1C (12-37+ HCP, forcing)

FORCING & ARTIFICIAL BID ! ! !

This bid is the only level 1 opening bid which is ABSOLUTELY FORCING. Responder may not pass unless opener is guaranteed a second round bid!

1C indicates one of six types of hands:

1) a strong hand with 17-20 or 21+ HCP and both majors.

2) a two suited hand with either 5+ clubs and a 4 card major; (note: NOT a 5+ card major).

3) a 6 or 8+ card major, perhaps even with a 4+ side suit.

4) a two suited hand in the minors, 5+C and 4+D

5) either a 4441 or 5440 type hand, with the singleton or void being in one of the other suits, normally the one not bid.

6) a longer club suit, 5+ cards.

1D (12-20 HCP, catch all)

1D indicates one of five types of hands:

1) long diamonds, in which case opener will rebid diamonds;

2) strong two suiter in the minors with 4+ diamonds and 4+ clubs and 21+ HCP;

3) two suited with 5+ diamonds and exactly 4 hearts and/or 4 spades;

4) a strong 16-18 or 19-20 HCP NT hand and possibly 5332 type shape.

5) has some form of 5440 shape with 5 diamonds.

1N (13-15 HCP)

1N indicates a weak(er) NT type hand with both majors (44, 45, 54 or 55 type shape). This bid guarantees that 1H/1S opening bids, immediately followed by a (NIL - next in line) NT bid, show 16-18 HCP, a 5CM and 5332 type distribution .

2C (21+ HCP - unbalanced)

2C is used to show 21+ HCP and one or both 5+ card majors.

2N (22-23 HCP)

Since many a passed out 2N opener with only 20-21 HCP ends in failure, the 22-23 HCP gives this opening bid a much strong chance of succeeding.

3C & 3D (8-11 or 7-10 HCP)

Since 2C is used to show a strong unbalanced hand, 3C must be able to show either a 6 or 7 card suit - 6 cards with 9-11 HCP and 7 cards with 8-10 HCP.

1H (12-20 HCP, natural)

1H indicates one of four types of hands:

1) a strong NT hand (16-18 HCP) and 5H332 type shape.

2) a two suited hand with 5+ hearts and a 4+ side suit;

3) a long 7 card heart suit;

4) some form of 5440 shape with 5 hearts.

1S (12-20 HCP, natural)

1H indicates one of four types of hands:

1) a strong NT hand (16-18 HCP) and 5S332 type shape.

2) a two suited hand with 5+ spades and a 4+ side suit;

3) a long 7 card spade suit;

4) some form of 5440 shape with 5 spades.

2D, 2H, 2S (8-11 HCP)

These bids are the standard preemptive bids showing a 6 card suit and less than opening HCP, with either AK, KQ, AQ, or 3/5 honors.

3H and 3S (7-10 HCP)

These are the standard 7+ preemptive bids showing 7-10 HCP.

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