A Tournament Acol after Reese and Bird, "Bridge: The Modern Game" Larry Hammick larry@hammick.com <-- advise of errors, please 2000.02.04 Contents 0. Introduction 1. Trump fit 1.1 Long-suit game tries 1.2 Reraises 1.3 Game raises of 1H and 1S 1.4 Swiss raises of 1H and 1S 1.5 Minor-suit splinter raises in majors 1.6 Opener's splinter rebid 4C or 4D 1.7 Delayed game raise 1.8 Game raise via a jump shift 2. Notrump opening bids 2.1 Opening 1NT 12-14 2.2 Opening 2NT=20-22, and 2C-2D-2NT=23-24 2.3 2C-2D-3NT=25-27 3 Doubles 3.1 Takeout double of 1-bid 3.2 Third hand over adverse takeout double 3.3 Responsive doubles through 3S 3.4 Competive doubles of adverse fit through 3S 3.5 4S invitational double 3.6 Can't-be-penalty doubles 3.7 Responding to 1-bid over suit intervention 4. Forcing principles 4.1 A 2-over-1 is forcing as far as 2NT 4.2 Fourth-suit-forcing 4.3 When opener rebids 1NT 4.4 When opener rebids 2NT 4.5 When opener rebids the same suit 4.6 Reverse by opener 4.7 Jump rebid by opener 4.8 Mixed auctions 5. Preemptive bidding 5.1 Opening 3NT 5.2 Opening 4C and 4D 5.3 Responses to 3-bids and 4-bids 5.4 Opening 2NT if using Multi 2D 5.5 Defense to 3-bids and 4-bids 6. Overcalls 6.1 Simple overcall 6.2 Jump overcall 6.3 Unusual 2NT over opening bid 6.4 Michaels cue bid 6.5 Defence to Unusual 2NT 7. Slam bidding 7.1 Control-showing cue bids 7.2 Jump shift 7.3 Baron 2NT response 7.4 Meaning of 4NT 7.5 5NT 8. Protection (balancing) 8.1 Balancing when an opening bid has been passed 8.2 Balancing when opponents are in a fit at the two-level 9. 1NT competition 9.1 Over opponent's weak 1NT 9.2 Over weak, or possibly weak, response to 1NT 9.3 Over opponent's strong 1NT (14-x or stronger) 9.4 Responding to 1NT with overcall of 2H or 2S: Lebensohl 10. Intervention over strong artificial club openings 10.1 Direct intervention over 1C 10.2 Fourth seat, after 1C-1D or other artificial response 10.3 Fourth seat, after 1C and a natural response 10.4 Intervention over 2C 11. Multi-coloured 2D opening and Acol 2H/2S 11.1 Three hand types 11.2 Responses if opponent passes 2D 11.3 Responses in competition 11.4 Acol 2H and 2S openings 11.5 Defense against Multi 2D 0. Introduction We assume that the reader has some familiarity with Acol, the British decendant of the Culbertson system, which is fairly standard in the UK and has a following elsewhere. The "Standard English" card is a version of Acol, available from www.ebu.co.uk. The version here, for regular tournament partnerships, is essentially unchanged from "Bridge: The Modern Game", by Terence Reese and David Bird (Faber & Faber); that book also has well-chosen material on play for advancing players. A 12-14 1NT is assumed (with 1NT rebid showing 15-16 and jump NT rebid 17-18) but is optional. The Multi-coloured 2D opening is also optional; if omitted, the opening 2D is natural and forcing as in traditional Acol. 1. Trump fit 1.1 Long-suit game tries After 1H-2H or 1S-2S, a new suit by opener suggests losers there. Responder uses similar game tries in e.g. 1D-1S-2S. 1.2 Reraises Reraises 1H-2H-3H etc. are preemptive except in spades. 1.3 Game raises of 1H and 1S These are natural with at most 12 HCP and some distribution. 1.4 Swiss raises of 1H and 1S A variety of Swiss system is used on 12-15 and 4-card fit: Balanced: 4C with good controls 4D without Any side singleton: 1H-3S and 1S-3NT; opener's relay asks where is singleton 1.5 Minor-suit splinter raises in majors E.g. 1D-3S, shows singleton or void; these are game-forcing. 1.6 Opener's splinter rebid 4C or 4D Opener's rebid of 4 of a new minor is a splinter raise of responder's suit, e.g. 1C-1S-4D or 1S-2H-4D. 1.7 Delayed game raise E.g. 1S-2C-2H-4S shows genuine side suit, opening values, only 6 losers. If e.g. 1S-2C-2S, four of a minor by responder is a cue bid, replacing the delayed game raise. 1.8 Game raise via a jump shift This is a strong slam suggestion; see 7.2. 2. Notrump opening bids 2.1 Opening 1NT 12-14 Responses: 2C Stayman. Opener bids 2H with both majors. 2D/2H transfers to H/S, on 5 2S transfer to 2NT with a strong 6-card 1-suiter, game forcing. Responder bids his suit next. 2NT transfer to 3C, 1 or both minor suits. Responder may pass 3C, sign of in 3D, or bid a _shortage_ in a major, which is game forcing. 3C/3D Invitational 3H/3S Weak 3NT Signoff 4C/4D Transfers to 4H/4S 4H/4S Signoff 2.2 Opening 2NT=20-22, and 2C-2D-2NT=23-24 Responses: 3C Baron 3D/3H transfers to H/S, on 5 cards or more 3S transfer to 3NT 3NT forcing as far as 4NT, minor-suit hand. Opener: 4H/4S slam interest in C/D respectively 4D better D than C 4C otherwise 4C Gerber 4D 5-6 in S-H 4H/4S Signoffs 2.3 2C-2D-3NT=25-27 Pass whenever quite weak. 4C Baron, forcing to 4NT or 5 of a fit. 4D/4H/4S natural and forcing, 4NT is opener's weakest rebid. 3 Doubles 3.1 Takeout double of 1-bid Standard practice, but 1NT response to double of 1H/1S is weaker. Cue bid response is forcing to 2NT or some suit agreement. If third hand opponent bids, double is natural with 4, 2 of that suit is also natural with 5 (as if third hand had passed), NT shows stopper in opener's suit, cue bid may be made in opener's suit. 3.2. Third hand over adverse takeout double Redbouble: penalty-oriented. Opener rebids if weak offensive, passes and bids later with stronger offensive hand. New suit or jump shift: as if no double Raises: weaker than without double (standard) 2NT: artificial limit raise 3.3 Responsive doubles through 3S 3.4 Competive doubles of adverse fit through 3S These apply irrespective of which side opened. 3.5 4S invitational double N E S W 1S 2H 2S 3H Dbl Invitation to 4S 3.6 Can't-be-penalty doubles In a sequence like N E S W 1H 2C 2D Dbl the double cannot be for penalty, so is used to show tolerance for partner's suit (typically doubleton club) and 5 cards or a good 4 in the unbid suit. 3.7 Responding to 1-bid over suit intervention Negative double through 3S. A skip-level non-jump free response is non-forcing, e.g. N E S 1H 2D 2S/3C These show 7-10 and a fair suit. With a stronger hand and one or both unbid suits, responder doubles first and introduces his suit next (unlimited) or makes a jump shift. A free response which does not skip a level (i.e. does not bypass 2 of opener's suit) is still forcing, e.g. N E S N E S 1S 2C 2D/2H 1D 1H 1S The above free responses suggest 5 cards or the values for another bid. A cue bid response shows a fit and is game-forcing. A negative double followed by a cue bid is game-forcing. A pass over a simple overcall requires that partner reopen whenever short in the enemy suit. 4. Forcing principles 4.1 A 2-over-1 is forcing as far as 2NT Then: Opener's 2NT rebid shows at most a good 14 HCP. Opener's jump shift shows a fit for responder, and suggests a singleton in the fourth suit. If opener makes a "high reverse" to the 3-level, any continuation by responder (below game) is forcing, e.g. N S 1H 2D 3C 3D/3H are both forcing. 4.2 Fourth-suit-forcing If bid on the second round (by responder), it may be just a suit; in this case: At the 3-level, the fourth suit is game-forcing. At the 1- or 2-level, opener raises the fourth suit on a non-minimal 3-suited hand; this is forcing on responder. Any continuation, below game, by responder is forcing for one round. On the third or later round, the fourth suit shows either -- interest in 3NT, without a stopper in the fourth suit. or -- interest in slam, with a control in the fourth suit. 4.3 When opener rebids 1NT Responder's new suit at the 2-level is forcing only if higher-ranking than his first suit. This action shows 5 in the first suit. Responder's jump to 3 of opener's suit is non-forcing if a minor, forcing if a major (necessarily hearts). Responder's jump to 3 of his own suit is invitational. 4.4 When opener rebids 2NT A return to 3 of his suit is forcing 1 round. 4.5 When opener rebids the same suit A non-reverse by responder is non-forcing but fairly constructive, ee.g. N S 1D 1S 2D 2H/2S A jump rebid by responder is strongly invitional, e.g. 1D-1S-2D-3S. Slightly different is: N S 1D 1S 2C ? 2S may be quite weak, so the requirements for 3S are lower. 4.6 Reverse by opener After a 1-level response, this is non-forcing. 4.7 Jump rebid by opener Now anything below game by responder is forcing, e.g. N S 1D 1S 3D 3S forcing. 4.8 Mixed auctions If each side supports the other's suit, the position is forcing only if both majors are involved: N S N S N S 1D 1S 1H 1S 1S 2H 2S 3D non-forcing 2S 3H forcing 3H 3S forcing 5. Preemptive bidding 5.1 Opening 3NT This shows a 7- or 8-card minor with AKQ, at most 2 HCP outside. Responses: 4C/5C: opener passses with clubs, else corrects to D. 5D: signoff, responder has a high club, so knows opener's suit 4D: asks for singleton. Opener bids 4NT with none, bids 5 of his suit with a singleton in the other minor. 5.2 Opening 4C and 4D These are transfers to 4H and 4S, on 7.5-8.5 tricks, not all in the suit. If responder names the intermediate suit, it invites (does not force) a cue bid. 5.3 Responses to 3-bids and 4-bids 3 any suit: natural, opener shows moderate support for a major if he has it. 4C/4D: if a new suit, these are slam tries with a control. 4H/4S: to play 5 any side suit: asks for control. Opener: 1 step: doubleton or worse 2 steps: singleton or K 3 steps: void or A 5 of opener's major: invites slam if trumps are good. With solid trumps, opener bids 5NT. 5.4 Opening 2NT if using Multi 2D This shows a fairly strong 3-bid in some suit other than clubs (with at least two of AKQ), or a fair club-diamond hand (5 losers). Responses: 3C: the usual, opener bids his suit, or 3NT with both minors 3D: opener passes with D or both minors 3H/3S: singleton or doubleton, forcing. Opener raises if that is his suit, else bids 3NT or a side control. 5.5 Defense to 3-bids and 4-bids In the direct seat, over: 3C/3D Double is primarily for takeout, 3NT to play 3H/3S 3NT is for takeout. Double is penalty, with enough tricks to support a takeout into a long weak suit. 4C/4D Double shows high cards 4H Double requires tolerance for spades, 4NT is for takeout, emphasizing the minors. 4S Double is penalty. 4NT, for takeout, may be based on a 2-suiter; partner names his lowest playable suit. In the balancing seat, any double is business, based on high cards and not just trump tricks; partner may remove into a long suit if unbalanced. 6. Overcalls 6.1 Simple overcall Generally 9-15 HCP. Lighter is possible nonvulnerable, at the 1-level. A rough guide to responding to a simple overcall: Raises: obstructive, not strong Cue bid: 10+ with support New suit: 10+, not forcing Jump shift: 12+, forcing 1 round 1NT: 10-12 natural with stopper 2NT: 13-14 " 3NT: 15+ " 6.2 Jump overcall This is intermediate on 13-16 HCP. A good 6-card suit is normal at the 2-level, or a 7-card suit at the 3-level. In response, a raise is invitational and a new suit is forcing. 6.3 Unusual 2NT over opening bid This requires two good suits and a reasonable chance that the hand belongs to our side. 6.4 Michaels cue bid Over a minor, shows majors 5-4 at least, 7-11 NV or 9-13 vulnerable. Over a major, shows at least 5-5 in a minor and the other major. Both are unlimited. Jump responses in a known suit are preemptive. A cue bid response shows game interest. In response to Michaels in a major, 2NT asks for the minor. After an adverse opening bid and a response, cue bids are still of the Michaels kind. But a balancing cue bid shows a big hand, and a simple rebid by the balancing hand is forcing for one more round. 6.5 Defence to Unusual 2NT E.g. S W N 1H/S 2NT ? North: 3C: limit raise in opener's major 3D: 5 or 6 in the other major and 3-card support 3H: defensive raise Dbl: defensive values. Opener should double 3C or 3D on QTx or better. 7. Slam bidding 7.1 Control-showing cue bids Below game, a cue bid shows A, K, singleton, or void, and denies such control of any suit bypassed. Partner of an unlimited hand must cue bid controls in return, so long as it does not carry the auction beyond game, and so long as all suits may be under control. A cue bid above game shows a first-round control unless partner has already cue bid that suit, and may inferentially show a second-round control elsewhere. One does not cue bid a singleton or void in a suit partner has shown. A cue bid by the long trump hand, while the combined strength is still being assessed, shows the K or A, not a shortage; e.g. S N 2D 2NT Multi 2D 3C 4C 4D K or A 7.2 Jump shift A jump shift shows game-forcing strength plus 3 points (the usual Acol standard) and is based on a 1-suiter or a fit plus a fair side suit. A jump to game in opener's suit on the next round is weaker than support below game. S N 1S 3D 3S 4C is an advance cue bid, since responder does not have a 2-suited hand. 7.3 Baron 2NT response In response to an opening 1-bid, 2NT is bid on all balanced hands of 16+. It may conceal good or very good support. The continuation is "Baron", for 4- card suits upwards. 7.4 Meaning of 4NT 4NT is: -- A limit bid whenever it is a raise of a natural NT bid, with one exception: by responder who started with a jump shift, e.g. 1S-3C-3NT-4NT is Blackwood. -- A signoff when it follows a natural NT bid by the same player (spurning a slam invitation). -- Blackwood, of a kind, if there is explicit or implicit trump agreement: S N S N 1S 2NT 1H 4NT hearts implicit, but N may 4S 4NT spades implicit have a solid suit of his own 1H 2C 2S 4C 4NT clubs implicit, since no room to support the suit Responses are: 5C: 0 or 3 aces 5D: 1 or 4 aces 5H/S/NT: 2 aces and 0/1/2 key kings -- A natural slam suggestion, in a strong auction with no trump agreement. 7.5 5NT Even following 4NT, 5NT is a trump-asking grand slam try. There is no exact schedule of responses; the weakest is 6C, with gradations according to how good one's trumps are relative to what partner expects. 8. Protection (balancing) 8.1 Balancing when an opening bid has been passed 1NT: 11-14, may have a fair club suit 2C: forcing, either natural or balanced 15-17 Dbl followed by NT: balanced 18+ 8.2 Balancing when opponents are in a fit at the two-level Dbl is possible on as little as 8 HCP 4-4-3-2. 9. 1NT competition 9.4 Responding to 1NT with overcall of 2H or 2S: Lebensohl 9.1 Over opponent's weak 1NT 2C: support for C and 2 other suits, 10-14 in principle 2D: support for C, H, S, 10-14. Dbl: 15+. Partner removes if very weak or if he has a fair suit and some values. If third hand rescues to 2C or 2D, a pass is forcing. 2NT: powerful 2-suiter, typically only about 3.5 losers, forcing 2 rounds. Responder says 3C to hear the higher suit, and may relay again for the lower suit. Dbl by a passed hand shows a 2-suiter in the majors or in the minors; partner usually bids his longer minor, and the doubler may bid 2H with the majors. 9.2 Over weak, or possibly weak, response to 1NT Dbl: various 15+ hands, as directly over 1NT Pass and takeout double later is possible on a good hand Bidding enemy suit over a transfer response to 1NT is a takeout action 9.3 Versus opponent's strong 1NT (14-x or stronger) Dbl shows major or minor 2-suiter, like the passed-hand double of a weak NT. 9.4 Responding to 1NT with overcall of 2H or 2S: Lebensohl 2S is competitive with 5 2NT is a transfer to 3C, competing with length somewhere cue bid: Stayman with stopper in enemy suit 3 any new suit is forcing; opnener may show a major 3NT is to play with a stopper S W N E 1NT 2suit 2NT P 3C P ? North: Pass: signoff with clubs 3NT: natural but no stopper (opener may pull to 4C or 4D) cue bid: Stayman without stopper New suit: signoff except 3S, which is invitational 10. Intervention over strong artificial club openings 10.1 Direct intervention over 1C Any suit at any level: natural, governed by Rule of 500. A simple suit bid is also the first move on a powerful 2-suiter. Dbl: spades and diamonds 1NT: hearts and clubs 2NT: both minors The two-suit calls require good suits and a some chance of outbidding the opponents for a plus score. Pass and bid later, if at all, with a good balanced hand or 3-suiter. 10.2 Fourth seat, after 1C-1D or other artificial response Same as directly over 1C. 10.3 Fourth seat, after 1C and a natural response 2NT shows the 2 lower unbid suits Dbl and 1NT 2-suiters as before, but with responder's suit replaced, if necessary, by the other suit of the same rank, e.g. E S W N 1C P 1H Dbl still diamonds and spades 1NT now clubs and spades E S W N 1C P 1S Dbl now diamonds and hearts 1NT still clubs and hearts 10.4 Intervention over 2C Same methods as over 1C. Two-suit intervention merely to suggest a sacrifice is not recommended. But pairs who use ace-showing responses to 2C, and those whose systems do not adequately provide for big hands, sometimes open 2C on distributional values. In these cases, outbidding them for a plus score is not impossible, and a double-game swing or more may be at stake. 11. Multi-coloured 2D opening and Acol 2H/2S 11.1 Three hand types 2D is opened on any of these hands: -- weak 2 in a major -- Acol 2 in a minor -- Balanced 20-22 11.2 Responses after opponent passes 2D 2H: no interest if opener has weak 2H 2S: signoff if opener has weak 2S, game interest if weak 2H 2NT: conventional, game interest, possibly a bluff intending to sign off in 3H or 3S 3C/3D: forcing with strong 6-card suit. Opener bids his suit if a weak 2. 3H/2S: invitational with good 7-card suit 2D-2H. Opener: Pass: weak 2H 2S: weak 2S 2NT: balanced 20-22 3C/3D: Acol 2 in that suit 2D-2S. Opener: Pass: Weak 2S 2NT/3C/3D: as in 2D-2H 3H: Weak 2H, declining invitation 3S: Weak 2H, upper range, transfer to 4H 2D-2NT. Opener: 3C/3D: weak 2H/2S, upper ranger 3H/3S: weak 2H/2S, lower ranger 3NT: Balanced 20-22 4C/4D: Acol 2 in that suit If opener shows a weak 2, responder's rebid is natural at the 3-level but a cue bid at the 4-level. 11.3 Responses in competition S W 2D Dbl North: Pass: no interest in either major Redouble: content, 4 good diamonds and some top tricks. Other: as if West had passed, but since a pass is available, 2H implies willingness to compete in spades S W 2D bid North: double: for penalties 2NT/3C/3D: as if West had passed 2S: competing, assumes South has a weak 2S If the overcall is in a minor, any heart bid asks for pass or correction to spades; likewise 3S asks for pass or correction to 4H, with implied support. 11.4 Acol 2H and 2S openings 11.5 Defense against Multi 2D E S 2D ? South: dbl: 13-17 fairly balanced, or any 18+ Partner may pass this double; a response shows 8+. 2H/2S: 13-17, natural and at most doubleton in the other major 2NT: Natural 17-19 with both majors stopped With other good hands South may pass first round. E S W N 2D Dbl 2H/S Dbl This is responsive, not penalty, 8+. E S W N 2D P 2H Dbl Takeout double of a weak 2H 2S Natural 2NT Again, natural 17-19 with both majors stopped E S W N 2D P 2S Dbl Takeout double of a weak 2S