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 4-3-2-1 count
• Points: HCP + upgrade
  • Upgrade an unbalanced hand by 1
  • Upgrade by 1 more with 10+ cards in the two longest suits
  • Cancel one upgrade per short suit (0–2 cards) with wasted honors
    • Wasted: any honors other than Ax or Kx
• Support points: points once a fit is found
  • Trumps: HCP
  • Side suits: HCP + shortness
    • Void = 3, singleton = 2, doubleton = 1
    • Subtract 1 per short suit with HCP
  • Add 1 with 10+ cards in the two longest suits

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

Double-dummy research

I measured how these counts correlate to levels with double-dummy censuses in pons.

• Game: 3NT, 4♥♠, 5♣♦
• Slam: suit, notrump
• Other evaluators: NLTC, Zar

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 and B and C or A, B, C. For example, INV, 9–11, 6+♣.
• Alternatives: write every or explicitly: A or B or C.
• Grouping: and and or bind tighter than ,, so NAT, 11–14 or 18+, 4+♦ requires natural diamonds with either strength range. Parenthesize an alternative that contains a comma: (11–16, 3=♥) or (17, 4=♠, 3=♥).
• Oxford comma: a comma before and or or joins clauses, never items: (11–16, 3=♥), (17, 4=♠, 3=♥), or (18+, 3=♥). Items are short enough for A and B and C, and a comma-free list leaves no doubt where it stops.
• 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 and or is undefined on purpose; parenthesize when mixing them. Only : binds looser than everything, so a tag may govern an unparenthesized phrase: eats: shoots, leaves. Thus eats(,) shoots and leaves is unambiguous:

• eats shoots and leaves is (eats shoots) and leaves
• eats, shoots and leaves is 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
• Eric Kokish & Beverly Kraft. Weak Notrump System (2008)

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
• Cranberry Moscito
• Muscat Walsh
• Watermelon Dutch Doubleton

Research

• Wbridge5, a technical report of the bidding system of the Wbridge5 program

Tutorial

• 橋牌入門：從規則到二蓋一, a Chinese introduction to bridge, from the rules to 2/1

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 threaten 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♦

Opening floors

An 11-count is a normal minimum for 1♥♠, but a selective minimum for 1♣♦.

• Major suits: Open balanced 11-counts with a five-card major. Shortness or an unusually strong suit is not required.
• Minor suits: Balanced hands normally need 12. An 11-count needs extra playing strength, such as useful shortness or a strong long suit. Pass an ordinary balanced 11-count with a five-card minor.

The ranges describe hands we may open, not a requirement to open every hand within them. Passing is appropriate when a hand qualifies for neither a one-level opening nor a preempt.

Late seats

Partner’s initial pass limits their hand and changes the purpose of an opening. A light opening directs the lead and competes for the partscore.

Light openings are for balanced and wasted hands, whose values scatter in short suits. Light shapely hands still open at the 2-level, so the ranges overlap.

• Minor suits: Such 11-counts are good for 1♣♦ if these minor suits are worth leading.
• Major suits: Such hands can go lower to 9+. Drury keeps 3-card limit raises at the 2-level. A light 1♥ promises 3+♠, so opener can always pass 1♠. Light hearts with short spades open 2♦♥ or pass.

Fourth-seat 2♣ reduces to a natural jump. The other 2-level openings keep their shapes but upgrade to intermediate values.

Choosing the minor suit with (xx)45

Apply the opening floors first. This table chooses the opening for a hand already worth opening.

(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 1NT and 1♣ - 1♦ - 1NT accept (5422), so 15–20 hands need not open 1♦.

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+ 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

This chapter lists the auctions. The convention chapter explains the scheme, the name, and its history.

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. 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.

Over the 2♣ response that shows diamonds, jumps to 3♦♥♠ are natural because there is no assured fit yet. Moreover, 3♥♠ usually indicate diamond shortage and suggest major suit games instead.

Over the 2♦ response that shows clubs, jumps to 3♦♥♠ are Splinter bids because a fit in clubs is already established.

1♣ - 2♣♦ - 3NT handles 15–17 choice of games because these hands would be otherwise hard to describe. It is usually fine to group 11–14 and 18+ together because the latter can unilaterally explore slams, given a partner already game-forcing.

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.

Competitive bidding

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.

Over (1NT)

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.

Over (2♣+)

Treat 1♣ (2♣+) like 1NT (2♣+). Opener has shown no suit but strength.

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. We do not let opponents play their undoubled contract from now on.

RHO advances

RHO bids most of the time. Opener can freely pass without ending the auction. The pass becomes a forcing catchall.

RHO passes

Opener passes only when 1♣xx is good, which may become the final contract. Thus, the 1-level suits are escapes.

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 artificial 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♦.

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

This chapter lists the auctions. The convention chapter explains the scheme, the name, and its history.

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.

Competitive bidding

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♠)

Over (1NT)

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.

Over (2♣)

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

Over (2♦)

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

Over (2M)

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. They can be light in late seats. I separate 1♥♠ into two chapters due to subtle differences in their continuations.

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

By passed hand

A passed hand cannot force to game, so 2♣ becomes Drury. Other responses are unchanged.

A light opener holds 3+♠ and passes 1♠ or 1NT, so opener’s rebids over them still show 11+ points.

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.

By passed hand, a light opener passes 1♠ with the promised 3+♠. The rebids below are unchanged.

Checkback Gladiator

Checkback Gladiator is also in effect after 1♥ - 1♠ - 1NT. With a 5-card major already shown, 2♦ and the balanced 2♣ variant are usually a choice of games.

Non-forcing 1NT

Responder bids 1♠ with any 4+♠, and the transfer raise takes the 3-card limit raise out of 1NT. Thus, 1NT denies most major fits. Opener passes 1NT with any balanced minimum, just as over 1♠ - 1NT. A balanced medium still has to bid 2♣ on a doubleton, and 2♦ can be 4531.

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. Over 2♣ the impossible 2♠ is the traditional invitational club raise: opener signs off in 2NT or 3♣ or bids game.

Over 2♦♥ there are two or more invitations to carry, so 2♠ becomes a puppet to 2NT. The following 3-bid is then the invitational version of the same call, while the direct 3-bid is to play.

Over 2♥ opener has shown 6+♥, so the direct minor bids are signoffs out of the misfit. The puppet carries the limit raise and invitations in either minor. The direct 3♥ is the weaker raise with 3 trumps.

Game-forcing relay 2♣

Drury 2♣

A passed hand cannot force to game, so 2♣ shows a limit raise instead of the game-forcing relay. Other responses to 1♥ are unchanged.

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

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.

Competitive bidding

Over (X)

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

Over (1♠)

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

Over (1NT)

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

Over (2♣♦)

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

Over (2♥♠)

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. They can be light in late seats. I separate 1♥♠ into two chapters due to subtle differences in their continuations.

Ambra 2♦ already handles invitation with both majors. Better to repurpose 3♥ for preemptive hands.

By passed hand

A passed hand cannot force to game, so 2♣ becomes Drury. Other responses are unchanged.

A light opener passes 1NT, so opener’s rebids over it still show 11+ points.

Non-forcing 1NT

The transfer raise takes the 3-card limit raise out of 1NT, and the 2♦ transfer takes the invitational hands with 5+♥. Thus, 1NT denies most major fits. Opener passes 1NT with any balanced minimum instead of keeping it semi-forcing as in 2/1. A balanced medium still has to bid 2♣ on a doubleton.

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 the best contract is 4♥. Everything else is natural. A weak club one-suiter has to pass.

Game-forcing relay 2♣

Drury 2♣

A passed hand cannot force to game, so 2♣ shows a limit raise instead of the game-forcing relay. Other responses to 1♠ are unchanged.

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

The 2♦ relay shows a full opening and may contain 4+♥. Opposite it, responder can probe hearts with invitational 2♥ and game-forcing 3♥.

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.

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: Bid 3♦, then bid on over opener’s pick.

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 bids 4♣ or 4♦ to set hearts or spades rather than jumping straight to game: