*** OKbridge Convention Card Format 1 *** General Names:Anthony Ker & Alan Grant, Approach:Precision 2/1-Game-Force, Very-Light-Overcalls, Very-Light-Preempts Strong 1C, 2-Bids Notrump 1NT:12-15 HCP, 2NT:6-10 Minors, NF-Stayman, 3NT:Gambling Jacoby, 4-Suit-Transfers, 3m-Forcing, 3-Major:Forcing Lebensohl, Note1:Modified Lebensohl Penalty Doubles Majors Never-4-Cards-1&2, Seldom-4-Cards-3&4, Double-Raise-Weak Double-Raise-In-Comp:Weak, 2NT-Conv-Raise, Splinters Conv-Raise:Jump Shifts, 1NT-Forcing Note1:Bergen-style raises 2/1, Note2:Game Force 1NT 8-12 1RF Minors 1C-May-Be-Short, 1D-May-Be-Short, Double-Raise-Forcing Double-Raise-In-Comp:n/a, 1NT/1C:8-13, May-Bypass-1D 2NT:14+ HCP, 3NT:Solid Suit, Note1:1C=16+ any 1D negative Note2:1D=11-15 any 3-suiter 2C Range:11-15, Desc:6+ clubs may contain major, Other Resp:2D = forcing inquiry 2D Range:11-15, Desc:6+ cards, Natural Resp:2NT = forcing inquiry 2H Range:5-10, Desc:Undisciplined , Natural, Resp:2NT Ogust 2S Range:5-10, Desc:Undisciplined, Natural, Resp:2NT Ogust OtherConv 4SF-To-Game Note6:See this card's Supplemental Notes for further details! Doubles Negative:thru 4H, Responsive:thru 4H Overcalls Range:8-15, Cuebid:11+Game try or better Jump-Raise:Preemptive Jmp-Over Intermediate, Weak, Responses: Vul NV Preempts Light Cuebids Minor-Strong, Major-Strong, Artificial-Natural Two-Suits:6-10 or 16+ NT-Over Range:15-18, Systems-On, Jump-To-2NT-Range:6-10 Unusual-For-2-Lower Vs.NT Weak, Strong, Direct, Balance, 2C:Hearts + Minor 5/4 4/5 2D:Spades + Another 5/4, 2H:Natural, 2S:Natural Note1:2NT shows minors, Note2:Dbl = 15+weak/strong Vs.Doubles Rdbl-Implies-No-Fit, 2NT:good raise, Other:Rdbl = 10+ Vs.Preempts Takeout-Dbl-2-Level, Takeout-Dbl-3-Level Slam-Bids Gerber, Gerber-Note:1st & last NT, Roman-Keycard Other:Blackwood/suits only, Interference:PODI Suit-Leads Xx, Xxxx, Xxx, Xxxxx, Akx, UD-Attitude, 4th-Best Discards:Upside-Down Attitude NT-Leads Xx, Xxxx, Xxx, Xxxxx, ajTn, Kqtn, kjTn, tNxx, UD-Attitude 4th-Best, Discards:Upside-Down Attitude Notes =========================================================================== OKB Modern Basic Convention Card Revised 3/23/97 =========================================================================== NT OPENINGS: 1NT: 15-17 HCP; 2NT: 20-21 HCP; 2C then 2NT = 22-23 HCP; 3NT: 24-25 HCP; 2C/3NT = 26-27 HCP; RESPONSES: Stayman(2C), Gerber(4C), Jacoby Transfer Bids(JTB); Texas; 3 minor = signoff; ONE BIDS: 13 TPs; 5 Card Majors; 3+ Minors (4-4 = 1D; 3-3 = 1C) RESPONSES: Forcing raises(FR) show 13+ TP; over majors: 3NT = FR; over minors: jump shift in other minor = FR (1D - 3C or 1C -2D) 1NT = 6-10 HCP; 2NT = 13-15 HCP; Double Raise = 10 - 12 TP. 1/1: with 2 four cards suits, bid cheaper MAJOR; 2 five card suits bid higher ranking suit. 2/1 = 11+ HCP. LATER BIDS: By resp: secondary jump = GF; 4th suit = 1 round force. STRONG 2C: GF if not NT hand; shows 22+ or 9+ tricks, 2D = waiting; other suits= 7+ pts, good 5+ card suit with 2 of 3 top honors. 2NT rebid by opener = 22-23 WEAK TWO BIDS:5-11 HCP,6 cards: suit quality/pts subject to seat/vuln. new suit = force; 2NT requests hand clarification: show best feature with medium+ hand. ACE ASKING: Blackwood(4NT)/Suits; Gerber(4C)/1st & last NT; 4NT/NT = Invitational PREEMPTS: Sound Vul. Lighter NV VS DOUBLES: New suit force at 1 level; RDBL =10+ TP; jumps = weak hands OVERCALLS: 8-17 HCP at 1 level; 12-17 at 2 level (more at higher level) RESPONSES: new suit = NF/forward going; jumps = INV; cue bid = GF; JUMP OVERCALL:Preemptive NT OVERCALL: 1N = 15-19, Systems ON; 2NT/2 level = 15-19; 3NT = more UNUSUAL NT: For 2 lowest unbid suits;(3NT is always natural) JUMPS to 2NT or 4NT and 1NT by passed hand are "unusual" TAKEOUT DBL: Of suit openings thru 4H. Dbl of higher bids = penalty{ish} NEGATIVE DBLS:thru 3S (after partner opens 1 any suit and next hand bids any suit thru 3S) VS 1NT Dbl= penalty(ish) 16+ vs strong NT, 14+ vs weak NT; Landy: OPENING: 2C shows both majors (4-4+); all other suits = Natural DEFENSIVE GAME FORCE (any hand); direct bid, after overcalls, and CUE BIDS: after doubles Leads: 4th best; K from AKx or KQx; top of sequence including interior sequence; low from xxx vs suit; high vs NT Carding: standard; attitude when partner leads (high encourages) may be count when opponents lead (high = even number) ======================================================================== Supplemental Notes for OKB Modern Basic Revised 4/8/97 ======================================================================== EVALUATION:. HCP: A=4, K=3, Q=2, J=1; Total Points(TP) = HCP plus DP Normal Dist Points (DPs): Void =3,Singleton =2,Doubleton =1 When Opening NT or Bidding NT: DO NOT count distributional points, but ADD 1 HCP for a 5 card suit. If you have an "unguarded honor" (K, Qx, Jxx, QJ) reduces its value by 1/2 point to 1 pt (blank K or QJ) REEVALUATION: The point count is an "artificial" device used to estimate the trick taking potential of a hand. As new information is uncovered during the bidding, the potential of a hand changes and adjustments must be made for "good news" or "bad news": If partner bids a suit you like (good news), count "Supporting Dist.Points": Void = 5; Singleton = 3; Doubleton =1. If partner bids your short suit (bad news), do not count anything for it. When partner VIGOROUSLY supports your long suit (great news) add 1 pt for your 5th card and 2 pts for each additional card; if the support is just LUKEWARM (fair news) just add 1 pt for each card starting at the 6th one. When bidding suggests your finesses will work add 1 pt, but do the opposite when they are likely to fail. Example: with H AQ..if opponent on your right (RHO) opens 1H add 1 pt, but if it's LHO, subtract 1 pt. STRATEGIC PLAN: Aproximately 26 points produce game. 33 produces slam. Find 8+ card major suit fits; Search for 26 points; lacking 26 points, STOP as soon as possible at a "reasonable" place. Search for trump in this order:1. MAJORS, 2. NT, 3. MINORS When a decision is CLOSE: push for game; but not for slam. 1NT OPENING BIDS: 1NT: 15-17HCP; 2NT: 20-21; 3NT: 25-26; +1 pt for a 5 card suit If balanced (4-3-3-3 or 4-4-3-2), ALWAYS open NT if HCP right. If semi-balanced (5-3-3-2, 5-4-2-2 or perhaps 6-3-2-2), usually open 5 card major if 15-17; but NT if 20+; usually open NT if long suit a minor.(reasons for this are priority of suits and problems of bidding 20+ no-trumpy hands if opened with suit) RESPONSES to 1NT: STAYMAN 2C; answers- 2D = no major; 2H = hearts; 2S = spades (bid hearts with both); 2C then 3 minor = Natural slam try; 2C then 3 Major/2D = GF, natural 5 card suit. JACOBY TRANSFER BIDS: JTB is NOT used after any competition 2D > 2H; 2H> 2S. Always use with 5 card major even without any points (unless 4 cards held in other major). FOLLOWUPS to JTB: all NT = NT with proper values; new suit at 3 level is a game force; 1NT - 2D - 2H - 2S = 5-5, H & S, invites but NF; jump shifts = splinters TEXAS TRANSFER BIDS: ON over any competition through 3C. 4D > 4H; 4H > 4S: Followups to Texas: 4NT = Blackwood; other bids = idle; *(Jacoby (2L)/ then jump to 4 = slam try) RESPONSES to 2NT: 3C = Stayman; JTB; Texas; Gerber RESPONSES to 3NT: 4C = Stayman; JTB 4D > 4H, 4H > 4S; 5C,5D = natural signoff 4S = Gerber (only bid without a job!) resp: 4NT = 0, 5C =1 etc. OPENING ONE BIDS:. 5 card majors; 13 TPs in 1st/2nd seats, may be less in 3rd. 1H,1S = 5+ cards; 1C,1D = 3+ cards; With 2 long suits (5+ cards): A. Longer; B. higher ranking Without long suit: longer minor; if 4-4 open 1D, if 3-3 open 1C RESPONSES to One Bids: Search for 26 pts; find 8+ card major fits. If 26 pts not there, STOP quickly in "reasonable" place . Search for trump in this order: 1. MAJORS, 2. NT, 3. MINORS. RAISES: minimum support: Majors = 3, Minors = 4; More = better! 6-10 DP = Single Raise; 11-12 DP = Double Raise, frequently referred to as a Limit Raise (LR); 13+ DP = Forcing Raise (FR) OKBMB uses 3NT as an artificial FR (may not pass) 4 card trump support is desirable, but 3 will do in a pinch. If an opponent overcalls: a cue bid of their suit shows this type hand and a 3NT bid is natural. For forcing raises of minors, OKBMB uses CRISS CROSS. A jump shift to the opposite minor (1C -2D or 1D - 3C) is artificial and shows a forcing raise of minor opened (at least 13 TPs, 4+ card support and no 4 card major) NT RESPONSES: 1NT = 6-10 HCP; 2NT = 13-15 HCP; 3NT = 16-17 HCP; all deny a 4 card major except may have 4H when bidding 1NT or 2NT over 1S NEW SUIT at 1 level: "one over one" 6-24 pts, 4+ cards; with 2 (or 3) four card suits bid, cheaper MAJOR; with 2 five card suits bid higher ranking NEW SUIT at 2 level: (2/1) 11+ pts, promises another bid! (unless partner contracts for game) JUMP SHIFT: very strong (slam try), know the trump suit. never shift with 2 suited non-fitting hands IF OPPONENT DOUBLES: Redouble (RDBL) = 10+ TP; New suit forcing at 1 level, 6+ pts New suit at 2 level = NF (about 6-10 pts, 5+ cards). Jumps and jump shifts are very weak (0 - 6 HCP usually). IF OPPONENT OVERCALLS IN A SUIT thru and including 3S: OKBMB uses THE NEGATIVE DOUBLE: After an overcall, a double is for TAKEOUT and promises support for any unbid major when there is one, and general help for both minors when there is not. Specifically, a Neg Dbl of 1H shows exactly 4 spades (bid 1S with 5 or more) and a Neg Dbl of 1S suggests 4 or more hearts. 6 points are adequate to act at the 1 level, but 2-3 more are needed for each increase of level. OPENER'S REBIDS: Ranges: Minimum = 13-15(16); Medium = 16-18; Strong = 19-21 A MINIMUM HAND MUST MAKE A MINIMUM REBID (which are): 1NT = 12-14 HCP; two own suit = 13-16 TP; two partner's suit = 13-16 TP (counting supporting points); new suit at 1 level = 13-18 TP; new (lower) suit at 2 level = 13-18 TP. OTHER REBIDS: Jumps TO 3 level in own/partners suit: = 17-18 TP, invitational Minimum NT: = 12-14HCP, Jump in NT = 18 -19 HCP Reverse: (higher suit at 2 level than opened) = 18+ TP, Forcing Jump Shift: = 19+, Game Force LATER BIDS: Secondary Jumps: or Jump Shifts by responder = GF; New Suit (often 4th suit) by Responder: = 1 round force, (except lower ranking suit after opener's 1NT rebid) Any bid by responder after opener's invitational rebid is GF (jumps in NT, own or partner's suit are invitational) STRONG 2 CLUB BID:. 2C = ARTIFICIAL STRONG OPENING BID. IT is a Game Force if a suit is rebid, but 22-23 HCP if NT rebid. Suit rebid shows 22+ HCP with good 5+ suit. If slightly less than 22 HCP, then 9+ sure tricks. WAITING RESPONSE: 2D/2C is waiting for opener's rebid, may be very weak but may be strong with no good suit to show. If opener next bids 2NT (22-23 HCP), use same methods as over 2NT opening; but if rebid is a suit, 3C shows a true negative hand (0 - 4 HCP) POSITIVE RESPONSES: all other direct suit responses show 7+ HCP and a good 5 card or longer suit (good = 2 top honors (of AKQ) except major Dbl raise = 0-6, good trump(4+), no side controls. WEAK TWO BIDS: 2 D/H/S: These openings are a cross between a one bid and a preempt. Typically show between 5 - 11 HCP and decent to strong 6 card suit. These values slide with the vulnerability and the position at the table with 3rd seat NV vs VUL the loosest. A 4 card side major is a liability; never do it with 1st and 2nd position 2D opening. RESPONSES to Weak Two Bids: All raises are SHUTOUT; New Suits are 1 round forces, showing a possible trump suit and an interest in going to game. 2 NT is a conventional response saying "Tell me more about your hand": Opener obliges by rebidding his suit with a MINIMUM hand (for the vulnerability); and by showing the BEST SIDE FEATURE of his hand if more than minimum (by at least a queen) ACE ASKING CONVENTIONS: Blackwood (4NT)/suit bids; Gerber (4C)/ NT bids; 4NT/NT = Inv., but Non-Forcing, DOES NOT(!) ask for Aces. PREEMPTS: Sound Vul(within 2 tricks); Lighter Non Vul.(within 3-4 tricks) UNUSUAL NT: JUMP OVERCALLS of 2NT or 4NT: show 2 lower unbid suits; 5-5 or better distribution; values suitable to vulnerability and level; 4NT OVERCALL: after a 4H opening = C & D; after 4S = C & D & H OVERCALL of 1NT: by passed hand (PH) ONLY, shows 2 lower unbid suits with 4-4 or better distribution DIRECT NT OVERCALLS: 1NT = 15-19 HCP, 2NT/2 suit = 15-19 HCP; 3NT/anything = natural RESPONSES: SYSTEM ON Same system as used after opening NT. TAKEOUT DOUBLES: doubles that ask (urge/demand) partner to bid 1. THE NEGATIVE DOUBLE (details under responses to one bids) 2. After their suit openings (and responses) thru 4H [if higher than 4H, dbl=penalty(ish)]; 3. If partner has never bid: you bid or double at first turn, then double at 2nd turn, at a low level; 4. Balancing doubles (in passout): your side has never bid and opponents stop at a low level Doubles of ARTIFICIAL BIDS are lead directing (no need to bid) 5. ALL OTHER DOUBLES ARE PENALTY Doubles of all suit opening bids MUST MEET requirement of 3+ cards in unbid major suits and 2+ cards in unbid minors (less than 4 + 3 respectively is a "flaw" but still acceptable), .NO EXCEPTIONS unless hand contains 18+ TP. Doubling and bidding again without encouragement from partner shows 16+ TP RESPONSES TO 1 LEVEL TAKEOUT DOUBLES: MUST RESPOND unless next hand bids (even with 0 pts). SUIT BIDS: = 0 - 9 TP (if "free" 6 - 9); Normally 4+ cards; JUMP suit bids: = 10-12 TP (Inv.), majors 4+ cards, minors 5+ CUE BID: (bid of suit opened) = Game Force any distribution. JUMP to Game: = Hope to make it (usually 13+) 1NT = 8-11 HCP (stopper); 2NT = 11+ to 13 HCP (stopper); 3NT = 14+ HCP or source of tricks (stopper) PASS = PENALTY PASS; must have long, strong trump holding; asks for trump lead OVERCALLS:. 8-17 HCP at 1 level; 12-17 HCP at 2 level (more at higher) RESPONSES TO OVERCALLS: NEW SUIT: = NF but forward going; Jumps = Invitational, but NF 1NT = 8-11 HCP; 2NT(jump) = 12-14; (2NT/2 = 8-11); stopper(s) RAISES: 2/1 = 6-10 TP; 3/1 = 11-14 TP; 3/2 = 8-11 TP; all raises show 3+ card support; most other bids deny 3 card, major suit support. CUE BID = Game Force, any type hand, but usually with trump fit JUMP OVERCALLS:. Preemptive (with an eye on the vulnerability) VS 1NT OPENING (by the opponents): DOUBLE: 16+ vs Strong NT; 14+ vs Weak NT(suggests partner pass) ALL SUITS (except 2C): = Natural, 5+ cards; Must have opening bid vs weak NT, may be weaker vs strong NT (strange but true!). Landy (2C): shows both majors (4-4 or better, usually better) DEFENSIVE CUE BIDS GAME FORCE; direct, after overcalls, after doubles LEADS: 4TH BEST; K from AKx or KQx; LOW from xxx vs suit, high vs NT; TOP of sequence including interior sequence(ie. 10 from K10983) TOP of a Doubleton. NOTE: Unusual leads send message to partner - "unusual hand" Mid-hand same except: low card lead shows either interest or values in suit; high spot card either shortness or no interest CARDING: STANDARD: attitude when partner leads (high encourages) may be count when opponents lead (high = even number)