Essentials Flashcards
What does the following mean:
Opening bid of 2 Clubs
23+points, any shape
What does the following tell you?
A 2 Clubs response to your 1NT opening bid
STAYMAN:
Your partner has
a) 11+ pts (usually) and a 4C Major and so wants to know if you have a 4+C major suit fit, OR
b) 0-10 with either 4/5 in majors, or 4441.
You must respond:
- 2D = no 4C Maj (so settle at 2NT or rebid the 5C Major if you have one).
- 2Ht = 4+C in Ht.
- 2Sp = Sp).
Note: With weak but long Cl (say 7), the responder would bid 2Cl and next bid 3Cl. The opener must then pass to stop the bidding there.
Note 2: If responder has only 11-12pts they should indicate this with 2NT.
What is the minimum points count you need to respond to an opening bid of 1 of a suit?
6+ to bid at the 1 level.
10+ to bid at the 2+ level.
What 3 things do you need to be able to Overcall with 1NT?
If you have a balanced hand with 16-18pts and a stopper in the opener’s suit.
When is a Losing Trick Count used and how is it calculated?
In response to your partner’s suit once you have established an 8 card Trump Fit to work out how high you can bid to (18 - your losers+7 = no. tricks likely to be made above 6).
Note: LTC is not suitable for no-trump contracts or misfit hands.
What does an opening bid of 1 of a suit show?
Either:
1. An unbalanced hand with 12+ pts (or rule of 20 if 10-11 pts)
Or:
2. A balanced hand with 15-19 pts (which bid 2 NT next time around)
If unbalanced:
(a) 1 Sp indicates the longest suit.
(b) 1 Ht indicates the longest suit, OR the highest ranking of 2 equal length suit, OR Sp or Ht in a 4Sp/4Hts split, OR a singleton Sp in a 4441 hand.
(b) 1 D indicates the longest suit, OR a singleton Ht OR a singleton Cl in a 441 hand.
(c) 1 Cl indicates the longest suit, OR a singleton D in a 4441 hand.
When can you support your partner’s opening bid of 1 of a suit (in the same suit)?
If you have 6+ pts AND 4 or more cards in your partner’s suit
6-9: bid 2
10-12: bid 3
13-15: bid 4
When can you overcall with a bid of 1NT?
If you have a balanced hand with 16-18 pts and a STOPPER in the opponent’s suit.
Note: If 19+, first double and the rebid NT at lowest level.
What is a limit bid and what they indicate?
(shape and points)
-
An OB:
- 1NT is asking the responder to steer the partnership. - Responses to 1 NT or of 1 of a suit:
1, 2 or 3 NT Response = balanced hand with 6-9, 11-12 or 13-15 HCPs.
A response in the opener’s suit:
This communicating a specific range of HCPs/ distribution so the opener can take charge and make an informed decision as to the final contract:
A NT response to 1NT OB:
- 2NT 11-12 HCP; 3NT = 13-18; 4NT = 19-20 (not limiting; invitation to 6NT). (<=10: Pass).
2. Opener’s rebids:
- 1 of a suit rebid in NT = a 15-19 HCPs balanced hand.
- The same suit for the 2nd time:
- 2 = 12-15 HCP + min 5 cards.
- 3 = 16+ HCP + 6 cards.
- 4 = VG long suit & lots of points.
PS: A new suit response is a forcing bid.
When can you bid a Suit Overcall?
If you have an unbalanced hand AND always a 5+ card suit with 2 Hons:
(i) 5+C suit and neither (ii) nor (iii) below:
- 6-10 pts: at the 1 level only.
- 11-15 pts: at up to the 2 level if necessary
(ii) 6C suit AND 12-15 pt: Jump Overcall. (if 16+, first double then rebid the suit).
(iii) 7C suit AND 6-10 pts: Preemptive Overcall.
NB: To Overcall 1NT you must have a balanced hand and 11-15 pts.
When can you overbid with a Takeout Double
With a very unbalanced 4441 or 5440 hand:
- If 12-15 pts consider a takeout double but only re-bid if partner promises points.
- If a 6 card suit AND 16+ pts, double and then bid your suit the next round.
When should you double an opening bid if 1NT and what does it mean?
If you have 16+ pts (any shape) - this is a PENALTY DOUBLE
When can you bid weak two’s?
As an opening bid with a good quality 6 card suit but only 5-10 pts.
What would you open with a balanced hand and 15-19 pts?
One of a suit before rebidding in NT.
When can you Overcall if you have a balanced hand?
If you have a ** 16-19 pts and a stopper in your opponent’s suit**.
Note: If 19+, first double and then bid NT at the lowest level.
How should you Overcall with an unbalanced hand?
Suit Overcall:
Good 5+ card suit (2 hons):
- 8-11 pts: If in a suit, Suit Overcall at 1 level only (insufficient to overcall 1NT)
- 11-15 pts: Suit Overcall can be at 2 if necessary or can overcall 1NT.
Jump Overcall:
Good6 card suit (2 hons) with 12-15 pts.
Preemptive Overcall:
Good 7 card suit (2 hons): 6-10 pts:.
When can you bid an Overcall?
- ** 6-10 pts** but with a 7+ card suit with 2 Hons: -> preemptive bid (+2 level).
- 12-15 pts if you have a 6C suit with 2 Hons -> jump bid (but if 16+, first double then rebid the suit).
- ** 8-15 pts** with a 5+C suit with 2 Hons** -> Bid at the 1 level only (11-15 could go to 2 if nesc.).
- If ** very short in the opener’s suit** (4441 or 5440) with 12-15 pts -> Takeout double
What does it mean if the opener bids one of a suit and then two of the same suit?
That they have 6 cards in that suit.
What would be your response to a 1NT OB if you had a balanced hand?
- 11-12 HCP -> 2NT (limiting)
- 13-18 pts -> 3NT (limiting)
- 19-20 pts -> 4NT (not limiting; invitation to 6NT).
When can you Overcall with a suit?
Must have a min. of a good 5+C suit (2 Hons)
A. To overcall a 1NT opening bid:
- 5+C suit with 11-15 (if 19+ and balanced, first double then rebid the suit).
B. To overcall a 1 of a suit bid:
- 5C suit: 8-11 pts bid a 1 level only; 12-15 bid at 2 level if you can’t bid at 1.
- 6C suit: 12-15 -> Jump Overcall; 16+ -> first double then rebid the suit.
- 7C suit: 6-10 pts -> pre-emptive Overcall (+2).
How would you treat the following hand: 3Sp, 5Ht, 3D, 3,Cl
Treat it as unbalanced and bid the 5C Major.
How would you treat the following hand: 3Sp, 2Ht, 3D, 5Cl
Balanced, as the 5C is a Minor. (Only bid the 5C suit if it is a Major).
