bridge4u Bidding System
A coherent Natural bidding system for Discerning players
Bidding Guides - Solo bidding - our Club's Concept - Home

Our Social Bridge Bidding System evolves through three stages from Basic to Advanced. Every bridge club member is most welcome to settle down at the Basic level if he/she is most comfortable with that.
But within our Bridge Club we provide the tuition and support to progress further in terms of skill level and intelligent appreciation if you feel so inclined.
The three levels are :

  1. Basic : Beginners Course of 5 lessons
    6 individual lessons during the following 6-8 months.

  2. Intermediate, after 1-3 years of play
    8 individual lessons over 6-8 months

  3. Advanced, after 2-5 years of play
    8 individual lessons over 6-8 months

The transition from one level to the next is seamless, consisting mainly of added Conventions which require very few changes.
Throughout, the essence of a natural bidding system with 5-card majors is maintained.

I. BASIC LEVEL   Bidding Guide - Solo bidding
Characterized by three defining features :
1.
1NT = 16-18 pts
This maintains the symmetric division of 3-pts segments of the original Standard system : 10-12, 13-15, 16-18, 19-21, 22-24, 25 -27

2.
"Short 1♣" Opening bid
So that 1♣ is the only ambiguous opening bid (possibly with only 2 cards in the suit), and 1♦ always promises at least 4 cards in the suit.

3.
Suit raise responses
1♥2♥ = 6-10 pts (weak raise)
1♥3♥ = 13+ pts (Game force raise)
1♥4♥ = 6-10 pts, 4+ trumps, unbal. (Pre-emptive Game raise)
Wit 11-12 pts bid a new suit first, then raise to 3♥

The 3-level Game force raise allows 3NT to be used as Blackwood. It also leaves bidding space for the Multi Cues of the higher system levels.
The Pre-emptive Game raise response complements the Splinter raise of the higher system levels.

Additional Basic lessons are : Overcalls & Take-out Doubles, the Losing Trick Count, Weak & Strong 2 Openings, Bidding by a Passed Hand, Negative Double, Pre-emptive Openings

II. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL   Bidding Guide - Solo bidding
Characteristics include three new features :
1.
Power 1NT = 17-20 pts and Crowhurst 2♣ (Opener = 11-16 pts)
This enables Opener to specify his hand within 2 pts over the entire range from 11-27 pts.
It includes transfers to the majors and Modified Stayman where Opener replies at the 2-level with 17-18 and at the 3-level with 19-20.

2.
Multi-2♦ Opening
Includes
Weak 2 (6-10 HCP) in or ♠
2NT = 21-22 pts
4441 hand shapes with 17+ HCP
This makes three more 2-level bids available for other Opening bids.
It also cleans up the Game force 2♣ Opening bid.
The purpose of the Multi 2♦ is to make the bids of 2♥, 2♠ and 2NT available as Opening bids for other types of hands, as defined below.

3.
Weak 5-5+ suited hands with 6-10 HCP
2♥ = Hearts and another suit
2♠ = Spades and a minor suit
2NT = both minor suits

This system level now provides individual Opening bids for most unbalanced and semi-balanced hand shapes with 6-10 HCP (and ≤ 7 losers).

Additional Intermediate lessons include : Splinter raises, Asking for Aces, Kabel 3NT, Game Try Double, Support Double, Roman Keycards, Multi Cues

III. ADVANCED LEVEL   Bidding Guide - Solo bidding
Three new features define this level of bidding.
From now on Responder shows his points first before showing his suit.
1. (Facts)
2♦ = 13+ pts, Game Force Response (GFR)
2♣ = 10-12 pts, Game Try Response (GTR)
(With 10-12 pts and a new major, bid the major first, then bid 2♣ next)
All other bids are weak with 6-9 pts (or 10pts and ≥ 9 losers)
Suit raises :
1♥2♥ = 6-10 pts, 3 trumps (weak raise)
1♥3♥ = 6-10 pts, 4+ trumps, usually 8 losers
1♥4♥ = 6-10 pts, 4+ trumps, unbal. (Pre-emptive Game raise)

2. (Facts)
Cue bid raise Response (after RH Opponent's Overcall)
1♥ → (1♠) → 2♠ = 10+ pts and 3+card support.
Direct suit raises are weak as shown above.
2♣* GTR and 2♦* GFR both apply as normal.
    * but without a trump fit in Opener's suit

3. (Facts)
Truscott 2NT Response (after RH Opponent's Take-out Double)
1♥ → (DBL) → 2NT = 10+ pts and 3+card support.
Direct suit raises are weak as shown above.
2♣* GTR and 2♦* GFR both apply as normal.
    * but without a trump fit in Opener's suit

This sytem level reflects the modern style of bidding (showing points first) and is of a rather aggressive nature, making it difficult for the Opponents to compete effectively.

Other Advanced lessons include : Balancing, Fourth suit Forcing, Long suit Trial bid, Michael's Cuebid, Very Unusual NT Overcalls, Quijote 2♣ Rebid, Brozel against 1NT

                       
© 2017 Michael Furstner