Strawberry Polish Club has a wider 1♦ and narrower 1♥♠︎ than Polish Club 2020: Expert. The wide 1♦ aims to solve rebidding problems in the nebulous 1♣ opening. Precision-like narrow major suits are followed by precise educated guesses and hence harder to defend.

Polish Club serves as a gateway to the world of forcing clubs. Its bidding structure is similar to 2/1, the lingua franca of modern bridge.

Hand evaluation

• HCP: the well-known Milton Work’s 4321 count
• Total points: HCP + distribution points (void = 3, singleton = 2, doubleton = 1, subtract 1 for each short suit with HCP)
• Fifths: 4.0–2.8–1.8–1.0–0.4, adjusted HCP for notrump contracts especially 3NT
• BUM-RAP: 4.5–3–1.5–0.75–0.25, adjusted HCP for suit contracts
• NLTC: Count 1.5–1.0–0.5 losers for each missing AKQ

NLTC is a good single hand evaluator but not very additive. It suits preemptive initial actions but not for showing supports. I wrote a blog article on that topic.

Stopper

I evaluate stopper quality as GIB does.

• Partial stop: length + HCP = 4
• Likely stop: length + HCP = 5
• Stop: A or QJx or length + HCP at least 7
• Two stops: length + HCP at least 8

Bidding notation

Separate calls with spaces: 1NT - 2♣ (X) XX -. Parenthesize opposing non-pass calls. Write passes as -, but write out P for initial (quantified) passes or a single call, such as a table row offering pass. Implicit P* prepends every auction, assuming that nobody plays significant passes (likely a HUM). Thus P - 1♥ - 1NT - starts with 2-3 initial passes and the 1♥ opener gets to bid.

The header of a bidding table shows the auction so far. Body rows then adds calls. The second header cell states constraints: restrictions on suit variables as inequalities, such as x < y, or the meaning of an opposing call, such as Both majors. Suit variables are lowercase and carry no implicit rules. Start each new round with <br>: 1NT - 2♣ -<br>2♦ -. Do not use <br> in body rows.

Punctuation

Descriptions in bidding tables are dense in information. To make them concise, I use abbreviations suggested by WBF in tables and words in paragraphs. Familiar convention names such as RKCB stay abbreviated in paragraphs too. Strength ranges and suit lengths keep their compact notation.

• All conditions: write A and B or A, B; for longer lists, write A, B, and C or A, B, C. For example, INV, 9–11, 6+♣.
• Alternatives: write every or explicitly: A or B or C.
• Grouping: use parentheses when mixing conditions and alternatives. NAT, (11–14 or 18+), 4+♦ requires natural diamonds with either strength range. (11–16, 3=♥) or (17, 4=♠, 3=♥) describes two cases.
• Long alternatives: keep separate lines, with an explicit or between alternatives. Colons and semicolons have their ordinary punctuation meanings.

Parentheses within shapes such as 33(43) still identify suits whose lengths may swap order. Compact suit notation and the (R) relay tag are unchanged.

The precedence between , and or is undefined on purpose. Clarify visually ambiguous eats(,) shoots and leaves. Only : binds looser than all of them, so a tag may govern an unparenthesized phrase: eats: shoots and leaves. Otherwise, put a comma at every break of the same level:

• eats shoots, (and) leaves
• eats, shoots, (and) leaves

References

General methods

• Jan Eric Larsson. Good, Better, Best: A comparison of bridge bidding systems and conventions by computer simulation. ISBN 978-1771402415
• Thomas Andrews. Thomas’s Bridge Fantasia
• Bridge Base. GIB Bid Descriptions

Polish Club

• Krzysztof Jassem & Tomek Brus. Polish Club 2020: Expert. ISBN 978-1771402248
• Krzysztof Jassem & Tomek Brus. Polish Club 2020: Standard. ISBN 978-1771402231
• Krzysztof Jassem. Wspólny Język 2020 Standard
• Piotr Cegielski. Wspólny Język DUCE
• Krzysztof Jassem. Polish Club International 2010
• Krzysztof Jassem. Wspólny Język 2005 (Polish Standard)

Other systems

• Benito Garozzo et al. Sistemi Ambra

Author

I am Chen-Pang He (何震邦). I have been studying forcing club systems since reading Good, Better, Best by Jan Eric Larsson, whose simulations show that forcing club systems tend to outperform other systems. I believe opening 1♣ for all strong hands is a superior treatment.

I play bridge in BTU, the bridge club at National Taiwan University. I usually discuss bidding methods with:

• 葉庭佑 (Ting-Yu Ye)
• 黃順捷 “Steven Jocker”

We are also influenced by Bo-Yin Yang “Terrorist”, our legendary bidding theorist.

My other bidding systems

• Blueberry Precision Club
• Watermelon Dutch Doubleton

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.

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

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.

Polish 1♣

This Polish Club shows one of three variants:

• 12–14 with 2–4 cards in each suit
• or 11–16 with (5+♣ or 4414)
• or 17+ with a hand unsuitable for 1♦ and 1NT

Note that 2♣ is no longer natural since Polish Club 2020: Expert. 1♣ takes care of all ♣-suited hands.

I move diamond invitation down to 1♣ - 2♠ in case of a misfit. Strong balanced hands go to 1♣ - 3♦ and 1♣ - 1♦.

I also swap 1♣ - 2♣♦ because the potential club fit saves bidding space. On the other hand, the diamond suit requires more space to explore a fit.

P - 1♣

Game-forcing responses simplify to corresponding invitations. Preempts also become invitations due to failure to open.

Negative 1♦

This relay contains all hands with no other suitable bid.

Traditionally, 2♦ is game-forcing and 2NT is 21–23. I find 2♦ low enough to accomodate 21+. Then, 2NT takes care of 18–20 natural clubs, alleviating burden of 2♣. The side effect is that most (xx)45 are better opened 1♦.

1♣ - 1♦ - 1M

Given that Polish Club is a 5-card major system, the major suit left in 1♣ - 1♦ - 1M gets longer when stronger.

Contrary to standard Polish Club, 1♣ - 1♦ - 1♥♠ - 2♣♦ promise normal responding values here. This forms a strength ladder that eases further bidding.

Strawberry Polish Club allows 1♦ to stretch to 20 HCP. Therefore, 1♣ - 1♦ - 1M - 1NT - 2♦ is better a strong relay.

1♣ - 1♦ - 1NT

The whole thing is just a strong notrump opening with a few more points.

Opposite the 18–20 rebid game is assured, so the levels speak to slam rather than game. Opener picks the major at the three level when minimum, at the four level when maximum; bids 3NT with a doubleton in each major; and control-bids 4♣ or 4♦ with slam interest in hearts or spades:

1♣ - 1♦ - 2♣

• The 3♦ rebid is a balanced slam try, mirroring 2NT after 1♣ - 1♦ - 1M.
• Invitations leak too much information by bearing diamonds as well. Mixed raise at 2NT probably makes a better declarer.

1♣ - 1♦ - 2♦

The 2♦ rebid shows a nearly balanced hand with 21–23 HCP or any game force. If you can force to game, bid as if partner opened a natural 2NT. Otherwise, try to sign off at the 2-level.

I choose Muppet Stayman over Romex. Opener has not bid notrump yet. Muppet is full of 3♠ relays pushing back 3NT.

Choosing the right Muppet bid

Bidding at the 3-level is a little different from the 2-level. The Muppet Stayman is good when ♠ ≥ ♥. However, 45(xx) better fits the (Muppet) transfer than Stayman.

Muppet Stayman

Muppet Transfer

Positive 1M

The positive responses 1♣ - 1♥♠ show 7+ points and 4+ cards. They are as natural as in a natural bidding system. We also use conventions from 2/1, a ubiquitous 5-card major system.

Odwrotka 1♣ - 1M - 2♦ is a fit reverse showing a game-forcing 3+ card support. The jump reverse of the other major shows a game-forcing minor two suiter to alleviate the burden on 2NT.

Checkback Gladiator (XYZ variant)

We use Checkback Gladiator to an XYZ auction. There are 3 artificial relays in Checkback Gladiator:

• 2♣: several variants:
  • to play 2x
  • strongly shaped invitation
  • balanced invitation
  • special game force to rebid 3NT
• 2♦: game-forcing checkback
• 2NT: transfer to clubs

As a corollary, natural 2x are wide-range invitations and 3x become slam tries. Compared with XYZ in literature, direct 2x are swapped with the variants in 2♣. This is because invitations are prone to competition.

1♣ - 1♥ - 1♠

The 2♣ checkback

The special game force here is mild balanced slam try (15–17), interested when opener bypasses 2♦.

The 2♦ game force

This game-forcing checkback probes 3-card support or a whole extra trick (about 15–17). This strength cut helps slam investigation since the 2♣ checkback asks for half-tricks.

With 17 and three hearts, 2♥ shows four spades and 3♥ shows five or more. With at most two hearts, 2♠ also starts at 17.

By passed hand

There are definitely no slam tries by passed hand. Direct 3x become strongly shaped invitations without a doubt. The debate is whether 2♦ is still an artificial checkback. To avoid confusion, I suggest keeping 2♦ artificial. Openings in the third and fourth seat can be light. Hence, 2♦ invites full openers.

1♣ - 1♥ - 1NT

The special game force via 2♣ is choice of games with (5332). This treatment helps concealing declarer’s distribution most of the time.

1♣ - 1♠ - 1NT

Odwrotka 2♦

Odwrotka is an artificial game-forcing raise of 3+ card support. I propose two sets of responses to Odwrotka.

Reverse 445566

The simple 445566 structure is popular in Poland. I revert the strong and weak steps to prevent the weak hand from declaring notrump via bidding 2NT.

Strong 2♥

I recommend the relay structure in Polish Club 2020: Expert. The 2♥ response to Odwrotka is the strongest step combining all slam tries. The relay structure generally lets the strong opener declare notrump.

Extension to 2♥

I designed rebids other than the 2♠ relay for more descriptive auctions.

Inviting 2M

Bidding after 2M implies invitational+ since 2M is already an appealing contract.

As the highest step of invitation, 3M should be very specific. I choose (4333) to enable choice of games between 3NT and 4M.

Why bother bidding another suit to 2M? It helps finding double fits.

Positive 1NT, 2NT

I group these positive notrump responses together for simplicity. These responses deny 4-card majors and 6-card minors.

1♣ - 1NT

I took the artificial 2♦ relay from FunBridge. I found it better than most Polish Club literature. I also swap steps for minor suits for consistency with the bidding system. Clubs probably indicates a fit, so it deserves the higher step.

1♣ - 2NT

Swapped 2♣♦

The positive responses 2♣♦ show 5+ cards in the other minor suit. They are game-forcing by an unpassed hand, like 2/1. This method helps find minor suit slams. I spell out the minor suits because there is a subtle difference between them. Finding a big fit in clubs is easier because opener can have a minimum hand with long clubs.

Opener reverses with extra values to utilize higher steps to send information. This avoids an awkward situation Bridge World calls “two temporizers and zero describers.” Deviating from Polish Club 2020: Expert, I define 1♣ - 2♣♦ - 2♥♠ as reverses. These major rebids start at 17, while the higher steps still describe intermediate club hands. I believe this treatment helps find the best contract. When we only have a game, we want to play in a major suit despite a better minor fit. However, we play the best fit in a slam to maximize our chances, especially at IMPs.

I use 1♣ - 2♣♦ - 3NT because otherwise these hands would be hard to show. Grouping 11–14 and 18+ together is usually OK because 18+ can explore slams unilaterally.

Reverse Flannery 2♥

Reverse Flannery 1♣ - 2♥ shows constructive 4–5♥, 5=♠. This agreement makes all 4+♥ variants in 1♣ - 1♠ invitational or stronger and benefits checkback thereafter.

Opener’s rebids resemble BTU Lyric, but the rebids are more forcing because

• Minimum hands do not contain a 5-card major.
• Invitational hands are unbalanced.

Competing at the 1-level

Polish Club 2020 already incorporates Transfer Walsh at the 1-level. One obvious advantage is that we get a “support double” by completing the transfer even without intervention. I generalize it to all non-jump responses to end the debate between standard and negative free bids.

• 1♦ or (1♦) X: transfer, 4+♥
• 1♥ or (1♥) X: transfer, 4+♠
• 1♠: transfer to 1NT, partly ask for stopper
• 2♣: transfer, 5+♦
• 2♠: transfer, 5+♣

We somehow ignore the meaning of overcalls to deal with artificial and psychic bids. If we need to keep the bidding open, the nebulous 1♠ gets the job done.

This competitive Transfer Walsh is the Cachalot (Bessis, Le Bridgeur 852, 2011; Voldoire, 909, 2017). Opener completes a major transfer at the 1-level with exactly 3-card support, right-siding the suit so the intervenor leads. With four trumps opener supports at the 2-level, minimum, and goes higher with extras; a balanced minimum without the fit bids 1NT, promising a stopper opposite an overcall. Above the completion, opener continues as over the uncontested positive 1M, where Odwrotka 2♦, the natural raises, and the side suits all keep their meaning. Because Odwrotka still shows the game-forcing 3-card raise, the bare completion is limited to 11–17, though wider than the minimum 2M. The full rebid tables follow in opener’s rebids.

Over (X)

Natural notrump is not very useful after a double, so let’s also use it for transfers. Then 1♠ takes care of diamonds, the only suit left over.

Over (1♦)

Transferring to diamonds is not very useful, so 2♣ falls back to a single raise.

Over (1♥)

Transferring to hearts is not very useful, so 2♦ falls back to a negative free bid.

Over (1♠)

Transferring to spades is not very useful, so 2♥ falls back to a negative free bid.

Opener’s rebids

This is the most challenging position in this bidding system. The previous 1♣ hardly narrows down opener’s hand shape and strength. Hope is not lost, though. The 1♣ opening is just about as nebulous as a takeout double, and the latter has proven its effectiveness in a century of competitive bidding.

After XX

The key feature of XX is to start penalty process. Our further doubles are penalty rather than takeout.

• Pass: content with current contract
• Double: to penalize opposing contract
• Bid a strain at the lowest level: to compete
• Jump to a higher level: strong and distributional

After a transfer to 1M

One step below 1M, including the stolen X, is a transfer to 1M. Bid as if 1♣ - 1M most of the time. However, there are two key differences.

One difference is that opener can bid 1M. Opener now has a way to show 3-card support even when RHO does not compete.

The other difference is that opener gets 2♦♥ cuebids after 1♣ (1♥) X. I’d keep 2♦ as Odwrotka, while 2♥ just asks for stopper. The 1♣ opener is scarcely proud of diamonds. Competition spares this reason to have an artiricial 2♦ reverse.

After the negative double

This is the only 1-level X response not a stolen transfer. It is more urgent to find 4-4 heart fits than transfer to 1NT.

After minor suit transfers over (X)

Only after (X) 1♠, the transfer to diamonds, is opener’s 2♦ natural.

After 1NT or a transfer to 1NT

I suggest keeping 2♦ as an artificial ask like after a transfer to 1M. This 2♦ is the same as 1♣ - 1NT - 2♦.

Competing at the 2-level

Bidding against 1♣ (1NT) is analogous to a weak notrump. The agreement to borrow Landy 2♣ here is also called Landik.

After 2♣, advance as in the Landy defense to 1NT.

Otherwise, treat 1♣ (2*) like 1NT (2*). Opener has shown no suit but strength.

Natural 1♦

This opening shows 5+♦ or an unbalanced hand with 4=♦ and 1–5♣. Unlike Polish Club 2020, I use standard (i.e. non-inverted) minor raises along with mixed raises to maximize preemption. This method utilizes the frequent 5th diamond in the 1♦ opening.

Note that 1♦ - 2♣ is sometimes a phony suit. It is the only way to bid a game-forcing hand with long diamonds and no side major suit.

P - 1♦

Game forcing 2♣ becomes a natural invitation. Consequently, 2♠ is a limit raise because it no longer takes care of clubs. Preempts also become invitations due to failure to open.

Natural 1♦ - 1M

The responses 1♦ - 1♥♠ show 4+ cards just like any 5-card major system. Responder has 6+ points most of the time, but sometimes responder bids with a freaky hand, especially with a long major suit and short diamonds.

Artificial reverse 3♣

It has always been a headache for a minor suit opener to show invitational+ 3-card support in 5-card major bidding systems. This 3♣ convention solves that problem by replacing the strong jump shift. This reverse shares spirit with Odwrotka despite not in standard Polish Club.

This convention is as safe as 3♦. Opener has 6+♦ and denies all side suits when merely invitational.

Conventional 1♦ - 2♥♠ already handle non-forcing (4+♥, 5+♠) hands. Thus, 1♦ - 1♠ - 3♣ - 3♥ must bundle enough values for slam exploration.

Checkback Gladiator (XYZ variant)

We use Checkback Gladiator to an XYZ auction. There are 3 artificial relays in Checkback Gladiator:

• 2♣: several variants:
  • to play 2x
  • strongly shaped invitation
  • balanced invitation
  • special game force to rebid 3NT
• 2♦: game-forcing checkback
• 2NT: transfer to clubs

As a corollary, natural 2x are wide-range invitations and 3x become slam tries. Compared with XYZ in literature, direct 2x are swapped with the variants in 2♣. This is because invitations are prone to competition.

1♦ - 1♥ - 1♠

The 2♣ checkback

The special game force here is mild balanced slam try (15–17), interested when opener bypasses 2♦.

The 2♦ game force

This game-forcing checkback probes 3-card support or a whole extra trick (about 15–17). This strength cut helps slam investigation since the 2♣ checkback asks for half-tricks.

Obvious maximum rebids are 2♠ and 3♥. The other rebids show minimum hands.

By passed hand

There are definitely no slam tries by passed hand. Direct 3x become strongly shaped invitations without a doubt. The debate is whether 2♦ is still an artificial checkback. To avoid confusion, I suggest keeping 2♦ artificial. Openings in the third and fourth seat can be light. Hence, 2♦ invites full openers.

1♦ - 1♥ - 1NT

The special game force via 2♣ is choice of games with relatively balanced and exactly 6 cards in the bid major. It is not (5332) because 1♦ is never (4333).

1♦ - 1♠ - 1NT

Game-forcing 2♣

The 2♣ response is considered two-over-one game-forcing in this bidding system. It either is natural or conceals a fit in diamonds.

Reverse Flannery 2♥

Reverse Flannery 1♦ - 2♥ shows constructive 4–5♥, 5=♠. This convention helps the 1♦ opening more than 1♣.

BTU Lyric + Lebensohl becomes even more useful after the 1♦ opening. When opener wants to play 3m, they can have either long diamonds or a two suiter in minor suits. Responder assumes a 5-5 two suiter first, and then opener can pass or correct.

Competing at the 1-level

This part shares similarities with the 1♣ opening. There are also differences because 1♦ shows a long suit that allows further preempts.

Over (X)

• Notrump transfers to clubs as its natural meaning is not very useful.
• Unlike 1♣ (X), there is no space for Transfer Walsh here.
• Reuse 1♦ (X) 2♣ for Flannery because the rebidding problem persists.

Over (1♥)

Over (1♠)

Competing at the 2-level

Bidding against 1♣♦ (1NT) is analogous to a weak notrump. The agreement to borrow Landy 2♣ here is also called Landik.

After 2♣, advance as in the Landy defense to 1NT.

With clubs directly below diamonds, bidding after 1♦ (2♣) is pretty natural.

BTU vs Unusual handles 1♦ (2♦) well. The third cuebid 2NT shows tolerance in both minors.

Rubinsohl follows 1♦ (2M). The forcing raise 3♣ and the preemptive raise 3♦ put immediate pressure on the opponents with the diamond fit. FunBridge also inspired the Strawberry add-on of 3♥♠.

Natural 1♥

The major suit openings show 11–16 points and 5+ cards. I separate them into two chapters due to subtle differences in their continuations.

As 1♠ is natural, transfers only serve the heart raise.

Natural 1♥ - 1♠

As the opening is limited to 11–16, the reverses are not forcing. The reverses show a maximum 5+ 5+ two suiter.

Checkback Gladiator

Checkback Gladiator is also in effect after 1♥ - 1♠ - 1NT, similar to 1♦ - 1M - 1NT. There are 3 artificial relays in Checkback Gladiator:

• 2♣: several variants:
  • to play 2x
  • strongly shaped invitation
  • balanced invitation or choice of games
• 2♦: game-forcing checkback, usually a choice of games
• 2NT: transfer to clubs

As a corollary, natural 2x are wide-range invitations and 3x become slam tries.

Non-forcing 1NT

Opener is free to pass 1♥ - 1NT with a balanced minimum. The best major fit at 1♥ - 1NT - - is balanced 5-3. Opener can judge when to pass quite safely.

Just like 1♠ - 1NT, the threshold of suit quality is based on Binky Points.

Impossible spades

Spades that responder rebids must be artificial because 1NT already denies spades. The impossible 2♠ is the invitational raise of opener’s last suit — clubs after 2♣, diamonds after 2♦, hearts after 2♥ — forcing for one round, so opener accepts game with a maximum or signs off in three of the suit. The direct three-level raise is the weaker, to-play version.

Precision 2NT

Like 1♠ - 1NT - 2NT, opener has pinned a narrow hand — a maximum with a weak six-card suit — so responder simply places the contract. Here the spade puppet has nothing to find: 1NT denied spades, so there is no second major, and the escape suits ♣♦ straddle hearts rather than sitting below the trump suit. Every call is therefore a natural sign-off — pass with a balanced minimum or retreat to a long minor or take the 6–3 heart fit at the level your strength buys.

Game-forcing relay 2♣

Stenberg 2NT

The principle of fast arrival should not apply to an unlimited Jacoby 2NT. The weaker opener is, the more likely responder has something to say. Therefore, I import responses from Stenberg, aka Swedish Jacoby 2NT.

Passed-hand responses

Late-seat 1♥ reduces to a fairly natural system.

(Reverse) Drury

Reverse Drury is de facto standard. The original Drury becomes the lesser panda.

Competing at the 1-level

Notrump becomes cuebid after a double. We still need fit-showing jumps, so Truscott 2NT fits well.

Bo-Yin Yang found that 1♥ (1♠) is highly similar to 1♥ (X) and introduced the following bidding structure to BTU in 1999.

Competing at the 2-level

Over (1NT)

I suggest bidding mostly naturally over 1♥ (1NT), including 2♣.

Over a minor suit

Transfers à la Rubens applies over 1♥ (2♣♦). Note that 2NT is natural because we still have 2♥.

Over a major suit

Rubinsohl applies when opponents bid spades, the only suit higher than our hearts. Responses 3♠ and above are the same as over 1♥ (1♠).

Doubling the cuebid is penalty oriented and lead directing. It promises strength, denies good distributional raise (balanced 3=♥ at most), and encourages leading from a side suit.

If the only known suit from (2♥) is spades, plain Rubens suffices. X and 2NT switch roles.

If (2♥) shows two known suits, BTU vs Unusual applies.

Natural 1♠

The major suit openings show 11–16 points and 5+ cards. I separate them into two chapters due to subtle differences in their continuations.

To allow a choice between 4♥ and 4♠, 1♠ - 3♥ shows an invitation with 36(xx) rather than 45(xx).

Semi-forcing 1NT

The threshold of suit quality is based on Binky Points:

Holding     NT   Suit
 KQJxxx   0.20   0.14
 AT9xxx   0.13   0.14
 KQJ9xx   0.21   0.19
 AJxxxx   0.32   0.23
 KQJTxx   0.29   0.26
 KQJT9x   0.29   0.29
 AJ9xxx   0.44   0.29
 AJTxxx   0.57   0.40
 AJT9xx   0.63   0.45
 AQxxxx   0.76   0.52
 AQ9xxx   0.86   0.57
 AQTxxx   0.99   0.65

—holdings.new.txt, Binky Points computed by Thomas Andrews in 2008

Precision 2NT

The invitational 2NT from Precision shows 6 cards in the major. Opener is a narrow maximum, so responder places the contract. The only artificial bid is 3♣, asking whether opener holds three hearts so that a 5–3 heart game can replace 4♠ or 3NT. Everything else is natural — a weak club one-suiter has to pass.

Game-forcing relay 2♣

Transfer 2♦

This 2♦ transfer from Ambra makes it easier for opener to judge the right contract.

• Invitational+ (10+) 5+♥
• Constructive (8–10) 6+♥

In standard bidding methods, 1♠ - 1NT may conceal a heart fit. Finding the right contract for a 3-5 heart fit is challenging. Bart-style gadgets try to fix it after a whole round of bidding.

Stenberg 2NT

The principle of fast arrival should not apply to an unlimited Jacoby 2NT. The weaker opener is, the more likely responder has something to say. Therefore, I import responses from Stenberg AKA Swedish Jacoby 2NT.

Passed-hand responses

Late-seat 1♠ reduces to a fairly natural system.

(Reverse) Drury

Reverse Drury is de facto standard. The original Drury becomes the lesser panda.

The subsequent 2♥ is never light in this bidding system. A light hand with both majors would have opened Ekren 2♣ instead.

Competitive bidding

Notrump becomes a cuebid after a double. We still need fit-showing jumps, so Truscott 2NT fits well.

Natural defense suffices over 1♠ (1NT).

Transfers à la Rubens apply over 1♠ (2♣♦♥). Note that 2NT is natural because we still have 2♠.

Doubling the cuebid is penalty oriented and lead directing.

If the only known suit from (2♠) is hearts, plain Rubens suffices. X and 2NT switch roles.

If (2♠) shows two known suits, BTU vs Unusual applies.

Strong 1NT

This bidding system has a strong notrump opening. In contrast to Polish Club 2020, this opening allows a 5-card major or a 6-card minor. All the possible distributions are:

• 2–4♠, 2–4♥, 2–6♦, 2–6♣
• 5M(332)

Inclusive opening of 1NT solves rebidding problems:

• Failure to reverse (especially a red suit) in competition
• Awful rebidding to 1♥ - 1♠
• Tricky rebidding to 1♥♠ - 1NT

Narrow (11–16) major suit openings welcome Precision-like continuations. Fast and precise bidding follows. Now we open 1NT for balanced 17-counts and 1♣ for unbalanced ones.

Picking the better Stayman

Both Staymans come into range when responder has game-forcing values.

• 5+ 4+ majors: Stayman 2♣ wins via subsequent Smolen transfers.
• 4− 3− majors: Only Puppet Stayman 3♣ finds 5-3 fits.
• Balanced 4-4 majors: The lower 2♣ allows playing 3NT if opener is (4333).
• Unbalanced 4-4 majors: Anything goes.

Crawling Stayman

Crawling Stayman, a superset of Garbage Stayman, is an agreement to let 2♣ include weak hands.

• Garbage Stayman: 3+♠, 3+♥, 4+♦
• Crawling Stayman: 4+♠, 4+♥, 0–4♦, besides Garbage Stayman

The ulterior motive of Garbage Stayman is to pass any opener’s rebid, including 2♦. Crawling Stayman expands the plan. Responder can now take out with weak 4+♠ and 4+♥, even short in diamonds. Responder crawls to 2♥ P/C over 2♦ when lacking diamonds.

Discussion on bidding 4=♠ and 5+♥

Crawling Stayman has a side effect. The standard meaning of 2♣ - 2♦ - 2♥ needs a new home. Luckily, there is a spare step after the heart transfer because we bid 3♦ for invitational+ 5+ 5+ majors.

• Invitational: Transfer to hearts and then bid 2NT!
• Game-forcing: Bid Stayman 2♣. Smolen transfers follow.

Discussion on bidding 5+ 5+ majors

• Invitational: Bid 3♦.
• Choice of games: Bid 3♦ most of the time. Transfer to spades and then bid 4♥ if you prefer 4♠ > 4♥ > 3NT.
• Slam try: Transfer to spades and then bid 3♥.

Opener picks the major, declining game at the three level or accepting at the four level. With a maximum and a doubleton in each major (e.g. 22(54)), opener picks 3NT instead. With a maximum and slam interest, opener control-bids 4♣ or 4♦ rather than jumping straight to game:

A choice-of-games responder raises opener’s three-level pick to game.

Minor suit transfers

Puppet Stayman at 3♣