POLISH CLUB

12-15 HCP

Same as 2/1 with the following exceptions:

• 1 opening promises at least 4 ,
• without 5 cm and with 4 open 1 (even with 5 );
• 6⁺ or 5 & 4 cm – bid 2 and follow the “2 opening” below;
• do not open 1NT in this range;
• after 1 or 1 opening jump shift to a major is weak (less then 5/6 points and at least 5 cards in the suit);
• after 1 or 1 opening double jump shift to a major shows 12-15 HCP with no stopper in the bid suit (likely shortness) and interest in NT if partner can stop;
• 1 opening is forcing – respond 1 with less than 6/7 HCP (you respond 1 also with 5 types of stronger hands but that happens very rarely – see 1-1 exceptions);
• responses after 1 opening:
  •  jump shift response to 2 shows 12⁺ HCP, unbalanced and at least 5 (preferably 6), it denies 4 cm, follow the “inverted minors” system;
  • jump to 3 shows 7-9 HCP and 6⁺   with most values in the suit, invites to 3NT, it denies 4 cm;
  • 2 shows 10⁺ HCP and 5⁺ , it denies 4 cm, follow the “inverted minors” system;
  • 1NT = 7-10 HCP, 2NT= 11-12 HCP, 3NT=13-15 HCP (in all cases balanced without 4 cm); opener with 12-15H CP must pass 1NT.
• after 1 opening and 1 response rebid 4 cm, if not present bid 1 with at least two , otherwise bid 1 (you must have 3 in such case), do NOT bid 1NT or 2.

 The 1, 1, and 1 opening are limited to 12-18 HCP which is 1-2 points less than in 2/1 consequently:

• the responder needs 1-2 points more to bid (pass with 6 points and only 4 cm);
• jump, reverse, or another strong rebid by the opener shows 16-18 HCP (a little less than in 2/1); 

2 opening (12-15 HCP & 6⁺ or 5 & 4 cm ) : all responses are natural to play, except 2 which is asking, resp:

·        2/ - 4 cards;

·        2NT - 6⁺ and max;

·        3 - 6⁺ and min;

·        3 - 6 with 4 ;

·        3/ - 6⁺ & max & shortness in the bid suit;

·        3NT – solid 6⁺

After 2/  the next suit asks for distribution; resp.:  with 6⁺ & 4 rebid , with 5422 bid NT; with 5431 bid longer unbid suit.

16-18 HCP

Same as 2/1 with the following exceptions:

• open 1NT with balanced even when 5 cm present (follow puppet Stayman);
• 1 opening promises at least 4 (may have longer );
• after 1, 1, or 1 opening on the next bid reverse, or jump, or q-bid to show 16-18 HCP range (but try to stay under 3NT);
• after 1 or 1 opening jump shift to a major is weak (less then 5/6 points and at least 5 card in the suit);
• after 1 or 1 opening double jump shift to a major shows 12-15 HCP with no stopper in the bid suit (likely shortness) and interest in NT if partner can stop;
• 1 opening is forcing – respond 1 with less than 6/7 HCP (you respond 1 also with 5 types of stronger hands but that happens very rarely – see 1-1 exceptions);
• responses after 1 opening:
  •  jump shift response to 2 shows 12⁺ HCP, unbalanced and at least 5 (preferably 6), it denies 4 cm, follow the “inverted minors” system;
  • jump to 3 shows 7-9 HCP and 6⁺   with most values in , invites to 3NT, it denies 4 cm;
  • 2 shows 10+HCP and 5⁺ , it denies 4 cm, follow the “inverted minors” system;
  • 1NT = 7-10 HCP, 2NT= 11-12 HCP, 3NT=13-15 HCP (in all cases balanced without 4 cm);
• after 1 opening and 1 response rebid (in order of preference):
  • 4 cm,
  • 2 with long ,
  • 1 with at least two ,
  • 1 (you must have 3 in such case), do NOT bid 1NT.

The 1, 1, and 1 opening are limited to 12-18 HCP which is 1-2 points less than in 2/1 consequently:

• the responder needs 1-2 points more to bid (pass with 6 points and only 4 cm);
• jump, reverse, or another strong rebid by the opener shows 16-18 HCP (a little less than in 2/1); 

After negative (1) response:

With balanced hand:

• 19-21 HCP = 1NT (transfers & puppet Stayman)
• 22-23 HCP = 2NT (transfers & Stayman)
• 24⁺ HCP = 2 (followed typically by 2NT, transfers & Stayman apply), resp:

§         2 = 0-3 HCP

§         2 = 4-6 HCP

§         2NT = 7⁺ HCP unbalanced at least 5-4 in minors

§         3 = 7-9 HCP & 5⁺

§         3 = 7-12 HCP & 5⁺

§         3/ = 0-3 HCP & 6⁺ card suit

§         3NT = 16⁺ HCP balanced.

 With unbalanced 19-21/22 HCP (less than game forcing strength):

• with long clubs and an unbalanced hand:
  • 2, or
  • 3 with a very good six card suit and good playing strength.
• with long  and an unbalanced hand (this is the most awkward case):
  • 1/ with insufficient strength for a jump to 3  may be on fewer than four cards.
  • 3  with a very good five or good 6⁺ card suit (2  has a special meaning).
• with a major suit:
  • 1/ with an unbalanced hand;
  • 2/ with a powerful six card suit and some extra strength.  This is an Acol-style two bid, not forcing but highly suggestive
  • 3/ with nine playing tricks, not forcing, but responder should continue with a trick somewhere.

With unbalanced 22/23⁺ HCP hand (game forcing strength):

• 3NT with a solid club (or diamond) suit and the expectation of making it, or
• 2 (bid your suit on the next round), resp:
  • 2 = 0-3 HCP
  • 2 = 4-6 HCP
  • 2NT 7⁺ HCP unbalanced at least 5-4 in minors
  • 3 = 7-9 HCP & 5⁺
  • 3 = 7-12 HCP & 5⁺
  • 3/ = 0-3 HCP & 6⁺ card suit
  • 3NT = 16⁺ HCP balanced.

19⁺ HCP – always open 1

After 1/ response:

• 1 (forcing) with 4 (jump or q-bid on the next bid),
• 2 (forcing) = long , unbalanced (jump or q-bid or reverse on the next bid),
• 2 = 3⁺ card support for responder's major and asks for clarification; responses:
  • two of the original suit with five or more and a good hand (10⁺ hcp), sets the trump suit.
  • three of the original suit with five or more and a weak hand (6-9 hcp), sets the trump suit.
  • 2NT with a four card suit but good hand.  No trump agreement is implied until opener rebids the suit.
  • a new suit with only four cards in the first suit and a weak hand.  Again, no trump agreement is implied.
• 2 (after 1) with 6⁺ .
• 2  (after 1) with 5⁺ .
• 2NT shows 19-21 or 24⁺ balanced and little support for responder.
• 3  shows 19⁺ and a very good six cards or longer suit.  Forcing.
• 3 with  and no four card side major suit.
• double jump in a minor or the other major = splinter.

After 1NT response:

• 2 (forcing) = long , unbalanced (jump or q-bid or reverse on the next bid),
• 2 = minor suit interest, asks for clarification; responses:
  • 2 shows 5 .
  • 2 shows 5 .
  • 2NT denies a 5 card minor, must be at least xx34 because responder has denied holding a 4 cm.
  • jump to 3 or 3  shows a six card suit.
  • jump to 3 or 3 shows a seven card  or  respectively.
• 2/ with 5⁺.
• 3/// with solid 6⁺.
• 3NT = to play

exceptions to 1♣ -1 as weak

1. 7-10 point hands without a 4 cm that are unsuitable for 1NT
2. 10-12 point hands with 6⁺ .  After opener's minimum rebid jump to 3.
3. 10-12 point hands with 5⁺  & 4⁺ , (unsuitable for 2NT, not strong enough for 2) rebid 2 over opener's 1 (1-1, 1-2), or 3 over 1 (1-1, 1-3).
4. 13⁺ point hands with a powerful 6⁺ card  suit and slam interest that would be difficult to express after 1-2. After opener's expected 1 or 1 rebid, continue with:
   • 1-1, 1M-3, or 3 or 3, a singleton or void suit.
5. 16⁺ point balanced hands lacking a 4 cm or 5 cards minor, jump to 2NT after opener's 1 /1 rebid.

 
WEAK OPENING BIDS

 2 = 6-10 HCP 5/5+ majors or major/minor 2 suiter. Responses:

2NT = 6-10 HCPs, 5-5 or better in the minors. Responses:

3/  -  sign off.                                        3  - asking about distribution, resp:

3- 2155; 3NT - 1255; 4/  - 6⁺ & 5⁺ (bid the longer one); 4 - 0355; 4 - 3055.

3/ // = weak use rule of 2/3

3NT = solid minor, no outside stopper, opener must bid 4 in that minor if X but not XX.

POLISH CLUB
Gabungan Bridge Alumni Universitas Indonesia (GA B R I A L – U I)