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Fab Roman 2005 – by Martin Johnson
Principles and opening bids 2
Other Unusual openings (2M, 2NT, 3NT and Namyats) 3
Responses.3
Contested Auctions.4
First Review – Key principles. 5
The 1 club opening (12-16 HCP). 6
The 1 club opening (21+ ). 6
Special responses to suit openings. 8
Three suited opening hands of 4441 pattern. 8
The sequence 1
-2
.9
Support and other doubles. 10
Informing the opponents. 11
Is FAB legal. 12
The Fab learning curve.12
Defensive Bidding in FAB. 13
Multi Landy. 13
Intermediate Jump Overcalls. 13
Table 1 – Opening Bids by hand pattern. 15
Table 2 - Responses.16
Table 3 – After a negative response.17
Table 4 – After a Game Forcing Response.18
Table 5 – Special sequences. 19
Table 6 – Defensive Bidding. 20
Principles and opening bids
The opening bids of 1 and 1NT handle
all balanced hands worth an opening bid. 1NT is 17-20 HCP, 1
is 12-16 or 21+. A minimum opening bid in first or second seat will be 12
HCP with two good four card suits, third seat any 12 count and a few 11 counts
are worth opening. A 1 opening is
forcing.
The opening bids of 1, 1
,
1
and 2 work
as a team to show almost all unbalanced hands (the SUIT
openings). The normal strength for these openings is 11-20 HCP (2
is limited to around 17 HCP). However for unbalanced hands losers and quick
tricks are the primary evaluation method. A seven or fewer loser hand with
at least two quick tricks (assuming low count) is considered an opener, strength
is approximately the same in all seats. These opening bids are FORCING, except for 2 which is
only semi-forcing.
·
Suit openings can be classified as one suited (6+, no
side 4+), two suited (at least 54) or three suited (4441 or 5440). With a
one suiter, open the long suit (2C with long clubs) and rebid the suit. With
a two suiter, open the 4 card suit and rebid in the five card suit (CANAPE
principle, second suit longer). With 55 hands, open the LOWER ranking
suit and rebid in the higher ranking. With 4441 hands, open 1 diamond with
a heart singleton, or 1 with any other
singleton.
·
Minor two suiters are always opened 1 with a rebid in clubs. This promises at least 54 or 45 in the two suits, the
longer suit is not known. This is the primary exception to the canapé principle.
·
Strong three suited hands(4441) of 17+ HCP in all working
points (discount for singleton honors) are opened 2 . This opening bid is MULTI, usually
a major weak two bid, but includes the strong three suited hands.
·
One and two suited hands or less than full opening strength
may be opened 2 (weak two in
a major), 2M (5 cards in that suit, 5 in a lower suit) or 2NT (at least 55
in minors). The strength for all these openings is 6-11 HCP, closer to 6 at
favourable vulnerability, to 11 at unfavourable vulnerability. There are no
strict suit quality requirements, but the hand pattern must be correct (no
64 or 54 hands for 2M). A 2NT opening, since it forces partner to the three
level requires sure tricks and may be up to 13 HCP with less than 3 quick
tricks.
·
Three level preempts follow normal rules, reasonably
sound one suited hands. An opening of 3NT shows a weak minor preempt (lacking
the ace or king usually). Openings of 4
or 4 show hearts
or spades respectively with 8+ tricks including at least one ace outside the
long suit.
·
Very strong hands (10+ tricks or 22+ HCP unbalanced)
may be opened 1§
.True two suiters (at least 55) with good suits are better opened in the second
suit, with a jump rebid in the other suit, even with 10+ tricks. Strong one
suiters may also open with a one bid or the Namyats 4 minor openings. The
only unbalanced 1 openings are
those with patterns like 5422, 5431, or 6 card minor, and should include a minimum of 21 HCP. The strong 1C hands
are distinguished from the 12-16 variety by a jump rebid.
Other Unusual openings (2M, 2NT, 3NT and Namyats)
A 2M opening shows 6-11 HCP with 5+ in the suit opened and another lower ranking five card suit. Responder needs at least 2 cards in the suit opened to pass, and generally either three cards with a good hand or four cards to raise. Lacking support for the major, responder bids 2NT to ask for openers second suit. Normally the suit opened should be Q10xxx or better
The
2NT opening shows the minors, responder will usually pick a minor. If responder
has slam interest he may respond 3, this is artificial
asking opener to show his major length by bidding 3 with a spade singleton
or 3NT with a heart singleton. If responder then continues with 4 of a minor
it is forcing, inviting further cue bidding.
A 3NT opening shows a minor preempt, the kind of hand that would not be happy
to open 3 of a minor and pass if responder bid 3NT (hence a 7+ minor lacking
the ace or king together with a void). Responder will need excellent major’s
stoppers along with at least Axx in both minors to pass. With 8 + tricks in
his own hand and a long strong major, responder can bid 4M. Responses of 4
, 4 ask partner to pass if the
suit bid is his minor, or to correct otherwise..A 4
or 4 opening shows a hand with at least 8 sure tricks
and a 7+ suit in hearts or spades respectively. Opener will have first or
second round control in at least two of the side suits and opening strength
or better. A hand as strong as -
AQJx § Kx is possible. If
responder has several possible cover cards he should relay with the step bid
inviting opener to cue bid, otherwise he simply bids openers major.
Responses
Responding methods vary according to the opening bid. Generally responder uses point count (and fit) to determine whether a hand belongs in game or not (usually announced with an artificial response). Only two principles apply to the responses to all opening bids (raise if possible, and game force if possible).
·
Whenever possible responder should raise openers suit.
Minimum support for suit openings is 4 cards. Over any suit opening, 2NT is
a game forcing raise of openers suit. Over 1M, a single raise is 6-9 HCP,
a double raise 10-12, splinters show 10+ HCP. Over a 2
opening, 3 and 4 are natural, semi- preemptive. Over a 1¨ opening 3 and four level raises
are semi-preemptive (5+ fit, short in majors).
·
Over a 1 opening a response of
2 is a transfer diamond raise, and a 2
response shows a limited hand with long clubs (8-11 HCP). The transfer raise
promises four + diamonds and 6+ HCP, there are numerous special rebids by
responder.
·
One level suit openings are forcing. The cheapest bid
by responder (1 /1, 1ª /1 and 1N/1 ) is a relay, it denies 13+ HCP or the values for a raise response.
This bid is called the artificial step negative, but it is not
always negative since it can include hands of fairly balanced patterns up
to 12 HCP. The holding in the suit bid may be any length.
·
Over a one level suit opening, game forcing hands (13+
HCP, some less hands with sure tricks) without a fit for opener uses the artificial
game force. This response is 1NT to 1¨ or 1, and 2 to 1 (since 1NT is reserved for the step negative). Opener generally bids
out his pattern, responder may make minimum rebids as relays to ask
for further information.
·
Other responses to one level suit openings (not raise,
step negative or artificial game force) are natural and forcing for one round.
1ª over 1 shows 6-11
points, the other natural responses occur at the two level and show normally
a good five or six card suit with 7-11 HCP.
·
Responses to 1NT are essentially as in standard systems,
using transfers to the majors (four suit transfers may be used if you prefer).
The 2 response is Puppet Stayman, asking opener to
show a 5 card major if he has one by rebidding 2M. With no 5 but at least
one four card major, opener rebids 2, responder
then bids 2 of the major he DOES NOT hold four cards in, or no trump with no
four card major (responder may Puppet Stayman without a four card major, either
to invite 3NT or to check on a 53 major fit). Puppet Stayman is used only
in this sequence, it does not apply after natural no trump overcalls or after
a 1opening.
·
Responding to a 1
opening presumes that opener has the balanced 12-16 HCP hand type. Responder
with less than game values (nominally 0-11 HCP) responds either 1M (6-11 HCP,
at least a four card suit) or 1 (0-11, no major unless
fewer than 6 HCP). A 1NT response shows a good 10 to a bad 12 HCP without
a major or worthless doubleton.
·
With a game going hand over 1
(13+ HCP or a decent 12, or 7+ tricks), responder makes a two level game forcing response. Two
level responses are essentially as if opener had opened a weak no trump, 2 is Stayman, 2 and 2
are transfers, 2 and 2NT show 6 cards in clubs and diamonds, opener super accepts with
2NT or 3
respectively with a fit and maximum, responder may continue by showing a singleton.
Note that the game forcing responses aim to have the hand played from the
right side and the well described hand as dummy most of the time.
·
Responses of 3 and
3 to either 1 or 1NT show 55 in the minors, invite and game force respectively.
Responses of 3 or 3show 55 in majors,invite and game force respectively. An alternative is to
use these bids as splinters with game strength, a singleton in the bid suit,
3 cards in the other major and 54 in the minors.
·
The 2 opening is not forcing, though it is rarely passed in an uncontested
auction. The 2 response promises at least 6
HCP and two cover cards, it is a relay asking opener to further describe his
hand. With a long major, opener rebids the major, other rebids show long clubs
(2nt=max, 3=min, 3x is singleton with running clubs).
Responses of 2© or 2 are natural, not forcing and warn of a possible misfit. With a nearly
solid six card major and around 7 sure playing tricks, you may prefer to open
and jump in the major. Keep in mind that if you start with 2
you can only show the major with a 2 level rebid, there is no jump to show
strength, and the 2M rebid is not forcing.
Contested Auctions
When the opponents compete over an opening bid of 1
thru 1NT, all special responses are off. Step negatives, artificial game forces,
transfer raise of 1 no longer apply. You may wish to
play system on after 1N-D, but apart from that trivial exception, responding
is natural.
· The primary tools used in contested auctions are non forcing free bids and negative doubles (more rightly called sputnik doubles, since they promise only high card points, not length in any suit, so resemble the original negative double as proposed by Alvin Roth). This method is particularly effective with suit openings, since the canapé principle assures opener always has something to rebid. The high card strength required is typically similar to standard, around 8 working high card points if partner can rebid at the two level, around 11 if he will have to respond at the three level. Doubles of 4 level or higher competition are usually passed unless opener has exceptional tricks, so responder should not double with extreme offensive hands.
· If responder makes a negative double then bids a new suit below game, it is forcing, and generally shows a two suiter. With a strong single suited hand responder should jump in his suit to force.
· A response of 2NT after an overcall is forcing, whether made as a jump or not, and guarantees at least one stopper in the opponents suit.
· Strength showing redoubles are used, promising 10+ HCP, generally in a balanced hand.
· Jump raises in competition are weak to mixed (usually 5-9 HCP). A cue bid by responder is a forcing raise.
·
Jumps in new suits are strong over a suit opening, weak
over 1opening. Double jumps are splinters over a
major opening.
First Review– Key principles
·
Opening bids are based on hand pattern, suit quality
is not considered. Canapé is used in the auctions starting with 1,1,1
or 2.
· Responder raises where possible, or uses an artificial game force, or a natural new suit positive. With none of the above, he responds in the step bid.
· Openers rebids in no trump are artificial in suit auctions, jumps show single suiters semi-balanced, 1NT rebid is a canapé in partners suit.
· In any auction where a game force has been established, jump bids to game tend to limit the hand and are weaker than non jump bids (fast arrival principle). In any non forcing auction however, both opener and responder should bid the full value of their hand as soon as possible, based on sure tricks (the more you bid the more you have principle.
· Slam bidding tools include splinters, key card Blackwood (jump or major agreed), and Italian style cue bidding (cheapest king or ace is cue bid, bypassing a suit tends to deny a control, cues below game do not promise extra values). You may wish to add Exclusion Blackwood and Declarative- Interrogative 4NT when a minor is agreed at four level, but these are frills at best.
What you have read so far gives all the key principles of the Fab system,the rest is just the messy details. Fab does not use the 2/1 concept, forcing no trumps, inverted minors, fourth suit forcing, west coast cue bids, Bergen raises, Drury, reverses, better minor, singleton showing over Jacoby 2nt, or any of the other hundred of artificial concepts necessary to play even a moderately competitive version of a so called natural or standard system. It is true that there are more artificial concepts in opening and the initial response than in so called natural methods, but from openers first rebid onward Fab is the MOST natural bidding system. The vast majority of the problems that exist in other systems simply do not occur in FAB. There are of course some unique problems, but they occur at a fraction of the frequency they do in other systems.
The 1 club opening (12-16 HCP)
This section will cover how opener rebids after a 1 opening when he has 12-16 HCP. The method varies according to the type
of response, the only general principle is that jump rebids show the
strong variety of 1 opening.
·
After a 1 response (0-11
HCP), opener rebids either 1M (five card suit or good 4) or 1NT (no five card
major). Responder then places the contract, or raises invitationally to 2NT
or 3 of openers major (showing a good 10 to a bad 12 HCP).
·
After a 1M response (6-11, 4+ suit), openers rebids
show his fit for the major and point count. A single raise is 12-14 with four
card support, 2is an artificial raise showing 15-16 with 4 card support,
2 is an artificial
raise showing good three card support with a weak doubleton and 12-16
HCP. One spade shows 4+ spades, 1NT is bid on all the remaining hands. After
1-1M-1N-2 by responder is like
new minor, asking for 3 card support or a bid
passed 2M with a maximum. If responder bids a major and is not raised, other
minor rebids are natural, not forcing and may have more length than in the
major.
·
After a 1NT response (12+ balanced, game force), opener
can bid 2 Stayman or 2 of another suit showing a 5 card suit.
·
Response of 2 is Puppet Stayman, 4 suit transfers, 3and 3 show invite
and game force minor 55 hands, 3M shows a singleton with 3 of other major
and 45 or 54 in minors, game forcing.
·
After 1 -overcall-pass-pass or bid, opener may compete at the one or two level
on a good five card suit or with a double (takeout) or 1NT (natural). All
these bids show maximum values, 15-16 HCP with solid values.
·
When responder makes a negative double, opener will
generally bid his cheapest suit,or no trump naturally. If the overcall is
raised (e.g. 1 -1-D-2) opener may
double for takeout or compete in a suit, he should do one of these two with
most 15-16 HCP hands.
·
After a 1NT response (10-11 HCP no major), openers 2,2 or 2 rebid show five card suits and are forcing one round (they
may be 12-16 or 21+). A 2NT rebid shows a balanced 21+ HCP,3NT is a good 14-16
(to play). A jump to 3
is strong forcing, at least 17 HCP. A 2 rebid
may be minors with an off shape 12-16 hand or a strong
three suiter. If opener has the strong three suiter he can force with a later
major rebid.
The 1 club opening (21+)
·
If responder makes a game forcing response, opener bids
the same way initially with the strong 1
types as he would with the weak type. However since slam is virtually assured,
the follow-up will include at least one bid beyond game.
·
If the response was 1
or 1ª ,opener makes a single jump response to show
the strong 1 hands, this establishes
a game force, then the fast arrival principle applies. A jump raise of 3M
shows very strong 4 card support or five card support and an unbalanced hand,
it requests cue bidding. Opener with a balanced hand should rebid 2NT even
with four card support for the major, responder will usually check with 3 and
openers 3M then confirms 4 card support.
·
In a contested auction, opener may either jump in a
new suit or no trump or cue bid to show the strong 1
type hand, he chooses whichever of those rebids is most natural. A cue bid
initially asks partner to show a stopper in the opponent’s suit if possible.
·
Special considerations apply to an auction starting
with 1 -P-1 -P. Now any bid opener makes at the
two level shows a 21+ HCP hand, he has a variety of them available. A rebid
of 2NT shows 21-22 HCP, and denies a decent five card major. Rebids of 2,
2, 2 and 3
show unbalanced hands with 5+ in
the bid suit, and are forcing. Responder makes the step bid if he can not raise,
or can bid a new suit to show a very weak hand with a decent six card suit.
After these suit jumps openers new suits are forcing, rebids in the same suit
or no trump are not. 1 -1 -3NT shows 9 tricks for no trump, based
on stoppers and a long minor.
·
The sequence 1 -1 -2
(uncontested) is artificial and forcing, promising a balanced or semi-balanced
hand (no singleton). Responder normally rebids 2, then
opener continues with 2(21-22, 5 card suit, 5332 shape,
not forcing, 2NT(23-24), 3NT(25-27 all suits well stopped) or 3m (forcing,
usually a 6322 hand, looking for responder to show a stopper). Opener may
also continue with 2, which is
either hearts or a flawed 25+ hand.
Suit auction rebids
When opener bids two suits after starting with a suit opening,
his second suit is nearly always longer than the first (canapé principle).
However there is normally no distinction between a descending canapé into
a lower ranking suit or an ascending canapé into a higher ranking suit. The
reason this is so is responder will nearly always raise the first suit directly
with four card support, so he is not likely to need to raise the level to
show a preference. Thus 1 -2
-2 or 1 -2 -2
both show 11-17 HCP approximately and are not forcing. In both auctions the
second suit bid will be 5+ in length. The concept of a reverse in the standard
sense does not exist in FAB.
·
There are two types of auctions where a canapé bypassing
a no trump rebid does show extra values. After 1 -1,
openers 2© rebid shows some extra values, usually
15+ HCP or 7 playing tricks. The reason for this is that opener has available
a rebid of 1NT to show a minimum canapé into hearts, allowing responder to
pass or pick a minor with misfit hands. Similarly after 1
-1, openers 1NT rebid promises
at least 4 spades (he may be 4441 pattern). A rebid of 2 instead promises extras.
·
When responder makes a natural two level response, openers
canapés to 3 of a minor are forcing and show extra values, either in tricks
or points. (e.g. 1
-2-3). With a minimum canapé to a minor, opener rebids 2NT, leaving room for
responder to bail out with 3 (artificial, asks opener to pass with clubs or rebid
3 with diamonds). After 1
-2 (game force), opener rebids
2NT with a minimum club canapé semi balanced, 3 promises either some extra shape or points.
·
Apart from the cases mentioned in the last two points,
openers rebids in no trumps are semi-natural (long one suited hand with stoppers
in unbid suits). For example, 1 -2
-D-P-2NT shows 6 hearts with spade stopper(s).
· When responder makes the step negative response, opener must rebid again even with a minimum, since responder’s shape is undefined. In theory this could mean opener rebidding at the two level on 11 points when responder had 0 points, leaving the opponents an opportunity for a giant penalty. There are a number of reasons why this does not happen. Most of the time if responder is very weak one or both opponents have already bid before opener’s rebid, and then he is free to pass. Secondly, the step response does not guarantee weakness, it can be made on some quite strong hands, so it is far from easy for the opponents to judge when you are in trouble. In contrast to standard methods where after 1x - P - P responder has announced very limited values, and the opponents can judge that they have the clear majority of points needed for a low level penalty double.
· When responder makes a simple or limit raise of a major opening, opener need not bother to show a canapé suit, and generally he will not unless he is specifically interested in slam. Best strategy on most highly distributional hands is to just bid game, leaving the opponents in the dark as to the nature of opener’s hand. This gives a significant advantage over standard methods where openers hand is likely to be dummy and where there will be several suit bids to guide the defense.
· When responders forces to game over a major with a 2NT response, openers new suit rebid is a canapé, with a one suiter he either rebids the major or jumps in a new suit as a splinter bid. After a canapé rebid responder should generally make a minimum rebid, if he instead jumps to game he shows a very poor hand in terms of controls (at most two key cards including the trump queen).
· When responder uses the artificial game force, opener should make minimum rebids to define all his pattern. As in the previous point, fast arrival applies so game bids by either player tend to show very poor control hands.
· When responder makes the artificial step negative response, none of openers rebids are forcing so the more he bids the more tricks he has. A rebid at the one or two level is limited to around 17 HCP or 7 sure tricks. A rebid at the three level promises at least 18 HCP or 8 sure tricks, and is nearly always a six card suit. A rebid at the four level shows about 9 playing tricks and is generally based on a freak distribution (65 or better).
·
When opener jump canapés to 3 of a major after a step
negative, responders rebids of 4m are cue bids showing a fit for openers suit
and usually the ace in the suit bid (e.g. 1 -1-3 -4
). The same understanding applies to any new suit rebid by responder after
opener rebids at the four level.
·
Some hands of 6331 or 6322 pattern are not truly one
suited. Hands with those patterns and 16+ HCP are often not well suited to
an opening and jump rebid in the six card suit. Responder will be wary of
introducing a new suit over the jump rebid, a problem that often occurs in
standard also, particularly in the auction 1M-1NT forcing. Fab permits an
opening bid in a three card suit (one level only) with hands of this type,
but a number of conditions have to be meet. With Axxxxx AKx
x AQx the proper opening bid
is 1, intending to rebid 2.
The three conditions required are a weak six card suit, a strong three card
suit and a hand of at least 16 HCP. There is a famous hand from around 1963
where Avarelli and Belladonna landed in a 4-3 fit at the six level in just
such a sequence. Of course they made it, leading to the legend that Italians
are lucky. Since the rest of us are not so lucky, make sure all three conditions
are meet before you try this idea.
Special responses to suit openings
The following treatments were not part of traditional roman, but are recommended, at least after you have played Fab for a while.
- Preemptive style 3 level raises of major
openings, with 5 card support. A limit raise is shown by 2ª over 1 or 3 over 1.
- A 2 response to 1 opening shows 55 in majors with about
6-9 HCP. Opener may pass or correct.
- A 2 response to 1 opening shows 5 spades and 5 clubs with
6-9 HCP. Opener places the contract.
- A 3m response to a major opening is preemptive,
with a good six card suit and no tolerance for either major.
Three suited opening hands of 4441 pattern
Three suited hands are notoriously difficult to handle in
a canapé system since the second suit bid is suppose to be a 5+ suit. The
original Roman club had two special openings to handle them, 2
for 11-16, 2 for 17+ hands. This hand pattern is not
common enough to warrant even one special opening bid. Depending on suit quality,
strength and whether the singleton suit includes the king or ace, opening
bids of 1, 11,1NT
or 2 may be best.
- 22+
hands should open 1, intending to continue with 2
and 2 over negative responses.
- With
11-17 HCP and a singleton heart open 1 intending
to rebid 1 over a 1 response
and 2 over a 1NT response. You may bid this way also
with a singleton club if most of the values are in diamonds and spades,
with the hearts rather weak.
- With
a singleton king or ace in any suit may be opened 1 or 1NT if it fits the point
range for the bid.
- Hands
of 18-21 HCP with points in all three suits should normally open 2.
- Hands
not covered above open 1 with 4 hearts, intending
to rebid 1NT over 1 and 2
over a 1NT response.
·
An opening bid of 2 is either
a weak two bid in a major or a three suited hand of 18-21 HCP. The method
of showing the three suited hand varies according to the response to 2.
The most common responses to 2 is 2,
asking opener to pass with hearts or bid 2 with spades.
This means that opener can use all the rebids from 2NT to 3
to show three suiters with a singleton in the suit above the one bid. Responder
may pass these rebids, or make a minimum rebid in the singleton suit (natural,
to play) or otherwise place the contract. Jump to show the higher singleton).
·
A 2 response to 2 shows a heart fit and invites
game if opener has a weak two in hearts. Opener passes with spades or rebids
3 or 4 with hearts. This leaves
rebids of 2NT, 3 and 3 to show
club, diamond and heart singletons, 3 and 3NT to show singletons min and max with a spade singleton.
·
A 2NT response to 2
promises at least an opening hand, then opener rebids 3
with a maximum weak two bid, 3 with a minimum
weak two bid in hearts, or 3 with a minimum
weak two bid in spades and 3 to
show 46 in the majors. Three suited rebids start at 3NT and show singletons
in the next suit.
· When responder either uses the artificial game force or the 2NT fit raise game force over a major, opener simply rebids his cheapest new suit, and if given room his third suit. There is still some ambiguity left as bidding three suits is more common with 5431 hands than 4441 or 5440 hands, simply because 5431 is a much more common pattern. If it matters to responder he should go slow enough to allow opener to resolve any ambiguity, the common way to do this is for responder to relay at every turn.
The sequence 1-2
A response of 2 to a 1
opening shows at least 4 diamonds and at least 6 HCP.
Responder will usually have less than an opening bid, the sole exception
is a hand with a side singleton and at least 12 HCP, where responder intends
to jump rebid in the singleton suit. Opener will normally suppress his canapé
rebid and continue with 2 unless he has a six card
major or sufficient extras to think game is possible opposite a 6-9 HCP hand.
A new suit rebid by opener is forcing for one round. If opener rebids 2,
responder can continue with a natural 2NT (10-11) or a stopper showing 2M
or 3C rebid (at least 10 points), 3 (5 card support
in the 10-11 HCP range) or 3M with a game hand and a small singleton in the
bid major.
Because responder always raises diamonds immediately, the
sequence 1-1M-2-2
may be played as a relay to clarify opener shape. Opener then continues
2=3 card
suit
2NT = 55 minors
3= 46
minors
3=64
minors
2
- none of above so 2 - 3hearts - then 2 further relay
and opener continues
2N=5 diamonds
3=
5 clubs
A response of 2
to 1 shows a hand of limited strength (around 6-9 HCP) with 6+ decent clubs,
opener may pass or bid 3
with a minimum hand, other rebids are forcing and natural.
Slam Understandings
In no trump auctions, 4NT is natural unless a suit agreed Texas transfer agrees the transfer suit, Jacoby does not unless super accepted). When 4NT is ace asking, 0314 responses, 5NT = 2 keys with unspecified void
When response to 4NT is first or second step, cheapest unbid suit asks about trump queen, then new suit is specific king with trump queen, jump to slam is trump queen, no side king. Rebid of 5NT by 4NT bidder asks for specific kings. Any other bid other than agreed suit by 4NT bidder asks for queen in suit bid. Cue bidding is usually ace first in auction where partner has shown a two suiter, or cheapest control when he has shown a balanced hand or one suiter.
Most double jump bids below 4 of agreed suit are splinters, 4 cover card or better hands. Double jumps above 4 of agreed suit are exclusion Blackwood if lower bid would have been a splinter, or after suit agreement.
After 1-2 or 1-2NT,
a jump to 4 of agreed minor is KCB.
Support and other doubles
1-P-1-2
?
D= 3 card spade support
2=canapé
or 4441 hand
1-P-1-1
?
2=3 card
hearts, spade doubleton
2=15-16
with four hearts
2=12-14
with four hearts
D=15-16 usually lacking spade stopper or fit, so 3334 typical
P= can be four or five good spades
Pass of opponents overcall then later double is purely penalty, redouble then double is also good trump holding
Otherwise all doubles thru 3 are
value showing if not otherwise specified (typically two or three of opponents
suit in flat hand with defense). You must pass with a canapé in overcallers
suit or with any hand where you are sure of a set but would not welcome partner
pulling a double
2-P-2-2
?
D=good weak two bid in hearts, short spades
P= may be hearts or spades
2N and higher= singleton showing, ignore interference
1 2(intermediate,
by partner) 3 ?
3=competitive
D=serious game try in hearts
1
P 12
P P D P
?
3=club
canapé
2N= diamonds with secondary clubs
P=heart canapé or more likely a good defense hand with 1354 shape
1 D ?
P=0-6
1N=7-10
RD=stronger
2=natural,
not forcing
Similar principle applies to step and double step responses after a double
Match point adjustments
Third and fourth seat openings should follow the same rules
as in standard, although the choice of opening bid may be different. 1
opening in third seat may be 11 balanced, fourth seat openings may be light
also with 9 major cards.
Competitive auction low level doubles are based more on protecting your sides part score than they are on trump tricks, doubling vulnerable opponents for penalty is often done very aggressively.
Most competitive bids are a little lighter than at imps, there is less emphasis on reaching game. Avoid bypassing 3NT to play in five of a minor.
Informing the opponents
Fab is so radically different to other bidding systems that it frequently prompts the kind of prejudice and ignorant intolerance associated with ethnic minorities, people of unusual sexual persuasion and outright cheats. You will not be able to avoid this entirely, but you can at least minimize it by pre alerting the opponents that you play an unusual system and directing them to the convention card. Trying to explain this system in 20 words or less is impossible, so do not try. In any form of extended play you should give the opponents time to prepare defenses. The following are my recommendations for playing against FAB, you may suggest them to the opponents
·
Over a Fab 1 opening, use an overcall of 2 as natural and perhaps 1NT to show the majors.
· If the player over a Fab suit opening passes and then rebids in openers first suit which has not been raised, that bid is natural.
· After an opening bid and artificial step response, advancer’s double should include support for the step suit, his overcall in that suit is natural.
·
Over a multi 2 pass unless
you have something clear to say, reopening with a takeout double or overcall
after openers suit is identified. Double of 2 should promise a balanced hand of at least 15 HCP.
·
Over a Fab 2NT opening, double should be penalty oriented,
3 and 3 should show major two
suiters, competitive and strong respectively.
All opening bids in Fab of 1 thru 2NT are alertable, here are the recommended short alerts.
·
1 = usually 12-16 balanced, forcing
·
1 /1/1 = may have longer suit, forcing
· 1NT = 17-20
·
2 = 11-17, either 6+ clubs, or 4+ clubs with 5+ major
·
2 = either 6-11
with a 6 card major or 17+ exactly 4441
· 2M = 6-11, promises 5+ suit with lower ranking 5+ suit
· 2NT = 8-13, minors at least 55.
The following are the common alerts on responses
· step response to 1 bid – 0-11 HCP, any shape possible
· game force artificial response – 12+ HCP, game forcing, any shape
· sputnik style double – shows points, no specific shape, usually flat
· non forcing new suit bids – natural, not forcing
·
2 response to 1 - 4+ diamonds, 6+ HCP, forces 2
or higher rebid
Common alerts on openers rebids
· canapé rebids – depending on the sequence, either a) longer than first suit or b) may be longer than first suit
· artificial no trump rebids – give description, varies with the sequence
Is FAB legal
The general framework of FAB using canapé is legal both in
the ACBL and in
and 2 to 1 opening, or the Fab
2 opening) are not specifically dealt with in ACBL
regulations. Should any of these present a problem, an ACBL legal version
of FAB will be developed.
The main use of FAB at the moment is for online play where the proper use of a convention card and self alerting are adequate protection of the opponent’s rights. FAB is so different to standard systems it should not cause confusion when playing standard systems with other partners.
The Fab learning curve
Unless you have prior experience with canapé, playing at first with Fab will be like walking on 6-inch heels. The answer is to take baby steps, concentrating at first on making the right opening bid. After about ten sessions you should start to feel comfortable with the opening bids and responses. Once you do the rest of the system is very easy. There is simplicity to the latter bidding that is not present in standard.
Defensive Bidding in FAB
There is no reason why you can’t use your normal standard methods over the opponents opening bids. Having said that, I recommend the following non standard treatments, all of which are consistent with the general shape showing principles of FAB.
Multi Landy
Over opponents 1NT opening, multi Landy defense is used in all seats
2- at least 54
or 45 in majors, 2 advance asks for longer major
2 - one suiter
in a major, then 2M advance is pass or correct, 2NT asks if maximum
2M – 5+ suit with minor (usually 55), 2NT advance asks second suit
2N – minors
3m – one suiter, around 10-15 HCP
3M – preemptive
D – over a weak no trump (12 or less as lower limit)- Penalty, 15+ HCP. Forcing passes and penalty doubles apply if opponents use an escape mechanism.
D- over a strong no trump – 14+ HCP with a
5+ minor and a 4 card major. An advance of 2 is pass
or correct to 2, 2 advance asks
for major, 2M shows an independent suit.
Intermediate Jump Overcalls
My experience with weak jump overcalls is that the opponents often bid more than they normally would and make it. This is particularly true of a classic weak jump overcall on a good suit and weak defensive hand, since it helps the opponents to evaluate fit and know if finesses will work. I recommend that you play intermediate jump overcalls in both the pass out and balance seat. You will need somewhat better than an opening hand with a good six card suit, 6 or fewer losers and normally a side ace for this bid. There are a number of ways this treatment gains. It limits the need to double and bid a suit on hands too strong for a one level overcall (doubling can lead to disaster if partner expects a fit in some unbid suit). The jump overcall in a minor can also lead to some excellent 3NT contracts when advancer has a fit along with a stopper in the minor, which might otherwise be missed after a simple overcall. I have also found that the opponents often double a jump overcall and you make, or they overbid and go set.
Playing intermediate jump overcalls, you may either pass or make a simple overcall on your preemptive type of hands,neither is likely to be harmful. A jump overcall by a passed hand is weak, but may include side values except at favorable vulnerability, when it aims to finding a sacrifice. A jump overcall to 4M is similar to an intermediate jump overcall in high card strength but shows a longer suit and at least 8 playing tricks.
Overcalls of a minor opening
One level overcalls of a minor opening should be played as limited bids (this works well in conjunction with intermediate jump overcalls. The lower limit is 8 HCP at favorable vulnerability with 54 shape or a six card suit, or 10 points if vulnerable. Minimum point count overcalls should be good suits and have 1.5 quick tricks. A 1M overcall may be canapé with length in the other minor or even in opener’s suit, you will need 11+ HCP and a sound 4 card suit. With sufficient values to warrant a response (8+ points) advancer may bid 1NT (three cards in overcallers suit), all raises promise 4 card support, new suits are not forcing with decent 5+ suits, jumps in new suits are forcing (if responder passes) and a cue is a one round force with 12+ HCP, nominally at least 3 card support. If overcaller rebids a minor a canapé is likely, if he rebids his major he confirms 6 over a new suit response, or 5 after a 1NT or cue response.
When the bidding goes 1m - P - P, there is no need to protect since partner would have acted with any offense oriented hand of opening strength. Any balancing bid should be at least 11 HCP.
An interesting optional style is
to use what are known as
opening). A traditional 1NT overcall is shown by doubling and rebidding 1NT.
The main advantage of this treatment is that advancer can often pass the double,
in standard methods the opener is allowed to escape. The disadvantage is that
responder can’t afford to jump over the double with less than a good 5 card
suit. This kind of no shape double will seem foreign and dangerous to most
North Americans, but is actually quite effective.
Sandwich seat bidding
After 1m - P - 1M, use a bid of 2m to show at least 55 in the unbid suits with good suit quality, 2M as strong and natural, and 1NT as 15-18 natural, with good playing strength. With aces and spaces, simply pass. If you have a strong holding in openers minor, either bid 3m or pass, intending perhaps to bid the suit later.
Cue bids with a passed hand
Since Fab provides for 55 two suited openings with any two
suits, you are not likely to have a traditional Michaels cue bid as a passed
hand. For example.after P- P- P- 1, a cue bid of 2
to show both majors is not really needed, since you had an opportunity to open
2 earlier with that shape.Perhaps it could show Axxxx
A10xxx K xx which you deemed unsuitable
for a 2 opening initially, or it
may be used to show 46 in the majors, decide for yourself which method
to play.
Defense
Low from interest versus no trump, second highest from weak suit (headed by jack or ten).
Leads from broken four card suits should be avoided.
Jack denies, suits and no trump
Coded Tens and Nines (lead 10 from KJ10 or 9 from Q109)
Ace versus no trump requests honour drop or UDCA count
King versus no trump requests UDCA attitude
Queen lead from KQ10xx requests drop of jack or UDCA attitude
King from Ace-King, unless doubleton
Otherwise versus suit contract,
Suit preference signals apply to ruff situations, they suggest entry (may be king or rarely singleton)
Suit preference also applies on opening lead if dummy has singleton or Kx (Ace lead), but only if opponents are assured of 9+ card fit, otherwise normal attitude signal for suit lead applies.
If partner opens the bidding and you end up defending before he got to rebid, look for a short suit in your hand that is unbid. This is likely to be partners canapé suit and could be an effective lead, either to get ruffs or versus no trump as a source of tricks.
