hockboy41

I wrote up a system for 1C interferences, we have made some changes to the system but nevertheless it's pretty comprehensive: I doubt that there are typos, but there may be some weird bids and things my partner and I have changed, so this is about 90-95% of what we do. ENJOY! -Newest Member of BBO Forums Responder’s First Bid over 1C by Opener AND a Double by LHO: (e.g. 1C-(x)-) -Pass = 0-4 hcp, negative response -Redouble = always a positive response, different depending on the double: -Over takeout double = 8+ hcp, middle support in clubs -Over penalty double (CAPP) = a desire to play 1Cxx -Over suit-showing double (CRASH?) = 8+ hcp, stopper in the suit implied (e.g. 1C-(x=diamonds)-xx(diamond stopper). -1D = 5-7 hcp, weak response, (often useful over DONT procedures) -1HS/2C/D = 8+ hcp, positive response, 5+ card suit, transfers are ON, gf -1NT = 8+ hcp, positive response, balanced hand (4333 or 4432), gf -2H/S = 4-7 hcp, weak response, 6+ card suit -2NT = 8+ hcp, positive response, 4441 in any suit Responder’s First Bid over 1C by Opener AND a 1D by LHO (conventional or otherwise): (e.g. 1C-(1D)-) -Pass = 0-4 hcp, negative response -Double = 5-7 hcp, weak response (stolen bid of 1D) -1HS/2C/D = 8+ hcp, positive response, 5+ card suit, transfers are ON, gf -1NT = 8+ hcp, positive response, balanced hand (4333 or 4432), gf -2H/S = 4-7 hcp, weak response, 6+ card suit -2NT = 8+ hcp, positive response, 4441 in any suit Overview for Double or 1D overcall by LHO Here since the systems are not really affected, systems are on over a double or 1D bid by the LHO. The interesting bid to note is a redouble by responder (e.g. 1C-(x)-xx) which has different meanings based on the meaning of the double (which responder MUST ask for), but all redoubles are positive responses. For a takeout double, a redouble shows medium support for a 1C hand since the takeout is for other suits and there is a chance 1C hand has lots of clubs assuming the double is for takeout. For a penalty double, a redouble is a desire to play 1Cxx which the responder must have some clubs to say, and if the opener has some clubs, the opener can pass out 1Cxx. Nevertheless the redouble over penalty double often has no significant other suit (e.g. 2 honors and 5 of a suit) otherwise responder should transfer. Over a suit-showing double, which would be conventional like Crash etc., the redouble shows a stopper in the suit they meant. Here, an overcall helps to specify responder’s hand more than just a pass from LHO. Responder’s First Bid over 1C by Opener AND a NATURAL SUITED 1H/1S by LHO: (e.g. 1C-(1H)-) -Pass = 0-7 hcp, negative response -Double = 8+ hcp, positive response, STOLEN BID transfer -1NT = 8+ hcp, positive response, balanced 4333 or 4432, gf -Any positive bid over disturbance = 8+ hcp, transfers are ON, positive response (e.g. 1C-(1H)-1S(clubs) or 1C-(1S)-2D(hearts)), gf -OTHER MAJOR 2H/2S = 4-7 hcp, weak response, 6+ card suit -CUEBID 2H/2S = 8+ hcp, positive response, 1st or 2nd round control in their suit. -2NT = 8+ hcp, positive response, 4441 in any suit Responder’s First Bid over 1C by Opener AND a CONVENTIONAL (CRASH, etc.) SUITED 1H/1S by LHO: (e.g. 1C-(1H)-) -Pass = 0-4 hcp, negative response -Double = 5-7 hcp, weak response -1NT = 8+ hcp, positive response, balanced 4333 or 4432, gf -Any positive bid over disturbance = 8+ hcp, transfers are ON, positive response (e.g. 1C-(1H = minors)-1S(clubs) or 1C-(1S = black suits)-2C(diamonds)), gf -OTHER MAJOR 2H/2S = 4-7 hcp, weak response, 6+ card suit -CUEBID 2H/2S = 8+ hcp, positive response, 1st or 2nd round control in the SUIT THEY MEANT (e.g. 1C-(1H = minors)-2H(controls in both minors) or 1C-(1S = black suits)-2S(spade control)) -2NT = 8+ hcp, positive response, 4441 in any suit Overview for 1 of a Major overcall by LHO For natural bids, it’s generally the same except now a cue-bid is possible, showing a first or second round control in the suit (and since it is offside, if opener and responder are playing 3NT, the control is more powerful being offside of the strong hand). Transfers are ON, this is important since 1H/S are low overcalls and don’t really mess up the bidding much, but since they are natural here, they are specific enough such that they don’t effectively ruin the auction. For conventional bids (crash, etc.), transfers again are on, the only change is what the cue-bid shows: first or second round control in the suit, or suits, the LHO meant. Since they have to alert their bids, if they show a suit, and responder can stop it, it’s almost as important as a regular long suit assuming NT is the final contract (e.g. Opener doesn’t have a significant suit, but does get a chance to bid it). Responder’s First Bid over 1C by Opener AND a NATURAL/STRONG 1NT(15-17) overcall by LHO: (e.g. 1C-(1NT)-) -Pass = 0-4 hcp, negative response -Double = 5-7 hcp, weak response -Any positive bid over disturbance = 8+hcp, transfers are ON, positive response (e.g. 1C-(1NT)-2S(clubs) or 1C-(1NT)-2D(hearts)). -2NT = 8+ hcp, positive response 4441 in any suit Responder’s First Bid over 1C by Opener AND a CONVENTIONAL (Mini-NT, Balancing, etc.) 1NT overcall by LHO: (e.g. 1C-(1NT)-) -Pass = 0-4 hcp, negative response -Double = 5-7 hcp, weak response -Any positive bid over disturbance = 8+hcp, transfers are ON, positive response (e.g. 1C-(1NT)-2S(clubs) or 1C-(1NT)-2D(hearts)). -2NT = 8+ hcp, positive response 4441 in any suit Overview for 1NT overcall by LHO For natural 1NT overcalls, which are 15-17 strong and flat, all bids are positive and have 8+ hcp, the weak 2 is taken off here since it wouldn’t be shifting anything. Any response on the 2 level would be a transfer and 2NT would show 4441 distribution. For conventional 1NT overcalls, which can be anything from mini-nt to showing minors, anything at all (there are LOTS of strange conventions), there is a change for the negative/weak response: mainly a pass is just like a 1D normal response, 0-7 hcp, negative/weak, while a double is for penalty (since the 1NT is convention). Responder’s First Bid over 1C by Opener AND a MICHAEL’S CUEBID overcall by LHO: (e.g. 1C-(2C = both 5 card majors)-) -Pass = 0-4 hcp, negative response -Double = 5-7 hcp weak response -2D = 8+ hcp, BOTH 5 CARD MINORS. -2H = 8+ hcp, 5+ DIAMONDS, positive response -2S = 8+ hcp, 5+ CLUBS, positive response -2NT = 8+ hcp, positive response, DENIES stoppers in BOTH majors, can have a stopper in one of the majors, often a balanced hand. -3C (Cue-bid of Michael’s) = 8+ hcp, positive response, SHOWS stoppers in BOTH majors Overview for Michael’s Cue-bid overcall by LHO There are definitely different bids here because Michael’s Cue-bid is so specific AND weak, the responses over this (which are all positive) show different features for different reasons. Pass and double are normal, 0-4 and 5-7 respectively. 2D shows both 5 card MINORS, which is important given that 2C interrupter shows both majors, the possibility of having a minor slam are HIGH especially with enough points to do so, showing both minors is extremely important. To show each minor separately, we have 2H showing diamonds and 2S showing clubs, this goes with other minor-showing flipflop systems and matches colors so as to not confuse the responder (reds and blacks). 2NT is flat, no specific minor of note (maybe a 5 card bad minor) but specifically DENIES a stopper in BOTH majors, there can be a stopper in one of the majors, but definitely not both. A 3C Cue-bid of the Michael’s is used for showing BOTH major stoppers. Overall, this system works effectively to use the 2C overcall to the advantage of the opener and responder and assumes no major fit (since 2C has both 5 carders) but rather searches for major STOPPERS for NT purposes as well as minor game/slam opportunities. Responder’s First Bid over 1C by Opener AND a NATURAL WEAK 2D overcall by LHO: (e.g. 1C-(2D = long diamonds 6-11 points)-) -Pass = 0-7 hcp, negative/weak response -Double = 8+ hcp, positive response, shows 4-5 cards in CLUBS. -2NT = 8+ hcp, positive response, DENIES stopper in DIAMONDS -2H/S/3C = 8+ hcp, positive response, transfers are OFF, NATURAL bids. -CUEBID 3D = 8+ hcp, positive response SHOWS stopper in their suit. Responder’s First Bid over 1C by Opener AND a NATURAL WEAK 2H/S overcall by LHO: (e.g. 1C-(2H = long hearts 6-11 points)-) -Pass = 0-7 hcp, negative/weak response -Double = 8+ hcp, positive response, shows 4-5 cards in the unbid major. -2NT = 8+ hcp, positive response, DENIES stopper in their suit -3C/D = 8+ hcp, positive response, transfers are OFF, NATURAL bids -OTHER MAJOR 3H/2S = 8+ hcp, LONG suited major, natural, 6+ cards -CUEBID 3H/S = 8+ hcp, positive response SHOWS stopper in their suit. Overview for Weak 2 (2D/H/S) overcalls by LHO The key here is that pass is expanded to 0-7 for purposes of making the double more valuable and suit-showing. In most cases, over a weak 2, responder will have points, or 1C bidder is extremely strong. Here we also have a system to show stoppers in the bid suits, like for defense over michael’s cue-bid. Doubles show positive responses and shows the other minor suit (clubs when 2D is bid), or the other major suit (depending on the bid). 2NT denies a stopper in the weak suit while a cue-bid of the overcall shows a stopper and positive response. In order to bid a new suit (especially the other major, for which transfers are OFF, the suit must be long enough such that there is a chance for game in the other major, slam in a minor, or 3NT runs. Responder’s First Bid over 1C by Opener AND an UNUSUAL 2NT overcall by LHO: (e.g. 1C-(2NT = 5 carded Diamonds and Hearts (or Clubs and Diamonds; must be asked))-) -Pass = 0-7 hcp, negative/weak response -Double = 8+ hcp, DENIES stopper in their suits -Any new suit 3 level = 8+ hcp, when it ISN’T one of the unusual suits, shows a NATURAL suit, positive response -Any unusual suit 3 level = 8+ hcp, when it IS one of the unusual suits, it shows a STOPPER in ONLY that suit, positive response. -3NT = 8+ hcp, SHOWS stopper in both unusual suits, positive response Overview for Unusual 2NT overcalls by LHO Since 2NT is such a high overcall, pass is a catchall 1D type response. Double denies a stopper, bidding their suit shows a stopper in that suit, and 3NT shows both stoppers. This is useful when trying to make a NT contract. Any new suit is natural and positive, there could be stoppers in their suit but instead of honor-type control, more along the lines of a singleton or void. Responder’s First Bid over 1C by Opener AND a 3 LEVEL PREEMPT overcall by LHO: (e.g. 1C-(3D= long diamond suit, sound or semi-light)-) -Pass = 0-7 hcp, negative/weak response -Double = 8+ hcp, takeout for any suit, DENIES stopper in preempted suit. -Any new suit = 8+ hcp, transfers are OFF, natural bid, positive response -3NT = 8+ hcp, SHOWS stopper in preempted suit, positive response -CUEBID = SHOWS stoppers in preempted suit, SUPER-POSITIVE response, balanced, invites to 6/7NT. Can include rounds of epsilon bids, but if they are not used, the opener can use these: -4NT = stop -5NT = invite to 6 -6NT = invite to 7 Overview for 3 Level Preemptive overcalls by LHO Similarly, 3 level preempts really ruin the auction. Pass is catchall 1D type response and double denies a stopper and denies any defensive length in the preempted suit (aka takeout), all responses that aren’t pass are 8+ hcp. Any new suit is natural, transfers are OFF, and 3NT shows a stopper in the preempted suit. When their preempted suit is cue-bid, this shows an extremely powerful hand with definite stoppers/stopper in the preempted suit, this is inviting to NT-slam unless 1C opener has a long suit for which epsilon bids are used to show support. Often if the responder is cue-bidding the preempt (which could be light) is as strong or stronger than 14 points. This should establish a 30+ point fit and stopper in their long suit. This implies that 4NT is a stop bid, 5NT invites to 6, and 6NT invites to 7, all depending on how good the preemptive stopper is. If it’s first round control, then small or grandslam are probably possible.

Dealer: South ♠ x ♥ xxxxx ♦ Axx ♣ Kxxx ♠ AKQ9 ♥ AKTxx ♦ x ♣ Axx YES! PRECISION WITH AUTO TRANSFERS! WOOT WOOT! 1♣(16+ points, nothing about distribution)-p- 2♦(transfer to hearts, 7+ points, 5+ hearts, game forcing)-p- 2♥(Completed transfer, BETA asking bid for CONTROLS!-p- 3♣(Showing 3 controls where A=2 and K=1)-p- 3♦(EPSILON asking bid for side-suit control)-p- 4♣(Shows a singleton or an Ace (obviously an ace here))-p- 5♣(SMALL EPSILON asking bid for side-suit control)-p- 5♥(Shows second round control, either a King or a singleton, here a king obviously)-p- 5♠(SMALL EPSILON asking bid for side-suit control)-p- 6♣(Shows second round control, either a King or a singleton, here it MUST be a singleton as South HAS the King)-p- Either 6♥ or 7♥, See under for the analysis! NOW What does South know about North's hand: ♠ x ♥ xxxxx ♦ A ♣ Kx South doesn't know where 4 cards are, they are NOT honors (definitely not Ace or King, Jack perhaps), and NOT spades (singleton was established). Refresher: What does South HAVE: ♠ AKQ9 ♥ AKTxx ♦ x ♣ Axx Putting these together, you have club and perhaps diamond problems, but after trumps are taken, they are no big deal, ALSO you have KQ of spades to throw something on, so you can avoid doing too many cross-ruffs. So the question now is, will the Queen fall? If not, can I finesse the queen? The answer is there is above a 60% chance the Q will fall, and if the Queen doesn't fall, there is a 50% chance the finesse is on the correct side, and THAT WILL fall. So: 80% chance of 7H making. BUT EVEN BETTER! Is South not only plays the hand, but HAS THE CHOICE between 6 or 7! (All because of the AUTO TRANSFERS!!!!!!!! Overall, I would play 6H here, in Matchpoints, you'd be better off getting a high percentage (6H+1) than risking getting a 0% (7H-1). But in IMPS, I would go to 7H. ;)