DEFENSIVE AND COMPETITIVE BIDDING LEADS AND SIGNALS

OVERCALLS (Style; Responses; 1/2 Level; Reopening) OPENING LEADS STYLE

Lebensohl - FANS. Lead In Partner's Suit
WBF Convention Card 2.18
Suit 3rd + 5th 3rd + 5th
NT 2nd/4th (reverse attitude) 2nd/4th (reverse attitude) Category: Natural - GREEN
Subseq 2nd/4th (reverse attitude) 2nd/4th (reverse attitude) Country: Ireland
Other: Event: Camrose
Players: Ciaran Coyne & David Walsh
1NT OVERCALL (2ND/4TH Live; Responses; Reopening) LEADS SYSTEM SUMMARY
15-18 HCP (protective 10-14); 2n Crowhurst - 2N 17/18 over which system on Lead Vs. Suit Vs. NT GENERAL APPROACH AND STYLE
2b/p transfers - break with 17-18 and 3/4 card to 2N; to 3M with 15/16 and 4 cards Ace asks for attitude (high disc) asks for attitude (high disc) Natural
King asks for count (high=even) asks for count (high=even) Third seat openings are very wide ranging.
Queen QJ KQT asks for attitude (high disc) QJ KQT asks for attitude (high disc) Jump shifts over 1m are strong
Jack JT HJT asks for attitude (high disc) JT HJT asks for attitude (high disc) 2/1 responses non-forcing in competitive auctions
JUMP OVERCALLS (Style; Responses; Unusual NT) 10 T9 HT9 asks for count (high=even) T9 HT9 asks for count (high=even)
1-Suit: weak NV, intermediate V 9 98 H98 9x 98 H98 9x
2-Suit: strong Hi-x Xx xXx 1NT Openings: 15-17 (some 14 with 5 card suit)
Lo-x HxX(x) xxX HxxX(x) 2 OVER 1 ResponsesForcing to 2N
Reopen: intermediate SIGNALS IN ORDER OF PRIORITY SPECIAL BIDS THAT MAY REQUIRE DEFENCE
DIRECT and JUMP CUE BIDS (Style; Responses; Reopen) Partners Lead Declarer's Lead Discarding 1M 3m 4 card raise
Direct cue is Michaels Suit:1st attitude - low enc count hilo even Even enc Odd SP 4n/b opening show strong 4p/q opening
Jump cue asks for stopper - shows playing tricks 2nd remaining count
Jump to2NT is lowest two 3rd
NT: 1st
VS. NT (vs. Strong / Weak; Reopening; PH) 2nd
2n = 4p/50 or 6p; 2NT strong enquiry 3rd
2b = 4q/5o or 6q; 2NT strong enquiry Signals (including Trumps): High-low = even count; high = discourage;
2p = 5p/4m 2NT ask 3n/b min with n/b; 3p/q good with n/b (GF) first discard odd = suit preference, even = encourage; sui
2q = 5q/4m 2NT ask 3n/b min with n/b; 3p/q good with n/b (GF)
2N minors or any GF 2-suiter DOUBLES
higher bids - weak defensively with playing strength TAKEOUT DOUBLES (Style; Responses; Reopening)
VS. PREEMPTS ( Doubles; Cue-bids; Jumps; NT bids) Standard takeout doubles though 4q
Double t/o Doubles takeout until fit is found.
Cue = 2-suiter After strrength showing XX or penalty pass, doubles penalty
NT bids natural to 3N Doubles of NT openings penalty SPECIAL FORCING PASS SEQUENCES
VS. ARTIFICIAL STRONG OPENINGS SPECIAL, ARTIFICIAL AND COMPETITIVE DOUBLES/REDOUBLES (1N) X (2x) P - forcing to 2H; double takeout.
See notes When opponents X In cue bidding situations: 1N (X) XX - subsequent doubles penalty; pass forcing
XX shows first round control, 1S (X) XX - subsequent doubles penalty, pass forcing
pass denies first round control but stil has interest, IMPORTANT NOTES THAT DON'T FIT ELSEWHERE
cue shows 2nd round control
OVER OPPONENTS' TAKE OUT DOUBLE
XX strong hand
2 level bids NF; other natural and forcing; 2N is raise Psychics:
OPENING BID DESCRIPTIONS

Opening Artificial Min. Neg Dble thruDescription Responses Subsequent Auction Passed Hand Bidding

1n 3 4q Inverted minor. JS = strong.

1b 3 4q Inverted minor. JS = strong.

1p 5 4q Bergen raises; 2/3N GF raises

1q 5 4q Bergen raises; 2/3N GF raises

1NT 2q 15-17 (maybe 14 with 5 card suit) Stayman, 4suit transfers, 3x nat slam try 4b/p xfer

2n Yes

2b 6 (5 in 3rd or NV) N

2p 6 (5 in 3rd or NV) 2N enquiry, new suit forcing

2q 6 (5 in 3rd or NV) 2N enquiry, new suit forcing

2NT 20-22 Stayman, transfers, 3q minor slam try

3n 6 New suit forcing

3b 6 New suit forcing

3p 6 New suit forcing

3q 6 New suit forcing

3NT Solid minor in 1/2 seat. To play in 3/4n pass/correct

4n Yes 7+ playing tricks in p See notes

4b Yes 7+ playing tricks in q See notes

4p 7

4q 7

4NT Yes

5n

5b

5p Yes Raise with pA or pK

5q Yes Raise with qA or qK

5NT

HIGH LEVEL BIDDING

Splinters, RKCB 1430, 5NT GSF,

In forcing auctions, pass encouraging

Interference over ace ask: X=first step; XX=first step

 Supplementary notes file (coynewalsh2006.txt) Ciaran Coyne & David Walsh (Ireland)

1. Defense to Strong n openings

X 7.5 + playing tricks in p (often two suiter)

1b 7.5 + playing tricks in q (often two suiter)
1p/1q natural
1N n/q or b/p
2n n/b or p/q
2b n/p or b/q
2p/2q natural, weak.
2N Solid minor
Pass then X is takeout

2. Defense to weak 2 openings (known suit - both 6M and 5M/4+o hands where M is
known):

(2M) 4m - that minor plus other major - 6m/4M+

(2M) 3M - other major + minor 5/5+
(2M) 2N - 15-18, system on
(2M) 3N - to play

3. Defense to weak openings showing unknown suit(s) - eg multi 2b or 2q showing

unspecified weak two suiter:

First double shows strength, second double is takeout; third double is penalty.
Overcalls natural (except see multi-defense)
4m - natural, forcing - demands cue

4. Defense to multi 2b

(2b) X - 12/15 balanced or 18+

(2b) 2p - typically 1444 opening bid
(2b) 2q - typically 4144 opening bid
(2b) 2N - 15+ - 18
(2b) 3m natural
(2b) 3M good M/m 2 suiter 5/5 or 6/4+
(2b) 4m - forcing single suit slam try
(2b) P (2p) X - 13/15 balanced or 18+
(2b) P (2p) 2q - typically 4144 opening bid
(2b) P (2p) 2N - 15+-18
(2b) P (2p) P; (P) X - takeout, weaker than direct 2q
(2b) P (2p) P; (P) 2q - normal overcall
(2b) P (2p) P; (P) 2N - minors
(2b) P (2p) P; (2S) X - takeout, weaker than direct 2p
(2b) P (2p) P; (2S) 2N - minors
(2b) P (2p) P; (2S) P (P) X - takeout
(2b) P (2p) P; (2S) P (P) 2N - minors
(2b) P (2q) X: takeout
(2b) P (2q) 2N 15+ - 18
(2b) P (2q) P; (P) X - takeout (weaker than direct 2p)
(2b) P (2q) P; (P) 2N - minors

5. Quantitative / Blackwood auctions

2N 3p
3q 4N - quantitative

2N 3b
3p 3q/4n/4b - natural two suited slam try

Over 1NT:

1N 2p
2q 4N - quantitative

1N 4b
4p 4N - keycard

6. Developments when we overcall 3NT

These apply after a 2 or 3 level opening by opps.

4n asks (4b=16-18 flat, 4p=19-21 flat, 4q=22-25 flat, 4NT/5NT/6NT= based on long
running suit)
4b = Flint (puppet to 4p), to play 4M without slam-interest
4p/4q = natural, NF, slam-tries

7. 1M 2NT

2NT shows a 3 card limit raise or 4+ support and 16+ support points. If opener
rebids any other than 3n, responder bids game to show the limit raise.
Responses:

3n - any 12-15 (including distribution)

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 3b - relay (shows the big hand)
3p - 5 trumps + singleton - 3q asks.show in steps
3q - 6+ trumps + singleton - 3N asks, show in steps.
3N - no shortage
4n/b/p - void splinter (when hearts agreed, 4p shows spade splinter)
3 opener's major - 3 card limit

3b - 16+, 6322
3p - relay for the three or four card suit (show in steps)

3p - 16+, 5 trumps and a singleton

3q - relay for singleton (in steps)

3q - 16+, 6 trumps and a singleton

3N - relay for singleton (in steps)

3NT - 16+ no shortage

4n/4b/4p - 16+ void. (4p = q void if p opened)

8. Defense to Flannery 2b (showing 4q/5p)

X - 15+ balanced (next double is takeout)

- 2p = Cuebid
- 2q = Natural
- 2N = Lebensohl (weak sign-off in minor)
- 3m = Constructive
2p - Three-suited takeout with shortness in hearts
- 2q = Natural
- 2N = Lebensohl (weak sign-off in minor)
- 3m = Constructive
2q - Natural overcall
2N - Minors (intermediate+ strength).
3n/b Natural, 6+, 11-16's
3p/q Asks for a stopper in that suit, usually with a long minor
3N About 9 tricks in NT, usually with a long minor.

Delayed doubles are takeout.

9. Defense to Flannery 2p (showing 4q/5p)

X - Normal takeout or 19+.

2N - 16-18
3p - minors

Suit overcalls - natural.

10. Defense to Flannery 2p (showing 5q/4p)

X - 15+ balanced (penalty oriented)

2q - Three-suited takeout with shortness in spades
2N - Minors

11. Minor suit slam tries over 2N

3q - puppet to 3N
3N - forced
4n - single suited slam try - after this, 4N by opener is signoff
4b - single suited slam try
4p - both minors 4/4+ and singleton or void p
4q - both minors 4/4+ and singleton or void q
4N - both minors 5/5

13. Responses to 2C opener:

- 2b - at least a K
- 2p - no A or K
- 2q - 5+p to two top honours
- 2N - 5+q to two top honours
- 3n - 5+n to two top honours
- 3b - 5+b to two top honours

14. Defense to Ghestem

Double is interest in penalising at least one of their suits

Subsequent double penalty - pass is forcing
4th suit is natural non forcing.
Raise of partners suit is limit.
Lowest space is forcing with 4 cards in 4th suit
Higher space is forcing with 5+ cards in 4th suit.

15. Cue bid auctions:

(1n) P (1b) 1N - 15-18

(1n) P (1b) 2n - natural
(1n) P (1b) 2b - natural
(1n) P (1b) 2N - majors

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(1n) P (1q) 2q
(1n) P (1q) 2n
(1n) P (1q) 1N

All natural (X or 2N for takeout). Same for any (1m) P (1M) auction

(1p) P (1q) 2q - natural

(1p) P (1q) 1N - natural
(1p) P (1q) 2p - Spades and minor 5-5
(1p) P (1q) 2N - Minors

16. Responses to high level openings

4n /4b Opening. (NAMYATS)

4n opening is constructive, showing a long heart suit.

4b opening is constructive, showing a long spade suit.

The requirements for opening 4n/4b are as follows:-

1. The trump suit is 7 or 8 (or rarely 9) cards long, with 0 or 1 loser in the
trump suit.
2. None or one top honour (ace or king) outside the trump suit.
3. 8 or 9 playing tricks.

The requirements are not affected by vulnerability or position at the table.

17. Responses to 4n/4b

Respond to 4n as follows:-

Pass: Impossible.
4b: Conventional, slam try, asking for a control outside trumps. See below.
4p: To play.
4q/5n/5b: Fit for opener's Major, slam try. Control Asking Bid (CAB) in bid
suit.
Opener rebids as follows:
1st step: No 1st or 2nd round control.
2nd step: 2nd round control (king or singleton).
3rd step: 1st round control (ace or void).
After the response to the CAB, responder can sign off in the agreed suit
at any level, or bid 6NT to play, or bid 5NT grand slam force as below.
5NT: "Grand Slam Force" with special responses. Opener only bids 7 with all 3
top
trump honours.

4NT: RKC.

4n - 4b
?
4p : No outside ace or void or king (will hold a singleton in this case
but don't show it).
4q /5n /5b: 1st round control of bid suit (ace or void).
4NT: Shows an outside king. Responder can bid 5n to ask which king?
Opener bids the king suit at the 5 level or bids 5 of the agreed suit
with the king of clubs.

5NT by Responder over 4n / 4b:

(1) If responder bids 4NT RKC and follows with 5NT, then this is a grand slam
try as usual. Over 5NT opener will bid the grand or show specific side suit
kings at 6 level.
(2) On all other auctions 5NT by responder is "Grand Slam Force", but opener
only bids the grand holding all 3 top trump honours.

e.g. 4n - 5NT is "GSF"

4n - 4b
any - 5NT is "GSF"

4b - 4p
any - 5NT is "GSF"

Responses to "GSF" in this case are as follows:

6n: Missing trump ace.
6b: Missing trump king.
6p: Missing trump queen.
7 /7 : Showing AKQ to length in this suit.

Notes:
(1) Responses to 4b Opening are very similar to the above, eg. 4p asks for
outside 1st round control or king (4q denies, 4NT shows a king, etc), 4q is
to play, 4NT is RKC, 5NT is "GSF" , 5n/5b/5p is a CAB.

Dealing with Interference after 4n/4b Opening.

If there is interference directly over a 4n/4b opening, then all responses are
as above, and double is penalty, pass is weak (nonforcing).

If there is interference over an asking bid (next suit or CAB), then the usual
step responses apply, ie double (or redouble) is 1st step, pass is 2nd step,

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etc.

18. 4p/4q Opening.

An opening bid of 4p or 4q is a natural preempt. It is stronger than a 3p/3q

opening, but weaker than a 4n/4b opening.

The requirements for a 4p/4q opening are as follows:

(1) 7 or 8 trumps. 0 to 2 losers in the trump suit.

(2) None or one outside ace or king.
(3) 7 playing tricks nonvul., 8 playing tricks vul.

3rd in hand, it may be slightly weaker, particularly nonvul.

4th in hand, it may be slightly stronger nonvul.

Responses to 4p/4q.

Pass: To play.
New suit: CAB. Opener rebids as follows:
1st step: no 1st or 2nd round control. NB.
2nd step: 2nd round control.
3rd step: 1st round control.
4NT: RKC.
Raise to 5: Slam try, asking about trump quality. Opener rebids as follows:-
Pass: 2 trump losers.
Raise to 6: 1 trump loser.
Cuebid: No trump loser, 2nd round control of side
suit.
5NT: No trump loser, no 2nd rd. control outside,
ie. AKQxxxx and 3 poor doubletons.
5NT: Grand Slam Force.
6 of a suit: To play.
6NT: To play.

Dealing with Interference after 4p /4q Opening.

If there is interference directly over a 4p/4q opening, then all responses are
as above except 5 of opener's suit is competing (nonforcing), and double is
penalty, pass is weak.
(Does this make sense??)

If there is interference over an asking bid (RKC or CAB or 5M or 5NT), then the
usual step responses apply.

19. Opening 4NT.

An opening bid of 4NT asks for specific aces. Responder bids as follows:-
5n: No ace.
5b: Ace of diamonds.
5p: Ace of hearts.
5q: Ace of spades.
5NT: 2 aces.
6n: Ace of clubs.

After the response, opener will place the final contract.

Opener will typically hold a void, 2 aces, and a solid suit.

For example, AKQJxxxxx or ---- or AKQ

AK x KQJ10xxxx
" KQ " AK " ----
---- AKQxxxxxxx AK

20. Opening 5p/5q:

An opening bid of 5p or 5q shows a solid 2 loser suit missing the ace and king
of trumps, with no outside losers.

For example, open 5q holding:-

QJ109xxxx or QJ10xxxxxxx
- AK
A -
AKQJ A

Responder passes with none of the top 2 trumps, raises to 6 with one of them, or
raises to 7 with both top trumps.

21. Blackwood and keycard blackwood:

4NT is straight blackwood if it is responder's first bid and if responder could

have made a forcing raise below game.

4NT shows two places to play when the auction has been cramped on the first

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round.

4NT is keycard inother situations.

Interferance after 4NT keycard (ROPI)

4N (X):
- XX 1/4
- P 0/3
- 5C 2 w/o
- 5D 2 w Q
- 5H 1/4 + useful void
- 5S 0/3 + useful void
- 5N 2 + useful void no Q
- 6C 2 + useful void with Q

DOPI

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