System Notes 7G01 by Richard Pavlicek

Richard & Mabel System

General Approach

Strong forcing opening: 2 

Notrump Opening Bids

2  = Stayman. If followed by:
   2  = weak; at least 4-4 majors
   2  over 2  = sign-off
   2  over 2  = 4 spades (checkback); F
   2 NT = no major interest; invit.
   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 1-suiter (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 (in comp. thru 3 )

After a double: System on
   Rdbl forces 2  to rescue

After an overcall thru 3 :
   2 NT = clubs*
   3  = diamonds*
   3  = hearts*
   3  = spades*
      *or Stayman if enemy bid suit
   3  = artif.; asks for stopper
   4  = Gerber

Negative double at 3 level (also after 2 NT)

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

3 NT = 25 to 26 HCP
   Stayman; Jacoby
   4  = both minors; slam try

Major Openings

1 NT = 6 to 14 (forcing)

Two-over-one GF unless responder rebids same suit

2 NT = 15+ (11-12 in comp.)

Double raise = limit (also after overcall)

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

Splinter bids (in comp. must be a jump cue)

Reverse Drury; opener bids 2  w/normal bid, 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 bidding a new suit at the 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 bids 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  = any minimum, then:
      2 NT or 3  = natural; NF
      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 second negative

Weak Two-Bids

New suit response = NF (usually constructive), then:
   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 = stopper in suit bid; max
   3 NT = no major stopper; max
after 2 M:
   3  = 5 cards in major bid then:
      3  = artificial relay, then:
         3 M = minimum
         3 NT = maximum
   3  = average or max, then:
      3 M = invitational
   3 M = worst hand (implies others would not open)
   3 other major = natural
   3 NT = AKQ or AKJ

Other Conventional Calls

In competition all unbid suit jumps are weak (splinters in enemy suits only)

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 bid, then invit.)

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 1  1 ; 2  3 , opener must bid 3  on any minimum without 3 spades (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 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 try available)

Direct Notrump 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; can be long minor
   Responses natural (except cue)

Simple Overcall

Jump raise = weak

Cue-bid = 1-round force

Jump cue = limit raise; 4+ trumps

Vs. All Notrump Openings

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

Jump Overcall

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

Over Opp’s Takeout Double

2 NT after major = limit raise

2 NT after minor = natural with fit; invitational

Redouble implies no fit

Opening Preempts

Vs. Enemy Preempts

4 NT over 4  = all suit takeout

4 NT over other major = minors

4  jump = clubs + highest unbid

4  jump = two highest unbid

Psychics

Occasional tactical bids

Direct Cue-bid

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

Slam Conventions

Responses to key-card Blackwood:
   5  = 0 or 3 key cards
   5  = 1 or 4 key cards
   5  = 2 or 5 key cards
   5  = void + 1 key card
   5 NT = void + 2 key cards
   6 X = void + 3 key cards

D-0-P-I over Blackwood interference

Gerber 4 /5  (must be a jump after we bid NT)

Opening Leads vs. Suits

Jack, 10 or nine = 0 or 2 higher

Low from odd; 3rd best from even

Low from three small

Opening Leads vs. Notrump

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

Jack, 10 or nine = 0 or 2 higher

Fourth best

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

Signals

Suit preference at trick one if 3rd hand showed 5+

Honor signals are standard

All other signals show count

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

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

Suit preference applies after count