you have not

 got tolerance in unbid suits)

2nt direct overcall:

Cro-Michaels over their suit when you are an unpassed hand

Ordinary Michaels over their suit when you are a passed hand

Capelletti over their 1nt

Doubles & Cue Bids

 penalties – takeout - negative

Dbl over their 1 level bid is 15+.  tends to be bal but not always if big hand

Dbl over their higher level bids is for takeout = around opening strength at least.

NFB applies

dblr invites to game with 17-19 pts

                 · bid from them     x from me = takeout

                 · bid them    pass u    bid them     x me = takeout

                 · up to and including 4 hearts

Negative dbl only at 1 level as dbl over ops 2 or 3 level bids shows 10+ points (NFB)

When ops open and you dbl for takeout with a very good hand

(extra points or shapely)

 - you need to cuebid on next round to show this

eg:       them  1C/1d          you X           them any              me 1h

            them 1s                you 2s or 2d cue bid

                 · Is invite to game

                 · Shows a hand that would like to be in game

                 · Your cuebid after yr partner has dbld for takeout = support

                 · Then if I bid another suit that = extras

2nd dbl by same bidder = penalties   but…

1suit them    x me    2same suit them    x me again = I want u to bid

·                  This is only exception  

In a contested auction a bid of enemy suit is forcing (cue bid)

·              Is invite by passed hand and g’force by nonpassed hand

Reopening double

You open, responder passes and you have a viable hand, your double asks p to bid

(1)Responses to p’s 1^st round takeout dbl (dbl =15+);  (2)Cue bids

 2nt = forcing for 1 round, 10+ pts

  Invitational showing 1.5 stoppers in openers suit

u respond naturally

all cue bids by unpassed hand in comp = g.f

rebid of your suit after p’s unpassed hand cuebid = minimum points;

with more points find any other suit bid except a jump raise of your suit

cue bid by passed h = invite only

      eg  1:   1h..u     1sp.. them   2sp.. me = g/f

      eg  2:   1..them       x u          cue me  = g/f

o always assume if u open suit  cue is support

o         if u x and I cue assume we have a fit somewhere   even 4-3 is fit

o       I don’t know if yr x=15-17 or 18+

Opener 1nt,  respr 3level bid = gameforce

 Leads  are Attitude 

·       Even = discouraging on 1^st lead

·       Leads are 3rds and 5ths 

·       if lead is discouraging, look to what u can see for defence

·       Think defense totally in what u can see

·       Imagine declarer’s hand

·       Now add declarers points, yrs & dummy together to defeat or keep to minimum

·       When I bid suit an not lead need u to lead at first opp.

·       Keep playing suit you lead

rule 1 all leads must have meaning and be constructive, even if u lead trump

rule 2  always lead top of sequence

Only 2 reasons ptnr does not lead his bid suit – either not have them or wants you to lead them.

If you have ptnr’s suit, lead top card

Only if partner bid suit should you lead from doubleton

Leads are same against all contracts

Do not lead 4^th highest – doesn’t work well with odds and evens

Odd for ‘I want it back’         Even for ‘I don’t want it back’

6 = neutral – you have nothing to tell p

Telling your p if you want suit back or not takes precedence over count.

If you have AK of a suit:
Lead Ace if you want partner to give a count signal 
Lead King if you want partner to give an attitude signal-

If you want p to keep playing the king’s suit, play the 6 or 7.

Play 8-10 for higher suit and 2-5 for lower.

Signals when following suit

Use Reverse count    

low card        followed by higher card  = even number of cards held

high first       followed by lower card    = odd  number of cards held

 middle up down (MUD)says no tricks in my hand so if u get in take what u can

Discards

Preferential system:            2,3,4,5 asks for lower suit

6 is neutral                            7,8,9,10 asks for higher suit

Long suit trial bids

·                  non-jump bid of new suit after trump suit decided on asks for a ˝  hold

Lebensohl

they open, overcall by me,  pass by them,  1nt by u = lebensohl

·                  the 1nt bid means you do not have support for p’s overcalled suit but

             you have a long suit you can play.  

·                  asks me to bid  2 clubs and u name contract next bid

Simplified Lebensohl is used in 2 situations :

1.  as just discussed

2. over their weak 2 bids:    X u    2nt  me =leb.   Any other bid is values.

 re: a dbl of ops by responder after p has opened 1nt 

         p    ops  you

1.  1NT,  2H :  X  = may not have 4 card spades. Shows game inviting values

Opener bids:             2S if minimum with 4c spades

                                    2NT if minimum without 4 spades

                        3maj/3NT if maximum

        p    ops  you

2.    1NT,  2D:  X = inviting values, need not have 4c major

opener bids       2 level if minimum

                          3 major/3nt/3D if maximum   (if opnrs rebid is unsuitable,

                            responders next bid is natural)

         p  ops  you

3:   1NT,  2S:  X = shld include 4c hearts (minimum opnr needs to know 3H safe)

 Slam bidding: Cue bid aces and kings

Any bid made above 3 of the agreed suit is a cue-bid showing slam interest.

RKCB  1430

Which suit is trumps? :

If a suit is bid and supported, that suit is trumps

If no suit has been supported the last bid suit is trumps

o       If a major suit has been bid and supported to 3 level, use 3nt for RKCB

o       After a NT bid, the last suit bid before the NT is trumps for RKCB except

o        when the suit is artificial – then use ordinary Blackwood.

4NT asks for Aces & the King of Trumps.

replies to 4nt ask are:               

on rare occasions: