Chapter 3

General Principles

1. Bids until a (major) trump fit is found show the notrump value of the hand.

2. Play an opening bid to have 12 notrump points and 14 suit points.  With nine or more cards in the two longest suits it may have only 11 high-card points.  A major suit raise shows 5-8 suit points.  Suit quality is not relevant in choosing low-level bids.

3. I think in 2-point intervals.  They are: 
   • Minimum, refuse invitation.
   • Minimum, accept invitation.
   • Invite, and
   • Force to game.

4. Opener prefers to rebid 1NT with two- or three-card support for partner rather than a minor at the two-level.

5. The first two bids are expected to be real.

6. There are no shut-out bids in a game forcing auction.

7. 4NT is Blackwood only when preceded by a bid at the four-level or a preemptive opening by partner.

8. 4NT followed by 5NT confirms aces and invites grand slam.

9. A jump shift - when there is no other definition to the bid - is a splinter and usually invites slam, or a mini-splinter and invites game.  If a single jump shift is not a splinter or is only a mini-splinter, then a double jump shift is a splinter.  However, responder's first bid cannot be a splinter over a 1 opening, or to two- or four-of-the-other-major, or to five-of-a-minor.  Splinters and mini-splinters are on over overcalls, over opponent's takeout doubles, and by passed hands.

10. The meaning of bids are not changed by suit overcalls after a one-of-a-suit opening, except by explicit agreement.  Partner is expected to reopen without the overcall suit.  Do not cue-bid over an overcall if there is a more descriptive bid available.  The rules for bidding at the one-level are not changed by a double.

11. Low-level doubles are some form of takeout, unless there is a specific agreement to the contrary.  The description of double includes "negative", "support", "reopening", "responsive", "Stayman", and "tell your story, partner."  The exceptions to double for takeout are game-invitational or better auctions; and competitive and balancing auctions after fits have been fully investigated.

12. A negative double of 1 shows exactly four spades.  A negative double of 1 shows four or more hearts.

13. After a one-level response or a negative double that shows a specific major, we play support doubles and redoubles through three-of-the-major no matter what they bid.  There are unique rules when partner has shown exactly four spades and when he has shown five or more spades.

14. Both partners bid aggressively in a competitive low-level auction and then avoid close doubles.

15. In competitive auctions 2NT = "Do the right thing."  This usually means choose between the minors.

16. My takeout doubles in a normal (non-preemptive) auction promise an opening bid and four or more cards in each unbid major, and in each unbid suit when two suits have been bid.  Limit bid your hand.  A passed hand double in a "live" auction guarantees these distributions.

17. Defensive bidding is free-wheeling, i.e. playing strength as a function of vulnerability and level.  I insist on top and bottom cue-bids which show an opening bid, 4 of the major, and 5 or 6 of the minor.  I play jump overcalls strong because weak do not work for me.

18. Conventions and treatments in the immediate seat apply in the pass-out seat unless there is a discussion.  I insist on a 1NT balance showing 12-17.  The balance system is the same as the free wheeling overcall system with allowance for under on count and off on distribution.

19. Do not make bids that only aid the enemy.

20. Don't play scared in strong competition. 

• My tactical bidding consists of bidding on to 1NT or 2-of-a-major, and possibly to 3-of-a-minor when I know there is no play for game.  It does not include voluntarily bidding on to a law-limit 3-level when I do not have invitational values.

• In competition, and with a hand that is close between 3-major and 4-major, I will often bid 4-major, and then I know what to do if they bid on.