A Defense over 1NT and Strong 1 or 2 Clubs Openings
Bill
Hall/Mike Savage Version
1. OVER STRONG 1 NOTRUMP:
Dbl = Clubs or Hearts and a minor (
2C = Diamonds
or Hearts and Spades Majors
2D = Hearts or Spades and
Clubs Blacks
2H = Spades or Clubs and Diamonds Minors
2S = Spades and Diamonds (Pointy)
2NT = Clubs and Hearts (Six Clubs and four Hearts)
Continuations
over Dbl after a pass and 2C
by partner (semi-forced): Pass = Clubs
2D = Diamonds and
Hearts (Reds)
2H = Clubs and
Hearts (Usually five Hearts & four or five Clubs)
2S = Six Clubs and four Spades
2NT = Six Clubs and four Diamonds
2. OVER WEAK 1
NOTRUMP (upper limit 15 or less): You could keep the same
structure as over
strong 1NT but we make these changes over weak, shown in red:
Dbl = Penalty
2C, 2D & 2H = All have the same meaning as over strong 1NT
above.
2S = Clubs or Diamonds and Hearts Reds
2NT = Clubs and Hearts (Rounded)
3C = Diamonds and Spades (Pointy)
3. BASIC GENERAL
RESPONSES TO SUCTION OVER 1NT (Continuations):
A.
SUCTION primarily shows the suit above your bid or the two suits above that.
Almost always accept the transfer to partner’s presumed one-suiter.
B.
After partner of the
bidder of SUCTION bids the one-suiter, bidding the ranking suit shows the two-suiter and other suit bids shows four of the suit bid and
six of the one-suiter (bidding notrump
shows the “unbiddable” 4/6).
C. With three plus
cards in the single suit & four plus cards in one of the two
suits, jump as high
as you can afford to. Partner will pass, raise or correct.
D. If you have a very good suit of your own, bid
it at the two-level.
E. Bid 2NT
as a general invitation with an “uncertain” fit but a good hand.
F. Over Dbl
by Responder (partner to the 1NT opener):
Pass =
Length in the suit doubled and shortness in indicated suit.
Rdbl = Good hand and with or without a fit
G.
Over a Two of a Suit by Responder (partner to
the 1NT opener):
Dbl = Shows values, no certain fit, asks partner to bid, or pass
if it’s their
suit. Double of “4th
suit”, the one partner can’t have, is penalty.
More
4. SUGGESTED
DEFENSES vs. SUCTION OVER 1NT:
Dbl (or Rdbl) = Eight good or
more HCP. We play it or they play it
doubled.
Rebids
by the Opening side after the opponents bid a suit:
Dbl = Penalty; in the immediate seat, showing good trumps and in
the
pass-out seat,
penalty also but may be on power, not trumps.
2 of a Major = If they
accept the one suit shown or one of the two suits
shown, at the two level, a bid of 2 of a major not shown
by
the opponents, in the pass-out seat, shows a four card
suit and is forcing.
2NT in the pass-out seat = Invitational. Denies
strength in opponent’s suit.
2 of a Major (over 2C or above) = To play
2NT, 3C, 3D, 3H = Invitational or better transfers. Generally bid game
or
show HCP
concentration with a maximum, in response.
Over Dbl by the
opponents: Systems are on (Stayman, Jacoby, etc)
Over 2C by the
opponents: Dbl = Eight good or more HCP, penalty oriented
2D = Stayman
2H/2S = To play
2NT = Lebensohl
5. SUCTION after STRONG 2C (or STRONG 1C):
Dbl = Diamonds or Hearts and Spades Majors
2D = Hearts
or Spades and Clubs Blacks (1D)
2H = Spades or Clubs and Diamonds Minors (1H)
2S = Clubs or Diamonds
and Hearts Reds (1S)
2NT = Clubs and Hearts (Rounded)
(1NT)
3C = Diamonds and Spades (Pointy)
(2C)
Jump Overcalls = Natural
and preemptive
6. SUCTION after 2D RESPONSE to Strong 2C (or 1D RESPONSE to Strong 1C):
Dbl
= Hearts or Spades and Clubs Blacks
2H = Spades or Clubs and Diamonds Minors (1H)
2S = Clubs or Diamonds
and Hearts Reds (1S)
2NT = Clubs and Hearts (Rounded)
(1NT)
3C = Diamonds or Hearts and Spades Majors (2C)
3D =
Diamonds and Spades (Pointy) (2D)
Jump Overcalls = Natural
and preemptive