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I am unable to get BBO to deal hands given code in the 'Use this input for the dealer program' too. I think something has been broken. The code does however work through the link : http://www.bridgebase.com/tools/dealer/dealer.php So, I believe it has been broken in BBO.

I agree. I think if partner has a weak NT, he can pass. I understand that when playing 2/1 GF he can pass forcing with an 18-19 balanced hand, but if 2/1 is not GF then opener has to be able to show that hand and a leap to 3NT seems too Fred Flintstone to me. Partner held :- AT9xx Qxx Jxx AQ As mgoetze points out, being able to bid 2NT over 2H may right side the contract but if you pass and partner doubles you can bid 2NT then losing nothing and being able to show 18-19 with a 2NT rebid rather than the agricultural 3NT. Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

I don't see why. 1S-2D-any-3S would show 10-12 with 3 card support. 1S-2S <10 with 3 card support. Bergen and Jacoby pick up the 4 card support hands with values. I prefer 2/1 to be GF unless responder rebids their suit and Bergen 3C/3D to be 3/4 card support with 10-12 values, but I don't play that with the particular partner I was playing with. I think his preferred method is playable.

We play 1M-3M pre-emptive, 4 card support and not promising much else....

Playing strong NT, 5 card majors, 2/1 NOT GF, 1NT response NF, Jacoby 2NT and Bergen 3C/3D=6-9/10-12 with 4 card support, you pick up:- KJx Axx KTxx xxx 1S-(P)-2D-(2H) 2NT-(P)-? How good (or bad) is partner's 2NT ?

Thanks for clarifying your comments and sorry it's taken so long to respond, I don't use this forum very often. With the hand you gave, the system is to respond 2C stayman, but follow it up with 3m natural 5+ cards and GF which will either find a 4-4 H fit otherwise possibly identify an issue in one of the black suits and suggest playing in the D suit. I realise there are many systemic agreements and conventions over 1NT and I didn't want to make it sound like I'd got the perfect solution to all the possible responding hands, I was interested in people's own agreements and wondered why more people hadn't adopted a 5 card enquiry method - especially when many pairs are opening 1NT with 5 card majors.

Yes - thanks for that, a powerful option when using the facility with a partner.

I have been keeping a list of 'Dealer Source' criteria when using the BBO 'Bidding Table' to practise with my partner. Anyone unfamiliar with this facility should give it a try. Personally I think this must be one of the most powerful Bridge tools on the Internet. Get BBO to deal hands for you that satisfy a particular criteria - shape and values, then another and another and bid them all until you're happy your system copes. My 'Dealer Source code' could be improved on, I'm sure, but it works - see below. If you find it useful, that's good. But the gratitude must go to BBO and the facilities provided - generously free and amazingly powerful. BRIDGE BASE ONLINE – Hand Generating instructions The following instructions detail how to get BBO to deal hands for you to practise with. You can use the ‘computer code’ like instructions to tell BBO what kinds of hands you want, but it isn’t very hard once you have tried it yourself. This document also contains many examples of such code so you can cut and paste it or adapt it for your own needs. The code examples aren’t perfect and I’ve been learning myself as I’ve been going along, but they are a start point. I’ve given instructions on how to setup a bidding table which is a wonderfully powerful way for you and your partner to practise your system and to get BBO to deal hands for a particular area. Using the following webpage and pasting the syntax into it will generate a number of deals that can be analysed. http://www.bridgebase.com/tools/dealer/dealer.php Alternatively with a BBO account, you can follow these instructions to setup a bidding table and get BBO to deal hands for you that fit a specific criteria. Login to BBO Click 'Start a table' Click 'Start a Bidding table' Under ‘Reserve Seats’ – if you have a partner who you want to practise with, enter their and your BBO account names into the North and South boxes. If you want to practise on your own, then leave them blank. Click 'Start Table'. On the table, click either the North or South seat to sit (unless you reserved a seat on the previous screen), then click on 'Robot' for the other seats - note if you want the E-W pair to pass don't bother clicking on 'Robot' for them just select it for your North or South partner if bidding on your own. Click 'Deal Source' under the playing table window. On the 'General' tab, uncheck the seats you don't want to open the bidding if required - e.g. if you want to practice 1NT openings set North or South as the only player to open the bidding Click on the 'Advanced' tab Click in the checkbox for the 'Use this input for the Dealer program' Then cut and paste the relevant code from this document into the open space below or enter your own. e.g. Use the following to force a 1NT opening for North and then some kind of minor suit holding for South. It is fairly self explanatory, but the keyword 'shape' means north can have any of the exact shapes listed with 'hcp' high card points in the range 15-17. And South's shape can be any of those listed where x can be any number and the order is SHDC. ( shape(north, any 5332 + any 4432 + any 4333)&& hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17&&shape(south, 22xx +31xx + 13xx + xx5x + xxx5) &&hcp(south)>8 ) Click 'Close' Click 'Redeal' on the table window to get a new deal satisfying the dealing criteria Pete Foster (Nov 2014) Dealer Source criteria ---------------------- MINOR SUITS To get an opening 1C bid (NB most of the hands will provide a 1NT 12-14 opening as it is far more common than the 18-19 hand). (clubs(north)>=1&&diamonds(north)<=3&&hearts(north)<=4&&spades(north)<=4&&((hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=14)||(hcp(north)>=18&&hcp(north)<=19)))|| (clubs(north)>=4&&diamonds(north)<clubs(north)&&hearts(north)<clubs(north)&&spades(north)<clubs(north)&&hcp(north)>=12&&!(hcp(north)>=15||hcp(north)<=17)) To get an opening 1C bid that is NOT a weak 12-14 1NT hcp(north)>11&& ((!shape(north, any 4333 + any 4432 + any 5332)&& clubs(north)>=1&&diamonds(north)<=4&&hearts(north)<=4&&spades(north)<=4)|| (shape(north, any 4333 + any 4432 + any 5332)&&hcp(north)>17&&hcp(north)<20)) To get an opening 1C bid and a 4-4 major suit fit. (clubs(north)>=1&&diamonds(north)<=3&&hearts(north)<=4&&spades(north)<=4&&((hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=14)||(hcp(north)>=18&&hcp(north)<=19)))|| (clubs(north)>=4&&diamonds(north)<clubs(north)&&hearts(north)<clubs(north)&&spades(north)<clubs(north)&&hcp(north)>=12&&!(hcp(north)>=15||hcp(north)<=17))&& ((spades(south)>=4&&spades(north)==4)||(hearts(south)>=4&&hearts(north)==4))&&hcp(south)>=6 To get an opening 1C bid and a 4-4 major suit fit and opener is 18-19 (clubs(north)>=1&&diamonds(north)<=3&&hearts(north)<=4&&spades(north)<=4&&(hcp(north)>=18&&hcp(north)<=19))&& ((spades(south)>=4&&spades(north)==4)||(hearts(south)>=4&&hearts(north)==4))&&hcp(south)>=6 To get an opening 1C bid and inverted 2C response. (clubs(south)>=4&&hearts(south)<=3&&spades(south)<=3&&hcp(south)>=10)&&(clubs(north)>=1&&diamonds(north)<=3&&hearts(north)<=4&&spades(north)<=4&&((hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=14)||(hcp(north)>=18&&hcp(north)<=19))) To get an opening 1C bid and responder hold 4+ clubs. (hcp(north)+hcp(south)>=22)&&(clubs(south)>=4&&hearts(south)<=3&&spades(south)<=3&&diamonds(south)<=3)&&(clubs(north)>=1&&diamonds(north)<=3&&hearts(north)<=4&&spades(north)<=4&&((hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=14)||(hcp(north)>=18&&hcp(north)<=19))) To get a natural opening 1C bid that isn't a strong NT:- (clubs(north)>=4&&hearts(north)<=3&&spades(north)<=3&&diamonds(north)<=3&&hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=19&&!(hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17)) INVERTED MINOR To get an opening 1m and inverted response:- (clubs(south)>=4&&diamonds(south)<=3&&hearts(south)<=3&&spades(south)<=3&&hcp(south)>=10)&& (clubs(north)>=1&&diamonds(north)<=4&&hearts(north)<=4&&spades(north)<=4&& ((hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=14)||(hcp(north)>=18&&hcp(north)<=19))) || (diamonds(south)>=4&&hearts(south)<=3&&spades(south)<=3&&clubs(south)<=4&&hcp(south)>=10)&& (diamonds(north)>=4&&clubs(north)<=3&&hearts(north)<=4&&spades(north)<=4&&((hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=14)||(hcp(north)>=18&&hcp(north)<=19))) MAJOR SUITS To get an opening 1M bid:- (hearts(north)>=5||spades(north)>=5)&&hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=19&&!(shape(north, any 5332)&&hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17) To get a responding hand to 1M with 7+ points:- (hearts(north)>=5||spades(north)>=5)&&hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=19&&!(shape(north, any 5332)&&hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17)&&hcp(south)>=7 To get an opening 1M and responding hand with 10-12 HCP:- (hearts(north)>=5||spades(north)>=5)&&hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=19&&!(shape(north, any 5332)&&hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17)&&(hcp(south)>=10&&hcp(south)<=12) To get a 1NT responding hand to 1M :- ((hearts(north)>=5&&hearts(south)<3&&spades(south)<4)||(spades(north)>=5&&spades(south)<3))&&hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=19&&!(shape(north, any 5332)&&hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17)&&hcp(south)<13&&hcp(south)>4 To get a responding hand to 1M with 3+ card support and 4+ HCP:- ((hearts(north)>=5&&hearts(south)>=3)||(spades(north)>=5&&spades(south)>=3))&&hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=19&&!(shape(north, any 5332)&&hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17)&&hcp(south)>4 To get a responding hand to 1M with 3+ card support and 2+ HCP with intervention:- ((hearts(north)>=5&&hearts(south)>=3)||(spades(north)>=5&&spades(south)>=3))&&hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=19&&!(shape(north, any 5332)&&hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17)&&hcp(south)>=2&&hcp(east)>=13&&shape(east, any 5xxx + any 4441) To get a 5 card Major with shape 5422:- hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=19&&shape(north, 5422 + 4522 + 5242 +5224 + 2542 + 2524) 1NT OPENING To get an opening 1NT:- strongNT = ( shape(north, any 5332 + any 4432 + any 4333)&& hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17 ) condition strongNT To get an opening 1NT with a 5 card Major with shape 5422 or 5332:- hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17 && ( (shape(north, 5422 + 4522) && hcp(north, clubs)>4 && hcp(north, diamonds)>4)|| (shape(north, 5242) && hcp(north, clubs)>4 && hcp(north, hearts)>4)|| (shape(north, 5224) && hcp(north, hearts)>4 && hcp(north, diamonds)>4)|| (shape(north, 2542) && hcp(north, clubs)>4 && hcp(north, spades)>4)|| (shape(north, 2524) && hcp(north, spades)>4 && hcp(north, diamonds)>4)|| (shape(north, 5332 + 5233 + 5323 + 3532 + 3523 + 2533)) ) To get an opening 1NT with the balance of points:- condition strongNT&&hcp(south)>6 To get an opening 1NT with the balance of points and responder no more than 4 cards in majors:- condition strongNT&&(shape(south,22xx + 31xx + 13xx + 21xx + 12xx + 30xx + 03xx))&&hcp(south)>6 To get an opening 1NT with the balance of points and responder with a 5+ card minor:- condition strongNT&&shape(south, 22xx +31xx + 13xx + xx5x + xxx5) &&hcp(south)>6 To get an opening 1NT with the balance of points and responder with any 5 card suit or 4441:- condition strongNT&&shape(south, any 5xxx + any 4441) &&hcp(south)>6 To get an opening 1NT with a 2 suiter responding hand:- condition strongNT&&shape(south, any 54xx + any 55xx + any 64xx)&&hcp(south)>=6 To get an opening 1NT with a 2S, 3x or 2NT response:- condition strongNT&& ( ( shape(south, any 4333 + any 4432)&& hcp(south)>15 )|| ( shape(south, xx6x + xxx6 + xx7x + xxx7)&& hcp(south)<7 )|| ( hcp(south)<9&& ((shape(south, xxx6)&&hcp(south,clubs)>4&&hascard(south,TC))|| (shape(south, xx6x)&&hcp(south,diamonds)>4&&hascard(south,TD))|| (shape(south, x6xx)&&hcp(south,hearts)>4&&hascard(south,TH))|| (shape(south, 6xxx)&&hcp(south,spades)>4&&hascard(south,TS))) ) ) To get an opening 1NT with the balance of points and a Robot intervention:- condition strongNT&& hcp(east)>12&&shape(east, any 6xxx + any 5440 + any 55xx)&& (hcp(north)+hcp(south)>=21) REVERSES To get a reversing shape where the responding hand has GF values:- (hcp(south)>=12)&& ( (hcp(north)>=16&&hcp(north)<=21) || (hcp(north)>=11&&hcp(north)<=15) ) && ( (hearts(north)>=5&&spades(north)==4&&(clubs(south)>=5||diamonds(south)>=5) )|| (diamonds(north)>=5&&hearts(north)==4&&spades(south)>=4)|| (clubs(north)>=5&&diamonds(north)==4&&(hearts(south)>=4||spades(south)>=4))|| (clubs(north)>=5&&hearts(north)==4&&spades(south)>=4) ) To get a reversing shape where the responding hand has a 2/1 GF response:- (hcp(south)>=13)&& ( (hcp(north)>=16&&hcp(north)<=21) || (hcp(north)>=11&&hcp(north)<=15) ) && ( (hearts(north)>=5&&spades(north)==4&&(clubs(south)>=5||diamonds(south)>=5) )|| (diamonds(north)>=5&&hearts(north)==4&&clubs(south)>=5)|| (diamonds(north)>=5&&spades(north)==4&&clubs(south)>=5) ) NON-FORCING FREE-BIDS To get an opening 1C bid and 1M overcall and responder have 5+ cards in a displaced suit with 6+ HCP (clubs(north)>=1&&diamonds(north)<=3&&hearts(north)<=4&&spades(north)<=4&&((hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=14)||(hcp(north)>=18&&hcp(north)<=19))) && ( (hearts(east)>=5&&diamonds(south)>=5)|| (spades(east)>=5&&(diamonds(south)>=5||hearts(south)>=5)) ) &&hcp(east)>=12 &&hcp(south)>=6 4441 HANDS To get a 4441 hand:- (shape(north, 4441)||shape(north, 4414)||shape(north, 4144)||shape(north, 1444))&& hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(south)>=6 TWO OVER ONE GAME FORCE To get a 5 card major opening & a responding hand with a 2/1 GF response:- (hcp(south)>=13)&& ( (hcp(north)>=16&&hcp(north)<=21) || (hcp(north)>=11&&hcp(north)<=14) ) && ( (hearts(north)>=5&&(clubs(south)>=5||diamonds(south)>=5) )|| (spades(north)>=5&&(clubs(south)>=5||diamonds(south)>=5||hearts(south)>=5) ) ) TWO SUITED OVERCALLS To get a Michaels Cue bid or Unusual 2NT overcall (NB will also get ‘extremes’ e.g. (1C)-? D+S) ( (hearts(west)>=5&&shape(north, 5x5x+5xx5+xx55))|| (spades(west)>=5&&shape(north, x55x+x5x5+xx55))|| (clubs(west)>=4&&hearts(west)<=4&&spades(west)<=4&&shape(north, 55xx+5x5x+x55x))|| (diamonds(west)>=4&&hearts(west)<=4&&spades(west)<=4&&shape(north, 55xx+5xx5+x5x5)) )&& hcp(west)>=12&&hcp(west)<=19&&!(shape(west, any 5332 + any 4432 + any 4333)&&hcp(west)>=15&&hcp(west)<=17) &&hcp(north)>=6 WIDE RANGE 1NT RESPONSE To get a 1D/M opening with 1NT response ( (hearts(north)>=5&&shape(south, 3244 + 3253 + 3235 + 31xx + 21xx))|| (spades(north)>=5&&shape(south, 2344 + 2353 + 2335 + 1xxx + 2xxx))|| ((diamonds(north)>=5||shape(north, 3343))&&shape(south, 3235 + 2335 + 3325)) )&& hcp(north)>=12&&hcp(north)<=19&& !(shape(north, any 5332)&&hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17)&& hcp(south)>=6&&hcp(south)<=11 OPENING 2C To get a 2C opening, either less than 5 loser hand & 19+ HCP or any 23+ HCP with specific distributional response ( ( loser(south)<5&&hcp(south)>19 )|| hcp(south)>=23 )&& shape(north, any 6xxx + any 7xxx) To get distributional hands that qualify for a 2C opening – i.e. satisfy the ‘Rule of 25’ but are less than 22 HCP loser(south)<5&&hcp(south)>16&&hcp(south)<22&&shape(south, any 6xxx + any 7xxx + any 55xx) To get a 2C opening, either less than 5 loser hand & 19+ HCP or any 23+ HCP with a potential overcall (NB BBO robots don’t overcall, so you need to rebid considering the auction if they had ((loser(south)<5&&hcp(south)>19)||hcp(south)>=23)&& ( (shape(east,xxx6)&&hcp(east,clubs)>=5)|| (shape(east,xx6x)&&hcp(east,diamonds)>=5)|| (shape(east,x6xx)&&hcp(east,hearts)>=5)|| (shape(east,6xxx)&&hcp(east,spades)>=5) ) OPENING 2D – EKREN To get an Ekren opening with a responding 15 HCP opposite. ( hearts(north)>=4&&spades(north)>=4&& hcp(north)>=5&&hcp(north)<=9 )&& hcp(south)>=15 OPENING 2D/2M – ‘MULTI-STYLE’ To get an opening 2D ‘weak’ Weak 2M (showing 5+ cards + another suit or 6 card suit <8 HCP) OR opening 2M ‘intermediate’ 2M (showing 8-11 HCP with a 6 card suit) ( (shape(north, 6xxx + x6xx)&&hcp(north)<12)|| (shape(north, 55xx + 54xx + 45xx + 5x4x + 5xx4 + x54x + x5x4 + 5x5x + 5xx5 + x55x + x5x5)&&hcp(north)<8) ) OPENING 2NT:- To get an opening 2NT opening2NT = ( shape(north, any 5332 + any 4432 + any 4333)&& hcp(north)>=20&&hcp(north)<=22 ) condition opening2NT To get an opening 2NT and responder has both minors condition opening2NT&& ( (shape(south, xx54 + xx45 + xx55 + xx65 + xx56)&&hcp(south)>3)|| (shape(south, 2344 + 3244)&&hcp(south)>10) ) To get an opening 1NT or 2NT with a 2/3C, 2/3S or 2N response:- ( shape(north, any 5332 + any 4432 + any 4333)&& ((hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17)||(hcp(north)>=20&&hcp(north)<=22)) )&& ( ( shape(south, any 4333 + any 4432 + any 4441)&& hcp(south)>7 )|| ( shape(south, xx6x + xxx6 + xx7x + xxx7)&& hcp(south)<8 )|| ( shape(south, xx54 + xx45 + xx55 + xx65 + xx56)&& hcp(south)>7 ) ) To get a 1NT or 2NT opening with balanced hands and minor suit 2 suiters : shape(north, any 5332 + any 4432 + any 4333)&& ( hcp(north)>=20&&hcp(north)<=22&& ( (shape(south, any 4333 + any 2344)&&hcp(south)>11)|| (shape(south, 2344 + 3244 + 1354 + 3154 + 2254)&&hcp(south)>10) ) )|| ( hcp(north)>=15&&hcp(north)<=17&& ( (shape(south, any 4333 + any 2344)&&hcp(south)>16)|| (shape(south, 2344 + 3244 + 1354 + 3154 + 2254)&&hcp(south)>15) ) ) PRE-EMPTIVE OPENINGS To get a Weak 2M opening hcp(south)>3&&hcp(south)<=9&& ( (shape(south,x6xx)&&hcp(south, hearts)>2)||(shape(south,6xxx)&&hcp(south, spades)>2) ) To get a Weak 2M or 2 suited opening hcp(south)>4&&hcp(south)<=9&& ( ((shape(south,x6xx)&&hcp(south, hearts)>2)||(shape(south,6xxx)&&hcp(south, spades)>2))|| (shape(south, any 55xx)||shape(south, any 54xx)||shape(south, 44xx)) ) To get a Weak 2 opening with a takeout double and Lebensohl opposite double ( hcp(east)>5&&hcp(east)<=9&& ( ((shape(east,xx6x)&&spades(east)<4&&hearts(east)<4)&&hcp(east,diamonds)>4&&shape(south, 4414+4504+5404+4405+4513+5413+3415+4315))|| (shape(east,26xx)&&hcp(east,hearts)>4&&shape(south, 4144+5044+4054+4045+4153+4135+5143+5134))|| (shape(east,62xx)&&hcp(east,spades)>4&&shape(south, 1444+0544+0454+0445+1453+1435+1543+1534)) )&& hcp(south)>13&& shape(north, any 5xxx) ) To get a Weak 2 opening with a Leaping Michaels overall ( hcp(east)>5&&hcp(east)<=9&& ( ((shape(east,xx6x)&&spades(east)<4&&hearts(east)<4)&&hcp(east,diamonds)>4&&shape(south, 55xx+5xx5+x5x5+65xx+56xx+5xx6+6xx5+x5x6+x6x5))|| (shape(east,26xx)&&hcp(east,hearts)>4&&shape(south, 5x5x+5xx5+xx55+6x5x+5x6x+5xx6+6xx5+xx56+xx65))|| (shape(east,62xx)&&hcp(east,spades)>4&&shape(south, x55x+x5x5+xx55+x65x+x56x+x5x6+x6x5+xx56+xx65)) )&& hcp(south)>17 ) To get a Weak 3 opening with a takeout double ( hcp(east)>5&&hcp(east)<=9&& ( ((shape(east,xxx7)&&spades(east)<4&&hearts(east)<4)&&hcp(east,clubs)>4&&shape(south, 4441+4540+5440+4450+4531+5431+3451+4351))|| ((shape(east,xx7x)&&spades(east)<4&&hearts(east)<4)&&hcp(east,diamonds)>4&&shape(south, 4414+4504+5404+4405+4513+5413+3415+4315))|| (shape(east,27xx)&&hcp(east,hearts)>4&&shape(south, 4144+5044+4054+4045+4153+4135+5143+5134))|| (shape(east,72xx)&&hcp(east,spades)>4&&shape(south, 1444+0544+0454+0445+1453+1435+1543+1534)) )&& hcp(south)>13 ) To get a Weak 3 opening with a Non-Leaping Michaels overall ( hcp(east)>5&&hcp(east)<=9&& ( ((shape(east,xxx7)&&spades(east)<4&&hearts(east)<4)&&hcp(east,clubs)>4&&shape(south, 55xx+5x5x+x55x+65xx+56xx+5x6x+6x5x+x56x+x65x))|| ((shape(east,xx7x)&&spades(east)<4&&hearts(east)<4)&&hcp(east,diamonds)>4&&shape(south, 55xx+5xx5+x5x5+65xx+56xx+5xx6+6xx5+x5x6+x6x5))|| (shape(east,27xx)&&hcp(east,hearts)>4&&shape(south, 5x5x+5xx5+xx55+6x5x+5x6x+5xx6+6xx5+xx56+xx65))|| (shape(east,72xx)&&hcp(east,spades)>4&&shape(south, x55x+x5x5+xx55+x65x+x56x+x5x6+x6x5+xx56+xx65)) )&& hcp(south)>17 ) To get BBO to deal specific cards and force an auction predeal north SA83, HAT, DQJ9754, C74 predeal west SQT742, HKQJ6, DT, CQJ6 west1s = hcp(west)>10 && spades(west)>= 5 north3d = hcp(north)>6 && diamonds(north)>= 6 condition west1s && north3d It would be nice if BBO forced West to open 1S and North overcall 3D, but the keywords do not refer to the bids, only to force the distributions set by the keyword criteria. In the above example therefore the west1s and north3d have no use since they have already been assigned their cards. So, to get North to overcall 3D you have to sit in that seat and do it, then let the robots take the other polarities. Other specific card holding conditions:- aces(south) == 1 && kings(south) == 1 (also able to specify queens, jacks and tens) clubs(south)==7 and hascard(south,AC) and hascard(south,KC) and hascard(south,QC) You can get GIB to analyse a hand by using this as input to the Dealer Source:- predeal north S63, HK52, DQJ7, CAK543 predeal south SA, HA874, DK53, CQT762 predeal east SJT9852, HJ63, DT2, CJ9

Thank you. I think people sometimes assume the worse about others when they don't agree with them or they make assumptions about them without actually bothering to exercise a little tolerance and patience. This is sadly why there is so much conflict in the world, because opinionated people think the rest of the world should believe what and behave the way they do. If someone doesn't agree with someone or doesn't think their questions deserve attention, I think they should just ignore them rather than be sarcastic, abusive and dismissive. I'd ignored the sarcastic comment about leading to the auction FromageGB presented as they hadn't bothered to think about the kind of hand responder may have for the auction 1NT-2C-2D-2H-3NT. As responder my partner and I bid this way holding S KQ10xx H KJxx D xx C xx as 2H will elicit whether opener holds a 4 card heart suit or 3 card spade suit. It's easy to criticise and suggest this thread may get 'ugly' in a confrontational and threatening way when people are separated by copper wire and the ether, I wonder how many would behave this way in person ? It was not my intention to invite abuse, so my apologies if anyone thought it deserved it.

Thanks for being so constructive.

I did say you could puppet over 2NT if you wished.... I'm more interested in comments on the 1NT response structure which seems to hang together with the sole loss of Garbage Stayman and utilises a similar method for showing 2/3 spades as over 2NT to handle the responding hands with 5S+4H. We also play the following which complements the Stayman auctions : 1N-3any = Decent 6 card suit (partner should bid 3NT with Hx or any max) 1N-transfer then raise = 6+ cards GF+ or 4N = quantitative 1N-transfer then minor suit = GF+ 1N-transfer then other major : 1N-2D-2H-2S = 5H+4S F1, 1N-2H-2S-3H = 5-5 Inv 1N-4m = transfers to 4M, over which Pass = to play or 4N = RKCB

I think they're more likely to double 2C than bid 3C, but you could still use a similar scheme over both. I've just posted a note on 5 card Stayman and my partner and I play this over Stayman-X :- 1N-(P)-2C-(X) ? Pass = no 4/5 card major and no club stop XX = ditto but showing a club stop other responses 'system on' I don't see why you couldn't adopt Pass/X over 3C to show the same and respond 3D with one or more 4 card major or 3M with 5 cards. This assumes 2C is as Frances plays showing some values, but I haven't missed Garbage Stayman since playing the same.

Whether you play a weak or strong NT, you may well open 1NT or 2NT with a 5 card major. I've often wondered about adapting Stayman to allow 5 card majors to be shown and wondered why someone hasn't bothered to devise one or if they have why it's not in widespread use. May be there's a reason, but I think the following seems to do the job and my partner and I are happy with our results using it. If anyone would like to comment or offer suggestions, I'd appreciate it. And if anyone would like to tell me why few pairs bother to try and find a 5 card major over 1NT I'd be interested too, I feel there must be a reason, but it escapes me. I realise you lose 'Garbage Stayman' with the system below, but I think the advantages outweigh the loss. I've tried to make the response structure similar to what a lot of pairs play over 2NT : 2NT-3C ? 3D = No 5 card major, but either 4 card major or 3 spades 3M = 5 cards 3N = Neither 4 or 5 card major and a doubleton spade 2NT-3C 3D-? 3M = 4 card suit (no puppet to make it consistent with the system over 1NT, but you could puppet if you like) 3N = to play 4H = 4 hearts and 5 spades (you know partner either has 4 hearts or 3 spades) In addition, we play that 4H over 3D is pass/correct to 4S and the slower route is a slam try:- 2N-3C 3D-3H 3N-4S You can play similarly over 1NT (with a slight 'wrinkle' to handle min/max hands with a doubleton spade) : 1NT-2C ? 2D = No 5 card major, but either a 4 card major or 3 spades or 2 spades (max HCP) 2M = 5 card suit 2N = Neither 4 or 5 card major and only 2 spades (minimum HCP) 1NT-2C 2D-? 2M = 4 card suit - Forcing to 2N 2N = Invitational 3 suit = natural 5 cards GF+ 3N = To play 1NT-2C 2D-2H ? 2S = 4 cards 2N = denies 4 and 5 card major, min (and therefore 3 spades) 3S = denies 4 and 5 card major, max with 3 spades 3N = denies 4 and 5 card major, max with 2 spades Cheers Pete

Having switched to strong NT, I wondered what people play (if anything) when their 15-17 NT is doubled ? It may vary of course depending on the meaning of the double. I wondered whether it isn't just easier to play 'system on', but for the faint hearted have a wriggle if they insist along the lines of:- 1NT-(X)-? XX = single suited minor with opener's rebid 2C=p/c Pass = forced XX, then : Pass = to play OR 2 suit = lowest of 2. I have to confess to being a fan of 'system on' with Pass and XX to play, but I wondered what people play. All suggestions much appreciated.

I've agonized over why we can't easily employ a version of 5 card Stayman over 1NT and there are simple versions that lose the chance to bail out at the 2 level with weak hands. But I think the following allows this and isn't too complex. I'd be interested in people's views. It uses the sequence 1NT-2C-2D-3H/3S which is unnecessary to show both majors if you play a transfer followed by a new suit as forcing as you can transfer to one of them and then bid the other. 1NT-2C-? 2D = Either 5 card major (max) OR denies both 4 and 5 card major 2M = Either 5 card major (min) OR simply 4 card major 1NT-2C-2D-? 2M = To play 2NT = Invitational 3m = natural and forcing 3M = 3+ cards in 'support' of opener's 5 card major if he has one. If Opener hasn't, then he rebids 3NT. 1NT-2C-2D-3H-3S shows a 5 card spade suit. This responder rebid effectively takes the place of what he would have originally done which is bid 3NT. 1NT-2C-2D-2NT-? 3M = 5 card suit (max) The only situation where a 5-3 fit is 'lost' is when responder only has invitational values and can't rebid anything other than 2NT and opener has a minimum:- 1NT-2C-2M-2NT-Pass 2M could be a 5 card major (min), but with 3 card support and only invitational values responder has to rebid 2NT and there they will play.