A Standard Version presented by Mike Savage
Dbl = Usually shows a good opening hand or better and support
for at least the unbid major(s) or it might be a hand with an great 6-card or longer
suit and much better than opening values. Rarely it could be a big hand, too strong to
overcall 2NT but intending to bid no-trump on his next turn.
Overcall at the 2-level = Shows a good
5-card or longer suit, normally with at least opening values.
Overcall at the 3-level = Shows a good
opening hand along with a good (usually 6-card) suit.
Jump overcall at the 3-level = Shows a 6/7-card
suit with one or no losers and a very good hand.
2NT = Shows a balanced hand with at least 15/16-18/19
HCP, usually with two stoppers in their suit.
3NT = Shows about 8-1/2 plus running tricks, usually based on a
long, solid suit (normally a minor)
and at least one stopper in the
opponent’s suit.
4 of an unbid major = Shows a long (normally at least
7-card) very good suit and nine or ten winners.
Over 2D:
2D-3D Option # 1:
Michaels - shows at least
5-5 in the majors with opening values or more. Asks partner to bid his longest
major. If weak, partner should choose between 3H or 3S but with some useful
values
and
a fit, he should bid game (4H or 4S). Responder could also bid 3NT with stoppers and a nice hand with no fit. If the
Michaels bidder has a super hand, he can bid game over 3H or 3S.
If you choose this option, you may
miss some no-trump games when all (or
almost all) you need is for your partner to have a stopper in the opponents suit. On the other hand, you
can show 5-5 or better in the majors at the
3-level instead of only at the 4-level.
Option # 2:
Asks partner to
bid 3NT with a diamond stopper and is normally based on a long solid
suit.
If
he doesn’t have a stopper, he can bid 4C, asking partner to pass if that
is his suit or correct.
Or
if you want to be in game in partner’s suit, bid 4D. Partner will bid game (or slam)in his suit.
If you choose
this option, with 5-5 in the majors, you are forced to cue-bid at the four-
level, double or just overcall one of your majors (usually spades) and
hope for another chance to bid. However you can get to 3NT when
you only need a stopper in their suit.
2D-4C = Shows clubs and a
major, at least 5-5 and a very good hand. If responder bid 4D, that asks
partner to bid his major. After (2D) 4C-4D-4H or 4S: 4NT should be 6-card Roman
Key-card.
2D-4D If you chose Option # 1 above, my recommendation
for meaning of this bid is:
Shows a very
strong Michaels bid (5-5 or better in the majors) with a void in
diamonds.
This would simplify Blackwood and make
bidding easier for partner after a diamond raise.
If you chose Option # 2 above:
Shows a very
strong Michaels bid (5-5 or better in the majors). Unless interested in slam,
partner
should choose between 4H and 4S. Bidding 4NT should be
6-card Roman Key-card.
Over 2H or 2S:
2H-3H or 2S-3S = Asks partner to bid 3NT
with a stopper in the major bid. If you don’t, bid 4C;
or if you want to
be in game in partner’s suit, bid 4D. Partner will raise or correct.
2H/2S-4C or 4D = Shows the bid minor and the unbid major, at least 5-5 and a very nice hand.
2H-4H or 2S-4S = Shows both minors, at
least 5-5 and slam interest.
2H/2S-4NT = Shows both minors, at least
5-5 with no particular slam interest.