Keyway

Keyway
1 Open 1 Open 1 Open 1 Open 1N Open

2 Open       2 Open       2 Open       2 Open        2N Open
3 Open       3 Open       3 Open       3 Open        3N Open
4 Open       4 Open       4 Open       4 Open        4N Open

Defense to:

1N Open 2 Multi 1 Overcall 1 Overcall 1N Overcall

Opening bids by unpassed hand:

Opening bid of 1=

balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+major: 12+ to 15- HCP;

443{jx/better}, 4423, 4333, 4324, 4315, 34{xx}4, 3325, 3{xx}44,

3{xx}35, 3154, or 3145 OR

balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+ major: 15+ to 17- HCP;

44{xx}3, 4414, 43{xx}4, 4315, 34{xx}4, 3415, 33{xx}5,

3{xx}44, 3145, {xx}443, {xx}434, {xx}353, {xx}344, 1453,

1345, or {xx}335; OR

balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+ major: 17+ to 19- HCP;

no 4-5 diamonds unless Jx/better in clubs OR
unbalanced: 11+ to ? HCP; 4+ clubs; no 5+ spades unless

clubs are longer or of equal length and stronger; no 5+ hearts

and no 5+ diamonds unless clubs are longer and stronger

and unless, also, the hand is just short of a 2 or a 2 open.

Go to the sequences after a 1 open.

Opening bid of 1=

balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+ major:

12+ to 15- HCP; 4441, 443{xx}, 4351, 4342, 3451, 3442, 3433,

34{Jx/better}4, 3352, 3343, 3334, 3253, 3{Jx/better}44,

3{Jx/better}35, 2443, 2434, 2353, 2344, or 2335 OR

balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+ major:

15+ TO 17- HCP; 443{xx}, 434{xx}, 344{xx}, 335{xx} OR

balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+ major:

17+ to 19- HCP; 4-5 diamonds; xx or singleton club OR
unbalanced: 11+ HCP to just short of a 2 or a 2 open;

4+ diamonds; no 5+ major unless diamonds are longer and

stronger and unless, also, the hand is just short of a 2 open;

no 5+ clubs if the clubs are longer and stronger and if, also,

the hand is just short of a 2 open.
Go to the sequences after a 1 open.

Opening bid of 1= 10+ HCP to values not quite enough for
a 2 open, 5+ hearts, no 5+ spades unless hearts are the longer
and stronger suit and unless, also, the hand has values not quite
good enough for a 2 open, no 5+ minor if that minor is the longer
and stronger suit and if, also, the hand has values not quite enough
for a 2 or a 2 open.
Go to the sequences after a 1 open.

Opening bid of 1= 10+ HCP to values not quite enough for a
2 open, 5+ spades, no 5+ hearts or 5+ diamonds if that suit is the
longer and stronger suit and if, also, the hand has values not quite
enough for a 2 or a 2 opening bid, no 5+ clubs unless the clubs
are longer or stronger than spades.
Go to the sequences after a 1 open.

Opening bid of 1N= balanced: 15+ to 17- HCP;

no 5 card major; no xx any suit; no singleton or void.

Go to the sequences after a 1N open.

Opening bid of 2N= balanced: 19+ to 21- HCP;
all suits stopped or semi-stopped (maybe 5 of any suit).
Go to the sequences after a 2N open.

Opening bid of 2=

balanced or semi-balanced: 21+ to 23- HCP;

25+ to ? HCP; no 5+ cards in any suit OR

one-suited major hand: 21+ to ? HCP; a 5 card major;
no 4+ side suit OR 8+ to ? tricks; a 6+ card major OR

one-suited minor hand: 21+ to ? HCP; a 5+ minor;
no 4+ side suit; no 3N opening bid OR

one-suited minor hand: 8+ to 10- tricks; 6+ solid or semi-solid

minor; some suit not stopped and not semi-stopped OR
one-suited minor hand: 10+ to ? tricks; a 6+ solid or semi-solid
minor; all other suits stopped or semi-stopped OR
two-suited game force: 5+ major and 4+ side suit OR 5+ clubs
and a 4+ card major.

2§ Opening

Responses

2§	2¨	=	0 or 1 Control
	2©	=	2 Controls
	2ª	=	3 Controls, specifically an Ace and King in DIFFERENT suits
	2N	=	3 Kings or AK in the same suit
	3§	=	4 or more Controls FORCING TO AT LEAST 4NT
	3¨	=	6+ © headed by AQ or KQ (less than 3 Controls)
	3©	=	6+ ª headed by AQ or KQ (less than 3 Controls)
	3ª 4§	= =	6+ § headed by AQ OR KQ (less than 3 controls) 6+ ¨ headed by AQ or KQ (less than 3 controls

2. 3 Level bids after 2§

2§

2¨

0 or 1 control

3§3¨3©3ª3N

Natural ; 3¨=double negative, (STAYMANISH)

Natural

SEMI-ARTIFICIAL: STRONG w/¨ and 4©

SEMI-ARTIFICIAL: STRONG w/¨ and 4ª

To play, No Slam possible facing 0 or 1 Control

3. KOKISH

2§	2¨	=	0 or 1 control
2©	2ª	=	STRONG 2 bid in © or Balanced hand 2ª FORCED
2N		=	25+ HCP, balanced and FORCING
3§		=	Natural, Forcing, § + © ( 5©+-4§+ )
3¨		=	Natural, Forcing, ¨ + © ( 5©+-4¨+ )
3©		=	6+© (FORCING)
3ª		=	5+© -4+ª
3N			5© and 24-26 HCP; Non-forcing

2§

2¨2©

0 or 1 control

2 Controls

2ª

Natural ; 3§= Double Negative (NOTE: Even if you have responded 2© to 2§, if opener now bids 2ª and you have ª support but all you have is the Controls you have shown (particularly if it is an A as opposed to 2 Ks) you can bid 3§ double negative. ** Remember we grade our hand after having made the appropriate control response; example: 2§ P 2¨ P

2ª P 3§ is

worst 2NT is better, 3ª constructive and 4ª no shortness, could also splinter here with 4§,4¨, or 4©

I. Offensive Bidding

C. 2§ Opening

Interference

If opponents bid over 2§, X by responder shows WEAKNESS (less than 2 Qs); if they X 2§, XX shows WEAKNESS. WE WILL SHOW CONTROLS OVER A DOUBLE WITH 2¨ SHOWING 1 CONTROL AND PASS SHOWING NO CONTROLS BUT 2 OR MORE QUEENS

Go to responses to a 2 open.

Opening bid of 3N=

a one-suited minor hand: 8+ to 10- tricks; a 6+ solid or

semi-solid minor; all other suits stopped or semi-stopped.

Go to the sequences after a 3N open.

Opening bid of 2=

weak 2 equivalent: 5+ to 10- HCP (varying with vulnerability);

good 6 or very good 5 card suit OR
balanced or semi-balanced: 21+ to 23- HCP;

4441, 443{xx}, 44{xx}3, 4414, 43{xx}4, 4{xx}43, 4144,

344{xx}, {xx}443, or 1444 OR

balanced: 23+ to 25- HCP; 4432, 4423, 4342, 4333, 4324, 3442,

3433, 3424, 3343, 3334, or 3244; no xx suit OR
game force: 5+ diamonds; 4 card major; no xx in another suit.

Go to the sequences after a 2 open.

Opening bid of 2= mini-Flannery: 4+ to 9- HCP (varies with
vulnerability), 4 spades and 5 hearts or 5 weak spades and 5 hearts.

Go to the sequences after a 2 open.

Opening bid of 2= 5+ to 10- HCP (varying with vulnerability);

good 6 or very good 5 card suit.
Go to the sequences after a 2 open.

Opening bid of 3= preempt; one-suited in diamonds with
2 or 3 of the top 3 honors; no 3 card major with A, K, Q, or J.

Go to the sequences after a 3 open.

Opening bid of 3= preempt; one-suited in diamonds without
2 or 3 of the top 3 honors; no 3 card major with an A, K, Q, or J.

Go to the sequences after a 3 open.

Opening bid of 3= preempt;

Opening bid of 4= 1

Opening bid of 4N= 1

back to top

Opening bid of 1= balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+major:

12+ to 15- HCP; 443{jx/better}, 4423, 4333, 4324, 4315,

34{xx}4, 3325, 3{xx}44, 3{xx}35, 3154, or 3145 OR

balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+ major: 15+ to 17- HCP;

44{xx}3, 4414, 43{xx}4, 4315, 34{xx}4, 3415, 33{xx}5,

3{xx}44, 3145, {xx}443, {xx}434, {xx}353, {xx}344, 1453,

1345, or {xx}335; OR

balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+ major: 17+ to 19- HCP;

no 4-5 diamonds OR
unbalanced: 11+ to ? HCP; 4+ clubs; no 5+ spades unless

clubs are longer or of equal length and stronger, no 5+ hearts and

no 5+ diamonds unless clubs are longer and stronger and unless,

also, the hand is just short of a 2 or a 2 open.

Responses to 1 open if no intervening double or overcall:

P = 0 to 4- HCP, no preempt or other bid available.

2= 10+ to 19- HCP, forcing to 3C or higher, 5+ clubs,
        no 4+ major; all suits other than clubs stopped or
        semi-stopped.
        Go to 2 response and rebids after 1 open.

3= 4+ to 6- HCP, 6+ clubs, no 4+ major.
Go to 3 response and rebids after 1 open.

3= 4+ to 6- HCP, 6+ diamonds, no 4+ major.
Go to 3 response and rebids after 1 open.

1N= 10+ to 12- HCP balanced, all suits Jxx, Qx, or better,
         no 4+ major unless 4333 or 3433, forcing to 2N.
         Go to 1N response and rebids after 1 open.

2N= 12+ to 16- HCP, balanced game force, no 4+ major unless
         unless 4432, 4423, 4333, or 3433; Jxx, Qx, or better in all suits

Go to 2N response and rebids after 1 open.

2= Keyway jump shift:

{1} 4+ to 7- HCP or 10+ to 13- HCP, 5 spades, 5+ hearts OR

{2} 16+ to ?- HCP, balanced, 5 diamonds, no 4+ major, both
majors Jxx, Qx, or better OR

{3} 17+ to ? HCP, unbalanced, solid or semi-solid 5= diamonds;

no 4+ in any other suit.

Go to 2 response and rebids after 1 open.

2= Soloway game force: 17+ to ? HCP with either

{1} solid or semi-solid 5+ hearts, no 4+ side suit OR
{2} 3 card fragment in hearts, balanced: 17+ to 19- HCP;

no 4+ spades, no 5+ diamonds; Jxx, Qx, or better in all suits.

Go to 2 response and rebids after 1 open.

2= Soloway game force: 17+ to ? HCP with either

         {1} solid or semi-solid 5+ spades, no 4+ side suit OR
         {2} 3 card fragment in spades, balanced: 17+ to 19- HCP;
                no 3+ hearts, no 5+ diamonds; Jxx, Qx, or better in all suits.
         Go to 2 response and rebids after 1 open.

1= balanced: 4+ to ? HCP, 4+ diamonds, no 4+ side suit;

        if 10+ to ? HCP, will have a suit not semi-stopped+ OR
        4+ to 10- HCP, 2+ diamonds, 4+ clubs, no 4+ major OR
        11+ to ? HCP, 4+ diamonds, 4 hearts and/or 4 spades.

Go to 1 response and rebids after 1 open.

1= 4+ to 11- HCP: 4 hearts, 4+ diamonds and/or 4+ clubs, or
3433, 4432, or 4423) OR 11+ to ? HCP, 4 hearts,
maybe 4 spades and/or 4+ clubs, no 4+ diamonds OR

4+ to ? HCP, 5+ hearts, no preempt or other better bid.
Go to 1 response and rebids after 1 open.

1=  4+ to 7- HCP, 4 spades, 4+ diamonds and/or 4+ clubs
        (or 4333), no 4+ hearts, OR 7+ to ? HCP, 4 spades, 3+ clubs,
        no 4+ hearts, no 4+ diamonds, OR 4+ to 7- HCP, 6+ spades
        or 5 spades without 4 hearts (maybe 5+ hearts) OR

7+ to ? HCP, 5+ spades, maybe 4+ hearts, no 2 or other
better bid available.

Go to 1 response and rebids after 1 open.

Go to 3 response and rebids after 1 open.

Go to 4 response and rebids after 1 open.

3N=

Go to 3N response and rebids after 1 open.

Go to 4 response and rebids after 1 open.

4N=

Go to 4N response and rebids after 1 open.

back to top

Opening bid of 1= 12+ to 15- HCP; balanced, 2 to 5 clubs OR
17+ to 19- HCP balanced, 2 to 5 clubs, some suit that is neither
stopped nor semi-stopped (Jxx, Qx, or better) OR
11+ HCP to values short of enough for a 2 open, unbalanced,
4+ clubs, no 5+ spades unless clubs are longer or of equal length
and stronger, no 5+ diamonds or 5+ hearts unless clubs are longer
and stronger and unless, also, the hand has values nearly but not
quite good enough for a 2 or a 2 open.

1 response and rebids after 1 open (no intervening bid):

1= 4+ to 17- HCP, 4+ diamonds, no 4+ side suit, no preempt or
        other better bid OR
        4+ to 11- HCP, 2+ diamonds, 4+ clubs, no 4+ major,
        no preempt or other better bid OR
        11+ to 14- HCP balanced, with all suits stopped
        or semi-stopped (Jxx, Qx, or better), no 4+ major unless
        4333 or 3433 OR
        11+ to ? HCP, 4+ diamonds, 4 hearts and/or 4 spades.

1 1= balanced: 12+ to 15- HCP; , 4 hearts, 2 to 4 clubs OR

unbalanced: 11+ to 17- HCP, , 4 hearts 4+ clubs,

                no 5+ spades unless clubs are longer or of equal length
                and stronger, no 5+ diamonds or 5+ hearts unless clubs
                are longer and stronger and unless, also, the hand has

values nearly but not quite good enough for a 2 or a 2 open OR

1   1
                      7+ to 11- HCP, balanced, 4+ clubs, 2-3 spades
                        not stopped or semi-stopped, 2- 4 diamonds,
                        no 4 hearts, no 4+ clubs OR 7+ to ? HCP, 4 spades,
                        4+ diamonds, no 4+ hearts.

                        1N= 12+ to 15- HCP, balanced (3442, 2434 or
                                2425), spades stopped or semi-stopped
                                (with singleton or void in spades, will bid 3).
                                P = 7+ to 9- HCP, balanced, 4+ clubs,
                                        2-3 spades not stopped/semi-stopped,
                                        2-4 diamonds, no 4 hearts, no 4+ clubs.

                                        2N= 9+ to 11- HCP, balanced, 4+ clubs,
                                                2-3 spades not stopped/semi-stopped,
                                                2-4 diamonds, no 4 hearts, no 4+ clubs

1 1 1= 7

1N= 7

2= 10+ to 13- HCP. 44
2=

2N=

1 1 1N= 1

2= 10+ to 13- HCP. 44
2=

2N=

1 1 2= 7

2N=

1 1 2= 7

2N=

1 1 2= 7

2N=

1 1 2= 7

2N= 7

1 1 2N= 7

1 1= 7

1 1N= 12+ to 15- HCP; 443{jx/better}, 4423, 4333, 4324, 4315,

34{xx}4, 3325, 3{xx}44, 3{xx}35, 3154, or 3145

1    2N= 17+ to 19- HCP, balanced, 4+ clubs but no 4+ major
                   and no 4+ diamonds, (but with stops or semi-stops in
                   both majors) or 4432 or 4423.

1¨ 2N 3§= 17+ to ? HCP Game Force.

1¨ 2N 3§ 3¨= 10+ to ? HCP, 4+ diamonds, 4 spades and/or 4 hearts

1 3=

1 3

1 3 4= 2 suit Minorwood, clubs (agreed) and diamonds.

back to top

Opening bid of 1= balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+major:

12+ to 15- HCP; 443{jx/better}, 4423, 4333, 4324, 4315,

34{xx}4, 3325, 3{xx}44, 3{xx}35, 3154, or 3145 OR

balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+ major: 15+ to 17- HCP;

44{xx}3, 4414, 43{xx}4, 4315, 34{xx}4, 3415, 33{xx}5,

3{xx}44, 3145, {xx}443, {xx}434, {xx}353, {xx}344, 1453,

1345, or {xx}335; OR

balanced or semi-balanced, no 5+ major: 17+ to 19- HCP;

no 4-5 diamonds OR
unbalanced: 11+ to ? HCP; 4+ clubs; no 5+ spades unless

clubs are longer or of equal length and stronger, no 5+ hearts and

no 5+ diamonds unless clubs are longer and stronger and unless,

also, the hand is just short of a 2 or a 2 open.

1 response and rebids after 1 open (no intervening bid):

1= 4+ to 11- HCP: 4 hearts, 4+ diamonds and/or 4+ clubs, or
3433, 4432, or 4423) OR 11+ to ? HCP, 4 hearts,
maybe 4 spades and/or 4+ clubs, no 4+ diamonds OR

4+ to ? HCP, 5+ hearts, no preempt or other better bid.

1= 4+ to 10- HCP: 4 hearts, 4+ diamonds and/or 4+ clubs
(or 4432, 4423, or 3433) OR

        10+ to ? HCP, 4 hearts, maybe 4 spades and/or 4+ clubs, no
        no 4+ diamonds or 4+ to ? HCP, 5+ hearts, no better bid.
1   1= 15+ to 17- HCP, balanced, 4 spades, xx in hearts OR
               11+ to 17- HCP, unbalanced, 5+ clubs, no 5+ spades
               unless clubs are longer or stronger, no 5+ diamonds.

2= 1
2=

2N=

1 1N= 15- to 17+ HCP;

3{xx}53, 3{xx}44, 3{xx}35, or 3145

distribution, jxx or better in the 3 card OR

unbalanced:

2= 1
2=

2N=

1 2= 1

1 2=

relay: 15+ to ? HCP; if 15+ to 17- balanced, will
have an xx suit other than diamonds OR

12+ to 19- HCP; balanced, 4+ clubs unless 4432,
4423, 4333, 3433, or 3343

2N=

1   2= 12+ to 15- HCP; balanced, 4+ clubs unless 4432,
               4423, 3433, or ()maybe) 3343 OR

1 2=

1 2N=

1 3= 10+ to 13- HCP. 44

1 3=

1 3N=

1 2=

2N=

1 3= 4+ hearts limit raise (only) OR slam try

1= 4

1N= 12+ to 15- HCP,

2= 10+ to 13- HCP. 44
2=

2N=

1 2= relay: 15+ to ? HCP; if 15+ to 17- balanced,
will have xx suit other than diamonds OR

1© 1ª=

1© 2§= 1

no 4+ diamonds or

11+ to 14- HCP, 3 hearts, 4+ clubs, xx in spades or xx in diamonds, no 4 diamonds.