- Initial Actions
- Double = usually a 5-card minor and a 4-card major
- 2C = majors, After 2D asks for preference
- 2D = one of the majors
- 2H = Hearts and a minor
- 2S = Spades and a minor
- 2N = both minors
- 3X = natural
- Common abuses:
- 3145 hands in balancing seat regularly double, even with no four-card major.
- Very big hands (good 19+) start with double and rebid 2NT (or double) to try to expose a psych.
- Good 4441 hands with a stiff minor can start with 2 C.
- Single-suited minor hands often start with double, hoping to be able to play at the 2-level. These hands will pass a 2 D ask.
- Responses to Double: 2C = pass or correct. After 2D, 2H is pass or correct 2D = Asks for major (not forcing) H,2S = natural, to play 2NT = artificial, asking to describe minor 3C = minimum and clubs 3D = minimum and diamonds 3H = max and clubs 3S = max and diamonds 3C,3D = to play 3H,3S = natural, invitational 3NT = to play 4C.4D = Transfers to Hearts, Spades (Namyats) 4H,4S = to play Responses to 2C 2D = pick a suit 2H,2S = strong preference 2NT = artificial game try 3C = have minimum,clubs 3D = minimum and diamonds 3H = max and clubs 3S = max and diamonds 3C = natural, preemptive 3D = natural, preemptive 3H,3S = natural, good 5 card suit - usually not forcing 4C.4D = Transfers to Hearts, Spades (Namyats) 4H,4S = to play Responses to 2D 2H = natural, to play 2S = stronger hearts, forcing to at least 3H 2NT = artificial game try 3C = minimum and clubs 3D = minimum and diamonds 3H = max and clubs 3S = max and diamonds 3C,3D = to play 3H,3S = natural, asking to pass or correct 3NT = to play 4C.4D = Transfers to Hearts, Spades (Namyats) 4H,4S = to play If opps interfere: 2NT = bid your major dbl = for penalty Responses to 2NT 3C = minimum and clubs 3D = minimum and diamonds 3H = max and clubs 3S = max and diamonds 3NT =max, unwilling to play a partscore and hold appropriate minor such that 3M is not forcing.