Bidding Guide 2Z16 by Richard Pavlicek

Strong Opening Bids

Responses to Two Notrump (21-22 HCP)

With a 4 card major (not 4-3-3-3 shape)
4+ points	bid 3 Stayman	F
With a 6+ card major or 7+ card minor
4-9 points	bid 4 , 4 , 5 or 5	S
With a 5+ card major
4+ points	bid 3 or 3	F
With a 5+ card minor
10+ points	bid 3   or 3	F
With any other hand
0-3 points	pass
4-10 points	bid 3 NT	S

Since 3  is Stayman you must bid 4  at your next turn.

Responses to Three Notrump (25-26 HCP)

With a 4 card major (not 4-3-3-3 shape)
7+ points	bid 4 Stayman	F
With a 6+ card major or 7+ card minor
2-6 points	bid 4 , 4 , 5 or 5	S
With a 5+ card suit
7+ points	bid 4   or 4	F
With any other hand
0-6 points	pass

Since 4  is Stayman you must bid your real suit (clubs, hearts or spades) at your next turn (forcing).

Responses to Two Clubs (23+ points)

West 2

East  ?

With any hand
0-7 HCP	bid 2 (negative)	F
With a 5+ card suit
8+ HCP	bid 2 , 2 , 3 or 3	F
With a balanced hand
8+ HCP	bid 2 NT	F

With 4-4-4-1 shape there is no prescribed response. You may bid a good 4 card suit, or 2 NT with a singleton ace or king.

Rebids by Opener after Negative Response

West 2  ?

East 2

With a balanced hand
23-24 HCP	bid 2 NT	N
27-28 HCP	bid 3 NT	N
With a 5+ card suit
23+ points	bid 2 , 2 , 3 or 3	F

With 4-4-4-1 shape there is no prescribed rebid. You may bid a strong 4 card suit, or notrump with a singleton ace or king.

Rebids by Negative Responder after Suit Rebid

West 2 2

East 2  ?

General guidelines
You must bid again, even with no points. You may raise partner’s suit with 3+ trumps, bid a 5+ card suit of your own, or bid notrump with a balanced hand.

Rebids by Negative Responder after Notrump Rebid

West 2 2 NT

East 2  ?

General guidelines
Respond as you would to an opening bid of 2 NT or 3 NT (see previous tables) except all point ranges are lowered by 2 points to compensate for the fact that partner’s range is 2 points greater.