System Notes 7G17 by Richard Pavlicek

Eastern Scientific

General Approach

Strong forcing opening: 2 

Notrump Opening Bids

2  = Stayman. Then if followed by:
   2  = weak (correctable); at least 4-4 majors
   2  over 2  = sign-off
   2  over 2  = exactly 4 spades (checkback); F
   2 NT = invitational; no major-suit interest
   3  or 3  = game forcing
   3 other major over 2 M = artificial slam try with fit
   4 X over 2 M = splinter

Jacoby transfer

2  = minor-suit Stayman (at least invitational)

Minor-suit transfers (2 NT = clubs; 3  = diamonds)
   Must be one-suited hand (weak or GF)
   New suit rebid = splinter

3  = 5-5 majors; GF (opener sets strain)

3  or 3  = splinter (3-suiter); slam try

Texas transfer (also in competition thru 3 )

After a double: System on; rdbl forces 2  to rescue

Lebensohl (direct denies)

Negative double at 3 level (also after 2 NT)

2 NT = 20 to 22 HCP
   Jacoby; Texas; 3  = both minors slam try

3 NT = Acol; 16-21 HCP with running minor
   4  = general slam try (no rescues), then
      4  = Gerber (5  rebid asks for kings)
      4 NT = minimum
   4  = Gerber (5  rebid asks for kings)

Major Openings

1 NT = 6 to 14 (forcing)

Two-over-one GF unless responder rebids same suit

2 NT = 15+ (11-12 in competition)

Double raise = limit (also after overcall)

3 NT = forcing raise; no splinter; max of 14 HCP

Splinter bids (in competition must be a jump cue)

Reverse Drury (does not promise fit)
   Opener must bid 2  with normal opening, then:
      3  = natural, NF
      Other = natural, promises fit

Preemptive reraises

Relay game try (2  or 2 NT) then dummy bids:
   New suit = secondary values in suit bid (2 NT = )
      Opener may relay again, then:
         3 of major = minimum
   3 of major = minimum; no side secondary values
   Raise of relay = maximum; flat; suggests 3 NT
   4 of major = maximum; no side secondary values

All game tries must begin with the relay, so a new suit at 3 level (including a jump to 3 ) is a natural slam try. Relay game try applies any time we raise a major from 1 to 2 (unless an opponent bid after our raise).

Minor Openings

Inverted minor raises (also in competition)

1 NT = 6 to 10

2 NT = 15+ (11-12 in competition)

3 NT = 13 to 14

2  over 1  = 11+ points, then:
   2  = artificial; any minimum, then:
      2 NT or 3  = natural; NF
      Other = natural; GF
   Other = natural; GF

After a 1 NT overcall, raise = artif.; weak major T/O

Two-Club Opening

2  = 0-7 HCP; may be waiting with awkward hand

Other responses = 8+ HCP; suit bids at least Qxxxx

Cheaper minor (3  or 3 ) second negative

Weak Two-Bids

New suit response = NF (usually constructive)
   Opener should bid again with a useful hand

2 NT only force; then (after 2 ):
   3  = 5 card diamond suit
   3  = minimum hand
   3 M = maximum; stopper in major bid
   3 NT = maximum; no major stopper
(after 2 M):
   3  = 5 cards in major bid, then:
      3  = artificial relay, then:
         3 M = minimum; 3 NT = maximum
   3  = average or maximum hand, then
      3 M = invitational
   3 M = worst hand (implies others would not open)
   3 other major = natural (4 cards)
   3 NT = AKQ or AKJ

Other Conventional Calls

Invisible cue-bid (cheaper = raise; higher = 4th suit)

Responder’s 2nd-round jumps and raises to 3 of a minor are forcing by an unpassed hand (unless enemy has bid, then invitational).

New minor, 4th suit or 3rd suit forcing = 11+ points

After NMF, FSF or TSF, if opener bids at or below 2 NT he confirms minimum values and responder may pass. Responder’s third bid sets the strain and if a nonjump shows invitational values (NF).

After the sequence: 1  1 ; 2  3 , opener must rebid 3  on any minimum without 3 card spade support (this does not show 5-5 as it sounds); then responder will pass if he is inviting in diamonds.

After FSF, if opener rebids 2  when his second bid was 1 , this shows 4 spades and a 5 card minor (not 5-6 as it sounds).

Special Doubles

Responsive thru 4 

Competitive thru 3  (only if opponents imply a fit)

Maximal (only if both opponents acted and no game trial bid is available)

Direct NT Overcalls

2 NT nonjump = 16 to 19 (14 to 17 in passout)
   Respond as to 2 NT opening

2 NT jump = unusual for two lower unbid suits

3 NT = natural; may be unbalanced with long minor
   All responses natural (except a cue-bid)

Simple Overcall

Jump raise = weak

Cue-bid = 1-round force

Jump cue = limit raise; 4+ trumps

Vs. All NT Openings

Astro (all positions):
   2  = hearts + either minor
   2  = spades + any other suit
   2 , 2 , 3 , 3  = natural; 1-suiter
   2 NT = both minors

Jump Overcall

Respond as to same opening (weak two-bid structure applies).

Over Opp’s T/O Dbl

2 NT after major = limit raise

2 NT after minor = natural with fit; invitational

Redouble implies no fit

Opening Preempts

Vs. Enemy Preempts

Double of 4 , 4 , 5  or 5  = optional

4 NT over 4  = all suit takeout

4 NT over any other major bid = minors

Jump to 4  = clubs + highest unbid

Jump to 4  = 2 highest unbid

Psychics

Occasional tactical bids

Direct Cue-bid

Strong 1-suiter at 3 level. Responses:
   3 NT = stopper in enemy suit
   Cheaper minor = artificial; weak (NF)
   Higher minor = artificial; at least an ace and a king
   Major = natural; good 6+ cards; GF

Slam Conventions

D-0-P-I over Blackwood interference

Gerber 4 /5  (must be a jump after we bid NT)
   Exception: after 3 NT opening, use 4 /5 

Opening Leads vs. Suits

Other honor leads standard

3rd best even, low odd

Low from three small

Opening Leads vs. NT

Queen from K-Q-10-9-x (partner must unblock jack)

Other honor leads standard

4th best

High from three small (except in partner’s suit lead low if you have not raised)

Subsequent Leads

Signals

Discards (9 or below) show count and tend to be negative attitude

Honor discards (10 or above) are standard

Present count on 2nd round (if count not shown on 1st round)

Suit preference applies after count