Presented by Mike Savage

Gerry plays 1NT-2NT as a natural and invitational bid (using Stayman for this, just gives the opponents information on how to lead and defend). 1NT-3D is played natural and invitational. Minor 2-suiters are shown by bidding 1NT-3H or 3S; showing 5-4 in minors (with a major stiff) or by transferring to clubs and then bidding diamonds (5-5). 1NT-2S begins our 4-suit transfers.

1NT(p): 2C p 2(any) p 3C or 3D = Shows six of the minor, a 4-card major and is invitational.

2S = Transfer to 3C: a club bust, invitational with clubs or starting a forcing sequence.

2NT = Shows a good fit in clubs (encouraging response) and stoppers.

Responses: 3C = To play with no game interest.

3D = Five-five, 3H/3S = Four of unbid major ("right siding"); all game forcing.

3NT = To play with a reasonable hand opposite a maximum and a fit.

New suit at the 4-level = Splinter raise, clubs as trumps with slam interest.

4C = Roman Key-card Blackwood.

3C = Denies a maximum with a good club fit (usual response).

Pass (over 3C) = Shows at least six clubs and no game interest after 3C.

3C (over 2NT) = Forces opener to pass (a club bust).

3D = Should be 5-5 or more in the minors & is forcing. (if you don’t play 1NT

3H or 3S to show 5-4 in the minors with a stiff, this bid could be 5-4).

3H/3S = Shows 5 clubs, 4 of the other major ("right-siding" the play), forcing.

Over 3D, 3H and 3S:

New Suit = Cue bid in support of responder’s 2^nd suit.

3NT = To play. Denies strong slam interest or stopper problems.

4 of the minor = Shows a fit with stopper problems or a max with a fit.

Responses: Roman Key responses with slam interest, bid 5C without.

3NT = Shows a balanced hand with five clubs and slam interest.

4C = Roman Key-card Blackwood.

4D/4H/4S = Splinters with six or more clubs, a stiff or void and slam interest.

4NT = Shows a balanced hand with six clubs and slam interest..

5NT/6C = Balanced; 5NT: Pick a slam (5 clubs) or 6C: Pick a slam (6 clubs).

2NT = Natural and invitational (with other agreements, 2NT begins the transfer bids).

3C = Transfer to 3D. After 3D:

Pass = Shows a diamond bust.

3H/3S = 5D, 4 of other major ("right-siding") - responses: see green above).

3NT = Shows a balanced hand with five diamonds and slam interest.

4D = Roman Key-card Blackwood.

4C/4H/4S = Splinters with six or more diamonds, shortness and slam interest.

4NT = Shows a balanced hand with six diamonds and slam interest.

5NT/6D = Balanced; 5NT: Pick a slam(5 diamonds) or 6D: Pick a slam (6D).

3D = Invitational to game with a six-card suit. My preference is with poor suit (w/o ace).

3H or 3S = Shows five-four in the minors with a stiff in the major and is game forcing. If

opener bids 4C/4D, denying no-trump stoppers in your stiff, you can bid game or try for slam. A 3NT response is usually passed but with slam interest, you can bid 4C with five clubs or 4D with five diamonds, but if you bid 4NT, it denies a stiff and if you have bid 3H: 4NT = 2-2-4-5 and if you have bid 3S: 4NT = 2-2-5-4.

With interference at the 2-level, above 2C (and suit is not available at the 2-level):

2NT = Transfer to 3C. With AK or AQ 3^rd and stoppers, opener could bid 3NT.

3C = Accepts the transfer. Denies AK or AQ 3^rd and good stoppers.

3D/3H/3S = Natural and forcing, at least five clubs and 4-cards in the 2^nd suit.

3NT = Six+ clubs and no stopper in their suit. Pass with stoppers or bid 4C or 5C.

4C = Invitational to 5C with a hand unsuitable for no-trump.

4D/4H/4S = Splinters showing long clubs, a stiff or void and slam interest.

4NT = Forcing to 5C, invitational to 6C.

3C = Transfer to 3D. With AK or AQ 3^rd and stoppers, opener could bid 3NT.

3D = Accepts the transfer. Denies AK or AQ 3^rd and good stoppers.

3H/3S = Natural and forcing, at least 5 diamonds and 4-cards in the 2^nd suit.

Responses: Same as above in green.

3NT = Shows 6+ diamonds and no stopper in their suit. Pass or bid 4D or 5D.

4D = Invitational to 5D with a hand unsuitable for no-trump.

4C/4H/4S = Splinters showing long diamonds, shortness and slam interest.

4NT = Forcing to 5D, invitational to 6D.

3D = Transfer to 3H. If 2H was available at the 2-level, this bid is invitational or better.

If 2H was available at the two-level:

3H = Shows all minimums.

3NT = Shows only two hearts and a maximum.

4H = Shows at least three hearts and a maximum.

If 2H wasn’t available at the two-level:

3H = Accepts the transfer on all hands without a maximum and a good fit in hearts.

4H = Shows a good fit in hearts and you are at the top of your no-trump range.

3H = Transfer to 3S. Shows an invitational or better hand with at least five spades.

Since 2S was available at the two-level:

3S = Shows all hands that are not maximums.

3NT Shows only two spades and you are on the very top of your no-trump range.

4S = Shows a maximum and at least three spades.

3S = Shows five-five or more in the minors with at least distributionally invitational values.

3NT = To play (see note 2 below).

Four-level bids: Retain their original systemic meanings, ignoring the overcall.

1. Transfering into the suit overcalled by the opponent is Stayman.

2. There are other variations, some more complex, on how to play 4-suit transfers, but these are