A Bridge Bidding System based on the three-segment approach

A BRIDGE BIDDING SYSTEM

BASED ON THE THREE-SEGMENT APPROACH

by Michael Beyrouti

send questions/comments to: systemedemike@yahoo.com

INTRODUCTION

HCP/ SHAPE	10/12 14 min	15 17 int	18 20/21 max
with a single maj-5	2H 2S	1C, rebid 2H or 2S	1D, rebid 2H or 2S
with one or both maj-4	1H or 1S	1NT, bal. 1C, unbal.	1H or 1S
with no major	1D, bal. or not	1NT, bal. 1C, unbal.	1D bal. or not

*maj-5 = a major of 5+ cards

maj-4 = a major of exactly 4 cards, not longer

Figure 1: Table summary of opening bids

The basic interval of opening hands, from 10 to 21 HCP, is subdivided into three segments as follows:

Minimum hands (MIN): from 10 to 14 HCP
Intermediate hands (INT): from 15 to 17 HCP
Strong hands (MAX): from 18 to 21 HCP

For very strong hands, we retain the two usual or “standard” openings: 2NT (20-21 HCP) and 2C (artificial, 22+ HCP). At the other end of the scale, we retain the usual three-level pre-emptive openings. Weak two-bids, however, are not part of this system.

The distribution of an opening hand is classified mainly as to whether it contains:

a single 5-card major with less than 4 cards in the other,
or a 4-card major (possibly both),
or does not comprise a major (of 4 cards or more).

Purpose of the endeavor: Simplicity and ease of use is the main goal here while improving upon the performance achieved by existing systems. Not an easy task when you consider that what the last sixty years of Bridge amount to is the slow evolution of the five-card majors approach which culminates with the various Two-Over-One systems of today.

OPENING BIDS

To obtain an initial quick and simple overview of the system, we shall ignore at first the special cases where opener has 5/4 or 5/5 in the majors. You will see that there is a simple and natural way to bid such hands – no conventions (almost none). There are also those hands where opener is 5/5 in the minors. When 1C and 1D are artificial we no longer have the luxury of opening 1D and making a rebid of 2C or 3C to show such hands. We’ll deal with them later.

Abbreviations: maj-4 refers to a major of only 4 cards, not more; maj-5 denotes a major that is 5 cards long or longer; a “single” maj-5 means less than 4 cards in the other.

A simplified version of the opening bids can be stated as follows:

10-14 HCP, MIN hands:

- With a single maj-5: 2H or 2S

- With one or both maj-4: 1H or 1S

- Without a maj-4, balanced or not: 1D (artificial).

15-17 HCP, INT hands:

- With a maj-5: 1C (artificial)

- Balanced hands: 1NT

- Unbalanced hands: 1C, whatever the suit.

18-21 HCP, MAX hands:

- With a single maj-5: 1D

- With one or both maj-4: 1H or 1S

- Without a major: 1D, balanced or not.

The above opening bids were shown in table format in Figure 1.

So far, this is a simplified overview of the opening bids. What it says is that with a minimum hand with a 5-card major and less than 4 cards in the other, the opening is 2H or 2S. With a major that is four cards long, not longer, the opening is 1H or 1S whether the hand is minimum or maximum. Without a major (of 4 or more cards), the opening is 1D, again for min hands and max. Opener’s rebid makes it clear as to whether the hand is min or max. For intermediate hands in the range 15 to 17 HCP, there are only two opening bids available: 1NT for balanced hands and 1C otherwise. An exception (1S) will be added shortly. With a 5-card major in a better than minimum hand, the opening is either 1C with 15-17 or 1D with 18-21 and the rebid is at the two level in opener’s major.

The responses to 1C and 1D are natural, and the rebids too.

SPECIAL CASES

“Special cases” refers to hands where opener is 5/4 or 5/5 in the majors or 5/5 in the minors. Starting with the above opening bids, it now becomes easy to handle such hands. Note that, as in all systems, it is always the rebid that completes the description of opener’s hand.

1. With a minimum hand containing 5/4 in the majors, the opening is always 1H regardless of which one is five carded. When no fit is found from the response, opener's rebid is 2H with 5 hearts and 4 spades or 2S with 5 spades and 4 hearts. This 2S rebid is not to be interpreted as a strong reverse, opener's hand being limited to 10 to 14 HCP. It is normal in this system to open 1H since we open one of a 4-card major. Equally, it is normal to find yourself in 2H or 2S since, in this system, we do open at the two level with a 5-card major. The only reason to have opened at the one level with 5/4 in the majors was to give ourselves the chance of finding a 4-4 fit in one of the majors.

2. With a non-minimum hand comprising both majors 5/4, the opening is always 1C for both intermediate hands (15-17) and max hands (18-21). In response, partner shows his four-card major and a fit is immediately found. When no major is shown in response, opener will bid his 5-card major at an appropriate level depending on the response.

3. With 5/5 in the majors, the opening is always 1S in the entire range of 10 to 21 HCP. When no fit is found by the response, opener's rebid is 2H with 10-14 or 3H with 18-21. Unlike Standard where the 2H rebid shows only four cards (and can be vague as to opener’s strength), here a 2H or 3H rebid always shows five. In the segment of intermediate hands, 15-17 HCP, the rebid (after having opened 1S) is 2S. This is a conventional rebid to show 5/5; it does not show 6 spades as in Standard.

Hands with 6/4 in the majors are dealt with in the same way we bid 5/4 hands: open 1H if the hand is minimum and 1C otherwise. Hands that are 6/5 in the majors are bid as though they are 5/5: open 1S regardless of which is 6 carded.

We can summarize the above using the notation Opening/Rebid:

- 1H/2H shows a min hand with 5 hearts and 4 spades,

- 1H/2S shows a min hand with 5 spades and 4 hearts,

- 1S/2H shows a min hand with 5/5 in the majors,

- 1S/2S shows an intermediate hand with 5/5, and

- 1S/3H shows a max hand with 5/5. (One could interchange the last two.)

4. For hands that are 5/5 in the minors: If the hand is minimum we shall resort to a convention: open 2D with 10 to 14 HCP and 5/5 in the minors, possibly with 5422 distribution. For stronger hands, the opening is always 1C and the rebid – conventional – is 3C with 15-17 or 3D with 18-21.

HCP/ SHAPE	10/12 14 min	15 17 int	18 20/21 max
with both majors 5-4	1H, no fit rebid 2 maj-5	1C, rebid 1 or 2 maj-5	1C, rebid 2 or 3 maj-5
with both majors 5-5	1S, no fit rebid 2H	1S, no fit rebid 2S	1S, no fit rebid 3H
with both minors 5-5	2D	1C rebid 3C	1C rebid 3D

Figure 2: Complementary Table of Opening Bids

COMPLETE SET OF OPENING BIDS

Now that all the pieces of the puzzle are in place, the complete set of opening bids becomes as follows (you may skip this section if everything seems clear to you):

A. 10 – 14 HCP, MIN hands:

- 2H and 2S with a single maj-5

- 1H with both majors 5/4 (no fit, rebid 2 Maj-5)

- 1S with both 5/5 (no fit, rebid 2H)

- 1H or 1S with one or both maj-4, balanced or not

- 1D with no maj-4, balanced or not (the response is a maj-5; if no fit, rebid 2C or 2D unbalanced or 1NT balanced)

- Special case: open 2D with 5/5 in the minors – a conventional opening

B. 15 – 17 HCP, INT hands:

- 1NT balanced hand (your favorite system)

- 1C with a single maj-5 (rebid 2 Maj-5)

(in response, partner shows his maj-4)

- 1C with both majors 5/4 (no fit, rebid 1 or 2 Maj-5)

- 1S with both majors 5/5 (no fit, rebid 2S, conventional)

- 1C unbalanced hands (rebid 1S with 4 cards only after 1H response)

- 1C unbalanced hands (rebid your without jump: 2C or 2D)

- Special case: 1C with 5/5 in the minors (jump-rebid 3C)

C. 18 – 21 HCP, MAX hands:

- 1H or 1S with a maj-4 or both 4/4, balanced or not

- 1D with only one maj-5 (rebid 2Maj-5)

- 1C with both majors 5/4 (no fit, rebid 2 or 3 Maj-5)

- 1S with both majors 5/5 (fit or no fit, rebid 3H)

- 1D no maj-4, unbalanced, long diamonds (rebid 3D)

- 1D no maj-4, unbalanced, long clubs (rebid 3C)

- 1D no maj-4, 18-19, balanced (rebid 2NT)

- Special case: 1C with both minors 5/5 (jump-rebid 3D)

COMMENTS

This set of opening bids allows us to describe all hand-types one could possibly have while representing the strength of the hand according to the subdivision in three segments min, int, or max. All opening bids, except 1NT, 2NT and 2C, are “non-standard”, in the sense that they are different from what we are used to. It all looks complicated but in reality it isn’t. It’s enough to remember the basic opening bids for minimum hands: 2M with a single maj-5, 1M with a maj-4, and 1D with no major; and to remember that for intermediate hands there are only two opening bids: 1NT balanced, 1C otherwise. To that one should add how to deal with three special cases: both majors 5/4 (always open 1H with a min hand), both majors 5/5 (always open 1S), and both minors 5/5. I do not consider all this as complex or “scientific”. I would classify the system as “natural” despite the use of artificial 1C and 1D openings.

It is possible to set the 1NT opening to 14-16 HCP. In which case the 1C opening will also occupy the same range and all other openings are shifted downward accordingly (by 1 HCP). That would constitute a minor change to the system.

RESPONSES AND REBIDS

1M OPENINGS:

Responder gives support with four-card support without worrying about the possible exceptions, 5/4 and 5/5 in the majors, which opener’s rebid will soon reveal. We have already seen those rebids. Also, opener’s rebid will show the max hand. You can play your favorite system. I personally do not play 2/1 GF. The 1NT response is non-forcing and shows 5 to 9 HCP, no fit. However, I do play Jacoby-2NT, Drury, splinters, etc… Even weak Bergen raises could be adopted here, provided responder holds 5 cards in opener’s major (to have 9 trumps in all).

Some example rebids:

1H – 2H

3C = game try with a min hand that revalued upwards with the fit.

1H – 2H

2NT or

1H – 1NT

2NT = both show a balanced max hand with 18-19 HCP.

There is only one conventional rebid: 1M/3M. When opener makes a jump-rebid of 3M, in the same major he opened with, he shows the max hand (18+ HCP) with only four cards in M and asks responder to bid 3NT if he would have passed had opener’s rebid been a jump to 3NT. Useful. Can be used with both balanced and unbalanced max opening hands.

2M OPENINGS:

There are no conventional responses. 2NT shows no fit with a good 10-count, 11-12 HCP, or a poor 13-count. With a fit, there is room to invite game: 2H – 3H or 2S – 3S. 3M is invitational in the uncontested auction. A three-level response in a new suit (e.g. 2S – 3C) is forcing to game.

IN COMPETITION: In case the opponent intervenes

- with a Double, then Redouble shows the invitational hand

- with an overcall, then Double shows the invitational hand.

(Both are alertable.)

The above agreement allows responder to bid 3M to compete without it being construed as an invitation. After a Double by responder, opener has a choice of actions:

- rebid his major at the three or four level

- bid a new suit

- bid 3NT with a stop in opponent’s suit

- pass, leaving the Double in for penalties.

1D OPENING:

Since opener doesn’t have a 4-card major, the 1H and 1S responses are natural and show five cards.

Without a five-card major, the response is 1NT with 5 to 9 HCP.

Without points, the response is 2C – conventional – since the opening is forcing, to show 0 to 9 HCP with a hand that is either too weak or too unbalanced to respond 1NT. Opener passes or corrects to 2D according to his hand.

A 3C response shows clubs with invitational strength.

A 2D response is a generic positive, with game-going values.

In competition, a (Negative) Double by responder shows five cards in the “other” major.

All rebids are natural, with a jump when the hand is max or a two-level rebid in a major which shows 5 cards, e.g. 1D – 1NT – 2H shows the maj-5 with 18+ HCP.

1D – 2C – 2NT shows 18-19 HCP, balanced, since 2C is negative.

There is a pair of conventional rebids to show the max hand with a fit for responder’s major:

1D – 1H – 1S, and

1D – 1S – 3H: both show the fit in a max hand and say nothing about the suit bid. The reason why these can be used as conventional bids with the meaning as indicated is because with a maj-5 of his own, and with no fit for partner’s, opener’s rebid is 2S (not 1S) or 2H (not 3H).

1C OPENING:

The 1C opening is artificial and forcing and accompanied by a 1NT opening in the same range (15-17). It shows an unbalanced hand or one where opener holds a maj-5 which he intends to bid. 1C is also used in the interval 18-21 with 5/4 in the majors and 5/5 in the minors.

Responses are natural: partner shows his four-card major if any. The 2C and 2D responses are natural with 9+ HCP.

The 1NT response shows 6-7 HCP and denies a major.

The only conventional (and traditional) response is 1D: it denies a major and/or says that responder has no points.

In competition, the Negative Double (or Redouble) shows a four-card major.

Rebids: Some rebids, although special or unexpected, have a logical interpretation in context. The 1C opening is also used for 22-23 balanced hands or any 4441 hand with 22+ HCP (no easy rebid after a 2C opening). Here are most of the rebids.

Opening – Response – Rebid:

1C – 1H – 1S: forcing for one round, shows unbalanced hand with only four spades. Responder can now bid 1NT as a relay to let opener further describe his hand.

1C – 1H – 2S: opener has 5 spades, 15-17

1C – 1S – 2H: opener has 5 hearts, 15-17

1C – 1M – 1NT: shows 15-17, 4441 distribution, singleton in responder’s major

1C – 2m – 3NT: shows 15-17, 4441 distribution, singleton in responder’s minor

1C – 1M – 2NT: shows 22-23 HCP, balanced, fit or no fit

1C – 2m – 2NT: conventional, 22-23 HCP, balanced or 4441 with sgltn in resp. minor

1C – 1D – 1NT: underbid, shows 22-23 HCP, balanced; note the following 2C opening

2C – 2X – 2NT: shows 24-26 HCP, balanced, to distinguish from 22-23

1C – 1NT – 2NT: shows 22-23 HCP, balanced

1C – 1X – 3C: shows 15-17 with both minors 5/5, conventional

1C – 1M – 3D: shows 18-21 with both minors 5/5, conventional

1C – 1D – 2NT: shows 18-21 with both minors 5/5, conventional

1C – 1X – 3M or 4M shows 15-17, long major

1C – 1D – 1M: shows 15-17 with maj-5 since 1D denies maj-4

1C – 1D – 2M: the jump shows 18+ HCP, hence both majors 5/4 (with only one maj-5 and 18+ HCP the opening would have been 1D)

1C – 1NT – 3M: same explanation as above

1C – 1M – 4C or 4D = splinter agreeing responder’s major

1D – 1M – 4C or 4D = idem, typically with a hand that started in the 18-21 range and revalued to more than 21 points.

As you can see, aside from the conventional ones which must be memorized, most rebids have a clear meaning by logical deduction.

Please note: “4441” distributions include 5431 and 6331, always singleton in responder’s major or minor. After a rebid of 1 or 2 or 3 NT, suggested continuations are: System OFF if rebid shows 15-17, 4441; System ON if rebid shows 22-23 HCP.

CONCLUSION

Opening an artificial 1C or 1D is dreadful to the average player because it carries connotations of complexity generally associated with scientific systems. Here, there is no system of conventional responses and rebids to adhere to. Everything is natural, back and forth. The only conventional rebids by opener are those necessitated by unusual and infrequent shapes, namely a good hand with 5-5 in the minors. In all, the user-friendly system described herein is simpler than any system based on the four- or five-card-majors approach. Yet its performance is superior to Two-Over-One Game Force, Precision, and others… QED. “Simpler yet better” is the claim I am making. Please take a look at the test results and performance evaluation to form your own opinion.

Please send questions/comments to: systemedemike@yahoo.com

(Don’t forget the e in systeme)

This blog is “under construction”; I haven’t finished writing yet. I intend to add the following pages:

- Performance evaluation and test results

- Examples of 2H or 2S openings

- Examples of 1D opening

- Examples of 1C opening

Wednesday, March 23, 2011