Workshop Notes - Strong & 5s from Acol

Unlike the Acol Dustbin (6-9)Bid:

1H  P 1NT promises 5-11 HCPs AND less than 3 Card Support in our Major AND denies 4 spades.

If Opener’s Rebid is a minor AND we have good support for that minor AND points at the top end of our range, we want to show it.

We can show whether the 1NT response is at the thin end 5/6/7/8  or thick end 9/10/11 of our response range using ‘the impossible bid’.

Thick end - 1H P 1NT P 2C P 2S (impossible as already denied spades!) Shows support for Clubs and good Points.

Thin end - 1H P 1NT P 2C P 3C Shows support for Clubs and weaker Points.

Unlike the Acol Dustbin (6-9)Bid:

1. our 1S P 1NT promises 5-11 HCPs and less than 3 Card Support

or 3 card support and 0-5 

or 3 card support and 9-11 HCPs in our system.

2. our 1H P 1NT promises 5-11 HCPs and less than 3 Card Support and denies 4 Spades.

or 3 card support and 0-5 

or 3 card support and 9-11 HCPs in our system.

So, is it ever okay for Opener to pass the 1NT response?

Hardly ever, but we decided there were a few situations:

1. If the Responder was originally a Passed Hand and our Opening bid is minimum or light.

- He would use Drury to show 9-11 HCPs and 3/4 card Major support. So most he could have is 11 and little support.

- He can’t have 12+ or he would have opened

2. We decided we had a problem if our second suit was Spades 5H 4S 2D 2C  (12-15) or a balanced 5H 3S 3D 2C (12-14). Responder can’t have 4 Spades so we don’t want to rebid 2S. We must consider Opening 1NT (15-17 or a good 14) when we have a Rebid problem. If you forgot the ‘good 14’ or are Rule of 20 or 12,13 best leave contract in 1NT as most partner can have is 11.

One of the Main Advantages of Bergen is that it covers the 6-11, 4 card support hands so that Partner knows that when you make a Direct Raise 1H - 3H it really is pre-emptive 0-5.

1M - 3C : 4 card support and 6-9 HCP

1M - 3D : 4 card support and 10-11 HCP

After Intervention:

1M (X) Bergen is Still on

1M (1Y) Bergen is Off

With 10-11, Bid an UCB. 1M 1Y 2Y

With 7-9, Bid to the level of the fit.  1M 1Y 3M. Bidding after Intervention is Constructive so Partner knows this is probably 6-9. Must be less than 10+(it‘s not a UCB) and more than 5 (with 0-5, you would only raise to 3M after competition if you had a distributional hand with ruffing values).

After Bergen (establishes Suit agreement), 

A new bid by Opener is a Cue Bid showing at least 2nd Round Control

When you have an agreed fit, double is for penalties, when you haven’t, double is for takeout.

When responding to 1M, you shouldn't really add shortage points to decide if enough for a Bergen raise. Our Splinters will be 9-11 HCPs

When partner Opens 1M and you have 3+ card support and 12+ points, you bid 2x - ALERT: “2 OVER 1, FORCING TO GAME”

After Opener rebids, show your support for their Major (Suit Agreement!). The following bids show at least 2nd round control of the suit.

1H P 2C (2/1 GF) P 2D (second suit) P 2H (suit agreement, 3 card support) P 2S (at least 2nd round control of Spades) P 3C (at least 2nd round control of Clubs) 4NT (RKCB) etc

Fast Arrival - if Opener jumps straight to Game after you have shown Suit agreement, he has a minimum opening hand with no slam potential.

1H P 2C (2/1 GF) P 2D (second suit) P 2H (suit agreement, 3 card support) P 4H (minimum hand)

2/1 does not apply after intervention (use UCB)

Shows 3 card support  (Use Jacoby to show 4 card support)

When you have at 3 of Opener’s Major & an invitational hand ((a sharp 9) 10-11) hand, make a Limit Raise via 1NT

1M P 1NT P 2x P 3M (Jump). 

There is a risk that partner may leave us in 1NT with a minimum hand (if he is minimum then it’s likely to be for the best to stay low!).

After interference - 

Bid as if there had been no interference. 1H X 2H (6-8HCPs and 3 card support)

Remember if you Respond 2NT, it is Jacoby!

or Cue bid Opponents suit showing 3 card support and 10+ HCPs 

1H 2D 3D P 3H P (Leave in 3H or 4H with 12+)

Do not bid 1H 2C 3H (as direct raises are pre-emptive - shows 4 hearts and a weak hand)

If they Pre-empt we do not!

so 1H - 3C - 3H is invitational (10-11) and constructive. With a weak hand (0-8) PASS

1S - 3D - 4D  is Game Forcing with showing Support -P -4S (or slam try)

1S - 3D - 4S is not inviting Partner to bid again (minimum Game Force or Distributional)

Bid 2S in Response to a Strong 1NT opening with:

Either  (A) 8HCPs - a light balanced game invitation 

OR (B) A weak 6 Card Minor - Opener bids 3C, leave or correct to 3D

NEW. With Game Values, 9 (5-4) Cards in the Minors, 3 cards in a Major and a singleton, bid the MAJOR. Opener will know this is a FRAGMENT (You bid 2S not Stayman) and not 4. He can now decide whether to bid 5C/5D or 3NT if he has your Singleton covered.

. . . The 1NT Opener has responded to your Stayman enquiry with  2D denying a 4CM AND you have

• 5/4 in the Majors AND
• a game forcing hand

You will use SMOLEN because you want to right side Declarer (the 1NT Opener will have the most points so best they play the hand).

Smolen involves jumping in the 4CM to Show 5 cards in the other Major.

1NT PASS 2C (STAYMAN) PASS 

2D(no 4CM) PASS JUMP 3H(I have 5 spades and 4 hearts, Game Forcing) PASS

4S (I have 3 Spades so we have a Fit) Fast Arrival so nothing extra PASS PASS PASS

1NT PASS 2C (STAYMAN) PASS 

2D(no 4CM) PASS JUMP 3H(I have 5 spades and 4 hearts, Game Forcing) PASS

3S (I have 3 Spades so we have a Fit) We play Fast Arrival so I may have extras?? PASS PASS 4S or higher

1NT PASS 2C (STAYMAN) PASS 

2D(no 4CM) PASS JUMP 3S(I have 5 hearts and 4 spades, Game Forcing) PASS

4H (I have 3 hearts so we have a Fit) Fast Arrival so nothing extra PASS PASS PASS

1NT PASS 2C (STAYMAN) PASS 

2D(no 4CM) PASS JUMP 3S(I have 5 hearts  and 4 spades, Game Forcing) PASS

3NT (I don’t have 3 hearts - this is the best contract) PASS PASS PASS

The Strong 1NT Opening Bid  is constructive not preemptive. You are looking to find the best contract and it prevents Opps overcalling at the one level. It requires more careful judgement than bidding an ACOL 1NT, but you are always likely to be able to make 1NT x - a potential scoring disaster in Acol.

The Strong 1NT bid does not have to be balanced. 

-   2,2,3,6D/6C Shape. It is okay to open 1NT with a 6 card Minor.

-   4,5,2,2 Shape such as 4H,5S,2D,2C. 

Here, it is okay to open 1NT to avoid a clunky Reverse particularly if you have just 14/15 HCPs. 

Eg. Better to stay low with an 1NT Opening Bid than the following auction, if partner has a weak responding hand. 1H P 1NT (denying 4 Spades) P 2S (Reverse - Strong) P - 3 of ?

Upgrade a 14 count if you have a good five card suit with a Source of Tricks, such as AKXXX or A, J,10,9,8, a hand that is heavy with 9s&10s, and has protective cards in other suits (so that you can field any lead on the 2nd/3rd round). 

Or bid a 1NT with a 14 count in 3rd or 4th seat to prevent Opps overcalling 1 of a Major.

Unlike the Acol 1NT, the 1NT Opener can bid again.