system
was devised by Paul Heitner and John Lowenthal sometime in the late 50's or
early 60's. There is a high level description of the system in The Encyclopedia
of Bridge.
The Canary system
was devised by Paul Heitner and John Lowenthal sometime in the late 50's or
early 60's. There is a high level description of the system in The Encyclopedia
of Bridge.
The system is really Roman
with a strong 1 opening
rather than the Roman weak 1
opening. One of the drawbacks to Roman
was the necessity to create the suggestion of strength by bidding two suits
rather than bidding and rebidding one suit. In addition there was no way to
show a one suiter
with the opening bid - one always had to bid a shorter suit first. As a consequence,
there frequently were opening bids in 3 card suits.
Canary avoids that problem altogether. In fact there is no bid in the system
of a suit less than 4 cards in length unless the bid is pre-defined as artificial.
There is no illusion of naturalness as there is in Roman
or in so-called natural systems.
A second feature of Roman
was the use of a step response to 1
/1
/1
as an artificial
negative. This is part of the description of Canary
which appears in The Encyclopedia of Bridge too. It has also been a basis
of Canary as described
in earlier versions of this document.
As of version 3, we will substitute 1N as the first relay response. This serves two purposes:
being treated
as forcing is unique to this system, I believe, but probably causes no "legal"
problems.
There is a problem introduced with this change. Auctions such as 1
- 1 - 1N (which showed
a suit with a
suit at least as long as the
suit) and 1 - 1
- 1N (which showed a
suit with a suit at
least as long as the
suit) served as a way for opener to show that he didn't have "true"
reversing values in the old method. There no longer is a means to show the distinction
between reversing values and weaker hands. Experience will show whether this
is a problem or not.
Basis of the system
The basis of this system is:
 |
CANApé |
|
RelaYs |
|
strong CLUB |
| Opening bids | Description
|
| 1 |
17 + HCP, all hand patterns
except 23-24 balanced; (mostly) natural responses
|
| 1/1/1 |
11 - 16 HCP unbalanced or
semi-balanced hand. Suit of at least 4 cards. Natural in the canapé
sense.
|
| 1N | 13 - 16 HCP 4333, 4432, 5332,
4441 (if singleton is A or K). Could have a 5 card major if the suit has
only one high honor.
|
| 2 |
11 - 16 HCP 6 card
suit, no secondary major
|
| 2 |
11 - 16 HCP 3-suited hand
(4441/5440)
|
| 2/2 |
11 - 16 HCP 5/6 of bid major
with 4/5 . The
hand has 5 or 6 (Roman) losers.
|
| 2N | 23 - 24 HCP balanced
|
| 3 |
11 - 16 HCP 5+ cards each
minor. Hand has 4 to 6 (Roman) losers.
|
| Hand Type | Opening Bid | Notes |
| Balanced | ||
| 13 - 16 HCP | 1N | Could have 5 card major if it has only one high honor. A hand pattern of 4441 is also allowed if the singleton is an A or K. |
| 17 - 20 HCP | 1 |
rebid 1N |
| 21 - 22 HCP | 1 |
jump in no trump |
| 23 - 24 HCP | 2N | |
| 25 | 1 |
jump to 3N over
1 |
| Unbalanced | ||
| one suiters | ||
| 11 - 16 HCP | 1/1/1/2 |
|
| 17+ | 1 |
|
| two suiters | ||
| 11 - 16 HCP | 1/1/1 |
normal Canapé |
| 11 - 16 HCP | 3 |
minors |
| 11 - 16 HCP | 2/2 |
major and secondary
s |
| 14 - 16 HCP | 2 |
s
and secondary s |
| 17 + HCP | 1 |
|
| three suiters | ||
| 11 - 16 HCP | 2 |
singleton or void in a minor |
| 12+ - 16 HCP | 2 |
singleton (no void) in a major |
| 17 + HCP | 1 |
With 2 - suited hands, the shorter of 2 suits is bid first. If the suits
are of equal length, the lower ranking is bid first (hands with secondary
s are an exception
to this rule). There are two "types" of canapé, ascending
and descending. When the lower ranking suit is bid first, then the sequence
is called an ascending canapé; when the higher is bid first it is
descending. In an ascending canapé sequence, the second suit is at
least 5 cards long and is at least as long as the first. In a descending
canapé, the second suit is always longer than the first.
s
and a major, the
suit should be suppressed with a weak ()
suit and a weak hand.
or 2 should be 5
or 6. ,
1 or 1
in 1st or 2nd chair shall consist of:
 |
11 HCP or more; 2 or more quick tricks; 7 or fewer losers |
|
14 HCP or more; 1½ or more quick tricks; 7 or fewer losers |
/1/1
Development after forcing 2 over 1
1 - 2
is discussed elsewhere.
The 2 over 1 response always shows a 5+ card suit and 9+ HCP. It is forcing unless responder is a passed hand. Opener will next attempt to define his own hand. He will re-bid his opened suit with a 1-suiter, or bid his second suit (which is at least as long as the first) if he has one.
|
Opener's
non-forcing rebids:
| ||||||||||||||||
|
Opener's
forcing rebids:
|
|
A preference at the two level back to opener's first bid suit is a non-forcing 3 card preference with a disinclination to bid 2N. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A
preference at the three level (with or without a jump) is:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A
single raise of opener's long suit is invitational at the three level, forcing
to game at the four level.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A simple rebid of responder's suit is not forcing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A rebid of 2N is limit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A
leap to 4 minor is a slam try (if it is a rebid of responder's suit, it
is always used artificially, not to show a good suit - use an immediate
jump shift for that purpose). It shows one of the following:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The
principle of double fit applies: that is, the following auction is forcing
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The bid of the fourth suit (or a third suit) by responder at his second
call is always natural and:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After the jump rebid by opener, responder can;
|
Rebid his suit (non-forcing) |
|
Bid a new suit (probably an advanced cue bid) |
| Example: | ||
| 1
| 2
| |
| 3
| 4
| non-forcing |
| 4
| advanced cue bid | |
| 4
| advanced cue bid | |
| 3N | not encouraging | |
| 4
| not encouraging | |
The 2 response to
1 is constructive,
but non-forcing.
The auction develops as follows:
|
2
is not encouraging |
|
3/3
is natural (in the canapé sense) and forcing |
|
3
is encouraging |
|
3
is very encouraging, but denies 3s
|
|
2N
is a contract correcting call forcing a 3
rebid by responder |
|
3N
is a strong hand with
Canapé |
- 2 - 2N - 3 |
3
is final |
|
3
is a maximum hand with 2s
|
|
3
6 with 3s,
maximum hand (forcing) |
|
3N
maximum hand with 3s
(not forcing) |
The raise shows about 8 to 10 supporting points; this call does invite a rebid of a major (which is forcing one round).
Responder has shown 8+ HCP with a 5+ card suit. The call is forcing. Responder promises to bid again unless opener makes a simple rebid of his own suit.
Opener's rebids:
|
A raise of responder's long suit to the 2 level shows 3 card support and is forcing to the 3-level in that suit. |
|
A jump raise (to the 3 - level) shows 5+ card support and is forcing. |
|
3N shows 5+ card support with 5 - 6 losers. This is usually a shapely strong hand. |
|
A jump raise (to the 4-level) shows 5 card support and a minimum. |
|
A new suit is normal Canapé and denies 3 card (or more) support. |
|
1
- 1 - 1N and 1
- 1 - 1N show a
secondary suit
(i.e. a shorter
suit than the s)
|
|
1
- 1 - 1N shows
a 5332 or 6 bad
322 minimum hand
(i.e. just what it sounds like). New suits by responder at the two level
are not forcing. |
|
2N shows a one suited hand (semi-balanced) without 3 card support (15 - 16 HCP) |
Responder's second bid after receiving a raise to the 2 level.
| Opener | Responder | |
|---|---|---|
| 1
| 1
| |
| 2
| 2
| Relay |
| 2N | balanced hand | |
| 3
| 1-3-5-4 or 1-3-4-5 | |
| 3
| 5 + s
| |
| 3
| 5 + s (minimum)
| |
| 3
| 5 + s (maximum)
| |
|
| ||
| 1
| 1
| |
| 2
| 2N | relay |
| 3
| 3-1-5-4 or 3-1-4-5 | |
| 3
| 5 + s
| |
| 3
| 5 + s
| |
|
| ||
| 1
| 1
| |
| 2
| 2N | Relay |
| 3
| 3-4-1-5 | |
| 3
| 3-4-5-1 | |
| 3
| 5 + s
| |
If opener does not show 3+ card support of responder's suit, then responder's jumps to the 4 level in minors follow the same rules as after forcing 2 over 1.
New suits at the 2-level and 3-level follow the rules of forcing 2 over 1 (that is a new suit at the two level is natural and not forcing; at the three level natural and forcing).
A jump rebid is invitational
After opener bids 2N (e.g. 1
- 1 - 2N) a preference
is nonforcing
| Opener | Responder | |
|---|---|---|
| 1
| 1
| |
| 2
| ? | |
| 2
| simple preference (3 card support) | |
| 2
| sign off | |
| 2N | natural non-forcing | |
| 3
| natural forcing (new suit 3 level) | |
| 3
| invitational | |
| 3
| invitational (4+ card support) | |
| 3
| natural invitation | |
| 3N | sign off | |
| 4
| artificial slam try with 4+ card
fit
| |
| 4
| natural slam try | |
| 4
| sign off | |
| 4
| sign off (hand can't be too good since suit was strong enough, but no jump shift) |
After 1 Major - 2 (same) Major
Ewen game tries are used. This, of course is optional. If this conventional method is not used, then the partnership agreement should be that all calls are natural in the canapé sense.
These are the conventional sequences:
| 1
| 2
|
| 3,
3, 3
| Long suit game tries |
| 3
| game try on power |
| 2N | "forces" responder
to bid 3
Opener rebids 3 |
|
| |
| 1
| 2
|
| 2N, 3,
3
| Long suit game tries |
| 3
| game try on power |
| 2
| "forces" responder
to bid 2N
Opener rebids 3 |
If the auction goes 1 Major followed by a raise to 2, with an interfering
overcall after the raise, then only "long suit" game tries are used.
Development after Forcing 1N Response
The one no-trump response to 1, 1 and 1 opening bids is forcing one round.
It is a non-descriptive relay and of course is "alertable". When asked
what it means, I usually say "It shows 6 to 29 HCP and asks for a further
description of my hand.".
Opener's rebids:
|
- 1N
| |
| 2/2/2
| normal Canapé (2
shows 5+ s and
exactly 4 s;
with 5+ in each minor the opening is 3)
|
| 2
| minimum one suited hand (could have secondary suit of s)
|
| 2N | natural with long s
(could have a singleton) shows extra values
|
| 3
| 4 card
suit, good hand (the only non-Canapé bid by opener in the system)
|
| 3
| good hand, good suit 5 or 6 losers |
| 3/3
| 6 card (/)
suit 4 losers
|
| 3N | 7 card
suit, 4 card
suit
|
|
- 1N
| |
| 2/2/2
| normal Canapé |
| 2
| minimum one suited hand |
| 2N | natural with long
(could have a singleton) shows extra values
|
| 3/3
| Canapé 4 or 5 losers |
| 3
| good hand, good suit 5 or 6 losers |
| 3
| 6 card
suit 4 losers
|
| 3N | 7 card
suit with 4s
|
|
- 1N
| |
| 2/2/2
| normal Canapé |
| 2
| minimum one suited hand |
| 2N | natural with long
(could have a singleton) shows extra values
|
| 3/3/3
| Canapé 4 or 5 losers |
| 3
| good hand, good suit 5 or 6 losers |
| 3N | 7 card
suit with 4s
|
Responder's rebids
After opener makes a rebid of his first bid suit or bids a new suit at the 2 level, then:
|
Raises of long suit are invitational |
|
The cheapest call is a relay. If the cheapest call coincides with opener's first bid suit, the call is a relay not a preference. |
|
A preference at the 2 level shows 3 trumps and about 11 HCP. |
|
A
preference at the 3 level is a limit bid. If a
or preference,
it shows a singleton in opener's long suit. |
|
New suits are natural and game forcing unless the call qualifies as a relay. The hand is typically 5332. Don't do this with a singleton. |
|
2N
is a relay if opener's second bid is 2;
it is a natural limit bid if opener bid touching suits in a descending (higher
ranking suit bid first) Canapé; it is a game force in the suit displaced
by the relay otherwise. |
|
Jump shifts into a new suit show a solid suit (AKQ109x) |
| 1
| 1N | |
| 2
| ? | |
| 2
| second relay (game force) | |
| 2
| 3 card preference (about 11 HCP) | |
| 2
| natural game force | |
| 2N | game force with long s
| |
| 3
| invitational | |
| 3
| solid suit (game force) | |
| 3
| 4 card support with singleton in
(not forcing)
| |
| 3
| solid suit | |
| 3N | to play | |
| 4
| very invitational | |
| 4
| to play | |
| 1
| 1N | |
| 2
| ? | |
| 2
| second relay (game force) | |
| 2
| natural game force | |
| 2N | natural limit | |
| 3
| natural game force | |
| 3
| invitational | |
| 3
| 4 card support with singleton in
(not forcing)
| |
| 3
| solid suit | |
| 3N | to play | |
| 4
| solid suit | |
| 4
| very invitational | |
| 4
| to play |
/1/1
- 2N
The call of 2N is a game force in the suit opened. Responder promises Hxxxx
of trumps. Opener rebids his long suit. A 3N bid by either (except if 1 is
opened) is a trump asking bid: the response shows the number of honors (step
1 = no honors; step 2 = 1 honor etc.). Later development is cue bidding except
that a jump cue bid is a control asking bid to which the response is:
| Step | Suit holding |
|---|---|
| 1 | xx(xx...) x could be a Q |
| 2 | x |
| 3 | K (x...) |
| 4 | Ax (x....) |
| 5 | void |
| 6 | AK(x...) or singleton A |
Steps 2 and 5 are deleted if shortness is impossible
To show a strong, 1 suited hand (i.e. a Roth-Stone 5-card major type), which is not suitable for a jump shift, first make the relay response and over opener's response:
Bid your suit with a jump if it is solid.
Bid your suit if it needs real support at the cheapest level. If your suit coincides with the next relay, bid 2N (a replacement bid) to show the displaced suit.
If opener bids your suit, make a second relay and then agree the suit the next round.
If opener surprises you by jumping to the 3 level on round 2 or bids 2N, show your suit as best you can. Jumps should be natural and suit showing. If you fit with opener's jump (be thankful, first of all), continue the relays, Blackwood or something. It won't happen often so it's not worth worrying about. Thus:
| 1
| 1N |
| 3
| 4 shows very
good hearts,non-force
|
|
| |
| 1
| 1N |
| 2N | 4 shows good
clubs
|
- 2 suiters
-
2 suiters with fewer than 17 HCP are opened:
s and 5+ s
with 4 to 6 losers
s and 6 s
with 4 losers
s and 5+ s
5 or 6 losers or 5+s
and 4 s
The following is a summary
| Number of | Hand Strength | Opening Bid | Comments | |
|
s |
s
|
|||
| 5 | 4 | any | 1 |
good suits if 5422, otherwise open 1N |
| 5 | 5 | any | 3 |
raise responder's
preference with
4 losers |
| 5 | 4 | any | 1 |
|
| 6 | 4 | min | 1
or 2 |
suppress
suit |
| 4 | 5 | min | 1 |
* rebid 1N over
1 (2
with 3 card
support) |
| * rebid 1N over
1 (2
with 3 card
support) |
||||
| * rebid 2
over 1N (relay) |
||||
| 4 | 6 | max | 1 |
jump shift into
s next (only
non-canapé rebid in system) |
Most responses are the same. Jump shifts are an exception. They show a 4 card fit and a source of tricks (flower bids). A jump shift is forcing to 3 of opener's suit.
Development after 1
/1/1
-- Jump Shift
Now that a jump shift is sensibly a forcing to game bid to show a good 6 card suit, we can develop an intelligent follow up. This is it:
| Examples | ||
| 1
| 2
| opener denies any real support for responder, else he would call 4
at turn 2
|
| 3
| 3
| |
| 4
| ||
|
| ||
| 1
| 3
| |
| 4
| Opener could have AQJxx
xx Kxx
Kxx
| |
|
| ||
| 1
| 3
| |
| 4
| Opener could have Qxxx
AQJxx xx
Ax
| |
|
| ||
| 1
| 2
| |
| 3
| Kxx AQxx
A Qxxxxx
Kx Axxx
QJxxxx A
Kx AQxxx
QJx Axx
| |
|
| ||
| 1
| 3
| |
| 3
| Axx KQxxxx
Kxx x
| |
|
| ||
| 1
| 3
| |
| 3
| Ax Kxxx
AQxxx xx
| |
|
| ||
| 1
| 2
| |
| 4
| Kxx KQxxx
Kx xx
| |
|
| ||
| 1
| 2
| |
| 2N | xx AKxxx
KQx Axx
xx AQxx
QJxxx Kx
| |
Relays are begun in the following ways:
|
By
bidding 1N in response to 1/1/1
and then making the cheapest call over opener's rebid. |
|
By
making the cheapest response to 2/2
(see Development after 2
and 2 |
|
By
responding 2 or
2N to 2 (see Development
after 2). |
|
By
responding 2 or
2N to 2 (see Development
after 2). |
|
By
responding 3 or
3 to 3
(see Development after 3).
|
/1/1
Opener's first rebid is discussed in the section titled Development after Forcing NT. After the second relay a game force is established. The only exception is that the auction can stop in an agreed minor at the four level if it was agreed at the three level. Opener bids naturally in the canapé sense. With a 5431 hand, he bids his 3 card suit; with 5422 he bids NT. With a 46 hand, he rebids his 6 card suit. With a 4630 hand, opener has a choice of rebidding his 6 card suit or bidding the fragment. With a 55 or 65 hand, opener rebids his first bid suit. Responder bids No Trump or one of opener's suits at his third call to establish the suit or suggest No Trump.
One problem that can occur is that opener's third bid can be 3,
3 or 3N not allowing
responder the opportunity to set trumps below the 4 level in a major. In order
for responder to show which suit is trumps (and make a slam try), he will have
to implicitly agree a major by bidding 4
or 4. If one of opener's
natural suits can be bid below game and the other cannot, then a bid of that
suit is natural and other bids show a control and agree the second suit. If
both of opener's suits can be bid below game, then the cheaper bid shows support
in that suit and all other bids show support for the other suit.
| 1
| 1N | |
| 2
| 2N | Game Force |
| 3
| ? | shows 6 &
4
|
| 3N | to play | |
| 4
| control, agreeing
| |
| 4
| agreeing s
| |
| 4
| control, no
control, agreeing
s
| |
| 4
| natural sign off | |
|
| ||
| 1
| 1N | |
| 2
| 2
| artificial Game Force |
| 3
| ? | shows 4 &
6
|
| 3
| Agrees
| |
| 3N | to play | |
| 4
| control agreeing
| |
| 4
| control, no
control, agreeing
| |
| 4
| sign off in s
| |
| 4
| sign off in s
| |
|
| ||
| 1
| 1N | |
| 2
| 2
| artificial Game Force |
| 3
| ? | shows 5 &
6 (with 55 open
1, bid s,
rebid s)
|
| 3N | to play | |
| 4
| agrees s
| |
| 4
| agrees s
| |
| 4
| sign off in s
| |
| 4
| sign off in s
| |
|
| ||
| 1
| 1N | |
| 2
| 2N | artificial Game Force |
| 3N | ? | shows 5422
|
| 4
| agrees
| |
| 4
| agrees
| |
| 4
| sign off in s
| |
| 4
| sign off in s
| |
|
| ||
| 1
| 1N | |
| 2
| 2N | artificial Game Force |
| 3
| ? | shows 5+ &
5+
|
| 3
| control agreeing
s
| |
| 3
| agrees s
| |
| 3N | to play | |
| 4
| control, no
control, agrees
| |
If opener has shown a one suited hand, he bids his splinter over the second relay if he has one; bids his suit for the third time with 6+ cards and no singleton or bids the cheapest No Trump with a 5 card suit. The exception is:
| 1
| 1N (=relay) |
| 2
| 2 (=relay)
|
| 3
|
this shows a secondary
suit (not good enough for a 3
rebid on the second round)
|
First
relay - a 1N response to a 1/1/1
opening |
|
Second relay - the cheapest call even if opener's first bid suit. |
1/1/1
- relay - 3 same suit
Opener needs a semi-solid suit (one loser opposite a singleton) to make this jump rebid. The hand should have 5 or 6 (Roman) losers
Responder's rebids are:
|
New suit by responder is a control and agreement. This situation shows why the relay hand should not have a singleton and a suit of its own; It's virtually impossible for the responder to catch up. |
|
3N is to play |
|
Game is not encouraging |
1/1/1
- relay - 2N
This call shows a maximum hand with a broken 6 card suit or a good 5 card suit. The hand can contain a singleton.
Responder's rebids are:
|
3N is to play |
|
3
new suit (not 3)
game force, natural |
|
3 opener's suit is a non-force |
|
3
is a relay which asks for a singleton; opener bids singleton if he has one
(rebid of long suit shows
singleton) |
Competitive auctions after we open 1
,
1, or 1
The enemy overcalls the opening bid.
Double is informative through 2.
It shows two hand types:
No Trump bids are natural and limit.
Jump shifts are preemptive.
New suits are natural and forcing unless the call made is above the 2 level of opener's suit when a negative double is available. This is our definition of a negative free bid.
|
| |||
| 1
| (1)
| ? | |
| 2
is a force
| |||
| 2
is a non-force (negative free bid)
| |||
|
| ||
| 1
| (3)
| ? |
| all new suits are forcing since a negative double is not available. | ||
The enemy overcalls the suit showing responses
Opener rebids as in natural systems; bids at the two level do not show extra values, at the three level they do. We hate to lose our 5+ card major, so we make allowances for opener holding a true dog when he bids a major (either re-bids or bids for the first time) at the two level.
They overcall the forcing 1N response:
If opener is able to make his normal response (i.e. the overcall has not taken away bidding space), then all is normal and relays can continue. Otherwise relays are off. They are also off if overcaller's partner interferes further.
|
| |||
| 1
| P | 1N | 2
|
| 2
| P | normal auction, 2
= relay etc.
| |
| 1
| P | 1N | 2
|
| 3
| P | relays off, Opener has shown extra playing strength, but there is no pre-defined relay type sequence now available | |
They double the opening bid:
|
XX = penalty |
|
2N = limit raise |
|
Raises = preemptive |
|
Jump shifts = preemptive |
|
New
suits = natural force (including 2
/ 1) |
|
1N = natural non-force with at most 3 card support for opened suit (8-11 HCP) |
Other actions by Forcing NT hand:
|
New suit is game force; |
|
Double
is for takeout (through 2);
|
|
Cue bid asks for stopper. |
|
New suit is game force; | ||||||||||||||
|
Double
is penalty unless RHO raises LHO to 2
or less, then they are informatory. | ||||||||||||||
|
Actions
by Forcing NT hand after RHO interferes over opener's second bid:
|
Unlike other 1 systems,
the Canary 2 opening
is never made with major suit length. As a consequence, there is no need to
have a mechanism for uncovering 4-4 major suit fits (usually a response of 2
is used for that purpose in other 1
systems). Canary uses
the 2 and 2
bids to show length (5+ cards) in the next higher suit and at least game invitational
values.
Responses:
2/
Opener accepts the transfer with 3 card support. Sometimes the transfer is
accepted with only 2 card support if the s
are too weak to rebid or the hand is not strong enough to bid 2N.
Opener bids 3 with
a suit and reversing
strength. Opener bids a new suit (not s)
or jump "raises" with a good hand with support. The new suit shows
a singleton (in the suit bid).
2
Opener rebids 2N with a maximum hand (usually 14 - 16 HCP). Responder's 3
now asks for a singleton (if any).
If opener bids 3
over 2, he is showing
a hand with reversing strength and a four card
suit. All minimum hands are shown with a 3
bid.
After 2 - 2
- 2N/3:
|
3
shows a stopper
for No Trump |
|
3
shows a stopper
for No Trump and denies a
stopper |
|
3
shows a stopper
for No Trump and denies a
or stopper |
Opener rebids 3N if he stops the other 2 suits; otherwise he shows his stopper
over 3 and bids 3
over 3 to show his
(repeat )
stopper.
| 2
| 2
|
| 2N (=extras) | 3 (shows
stopper)
|
| 3
| (shows stopper,
no stopper)
|
| 3
| (shows stopper,
no stopper)
|
| 3N | (shows and
stoppers)
|
|
| |
| 2
| 2
|
| 3
(=minimum)
| 3 (shows
stopper, denies
stopper)
|
| 3
| (shows stopper,
no stopper)
|
| 3N | (shows and
stoppers)
|
- 2N
Opener shows a singleton if he has one. He bids the suit in which he has shortness
bidding 3N with no shortness. If opener bids 3,
he is showing a secondary
suit and reversing strength.
Additional note. After transfers new suits are forcing.
| 2
| 2
| |
| 2N | 3
| force |
| 3
| non-force | |
| 3
| force | |
| 3
| non-force | |
|
| ||
| 2
| 2
| |
| 2
| 3
| non-force (the principle of double fit does not apply because the
fit is not established)
|
| 3
| force | |
| 3
| non-force | |
| 3
| force | |
If the enemy bids directly over 2
with:
|
Double
| ||||||||
|
Suit
bid
|
Here is where the opening of 1N with 4441 and a singleton A or K comes into
play. We never have a singleton A or K when we open 2.
Why is this important? Because it helps responder evaluate his hand.
The 2 opening shows
2 kinds of hands:
|
11 - 16 HCP 4441 or 5440 where the short suit is a minor |
|
12+ - 16 HCP 4441 where the short suit is a major |
The responses are:
Opener's rebids after 2
- 2
Opener passes with 3 suited hand unless he is short in s;
in that case he bids 2N.
Opener's rebids after 2
- 2N
Opener bids his short suit. Responder now sets the trump suit.
Opener's rebids after 2
- 3 suit
Opener bids his short suit with a fit; passes with a singleton or void.
Development after 2
- 2 (relay)
Further development of 3 suited hands
After opener has shown shape and size, the only forcing bids by responder are bids in the short suit:
The first "cue" bid gets controls by steps
|
step 1 = 3 controls |
|
step 2 = 4 controls |
|
step 3 = 5 controls |
|
step 4 = 6 controls |
|
step 5 = 7 controls |
|
step 6 = 8 controls |
The second "cue" bid gets queens by steps like Blackwood (singleton Q does not count)
|
step 1 = 0 queens |
|
step 2 = 1 queen |
|
step 3 = 2 queens |
|
step 4 = 3 queens |
The third "cue" bid is to play.
Competitive auctions after 2
The enemy overcalls 2
directly
|
They
double
| ||||||||
|
Overcalls
of 3 or 3
| ||||||||
|
Overcalls
of 2 or 2
| ||||||||
|
Overcall of 2N. Double is penalty, other calls are not defined. |
The enemy overcalls the 2
or 2N relay
|
They
double
| ||||||
|
3
minor
| ||||||
|
Over other calls, just do the best you can |
or 2 opening
Remember that these two openings show 5 or 6 losers with 5 or 6 of the opened
major and 4 or 5 s.
Responders first bid is as follows:
|
3
is a sign off |
|
3
is natural, not forcing, opener can raise gently |
|
raise is invitational |
|
raise to game is to play |
|
4 other major is to play |
|
4
is natural force |
|
4
is forcing unbalanced
raise |
|
3N is forcing unbalanced raise of major opened |
After 2
|
2N
shows a 6+ card
suit (forcing) |
|
2
is a relay |
|
3
is not defined |
After 2
|
2N is a relay |
|
3
shows a 6+ card
suit (forcing) |
To make a forcing raise, either make an immediate 4
or 3N bid or make 2 relays. Sequences that bid one of opener's suits after one
relay are not forcing.
After making two relays, then responder shows the suit he wants to play in by bidding the suit naturally at the game level (a signoff), or by bidding it below game (if possible).
|
If there are two bids to agree opener's suits below game, then the cheaper one is used to agree that suit and other bids agree the second suit. |
|
If there is one suit that can be bid below game naturally, then that bid agrees that suit and other calls agree the second suit. |
|
If
there is no suit that can be bid below game naturally, then the lower outside
suit agrees the major and the higher outside suit agrees s. |
|
If
there is no suit that can be agreed naturally below game and there is only
one call between the last bid and game in one of the suits (e.g. 4
was just bid and opener opened 2),
then that one bid is used to agree the major and the higher bid is used
for s. |
The relay auctions develop as described in the following text.
2 - 2N (relay)
2 - 2N - 3
2 - 2N - 3
2 - 2N - 3
2 - 2N - 3
or 3N
2 - 2N - 3
2 - 2
(relay)
2 - 2
- 2N
2 - 2
- 3
2 - 2
- 3 or 3N
2 - 2
- 3
2 - 2N (
suit 6+ cards)
2 - 3
2 - 2
- 4
2 - 2N - 4
2 Major - 4 or
2 Major - 3N
Cue bidding commences in the partnership's methods. Neither partner can call blackwood.
Competitive auctions after 2
or 2 opening bid
|
Directly
over 2 or 2
| ||||
|
After
relay response
|
| 2
| P | 2N | 3
|
| ? | |||
| |||
Development after 3
opening bid
Remember that the 3
opening bid shows at least 5 cards in each minor and promises 4 to 6 (Roman)
losers. The responses are:
Opener's rebids
1N - enemy double - ?
If the double is for penalties (as opposed to Brozel or whatever), then we use the following agreements to scramble out of the rough.
| 2
|
+
| (sometimes
+ -- take 2
preference out to 2)
|
| 2
| +
| |
| 2
| +
| |
| 2
| game try with both majors | |
| Redouble | force. | Opener bids 2.
Responder passes or bids his suit
|
| Pass | force. | Opener re-doubles -- Responder rebids:
|
| 2N | "cue bid" ` | strong hand unsuitable for No Trump play |
| 3 level bids | preemptive |
1N - P - P - X
Re-double is for penalties (showing 15-16 HCP).
1N - P - P - X - P - P - ?
1N - enemy overcall - ?
The general approach is to use lebensohl and informatory doubles:
After 1N - P - Transfer - X
Opener re-doubles to show a 4 card holding (to an honor) in the artificially bid suit and denies 3 or more cards in the indicated suit. Opener passes with fewer than 4 cards in the artificially bid suit and fewer than 3 cards in the indicated suit. Opener accepts transfer with 3 card support
After 1N - P - transfer - overcall - P - P
Responder bids suit under true suit to re-transfer. He bids long suit directly to show invitational values. He bids a second suit to make a game force.
| 1N | P | 2
| 2
|
| P | P | ?
|
We use a set of responses based somewhat upon the 1N structure. The responses are:
This material is placed here for those partnerships that wish to have a good definition of their 2N auctions. In CANARY there are two strong 2N auctions:
1 - 1
- 2N and 2N
These are sufficiently rare to use very simple transfers rather than Miles' approach. Anyway here is Miles structure over a strong 2N.
Notice that the structure looks similar to the 1N structure. This is not an illusion. Our 1N structure is patterned on Miles 2N structure.
2N - 3
2N - 3
3 is a neutral bid.
Other calls show super fits. New suits by responder are forcing.
2N - 3
3 is a neutral bid.
Other calls show super fits. New suits by responder are natural and forcing
(except 4 which shows
5+ and 5+ )
2N - 3
3N is the automatic response and is the only way to get to 3N. Typically a
partnership using Miles will have at least one disaster by bidding 3N over 2N
rather than using 3.
Responder next bids:
2N - 3N
4 is the automatic response. Then 4 or 4 or 4 show responder's secondary
suit forcing to 4N. A 4N bid by responder over 4 shows a good (HHxxxx) suit
and is a slam try (not forcing).
Competitive Methods
The defensive system is a mixture of Roman and Kaplan structure and philosophy. The Kaplan part consists of natural good overcalls with a new suit forcing by advancer (i.e. the partner of the person taking the first action for the defensive pair). In addition most jump overcalls are preemptive in nature. The Roman part is 2-suit showing overcalls and a Roman style take-out double.
The 1N overcall shows 17-20 HCP. The responses are the same as those over a 1N opening bid. Since we don't always have a stopper in the enemy's suit, a "transfer" into opener's bid major is asking for a stopper there.
The 2-suit overcalls show 5 or 6 losers and go as follows:
|
Over
1 Major opening
| ||||||||
|
Over
1 opening
| ||||||||
|
Over
1 opening
|
Over all openings, 1N bid by a passed hand is a minimum balanced hand.
Our doubles of 1 level opening bids are not shape oriented, but instead show opening values with a choice of at least two suits. They can also, of course, be very powerful hands too strong for a simple overcall.
If we start our defensive actions with a double of a one-level opening bid, we use a Roman style set of responses unless the doubler is a passed hand (i.e. we don't use exclusion (defined below) bids if doubler is a passed hand -- whether advancer is a passed hand or not is irrelevant). Since doubler doesn't necessarily have support for all unbid suits, advancer's first duty is to exclude the suit he doesn't have support for and to also indicate his strength.
The exclusion bid is made at the one or two level (two level without a jump). If made at the one level, the exclusion bid shows 0-10 HCP with at most 3 cards in the suit bid. If made at the two level, it promises about 7-10 HCP and at most 2 cards in the suit bid. With 7-10 HCP and 4333 pattern, advancer bids 1N regardless of whether he has a stopper of the doubled suit or not.
If advancer has 0-6 HCP and no suit of three cards or shorter that he can bid at the one level, he also bids 1N. Therefore, 1N is a two way bid: either 0-6 with no suit of fewer than 4 cards he can bid at the one level or 7-10 4333.
With a game forcing response of 11 or more HCP, advancer bids 2N or jump shifts into a 5 card or longer suit.
|
If responder re-doubles, advancer's suit bids are natural and not too encouraging. |
|
If responder bids a new suit, a new suit by advancer is natural and encouraging, doubler raises freely (i.e. doesn't show extra values) with 4 card support |
|
Over responder's new suit, a double is an exclusion bid of the newly bid suit. That is, it asks for a takeout into one of the unbid suits. |
|
The exception to this double being an exclusion bid occurs when the doubler is in pass-out seat, so that it is the opener who is bidding a new suit. In that case double is penalty oriented. Advancer's bid of a new suit is natural and encouraging just as in other systems. |
If responder raises to the 2 or 3 level, double is responsive.
Since we make takeout doubles with most patterns without a dominant suit, one of the fallouts is that we don't have the balancing seat problems that other systems have. Double, of course, is still for takeout in the pass-out seat and suit bids and cue bids are the same as in the direct seat. 1N is still 17-20 HCP balanced even in the pass-out seat. If the 1N bidder is a passed hand, then the bid shows a minimum balanced hand
|
Over
1
|
|
Over
1 P 1
|
Advancer's objective is to get to the 3 level as quickly as possible. The objective of the partnership is not to determine what high level contract to reach as a sacrifice, but to remove the 1 and 2 level from the enemy.
Overcaller is obligated to correct (if necessary) any contract advancer names
at advancer's first turn (through 5)
to the cheaper of his two suits.
A brief description of changes to this document:
double have been changed.
The meanings of the 1
and 1N responses to 1
have been interchanged.
The auctions after 1
- overcall have been altered slightly.
Responder's doubles after an overcall of the opening 2
are now conditional penalty.
- 1 has changed.
or 1 opening is 1N,
not the step bid (1
over 1 and 1
over 1).
auctions where opener's minor has been agreed (see
discussion )
no longer includes big balanced hand. 2N shows 23-24 balanced. 3
shows 55 in minors and opening strength.
