“Not too big, not too small, just right”
2H, 2S: 8/9/10-13, 6+ in M. If 9 HCP and only six in M, AKQ in suit or KQ in suit & an outside ace. Otherwise if 8/9 HCP, 7+ in M and some defensive values.
[Goldilock Responses]
new suit: natural, F, 5+ in suit or if 3m mild GI in M and values/length in m. After opener’s rebid, 3M rebid by responder GI but NF. Over 3m opener bids 4m if would accept mild GI in M and has at least two cards in m; now 4M shows GI hand, and other bids are cuebids with GF and length in m. 2M-3m-4M shows good extras but short in m. Other than 2M-3m-4m and 2M-3m-4M as just described, all other bids are very natural.
Example: 2H-2S-3S(raise)-4C(cuebid for Ss)-etc.
2NT: asks, see next.
3M: mild GI (use 2NT if good GI), but use 3m if concentrated values in m.
3NT, 4M: to play
jump suits: splinters, slam interest.
4NT: RKCB.
[2NT asks]
After 2M-2NT:
3C: promises singleton or void in some suit, neither 4 in OM or maximum with 4+ in a minor. After 3C:
· 3D GF re-ask, 3H showing singleton OM, 3S singleton C, 3NT and above natural with short D. After 3H or 3S singleton showing bid cheapest suit bid asks for four card minor, 4M show 7+ M and no four card minor, other free bid (3NT, short suit etc.) showing 6-3-3-1.
e.g. after 2H-2NT-3C-3D-3H(sing. S)-3S-?, 3NT=1-6-3-3, 4m=6+Hs & 4 in m, 4M=7+Hs.
· 3M asks opener to pass if minimum.
· 3OM asks opener to bid OM with 3 in OM & minimum, cuebid with 3 in OM & maximum, or otherwise bid 3NT or M.
3D: no singleton or void, 6 in M. Except for 3OM, 3M etc. as over 3C.
3OM re-ask, GF unless responder passes opener’s rebid:
After 2H-2NT-3D-3S:
3NT: 9/10-11. 4C asks, 4D=3Ds, 4H=3Cs, 4S=3Ss.
4m: 12-13, 3 in m.
4H: 3Ss, 12-13.
After 2S-2NT-3D-3H:
3S: minimum, not 3Hs.
3NT: maximum, not 3Hs.
4m: cuebid with 3Hs, extras.
4H: 3Hs, no desire to cuebid.
After 2S-2NT-3D-3H-3S or 3NT-4C asks: 4D=3Ds, 4H=3Cs.
3H: 6+ in M, 4 in OM.
3S: 6+ in M, 4Cs, maximum. 4C sets Cs as trump, other bids for M.
3NT: 6+ in M, 4Ds, maximum. 4Ds set Ds as trump, other bids for M.
4X: 6-5 two suiter, likely minimum (or would have open 1M).
4M: 7-2-2-2 shape.
Note after 3C or 3D response and re-ask, 4NT is always RKCB for M, and cuebids imply support for M.
When playing Double Roman Keycard Blackwood, it is on if opener has shown a 6-4 or better two suiter, or if has shown a 6-3-2-2, with the 3 card suit the second suit.
[Goldilocks 2M in competition]
Over double:
- Responder redoubles with values looking to double opponents, or passes first, then double to show optional double (more balanced hand type).
- Suit bids are transfers showing lead directional values or length in suit above (e.g. 2H=Dbl=3C shows diamonds or lead directional diamond values), with 2NT showing suit just above opening bid (e.g. 2H-Double-2NT shows Ss or lead directional Ss).
- Suit below 3 of M is GI in M.
- Jump bids are fit showing and lead directional.
- 3M, 3NT is to play.
Over suit and NT bids:
- Double for penalty, except if a suit bid just below 3M – then double is GI in M. (e.g. 2S-3H-Double).
- Transfer bids if suit overcall below 3M. A suit transfers to the suit above it, with the suit below 3M showing a GI in M; an immediate bid of 3M is just to play. Suits transferred to may be natural or just lead directional values.
- New suits above 3M or below 3M after a NT overcall are intended as natural and forcing, but are often just lead directional.
- 3M, 3NT to play.
- 2NT if available transfers to Cs.
- Jump bids are lead directional and fit showing.
[Goldilocks can’t bear it double]
If responder raises M directly or makes a GI in M and the opponents bid OM then a direct double of OM by opener at the second turn to bid shows a hand with a strong ratio of offense to defense outside of M.
Examples:
2H-Pass-4H-4S-Double: Little or no defense to 4Ss except perhaps in Hs.
2S-Pass-3S-4H-Double: Can’t bear it for Hs.
2H-2S-3D-4S-Double: 2NT invited in Hs, Double is can’t bear it.
2S-Double-3H-4H-Double: 3H was GI in Ss. Double is can’t bear it.
(c) 2001, 2008 Glen Ashton BridgeMatters