Openings
The 1♣ opening in Polish Club 2020: Expert contains minimum clubs. This modern adjustment frees up 2♣ to preempt.
DUCE Polish 1♦ contains 18–20 unbalanced diamonds. This method makes 1♣ - 1♦ - 3♣♦ limited enough (21–23) for their level.
Precision-like 1♥♠ narrow down possibilities. Responder judges better and bids faster:
- Game jumps are not only weak preempts but also non-slam values.
- Frequent passes thraten to close bidding when games are out of sight.
| 1♣! | F, Polish Club, showing either: (12–14, 2–4♠, 2–4♥, 2–4♦, 2–4♣) or (11–16, (5+♣ or 4414)) or (17+, unsuitable for 1♦ and 1NT) |
| 1♦ | 11–20, (5+♦ or (UNBAL, 4=♦, 1–5♣)) |
| 1♥ | 11–16, 5+♥ |
| 1♠ | 11–16, 5+♠ |
| 1NT | BAL 15–17, 2–5♠, 2–5♥, 2–6♦, 2–6♣ |
| 2♣! | PRE, 4–10, 4+♠, 4+♥, not 44(32) if VUL |
| 2♦! | PRE, 4–10, 6+♠♥ |
| 2M! | PRE, 4–10, 5=#, 4+♦♣ |
| 2NT! | UNT, 4–10, 5+♦, 5+♣ |
| 3x | PRE, 7+# |
| 3NT! | Gambling, SOL 7+♦♣, 0–1 outside A/K |
| 4♣! | PRE, S-SOL 8+♠♥, 0–1 outside A/K |
| 4♦! | PRE, SOL 8+♠♥, no outside A/K |
| 4M | PRE, 8+# |
| 4NT! | UNT, 6+♦, 6+♣ |
The notrump ladder
- 12–14: 1♣ - 1♦ - 1M
- 15–17: 1NT
- 18–20: 1♣ - 1♦ - 1NT
- 21+: 1♣ - 1♦ - 2♦
Choosing the minor suit with (xx)45
| (40)45 | (31)45 | 2245 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11–17 | 1♣ | 1♦ | 1♦/1NT |
| 18–20 | 1♣ | 1♦ | 1♣ |
| 21+ | 1♣ | 1♣ | 1♣ |
(40)45
You have no problem with rebidding the major suit or 2♣. I believe that 4M5♣ better describes your hand than 4M4♦.
(31)45
There is no natural diamond reverse in Polish 1♣. The only chance to introduce diamonds is at the opening. I’d open 1♦ until the artificial 1♣ - 1♦ - 2♦ relay (21+ any) takes over.
2245
Similar to (31)45, but I consider it balanced. Balanced 15–20 hands are happy with 1NT and 1♣ - 1♦ - 1NT.