1 club Zass

1 club Zass

The 1 ♣ opening (version 5)

Requirements of the 1 ♣ opening

The 1 ♣ opening is used under the following conditions:

- 16+ HP, any distribution possible, including also a balanced distribution

There are two exceptions:

à 2 ♦ shows 23-24 HP and a balanced hand in one of its variants

à Vulnerable and as a general rule in fourth seat: 1 NT = 14-16 HP

- If one has 7 controls (therefore 3 aces and a king) and an offensively oriented hand, one can also open 1 ♣ with only 15 HP. Also 1 ♣ is possible with a very good 15 HP;

e.g. ♠ AKJ1096/ ♥ A/ ♦ QJ109/ ♣ 65. The reason: Many tricks, many 10s and 9s. Also one can open with 15 HP if one has at least a 6 card suit which is playable opposite a singleton, and if one also has a singleton or a void.

- One can also open 1 ♣ with extreme 2 suiters with the points in the long suits; if one is vulnerable and the opponent non-vulnerable, it is often better with such hands to open 1 in a suit and follow later with a reverse bid. Since if the opponent intervenes, which he can do with no trouble at all when non-vulnerable, it often becomes difficult to show the hand. Further the danger exists that in a competitive auction, partner might be inclined to expect too many defensive values in our hand. On the other hand if one is non-vulnerable and the opponent vulnerable, it is usually correct to begin with 1 ♣.

- We open strong hands with 4-4-4-1 also via 1 ♣; with an honour in the singleton (ace or king) we treat it as a balanced hand as a rule and bid No Trumps in the second round of bidding.

- But under some circumstances a hand even with 16 HP only just qualifies for a 1 ♣ opening. E.g. with ♠ KQ42/ ♥ QJ/ ♦ AQJ62/ ♣ J9 one can also open 1 ♦ especially since the value of the points in the shortages are of doubtful value and one has a problem-free rebid.

And do not forget:

In the following hands with 16 or more HP, one does not open 1 ♣:

à 23-24 HP, balanced distribution (à one opens 2 ♦ Multi)

à 14-16 HP with balanced distribution without a 5 card major vulnerable and as a general rule in fourth seat: 1 NT

The responses after the 1 ♣ opening:

To begin with: Because 1 ♣ is an artificial, unlimited opening, pass by partner is not possible. There are basically two types of responses: Weak responses on the one hand and strong bids (from at least 8 HP) on the other hand, responses therefore which guarantee game. It is therefore possible at the 1 level with the first bid to force to game. Perhaps you ask yourself the question why 16 HP (rarely a very good 15 HP) with the opener and 8+ HP with the responder is sufficient as a rule for game. Now, experience teaches that as soon as an 8 card fit is found, as a rule enough distribution values exist. With No Trumps we protect ourselves partially, in that we open 1 NT vulnerable as well as in fourth seat with 14-16 HP, the risk is a little greater with non-vulnerable openings in first, second or third seat because here 1 NT shows 10-12 HP and 1 ♣ is opened with 16 HP.

Opener	Responses	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♦:	Negative, 0-7 HP, no distributional hands with 3 Italian controls (for with 3 controls we bid as if we had with 8+ HP) (Italian controls: Ace = 2, king = 1); with balanced hands only the high card points are decisive.
	1 ♥:	Variant 1: 5+ ♥ (no suit quality requirement!), 8+ HP, unlimited Variant 2: 15+ HP, balanced distribution without a 5 card major
	1 ♠:	5+ ♠ (no suit quality requirement!), 8+ HP, unlimited
	1 NT:	Balanced distribution, (8)9-14 HP, no 5 card major, 5 card minor with 3/3/2 in the side suits
	2 ♣:	At least 5 ♣ (no suit quality requirement!), 8+ HP, any distribution allowed, but not balanced (5/3/3/2) distribution
	2 ♦:	At least 5 ♦ (no suit quality requirement!), 8+ HP, any distribution allowed, but not balanced (5/3/3/2) distribution
	2 ♥:	8+ HP, exactly 5-4 or 4-5 in the minors
	2 ♠:	12+ HP, black singleton, therefore 1-4-4-4 or 4-4-4-1
	2 NT:	12+ HP, red singleton, therefore 4-1-4-4 or 4-4-1-4
	3 ♣:	Black singleton, therefore 1-4-4-4 or 4-4-4-1, 8-11(12) HP
	3 ♦:	Red singleton, therefore 4-1-4-4 or 4-4-1-4, 8-11(12) HP
	3 ♥:	Any solid 7 card suit, with or without controls in the other suits. The suit must be so solid that it is playable opposite a singleton (as a rule AKQJxxx).
	3 ♠:	Any solid 8 card suit, with or without controls in the other suits. The suit must be so solid that it is playable opposite a singleton (as a rule AKQxxxxx).
	3 NT:	Any solid 9 card suit, with or without controls in the other suits. The suit must be so solid that it is playable opposite a singleton (as a rule AKQxxxxxx).
	4 ♣:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♣, points are mainly in this suit
	4 ♦:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♦, points are mainly in this suit
	4 ♥:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♥, points are mainly in this suit
	4 ♠:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♠, points are mainly in this suit
	4 NT:	Ace-ask (the auction probably ends in 7 NT)

Positive bids in a suit show basically 8+ HP. If one possesses an ace and a king, and these are either in one or in both long suits, this justifies a positive bid. Examples:

1.) ♠ AK9543 ♥ 8 ♦ 1095 ♣ 632 1 ♣ - 1 ♠

2.) ♠ K10943 ♥ 7 ♦ A1087 ♣ 765 1 ♣ - 1 ♠

3.) ♠ 3 ♥ A9875 ♦ K8732 ♣ 87 1 ♣ - 1 ♥

4.) ♠ AK765 ♥ 10763 ♦ 754 ♣ 5 1 ♣ - 1 ♠

A response of No Trumps denies a 5 card major, without regard to the quality of the suit! With it one knows that responder bidding No trumps has a distribution of 4/3/3/3, 4/4/3/2 or 5/3/3/2 with a 5 card minor and (8)9-14 HP. Actually one should not bid 1 NT with a 5/4/2/2 distribution; our system allows us with a strength of 8-11 HP to describe such hands exactly, and this on low level!

The bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦

The response of 1 ♦ shows that responder is too weak to make a positive response. The bid is conventional and shows 0-7 HP (nothing to do with the ♦ suit).

Basically the subsequent bidding continues naturally after this weak response of 1 ♦. There are however two exceptions: The bid of 1 ♥ by opener is conventional as is 2 ♣. 1 ♥ can be natural or a relay (after that responder usually uses the relay of 1 ♠), 2 ♣ shows a very strong hand.

Opener	Responder	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♦
1 ♥:		à Variant 1: Natural, 16-19(20) HP, maximum of 7½ tricks, 5+ ♥ à Variant 2: 16-19(20) HP, maximum of 7½ tricks, 5+ ♣ à Variant 3: 19-20 HP, balanced distribution without a 5 card major (rebids 1 NT after partner’s relay of 1 ♠) à Variant 4: 25-26 HP, balanced distribution with or without a 5 card major (rebids 2 NT after partner relay of 1 ♠)	!
1 ♠:		Natural, 16-19(20) HP, maximum 7½ tricks, 5+ ♠, non-forcing
1 NT:		16-18 HP, vulnerable and as a general rule after openings in fourth seat 17-18 HP, balanced hand without a 5 card major, 5 card minor allowed; conceivably any 4-4-4-1 distribution with an ace or a king in the singleton suit.
2 ♣:		Relay, used with hands forcing to game (forcing to the 4 level in a minor), asks partner to relay 2 ♦ with 0-1 controls, 2 ♥ with 2 controls and 2 ♠ with 3 controls and flat hand	!
2 ♦:		16-19(20) HP, maximum of 7½ tricks, (5)6+ ♦, non-forcing

Opener	Responder	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥:		19-22 HP, 8-8½ tricks, semi-forcing, good ♥ suit with 5+ cards, one or two suiter, balanced distribution with a 5 card major possible with 19-20 HP
2 ♠:		19-22 HP, 8-8½ tricks, semi-forcing, good ♠ suit with 5+ cards, one or two suiter, balanced distribution with a 5 card major possible
2 NT:		21-22 HP, balanced hand, may have a 5 card major
3 ♣:		19-22 HP, 8-8½ tricks, semi-forcing, good ♣ suit with 6+ cards
3 ♦:		19-22 HP, 8-8½ tricks, semi-forcing, good ♦ suit with 6+ cards
3 ♥:		Very strong, sets ♥ suit as trumps, even if partner has a ♥ void. Partner is requested to make a first round cue bid (with a void only if he has at least two trumps). 3 NT shows that he has a second round control, which 4 ♣ can ask for. 4 ♥ denies the possession of a first or second round control. In this case, opener can make a modified Control Asking-Bid (1st step = no third round control, 2nd step = doubleton, 3rd step = Qxx). Example: 4 ♠ with ♠ 65/ ♥ AKQ107543/ ♦ AKJ/ ♣ -	!
3 ♠:		Very strong, sets ♠ suit as trumps, even if partner has a ♠ void. Partner is requested to make a first round cue bid (with a void only if he has at least two trumps). 3 NT shows that he has a second round control, which 4 ♣ can ask for. 4 ♠ denies the possession of a first or second round control. In this case, opener can make a modified Control Asking-Bid (1st step = no third round control, 2nd step = doubleton, 3rd step = Qxx). Example: 5 ♦ with ♠ AKQJ1098/ ♥ 4/ ♦ KJ3/ ♣ AK	!
3 NT:		Solid ♣ or ♦ suit (7-8 cards) in the style of Gambling 3 NT (however with extra values in the other suits (to be passed as a rule; for subsequent bidding compare this with the 3 NT opening))
4 ♥:		To play, stronger than a Namyats opening (4 ♣)
4 ♠:		To play, stronger than a Namyats opening (4 ♦) Example: ♠ AKJ10654/ ♥ KQ6/ ♦ A7/ ♣ 5

With the second rebid, the bidding depends on the first rebid of opener, but also on one’s own strength. Opener’s relays of 1 ♥ and respectively 2 ♣ are absolutely forcing, and also his rebids of 3 ♥ or respectively 3 ♠.

If opener made a natural, not forcing bid, responder passes as a rule with 0-4 HP provided that he has something like a balanced distribution (with or without a fit). With unbalanced hands and a fit, one is a little more aggressive and shows this fit with at least 4 HP. Thus one bids for example with ♠ Q76/ ♥ 9/ ♦ Q543/ ♣ 109865 after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 ♠ à 2 ♠, with ♠ Q963/ ♥ 9/ ♦ Q54/ ♣ 109865 even à 3 ♠. However one passes after this sequence with a balanced hand such as ♠ QJ5/ ♥ 765/ ♦ J107/ ♣ 7632. One treats a hand with 4 HP also like a similar one with 5-7 HP if one possesses an ace.

The bid 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 ♠ is natural and limited. If responder has 5-7 HP and a fit, he should show this; this counts also even if he possesses a suit of his own. One introduces one’s own suit with 5-7 HP only without a fit (and passes with weaker hands). One may bid aggressively (also with jumps) with a good fit (4+ cards) and a singleton or a void as well as 5-7 HP; with a double jump one can also make a splinter (e.g. after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 ♠ - 4 ♣ with à ♠ J1098/ ♥ 93/ ♦ AJ10987/ ♣ 5). Somewhat special is 1♣ - 1 ♦ -1 ♥: The bid can be natural or a relay; responder is expected to now bid 1 ♠, apart from the following exceptions:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠:	To 99% compulsory relay. That can be disregarded only with a weak hand (0-5 HP) and broken suit in ♣ or ♦, with a 6 card major and 0-3 HP or with a weak hand with 5-5 in the majors or respectively the minors.
	1 NT:	0-4 HP, at least 5-5 in the majors (opener can now bid the longer major at the level of his choosing)
	2 ♣:	0-5 HP, bad hand, broken ♣ suit (5-6 cards)
	2 ♦:	0-5 HP, bad hand, broken ♦ suit (5-6 cards)
	2 ♥:	6+ ♥, 0-3 HP
	2 ♠:	6+ ♠, 0-3 HP
	2 NT:	0-4 HP, at least 5-5 in the minors
	3 ♣/♦/♥/♠:	Natural, weak, 7 card suit, 0-3 HP
	4 ♥/♠:	Natural, weak, 8 card suit, 0-3 HP

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 ♥ - 1 ♠:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT:		19-20 HP, balanced hand, no 5 card major
2 ♣:		16-20(21/22) HP (less than a semi-forcing hand), 5+ ♣
2 ♦:		16-20(21/22) HP (less than a semi-forcing hand), 5 ♥
2 ♥:		16-19 HP (less than a semi-forcing hand), 6+ ♥
2 ♠:		16-22(23) HP, 6+ ♥, 4+ ♠
2 NT:		25+ HP, balanced hand

Example:

♠ QJ75 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ 1 ♣ - 1 ♦

♥ AKQJ5 1 ♥ - 1 ♠ 1 ♥ - 1 ♠

♦ J 2 ♦ - 2 ♥ 2 ♠: 6 ♥, 4 ♠

♣ K72 2 ♠: The bid shows enough

values to play at the 3 level,

5 ♥ and 4 ♠

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 ♥ - 1 ♠ - 1 NT:

Requirements of the bid:

- Balanced distribution

- Good 19-20 HP, no 5 card major

- 4/3/3/3, 4/4/3/2, 5/3/3/2, 6/3/2/2 with 6 card minor possible (then however (18)19 HP)

Specific features in the subsequent bidding

Note the following in the subsequent bidding: If one has a 5-2 or 5-3 distribution in the majors, one bids via a transfer. However in exceptional cases, Stayman with 5-3 is also possible, indeed if one has a gap in another suit and is in search of a good 5-3 or 4-3 fit. Only with a 5-4 distribution does one go via Stayman, and then when one has (5)6-7 HP. With this variant one bids after 2 ♦ the 4 card major at the 3 level (Smolen Convention) or respectively bids game if partner shows a 4 card major after Stayman. If one has 4-5 HP as well as 5-4-distribution in the majors, one first transfers into the 5 card suit and subsequently bids the 4 card suit; this bid is an invitation to game.

The first responses

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	Pass:	0-4 HP
	2 ♣:	5+ HP, Stayman (with or without a major), from 0 HP possible with 5-4 or 4-5 in the majors (or with 4-4-5-0, rarely 4-4-4-1)
	2 ♦:	Transfer to ♥, 5+ ♥, 0-7 HP
	2 ♥:	Transfer to ♠, 5+ ♠, 0-7 HP
	2 ♠:	Transfer to ♣, 6+ ♣, 0-7 HP
	2 NT:	Transfer to ♦, (5)6+ ♦, 0-7 HP
	3 ♣:	5+ ♣ and 5+ ♦, weak (partner passes or corrects)
	3 ♦:	(6)7 HP, at least 5-5 in the majors, interest in more (partner bids 4 in the preferred major without interest, with the establishment of the trump suit at the 3 level he shows interest in cue bids)
	3 ♥:	5-5 ♠ and ♥, 5(-6) HP, inviting to game, not forcing
	3 ♠:	5-5 ♣ and ♦, forcing to game, (5)6-7 HP, partner can bid 3 NT
	3 NT:	6-7 HP, balanced; at the same time one can add length points in the minor suits provided one has honours in the suit. The fifth card gives one point, the sixth an addition two points.
	4 ♣:	Texas for ♥, 5-7 points, 6 ♥
	4 ♦:	Texas for ♠, 5-7 points, 6 ♠
	4 ♥:	To play
	4 ♠:	To play

Note:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♥
2 ♠	4 ♥:	5+ ♠ and 5+ ♥, to play, no interest in more

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 ♥	1 NT:	0-4 HP, at least 5-5 in ♠/♥

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1♠
1 NT	3 ♦:	At least 5-5 in ♥ and ♠, (6)7 HP, interest in more

1 ♣	1 ♦
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	3 ♥:	5-5 in ♥ and ♠, 5(6) HP, invitational

The bidding after Stayman

One must alert Stayman, as it can also be bid with weak hands or with balanced hands without a major, namely from 5 HP. The bid of 2 NT is conventional (namely transfer to ♦ with (5)6+ ♦).

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♣
2 ♦:		No 4 card major
2 ♥:		4 ♥, 4 ♠ possible
2 ♠:		4 ♠, no 4 ♥

And now pay attention: After the 2 ♦ response to Stayman, the bid of two in a major is to play. 2 NT shows 5 HP and invites to 3 NT (with or without a major).

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♣
2 ♦	2 ♥:	5 ♥, 4 ♠, 0-4 HP, to play
	2 ♠:	5 ♠, 4 ♥, 0-4 HP, to play
	2 NT:	5 HP, invitational to 3 NT
	3 ♣:	5+ ♣, (5)6-7 HP, game forcing
	3 ♦:	5+ ♦, (5)6-7 HP, game forcing
	3 ♥:	5 ♠, (3)4 ♥, Smolen Convention, forcing to game, 5-7 HP
	3 ♠:	5 ♥, (3)4 ♠, Smolen Convention, forcing to game, 5-7 HP
	3 NT:	6-7 HP, balanced, at least one 4 card major
	4 ♥:	To play, 5-7 HP, probably 6+ ♥ and 4 ♠
	4 ♠:	To play, 5-7 HP, probably 6+ ♠ and 4 ♥

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♣
2 ♥	2 ♠:	4+ ♠, 5 HP, can be passed with an absolute minimum and a fit For example: ♠ K10xx ♥ xxx ♦ Q10xx ♣ xx
	2 NT:	5 HP, inviting to game without a 4 card major
	3 ♣:	5+ ♣, game forcing, 5-7 HP
	3 ♦:	5+ ♦, game forcing, 5-7 HP
	3 ♥:	5 points, 4 ♥, invitational
	3 ♠:	♥ fit, 7 HP, splinter
	3 NT:	Balanced, 6-7 HP, 4 ♠
	4 ♣:	♥ fit, splinter, 7 HP
	4 ♦:	♥ fit, splinter, 7 HP
	4 ♥:	♥ fit, to play, 6-7 points

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♣
2 ♠	Pass:	Minimum, 0-4 points, to play
	2 NT:	5 HP, invitational, balanced
	3 ♣:	5+ ♣, game forcing, 5-7 HP
	3 ♦:	5+ ♦, game forcing, 5-7 HP
	3 ♥:	4-5 HP, fit in ♠, inviting to 4 ♠, if the partner has something in ♥ (positive Trial bid, one has something himself in ♥)
	3 ♠:	5 Points, 4 ♠, invitational
	3 NT:	6-7, balanced with 4 ♥
	4 ♣:	♠ fit, splinter, 7 HP
	4 ♦:	♠ fit, splinter, 7 HP
	4 ♥:	♠ fit, splinter, 7 HP
	4 ♠:	To play

And now some details of the transfer bids

Transfer bids are to be carried out. Jumps in the transfer suit should be only be made in exceptional cases (shows a maximum and a good 4 card fit) because partner can be very weak. A new suit also shows a maximum, a good 4 card fit and denies values in the bid suit. 2 NT shows 20½ HP (thanks to a good 5 card suit) and a three card fit with two of the top three honours; in pairs tournaments, this bid is to be used only in exceptional circumstances, on the other hand always in team contests. After all these deviations from the execution of the transfer, the repetition of the transfer suit is a re-transfer that is to be obeyed. If the opponent doubles the transfer, then partner only executes it with a fit (otherwise he passes, redouble denies a fit and shows at least two high honours to four in the transfer suit).

If responder shows a second suit at the 3 level after his transfer, then the further bidding develops as follows: Suit bids at the 3 level are cue bids with a fit in the second suit, suit bids at the 4 level are cue bids in that major suit fit. The bids of 3 NT and 4 of a major are natural and deny interest in more. An example:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♥
2 ♠	3 ♣
3 ♦/♥/♠:		Cue bid with ♣ fit, maximum
3 NT:		To play, no ♠ fit, as a rule no ♣ fit (and otherwise minimum)
4 ♣/♦/♥:		Cue bid with ♠ fit, maximum
4 ♠:		To play (therefore ♠ fit and not maximum)

After such a cue bid at the 3 level, 3 NT is to play. One probably sought a 3 card fit in the first mentioned major.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♦
2 ♥	Pass:	0-4 HP, 5+ ♥
	2 ♠:	5+ ♥, 4 ♠, inviting, 5 HP
	2 NT:	5 ♥, balanced distribution, 5 HP, inviting
	3 ♣:	4+ ♣, forcing to game
	3 ♦:	4+ ♦, forcing to game
	3 ♥:	6+ ♥, invitational to game
	3 ♠:	Splinter, 7 HP, 6+ ♥
	3 NT:	Balanced distribution with 5 ♥, 6-7 HP
	4 ♣:	Splinter, 7 HP, 6+ ♥
	4 ♦:	Splinter, 7 HP, 6+ ♥
	4 ♥:	6 ♥, mild slam interest, normally pass, 7 HP, no shortage in the hand (otherwise would have made a splinter), intermediates, problem with top honours

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT:		2 ♥, 3 ♠, minimum
3 ♣/♦:		Natural, good suit (as a rule 5 card and maximum, 6 card with 18-19 HP possible)
3 ♥:		3 ♥, minimum
3 ♠:		4 ♠, minimum
3 NT:		2 ♥, 3 ♠, maximum
4 ♥:		3+ ♥, maximum
4 ♠:		4 ♠, maximum

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids	Attention
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♥
2 ♠	Pass:	0-4 HP, 5+ ♠
	2 NT:	5 ♠, balanced, 5 HP, invitational
	3 ♣:	4+ ♣, forcing to game, 5-7 HP
	3 ♦:	4+ ♦, forcing to game, 5-7 HP
	3 ♥:	4+ ♥, invitation to game, 5 HP
	3 ♠:	6+ ♠, invitational to 4 ♠, 5 HP, points mainly outside the ♠ suit (otherwise one would have bid 2 ♠ after 1 ♣)
	3 NT:	Balanced with 5 ♠, 6-7 HP
	4 ♣:	7 HP, splinter, 6+ ♠
	4 ♦:	7 HP, splinter, 6+ ♠
	4 ♥:	5 ♠, 5 ♥ pass or correct, (5)6(7) HP, no slam interest	!
	4 ♠:	6 ♠, mild slam interest, normally pass, 7 HP, no shortage (otherwise one would have made a splinter bid), intermediates, problem with top honours

Transfer into a minor

With 2 ♠ or respectively 2 NT, one transfers to ♣ or respectively ♦.

Normally one simply carries out the transfer. If one says after 2 ♠ à 2 NT or respectively after 2 NT à 3 ♣, this shows a maximum and at least a 4 card fit or at least Axx or KJx (in partner’s minor); this allows partner, in any case, to bid 3 NT.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♠
3 ♣	3 ♦:	Cue bid
	3 ♥/♠:	Natural, 4 card suit, 6+ ♣, 5-7 HP, forcing
	4 ♦:	Splinter in ♦, good 6+ ♣, (6)7 HP, mild slam interest (4 NT is now to play!)
	4 ♥:	Splinter in ♥, good 6+ ♣, (6)7 HP, mild slam interest (4 NT is now to play!)
	4 ♠:	Splinter in ♠, good 6+ ♣, (6)7 HP, mild slam interest (4 NT is now to play!)

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 NT
3 ♦	3 ♥/♠:	Natural, 4 card suit, 6+ ♦, forcing
	4 ♣:	Splinter, good 6+ ♦, (6)7 HP, mild slam interest (4 NT is now to play!)
	4 ♥/♠:	Splinter, good 6+ ♦, (6)7 HP, mild slam interest (4 NT is now to play!)
	5 ♣:	At least 5-5 in the minors, no slam interest
	5 ♦:	To play

So far the problem-free bids. If opener after this transfer into a minor does not bid the requested minor suit, but rather with 1 NT - 2 ♠ - 2 NT or respectively with 1 NT - 2 NT - 3 ♣ shows a fit and a maximum, then responder bids his long suit if he wants to play here. However, he also has other possibilities:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣:	To play
	3 ♦:	Slam interest, asks about the quality of the trump suit (Note: special Trump Asking Bid)
	3 ♥:	6 ♣, 4 ♥, forcing, 5-7 HP
	3 ♠:	6 ♣, 4 ♠, forcing, 5-7 HP
	3 NT:	To play, maximum and partner’s fit should let 3 NT make
	4 ♣:	5 Ace Blackwood with ♣ as trumps
	4 ♦:	Singleton ♦, slam interest in ♣ (4 NT is now to play)
	4 ♥/♠:	Splinter in bid major, good 6 ♣, (6)7 HP, mild slam interest (4 NT is now to play!)

After these transfers into a minor, we use a special Trump Asking-Bid which has the following responses:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥:		xxxx in ♣, perhaps with the jack or the 10
3 ♠:		King or queen to four in ♣
3 NT:		4 HP in ♣

After that 4 ♣ à 5 Ace Blackwood

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦:	To play
	3 ♥:	Slam interest, asks about the quality of the trump suit (Note: special Trump Asking Bid)
	3 ♠:	6 ♦, 4 ♠, forcing, 5-7 HP
	3 NT:	To play, maximum and partner’s fit should let 3 NT make
	4 ♣:	6 ♦, 4 ♥ (after that 4 NT is to play), 5-7 HP
	4 ♦:	5 Ace Blackwood in ♦
	4 ♥/♠:	Splinter, good 6 ♦, (6)7 HP, mild slam interest (4 NT is now to play!)
	5 ♣:	At least 5-5 in the minors, no slam interest
	5 ♦:	To play

One must pay attention therefore to the special 4 ♣ bid which is shown here once again:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 NT
3 ♣	4 ♣:	6 ♦, 4 ♥ (after that 4 NT is to play)

The somewhat special Trump Asking Bid has the following replies:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♥	1 ♠
1 NT	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♥
3 ♠:		xxxx in ♦, perhaps with the jack or the 10
3 NT:		King or queen to four in ♦
4 ♣:		4 HP in ♦

After that 4 ♦ à 5 Ace Blackwood

If opener carries out the transfer into the minor normally and responder now bids a major suit at the 3 level, this is natural and shows a 6-4-hand with a 4 card major and is forcing to game. If one has such a distribution as responder and not enough points to force to game, one transfers into the minor and then passes (for this one normally has 0-4 HP and a good minor suit, otherwise one would have immediately bid 2 ♣ after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 ♥).

If responder has, as described above, shown a 6 card minor with a 4 card major, 3 NT or respectively the raise of the major suit to the 4 level is to play, other bids are cue bids.

If responder, after transferring to a minor suit, jumps in a new suit after opener’s response, this is a splinter - provided that the bid does not have a special meaning.

The opponent intervenes after 1 No Trump

If the opponent intervenes after the opening 1 ♣ -1 ♦ - 1 ♥ - 1 ♠ - 1 NT in a natural or artificial way, we continue - as far as nothing else is described later- as follows:

Double against natural intervention	Negative double, one wants to play a part score, shows the other suits, (0)1-4 HP
Double against artificial intervention	4-7 HP, optional
Suit at 2 level after intervention	Natural, 5+ cards, 0-4 HP
Cue of the opponent’s suit	5-7 HP, Stayman without a stopper in opponent’s suit
Suit at the 3 level lower in rank than that of the intervention	5-7 HP, 5+ cards, natural, forcing
Suit at the 3 level higher in rank than that of the intervention	5-7 HP, 5+ cards, natural, forcing, no stopper in the opponent’s suit (otherwise go though 2 NT and then for example 3 ♠)
2 NT	Lebensohl, partner must bid 3 ♣; after that the bid of a suit lower than the intervention suit is to be passed, the cue of the opponent’s suit is Stayman with a stopper in the opponent’s suit and 3 NT is to play (with a stopper in the opponent’s suit), a higher ranking suit than the intervention suit is natural, showing a stopper and 5-7 HP
3 NT	(5)6-7 HP, balanced, no stopper in the opponent’s suit

Because we play negative doubles against natural interventions, opener doubles after pass if he has 2-3 cards in the opponent’s suit. If partner now bids, he is weak.

If the opponent intervenes in the transfer, double shows 4-7 HP and the suit used for the transfer bid, bid of the transfer suit shows (0)1-4 HP and is like a negative double (therefore take-out against the announced suit of the opponent), all remaining bids are identical to above in the defence against natural intervention (therefore Lebensohl etc.). The direct bid of the opponent’s suit at the 3 level is therefore Stayman without a stopper, after 2 NT on the other hand with a stopper, both times with (4)5-7 HP.

If the opponent doubles when we reach 1 NT, redouble is a transfer to ♣ (5+ ♣), 2 ♣ shows 5+ ♦, 2 ♦ shows 5+ ♥, 2 ♥ shows 5+ ♠. These transfer bids say nothing about strength.

If one passes, opener must redouble. This redouble is passed if one believes partner can make 1 NT (so from (2)3 HP), otherwise one bids economically 4 card suits up the line until a fit is found. Please note: We take no notice of the meaning of the opponent’s doubles, therefore we always play the same.

It is a little different however if the double comes in fourth seat; here we also take no notice of the meaning of the double!

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	Pass	1 ♦	Pass
1 ♥	Pass	1 ♠	Pass
1 NT	Pass	Pass	Double
Pass:				No 5 card minor
Redouble:				Bid does not exist
2 ♣:				5+ ♣, to play
2 ♦:				5+ ♦, to play

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	Pass	1 ♦	Pass
1 ♥	Pass	1 ♠	Pass
1 NT	Pass	Pass	Double
Pass	Pass	Pass:		Sufficient points/tricks to make the contract
		Redouble:		Baron, 4 card suits up the line
		2 ♣:		5+ ♣, to play
		2 ♦:		5+ ♦, to play
		2 ♥:		Exactly 4 ♥ and 4 ♠

There are countless conventions with two suiters against 1 NT. We always behave the same against these, regardless of whether we have opened 1 NT, or whether we have bid 1 NT after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 NT or after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 ♥ - 1 ♠ - 1 NT: The only difference lies in the strength needed for these bids - logically, one must be more careful after opening 1 NT with 13-15 HP than in the case of the other two variants. Details on our defence against conventional bids after 1 NT can be found in the 1 NT Opening chapter. (Digression: After 1 NT superweak (10-12 HP) it should be noted that double against suit interventions is penalty).

If the opponent doubles our Stayman bid, we pass without a stopper in ♣. All other bids are like after an undisturbed Stayman, however the bids show a ♣ stopper. If opener passes, his partner must redouble. Now opener passes if he has a good 5+ ♣ suit, otherwise he bids again like after undisturbed Stayman, with the additional information that his partner knows however that opener has no ♣ stopper. The direct redouble by opener denies a 4 card major and shows 4 ♣. Partner can now pass with ♣ support if need be.

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of our bid
1 ♣	Pass	1 ♦	Pass
1 ♥	Pass	1 ♠	Pass
1 NT	Pass	2 ♣	2 ♥
Pass:				By the intervention, the opponent has made our bid impossible (one wanted therefore to bid 2 ♦)
Double:				Suggestion for penalty double, 4 ♥
2 ♠:				4 ♠

After an opposing suit bid, we only bid then if the planned bid is still possible (otherwise we pass or double, which suggests penalties).

After opener passes, double by his partner is for penalties.

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	Pass	1 ♦	Pass
1 ♥	Pass	1 ♠	Pass
1 NT	Pass	2 ♣	2 ♥
Pass	Pass	Double:		Suggestion for penalty double

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	Pass	1 ♦	Pass
1 ♥	Pass	1 ♠	Pass
1 NT	Pass	2 ♣	2 ♠
Double:				Suggestion for penalty double

If we use a transfer bid and the opponent doubles this, we accept the transfer only with a fit. Redouble by partner after our pass requests us to complete the transfer. Redouble by the opener shows a good 5 cards (or exceptionally two top honours to four) in the bid and doubled suit, as a rule it denies a fit in partner’s suit.

If the opponent bids a suit after our transfer, we only carry out the transfer with a fit. The bid is competitive and says nothing about our strength. As a rule, we have a 4 card fit (Law of Total Tricks). If opener passed after the intervention, his partner can repeat the transfer (so if one has transferred with 2 ♦, 3 ♦ is now not natural, but rather a re-transfer).

The bidding sequence after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 ♥ - 1 ♠ - 2 NT:

This bid shows a balanced hand with 25-26 HP. The further bidding sequences are absolutely identical to those after the opening à 2 ♦ followed by 2 NT à except that the further bids assume fewer points. Logically one speaks from 0 points, in the case of slam ambition one knows from experience that 6 NT makes from 33 HP, 7 NT from 37 HP. We refer therefore to the sequences described there. This applies also to handling intervention, should it suddenly occur at this stage.

The further bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 ♠:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	Pass:	0-3(4) HP, with or without a ♠ fit
	1 NT:	5-7 HP, balanced distribution; Hint: One only should make this bid if one has no other choice, for it plays from the wrong side.
	2 ♣:	(4)5-7 HP, natural, 5+ ♣, not forcing, the longer the suit, the less points are needed
	2 ♦:	(4)5-7 HP, natural, 5+ ♦, not forcing, the longer the suit, the less points are needed
	2 ♥:	(4)5-7 HP, natural, 5+ ♥, not forcing, the longer the suit, the less points are needed
	2 ♠:	Fit in ♠, (4)5 HP
	2 NT:	Not defined
	3 ♣:	7 HP, natural, long suit, no fit
	3 ♦:	7 HP, natural, long suit, no fit
	3 ♥:	7 HP, natural, long suit, no fit
	3 ♠:	Fit in ♠, 6-7 points, unbalanced hand if need be e.g. ♠ Q764 ♥ 9 ♦ Q54 ♣ 109865
	4 ♣:	Fit in ♠, splinter in ♣, a good hand for the bid of 1 ♦, e.g. ♠ J1098 ♥ 93 ♦ AJ10987 ♣ 5
	4 ♦:	Fit in ♠, splinter in ♦, a good hand for the bid of 1 ♦
	4 ♥:	Fit in ♠, splinter in ♥, a good hand for the bid of 1 ♦
	4 ♠:	4+ ♠, to play, maximum

Generally it is considered that in the second bid of responder a fit should be shown, if he has one (instead of first introducing a suit of his own).

The bidding sequence after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 NT:

With 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 NT, opener shows a balanced hand without a 5 card major and with 16-18 HP or respectively 17-18 HP when vulnerable and as a general rule after openings in fourth seat. Because of the limitation of the hand, responder takes command. Invitations to game should only be made with (6)7 HP, unless one has the necessary distribution (in other words a long suit). Without a long suit (5+ cards), one should pass with 0-6 HP as a rule.

Note the following specialty in the subsequent bidding: If one has a distribution of 5-2 or 5-3 in the majors, one bids via a transfer (opener does not of course have a 5 card major). Only with a distribution of 5-4 does one go via Stayman whereby one can also be very weak. With a balanced hand, one should pass with 0-6 HP as a rule, except if one has 5-4 or 4-5 in the majors or has a distribution with which one can pass any of opener’s responses to Stayman. With 7 HP on the other hand one should invite - one has sufficient points for every contract at the 2 level; with 6 HP, one must be aware that one plays against the field if one now uses Stayman because most players pass with natural systems.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids	Attention
1 NT	Pass:	0-7 HP, balanced distributed, no long suit, especially no 5 card major
	2 ♣:	Stayman, 0-7 HP, at least 5-4 or 4-5 in the majors, 0-7 HP and a distribution with which one can pass any response by opener, or 7 HP with or without a major
	2 ♦:	0-7 HP, transfer to ♥, 5+ ♥
	2 ♥:	0-7 HP, transfer to ♠ 5+ ♠
	2 ♠:	0-7 HP, transfer to ♣, 6+ ♣
	2 NT:	0-7 HP, transfer to ♦, 6+ ♦
	3 ♣ :	Weak, at least 5-5 in the minors, pass or correct
	3 ♦:	At least 5-5 in the majors, 7 HP, partner places the contract at the 3 or 4 level.
	3 ♥:	At least 5-5 in the majors, (4)5-6 HP, pass or correct, partner places the contract at the 3 level (or game with a maximum and a double fit).
	3 ♠:	7 HP, at least 5-5 in the minors, invitational to 3 NT or 5 in a minor (with a minimum and a problem in one or both majors, the opener can bid a minor at the 4 level).

With the responses to Stayman, we use always the same construct:

1 ♣	1 ♦
1 NT	2 ♣
2 ♦:		No 4 card major
2 ♥:		4 ♥, 4 ♠ possible
2 ♠:		4 ♠, no 4 ♥

And now pay attention:

After the response of 2 ♦ to Stayman, the bid of two in a major is to play (therefore to be passed).

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 NT	2 ♣
2 ♦	Pass:	Weak, as a rule 5 ♦ and 4-4, 3-4 or 4-3 in the majors
	2 ♥:	5 ♥, 4 ♠, 0-6 HP, to play
	2 ♠:	5 ♠, 4 ♥, 0-6 HP, to play
	2 NT:	7 HP, invitational to 3 NT

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 NT	2 ♣
2 ♥	2 ♠:	4 ♠, (6-)7 HP (e.g. ♠ Kxxx ♥ x ♦ QJxxxx ♣ xxx)
	2 NT:	7 HP, invitational to 3 NT

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 NT	2 ♣
2 ♠	2 NT:	Invitational to 3 NT, (6-)7 HP, natural, no ♠ fit
	3 ♥:	♠ fit, invitational to 4 ♠,Trial bid in ♥
	3 ♠:	Invitational to 4 ♠, 4 ♠, (6)7 HP
	4 ♠:	♠ fit, to play, with whatever

A transfer is always to be carried out. Jumps in the transfer suit are forbidden.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 NT	2 ♦
2 ♥	Pass:	0-6 HP, 5+ ♥
	2 ♠:	5+ ♥, 4 ♠, invitational, 7 HP
	2 NT:	5 ♥, balanced, 7 HP, invitational
	3 ♣:	5+ ♣, pass or correct, not minimum
	3 ♦:	5+ ♦, pass or correct, not minimum
	3 ♥:	6+ ♥, game invitational, 7 HP

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 NT	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT:		2 ♥, 3 ♠, minimum
3 ♥:		3 ♥, minimum, 16-17 HP
3 ♠:		4 ♠, minimum, 16-17 HP
4 ♥:		3-4 ♥, maximum
4 ♠:		4 ♠, maximum

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 NT	2 ♥
2 ♠	Pass:	0-6 HP, 5+ ♠
	2 NT:	5 ♠ , balanced, 7 HP, invitational
	3 ♣:	5+ ♣, pass or correct, not minimum
	3 ♦:	5+ ♦, pass or correct, not minimum
	3 ♥:	4 ♥, invitational to game, (6)7 HP
	3 ♠:	6+ ♠, invitational to 4 ♠, 7 HP, points rather outside the ♠ suit (otherwise one would have bid 1 ♣ à 2 ♠)

With 2 ♠ or respectively 2 NT, one transfers to ♣ or respectively ♦.

As a rule one simply carries out the transfer. If one says after 2 ♠ à 2 NT or respectively after 2 NT à 3 ♣, this shows a maximum and at least a 4-card fit or at least Axx or KJx (in partner’s minor); this allows partner to bid 3 NT if need be.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 NT	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣:	To play
	3 ♦:	Slam interest with extreme distribution, asks about the quality of the trump suit (Note: special Trump Asking Bid)
	3 ♥:	6 ♣, 4 ♥, 7 HP
	3 ♠:	6 ♣, 4 ♠, 7 HP
	3 NT:	To play, maximum and a fit should let partner make 3 NT

The Trump Asking Bid has the following responses:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 NT	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥:		xxxx in ♣, perhaps with the jack or the 10
3 ♠:		King or queen to four in ♣
3 NT:		4 HP in ♣

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 NT	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦:	To play
	3 ♥:	Slam interest with extreme distribution, asks about the quality of the trump suit (Note: special Trump Asking Bid)
	3 ♠:	6 ♦, 4 ♠, forcing, 7 HP
	3 NT:	To play, maximum and partner’s fit permits 3 NT
	4 ♣:	6 ♦, 4 ♥ (after that 4 NT is to play), 7 HP

One must pay attention to the special 4 ♣ bid which is shown here once again:

!	1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
	1 NT	2 NT
	3 ♣	4 ♣:	.6 ♦, 4 ♥ (after that 4 NT is to play), 7 HP

The somewhat special Trump Asking Bid has the following responses:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bid
1 NT	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♥
3 ♠ :		xxxx in ♦ perhaps with the jack or the 10
3 NT:		King or queen to four in ♦
4 ♣		4 HP in ♦

If, after a positive bid by opener, responder has shown a 6 card minor and a 4 card major, 3 NT or respectively raising the major suit to the 4 level is to play; other bids would be cue bids as described above (which is rather unlikely).

The bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 2 ♣:

The sequence 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 2♣ is artificial. 2 ♣ is a forcing relay (nothing to do with ♣). A major suit bid after a relay of 2 ♦, 2 ♥ or 2 ♠ now becomes forcing to game, the bid of a minor forcing to 3 NT or 4 in this minor.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣		2 ♣ is a relay, as a rule from about 23 HP (corresponds in natural systems to the game force opening)
	2 ♦:	Relay, 0-1 Italian controls, 0-7 HP
	2 ♥:	Relay, 2 Italian controls, 4-7 HP
	2 ♠:	Relay, 3 Italian controls, 7 HP, flat hand (otherwise one would not have bid 1 ♦ with 3 controls)

If the opponent intervenes after 2 ♣, pass shows 0-1 controls, double shows 2 controls and the bid of the next step 3 controls.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣		2 ♣ is a relay, as a rule from about 23 HP
	2 ♦/♥/♠	Relay with controls
2/3 ♥:		Natural, 5+ ♥, forcing to game
2/3 ♠:		Natural, 5+ ♠, forcing to game
2 NT:		Balanced hand, 27+ HP
3 ♣:		(5)6+ ♣, 4 card major possible, forcing to 3 NT or 4 ♣
3 ♦:		(5)6+ ♦, 4 card major possible, forcing to 3 NT or 4 ♦

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♣:	0+ HP, special Stayman (Romex), also sensible with a 3 card major, as one can find out about a 5 card major of partner; is also bid with 5 ♠ and 4 ♥!
	3 ♦:	Transfer to ♥, 5+ ♥, another 4 card suit possible
	3 ♥:	Transfer to ♠, 5+ ♠, another 4 card suit possible
	3 ♠:	Transfer (automatic) to à 3 NT; Variants: a). Balanced distribution, you to play in 3 NT, 0-5 HP b.) (4)5 HP, 5-3-3-2 with 5 ♣ c.) 5-5 two suiter, touching suits, slam interest (4-7 HP)
	3 NT:	Transfer (automatic) to à 4 ♣, unknown single suiter, slam interest (4-7 HP)
	4 ♣:	Transfer (automatic) to 4 ♦; Variants: a). (4)5 HP, 5-3-3-2 with 5 ♦, then follow quantitative bids b.) 5-5 two suiter, non-touching suits, slam interest (4-7 HP)
	4 ♦:	Transfer to 4 ♥; Variants: a). 6 ♥ with 2 top honours, nothing else (at most a jack besides) b.) 4-7 HP, slam-going one-suiter in ♥, 5 Ace Blackwood follows
	4 ♥:	Transfer to 4 ♠; Variants: a). 6 ♠ with 2 top honours, nothing else (at most a jack besides) b.) 4-7 HP, slam-going one-suiter in ♠, 5 Ace Blackwood follows
	4 NT	Quantitative, invitational to 6 NT, (4)5 HP

If the opponents first intervene at this time, we play double as take out. The remaining bids are natural and force to game. Because the double is take out (à shows the other suits and 2+ HP), opener must - similarly with the Sputnik double - double after his partner’s pass if he has 2-3 cards at most in the opponent’s suit. His partner can pass this for penalty, with weak hands he bids his long suit (and in this way the final contract).

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦:		No 5 ♠, no 4 or 5 ♥ (however 4 ♠ still possible)
3 ♥:		One has 4 ♥ or even 5 ♥ (no 4 or 5 ♠)
3 ♠:		Exactly 5 ♠
3 NT:		Exactly 4-4 in the majors (after that 4 ♣ shows ♥ suit, 4 ♦ shows ♠ suit)

All further bids are so designed that the strong hand can always play the hand.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	Asks what partner has in ♠ (one has 4 or 5 ♠)
	3 ♠:	Transfer to 3 NT ( one wants to show a 4 card minor)
	3 NT:	To play

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥
3 ♠:		3 ♠
3 NT:		2 ♠
4 ♣/♦/♥:		4 ♠, cue bid in the bid suit
4 ♠:		4 ♠, absolute minimum, uninteresting hand

Note further the following:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦	4 ♣:	5 ♣, forcing
	4 ♦:	5 ♦, forcing

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♠
3 NT	4 ♣:	4 ♣, forcing
	4 ♦:	4 ♦, forcing

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♥	3 ♠:	Asks whether opener has 4 or 5 ♥
	3 NT:	To play, one was interested in the ♠ suit and has no slam interest
	4 ♣:	5 ♣, forcing
	4 ♦:	5 ♦, forcing
	4 ♥:	To play, no slam interest
	4 ♠:	4 ♥, slam interest, singleton ♠ (unnatural jump à therefore splinter)
	4 NT:	Quantitative, invitational to 6 NT

4 NT after 1 ♣ -1 ♦ - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦/♥/♠ -2 NT - 3 ♣ - 3 ♥ is therefore quantitative, 3 NT is to play. If one wants to ask for aces, one must first ask about ♥ length, and, if opener shows a 4 card suit with 3 NT, make a cue bid.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♥	3 ♠	3 ♠: Asks whether opener has 4 or 5 ♥
3 NT:		4 ♥ (the bid of a new suit is now a cue bid, 4 NT is quantitative)
4 ♣:		Cue bid with 5 ♥
4 ♦:		Cue bid with 5 ♥
4 ♥:		To play, no slam interest
4 ♠:		Cue bid with 5 ♥ (actually impossible without a cue bid in ♣ or ♦), very good values in ♥ and ♠

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♥	4 ♣
4 ♦/♥:		Cue bid in the bid suit, obviously with a fit in ♣
4 ♠:		Cue bid in the bid suit, obviously with a fit in ♣
4 NT:		Slam invitation declined, without a fit in ♣

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♠	3 NT:	To play
	4 ♣:	Natural, 5+ ♣, slam interest
	4 ♦:	Natural, 5+ ♦, slam interest
	4 ♥:	3+ ♠, slam interest (cue bids follow if need be, 4 NT is 5 Ace Blackwood, 41/30)
	4 ♠:	3+ ♠, to play
	4 NT:	Quantitative, invitational to 6 NT

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♣	Meaning of the bids
3 NT	4 ♣:	Transfer, 4 ♥ (cue bids follow if need be)
	4 ♦:	Transfer, 4 ♠ (cue bids follow if need be)
	4 ♥:	5 ♣; 4 NT is now a rejection, other bids are now cue bids
	4 ♠:	5 ♦; 4 NT is now a rejection, other bids are now cue bids

If the opponent intervenes after Stayman, one bids what one would have bid without the intervention; if unable to, one passes. Double by opener is penalty (the opponent has therefore used our bid), by his partner take out.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥:		Normal relay
3 ♠:		Maximum, good 4 ♥, cue bid
3 NT:		3 card fit in ♥ with two top honours, maximum
4 ♣:		Maximum, good 4 ♥, cue bid
4 ♦:		Maximum, good 4 ♥, cue bid
4 ♥:		Maximum, very fine and long fit, all suits protected

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥	Pass:	Minimum
	3 ♠ :	5+ ♥, 4 ♠, forcing to game
	3 NT:	0-5 HP, 5 ♥
	4 ♣ :	Natural, 4+ ♣ (or advanced cue bid, 6+ ♥)
	4 ♦ :	Natural, 4+ ♦ (or advanced cue bid, 6+ ♥
	4 ♥ :	To play
	4 NT:	(4)5 HP, quantitative (to ask for aces, first make a cue bid)

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♠	4 ♣:	Natural
	4 ♦:	Transfer to ♥ (compulsory)
	4 ♥:	Long ♥ suit
	4 NT:	5 Ace Blackwood with ♥ as trumps

4 ♦ is therefore again a transfer which must be carried out. This also applies then if opener has bid 3 NT (and therefore has shown a maximum with 3 ♥ and two top honours).

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♦
4 ♣	4 ♦:	Transfer to ♥ (compulsory)
	4 ♥:	Long ♥ suit
	4 NT:	5 Ace Blackwood with ♥ as trumps

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♦

4 ♦	4 ♥:	To play
4 NT:		5 Ace Blackwood with ♥ as trumps

The auction is similar after the transfer to ♠:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♥
3 ♠:	Normal relays
3 NT:		3 ♠ with two top honours, maximum
4 ♣:		Maximum, good 4 ♠, cue bid in ♣
4 ♦:		Maximum, good 4 ♠, cue bid in ♦
4 ♥:		Maximum, good 4 ♠, cue bid in ♥
4 ♠:		Maximum, very fine and long fit, all suits protected

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♥
3 ♠	Pass:	Weak, unbalanced distribution
	3 NT:	Pass or correct to 4 ♠
	4 ♣/♦/♥:	Natural or advanced cue bid, slam interest
	4 ♠:	To play
	4 NT:	(4)5 HP, quantitative with 5 ♠
	5 ♣/♦/♥:	Void, Exclusion RKCBW (41/30)
	5 ♠:	AKQxxx in ♠ and no other control

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♥
4 ♣	4 ♦:	Natural
	4 ♥:	Re-transfer to ♠
	4 ♠:	Long ♠ suit
	4 NT:	5 Ace Blackwood with ♠ as trumps

The re-transfer to 4 ♥ also occurs if opener has bid 3 NT (and therefore has shown a maximum with 3 ♠ and two top honours.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♥
4 ♦	4 ♥:	Re-transfer to ♠
	4 ♠:	Long ♠ suit
	4 NT:	5 Ace Blackwood with ♠ as trumps

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♥
4 ♥	4 ♠:	To play
	4 NT:	5 Ace Blackwood with ♠ as trumps
	5 ♣/♦/♥:	Cue bid

If responder has shown a second suit after his major suit transfer, a NT bid without a jump or bidding game in the major is to be judged a game proposal.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♠	The bid of 3 ♠ asks opener to bid 3 NT
3 NT	Pass:	0-5 HP, more or less a balanced hand
	4 ♣:	Two suiter ♣/♦, slam interest, 4-7 HP, at least 5-5 (Principle: Named and next higher suit)
	4 ♦:	Two suiter ♦/♥, slam interest, 4-7 HP, at least 5-5 (Principle: Named and next higher suit)
	4 ♥:	Two suiter ♥/♠, slam interest, 4-7, at least 5-5 (Principle: Named and next higher suit)
	4 ♠	Two suiter ♠/♣, slam interest, 4-7, at least 5-5 (Principle: Named and next higher suit)
	4 NT:	(4)5 HP, quantitative with 5 ♣ (5-3-3-2)

The bidding continues as follows:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids	Attention
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♠
3 NT	4 ♣ (= ♣ and ♦)
4 ♦:		6 Ace Blackwood (4 aces and both kings in ♣ and ♦)	!
4 ♥:		Cue bid in ♥
4 ♠:		Cue bid in ♠
4 NT:		To play
5 ♣:		Game proposal
5 ♦:		Game proposal

When one knows the two suits, we play 6 Ace Blackwood. The six aces are:

à The four original aces

à Both kings in the two suits (therefore ♣ and ♦ in the above mentioned example)

The responses are:	1^st step:	1 or 4 of the six aces
	2^nd step:	0 or 3 of the six aces
	3^rd step:	2 or 5 of the six aces
	4^th step:	all six aces

If the opponents intervene, we nevertheless show our aces. Pass shows 1 or 4 of the 6 aces, double shows zero or three, etc.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids	Attention
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♠
3 NT	4 ♦ (shows 5-5 in ♦ and ♥)
4 ♥:		To play
4 ♠:		Cue bid in ♠
4 NT:		6 Ace Blackwood with ♦ and ♥ as the key suits	!
5 ♣:		Cue bid in ♣
5 ♦:		To play

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids	Attention
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♠
3 NT	4 ♥ (shows 5-5 in ♥ and ♠)
Pass:		To play, (actually impossible, rather bid 5 ♥)
4 ♠:		To play
4 NT:		6 Ace Blackwood with ♥ and ♠ as the key suits	!
5 ♣:		Cue bid in ♣
5 ♦:		Cue bid in ♦

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids	Attention
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♠
3 NT	4 ♠ (shows 5-5 in ♠ and ♣)
Pass:		To play, (actually impossible, rather bid 5 ♠)
4 NT:		6 Ace Blackwood with ♠ and ♣ as the key suits	!
5 ♣:		Game proposal
5 ♦:		Cue bid in ♦
5 ♥:		Cue bid in ♥

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 ♠
3 NT	4 NT (shows (4)5 HP with 5 ♣, 5-3-3-2)
Pass:		Minimum
5 ♣:		1 Ace, not minimum
5 ♦:		Not minimum, good 5 ♦
5 ♥:		Not minimum, good 5 ♥
5 ♠:		Not minimum, good 5 ♠
5 NT:		2 Aces, not minimum
6 NT:		Maximum

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 NT	3 NT asks partner to bid 4 ♣
4 ♣	4 ♦:	Slam invitation with 6+ ♦, forcing to 4 NT
	4 ♥:	Slam invitation with 6+ ♥, not forcing
	4 ♠:	Slam invitation with 6+ ♠, not forcing
	4 NT:	Slam invitation with 6+ ♣, not forcing

If one bids 4 NT directly after the sequence 1 ♣ -1 ♦ -2 ♣ - 2 ♦/♥/♠ - 2 NT – 3 NT – 4 ♣ - 4 ♦ (à shows slam interest with ♦), this denies a fit and is a game proposal.

The slam invitations sent this way (via 3 NT therefore) in the ♥ or ♠ suit can by way of exception be passed with an absolute minimum; 4 NT is now 5 Ace Blackwood (41/30).

I will clarify this with the following example:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 NT
4 ♣	4 ♦
4 ♥:		Invitation accepted, cue bid in ♥
4 ♠:		Invitation accepted, cue bid in ♠
4 NT:		Minimum or no fit, game proposal
5 ♦:		Minimum with fit, game proposal

And how does it proceed after a slam try in ♥?

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	3 NT
4 ♣	4 ♥
Pass:		Minimum
4 ♠:		Invitation accepted, cue bid in ♠
4 NT:		5 Ace Blackwood (41/30)
5 ♣/♦:		Invitation accepted, cue bid in ♣ or respectively ♦

The auction is similar with the other slam tries.

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 ♥:	Slam going two suiter (at least 5-5 in ♥/♣)
	4 ♠:	Slam going two suiter (at least 5-5 in ♠/♦)
	4 NT:	(4)5 HP, quantitative bid with 5 ♦ (5-3-3-2), invitation to small slam

After a two suiter is shown, 4 NT is 6 Ace Blackwood (with both key suits).

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 NT
Pass:		Minimum
5 ♣ :		Not minimum, good 5 ♣
5 ♦ :		1 Ace, not minimum
5 ♥ :		Not minimum, good 5 ♥
5 ♠ :		Not minimum, good 5 ♠
5 NT:		2 Aces, not minimum
6 NT:		Maximum

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	4 ♦
4 ♥	Pass:	To play
	4 NT:	5 Ace Blackwood with ♥ as trumps

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	4 ♥
4 ♠	Pass:	To play
	4 NT:	5 Ace Blackwood with ♠ as trumps

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	4 ♦
4 NT:		Opener has slam interest opposite the weaker variant, 5 Ace Blackwood

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
2 NT	4 ♥
4 NT:		Opener has slam interest opposite the weaker variant, 5 Ace Blackwood

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♣	2 ♦/♥/♠
3 ♣/♦	3 ♥
3 ♠:		4 ♠
3 NT:		No 3 ♥, no 4 ♠
4 ♣/♦:		Running ♣, slam interest, denies 3 ♥ and 4 ♠
4 ♥:		Cue bid
4 NT		RKCBW with ♥ as trumps (41/30)

Note further: If the opponents intervene after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦, opener’s bid of 2 ♣ is natural; with a very strong hand, he bids instead a cue bid by overcalling the enemy suit.

The bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 2 ♦:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids	Attention
2 ♦	Pass:	0-3(4) HP, with or without a fit
	2 ♥:	Natural, 5+ ♥, (3)4-7 HP
	2 ♠:	Natural, 5+ ♠, (3)4-7 HP
	2 NT:	Balanced distribution, 5-7 HP
	3 ♣:	Natural, 5+ ♣, (3)4-7 HP
	3 ♦:	Fit in ♦, (4)5+ HP, often 2 controls
	3 ♥:	Singleton ♥, 7 HP, good fit in ♦
	3 ♠:	Singleton ♠, 7 HP, good fit in ♦
	3 NT:	To play (with whatever)
	4 ♣:	Singleton ♣, 7 HP, great fit in ♦

The bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 2 ♥:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids	Attention
2 ♥	Pass:	0-3 HP, with or without a fit
	2 ♠:	4-7 HP, natural, 4+ ♠
	2 NT:	Maximum, doubleton in ♥, 4-7 HP
	3 ♣:	4-7 HP, 5+ ♣
	3 ♦:	4-7 HP, 5+ ♦
	3 ♥:	2 controls, fit in ♥, fast arrival	!
	3 ♠:	Singleton ♠, 7 HP, good fit in ♥
	3 NT:	To play
	4 ♣:	Singleton ♣, 7 HP, good fit in ♥
	4 ♦:	Singleton ♦, 7 HP, good fit in ♥
	4 ♥:	Fit in ♥, denies 2 controls, 4-7 HP, fast arrival	!

The bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 2 ♠:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids	Attention
2 ♠	Pass:	0-3 HP, with or without a fit
	2 NT:	Maximum, doubleton in ♠, 4-7 HP
	3 ♣:	4-7 HP, 5+ ♣
	3 ♦:	4-7 HP, 5+ ♦
	3 ♥:	4-7 HP, 5+ ♥
	3 ♠:	2 controls, fit in ♠, fast arrival	!
	3 NT:	To play
	4 ♣:	Singleton ♣, 7 HP, nice fit in ♠
	4 ♦:	Singleton ♦, 7 HP, nice fit in ♠
	4 ♥:	Singleton ♥, 7 HP, nice fit in ♠
	4 ♠:	Fit in ♠, denies 2 controls, 4-7 HP, fast arrival	!

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 2 NT:

With this bidding sequence, opener shows a hand of the following type:

à Balanced hand (4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, 5-3-3-2, rarely 6-3-2-2)

à 21-22 HP

à A 5 card major is possible, good 6 card minor possible (rather avoid)

à As a rule, all suits are stopped, sensibly one has 8-9 tricks

The responses

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 NT	Pass:	0-2 (3) HP, no hope for game
	3 ♣:	(3)4+ HP, special Stayman (Romex), also sensible with a 3 card major because one can find out about a 5 card major with partner
	3 ♦:	0-7 HP, transfer to ♥, 5+ ♥, another 4 card suit is possible
	3 ♥:	0-7 HP, transfer to ♠, 5+ ♠, another 4 card suit is possible
	3 ♠:	Transfer (automatically) to à 3 NT: Variants: a.) Balanced distribution, wants to play in 3 NT, (3)4-7 HP b.) 6-7 HP, 5-5 two suiter, touching suits, slam interest
	3 NT:	Transfer (automatically) to à 4 ♣, unspecified one-suiter, slam interest, 6-7 HP
	4 ♣:	Transfer (automatically) to 4 ♦, 5-5 two suiter, non-touching suits, slam interest
	4 ♦:	Transfer to 4 ♥; Variants: a.) 6 ♥ with values in the other suits (otherwise one would have bid a direct 2 ♥after 1 ♣) b.) 6-7 HP, slam-going single suiter in ♥, 5 Ace Blackwood follows
	4 ♥:	Transfer to 4 ♠; Variants: a.) 6 ♠ with values in the other suits (otherwise one would have bid a direct 2 ♠ after 1 ♣) b.) 6-7 HP, slam-going single suiter in ♠, 5 Ace Blackwood follows
	4 ♠:	Ace ask (41/30, ask about the 4 original aces, actually impossible)

If the opponents intervene now for the first time, we play double as take out. The remaining bids are natural and force to game. Because double is take out (à shows the other suits and 3+ HP), opener must - as with the Sputnik double - after his partner’s pass double if he has a maximum of 2-3 cards in the opponent’s suit. His partner can pass this for penalty; with weak hands he bids his long suit (and with it the final contract).

The further bidding sequences are - apart from the required point count - absolutely identical to that after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦/♥/♠ - 2 NT - we refer to the details therefore in the bidding sequences treated there (a few pages further back).

The bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 3 ♣:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
3 ♣	Pass:	0-2(3) HP, with or without a fit
	3 ♦:	3-7 HP, 5+ ♦
	3 ♥:	3-7 HP, 5+ ♥
	3 ♠:	3-7 HP, 5+ ♠
	3 NT:	3-7 HP, no ♣ fit, no 5 card major, leaning towards balanced
	4 ♣:	Fit in ♣, 2 controls (4 NT is now to play, other bids are cue bids)
	4 ♦:	7 HP, singleton ♦, nice fit in ♣
	4 ♥:	7 HP, singleton ♥, nice fit in ♣
	4 ♠:	7 HP, singleton ♠, nice fit in ♣

The bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 3 ♦:

1 ♣	1 ♦	Meaning of the bids
3 ♦	Pass:	0-2(3) HP, with or without a fit
	3 ♥:	3-7 HP, 5+ ♥
	3 ♠:	3-7 HP, 5+ ♠
	3 NT:	3-7 HP, no ♦ fit, no 5 card major, leaning towards balanced
	4 ♣:	2 controls, fit in ♦, 4+ ♣
	4 ♦:	2 controls, fit in ♦
	4 ♥:	7 HP, singleton ♥, nice fit in ♦
	4 ♠:	7 HP, singleton ♠, nice fit in ♦
	4 NT:	Not defined, probably 5 Ace Blackwood (rather unlikely)
	5 ♣:	7 HP, singleton ♣, nice fit in ♦

The subsequent bidding after positive responses to 1 ♣ - Principles:

There are basically three types of positive bids (to all direct bids by responder, which show 8 or more HP): Those with long suits (at least one suit with 5+ cards), those with balanced distribution - suitable for No Trumps - as well as 3 suited hands (4-4-4-1). Please note that a positive hand of the distribution 5-4-2-2 should never be treated as a No Trump hand in response to 1 ♣; it is more important to show correct distribution and to use the advantage of the system, and one can do this with an easy mind, because the advantage of a strong club-system is that one has forced to game in these cases with the first bid.

After positive bids, opener immediately takes control over the further bidding. He will always get into a relay sequence. With it, he can in turn find out the exact distribution and subsequently the key cards. Caution is required if he has a void and a fit: Then it is often worthwhile to get out of the relay sequences. He can name e.g. the trump suit if it is a suit that his partner has called. From this moment, cue bid sequences follow, and may be followed by Roman Key Card Blackwood. Even if he suggests another suit as trumps, cue bids follow with a fit.

However this shows also the responsibility that opener carries: He gathers all the information that he requires in order to determine the correct contract. Partner does not decide in most cases, he only provides information.

One more word about the positive three suiter: They do, to be sure, occur relatively rarely - but when they do, then they belong to the most dynamic and most effective tools of the system generally. If a player opens 1 ♣ and his partner shows a 4-4-4-1 hand, opener often knows immediately on the one hand where he has a fit, on the other hand the enormous potential of responder who of course has a good fit and a singleton. On the other hand he immediately recognizes questionable values in his own hand e.g. if he possesses KJ52 in the singleton suit of responder. We are able to show two different strengths with these 4-4-4-1 hand patterns: Those with 8-12 HP (and as a rule less than 4 Italian controls), and those with (12)13+ HP (and as a rule with 4+ Italian controls).

What possibilities does opener have? Let’s look at this first purely theoretically - later you will find all the details. However you should not learn the conventions in the detailed description, but rather should notice the abstract tools and then use them correctly. In this way you can always derive the meaning of your partner’s response.

After a positive response, opener always has a relay available, which is now forcing to game. First the exact distribution is asked for, and then key cards are investigated (with the Crash convention). Crash asks about aces, kings and queens. Crash is explained each time in the general statement on relay sequences. Putting it more simply:

Ask at the 2, 3 or 4 level

Subsequent ask from 5 ♣

First Crash ace-ask from 4 NT

First Crash ace ask from 5 ♣

1st step: 4 or 1 aces (kings, queens)

2nd step: 3 or 0 aces (kings, queens)

3rd step: 2 aces (kings/queens) of same colour

4th step: 2 aces (kings/queens) of same rank

5th step: 2 aces (kings/queens) of unequal colour and rank

1st step: 3 or 0 kings (queens)

2nd step: 4 or 1 (kings, queens)

3rd step: 2 aces (kings/queens) of same colour

4th step: 2 aces (kings/queens) of similar rank

5th step: 2 aces (kings/queens) of unequal colour and rank

1st step: 4 or 1 aces

2nd step: 3 or 0 aces

3rd step: 2 aces

after that

1st step: 3 or 0 kings, queens)

2nd step: 4 or 1 (kings, queens)

3rd step: 2 kings/queens

1st step: 3 or 0 aces (kings, queens)

2nd step: 4 or 1 aces (kings, queens)

3rd step: 2 aces (kings/queens)

If opener breaks out of the relay sequences before he has determined the entire distribution, the bid is natural and sets the trump suit. The following bids are cue bids and promise a fit on the part of responder. These cue bids are used economically and show first or second round control.

Your Notes

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♥:

1 §	1 ©	Meaning of the bids	Attention
1 ª:		Relay - starts a relay sequence to query the distribution and key cards
1 NT:		6+ ♠, requests cue bids with a fit
2 §:		6+ §, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 ¨:		6+ ¨, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 ♥:		6+ ♥, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 ♠:		Natural, solid ♠ suit, defines this suit as trumps, slam interest, demands cue bids
2 NT:		Not defined
3 of suit:		Natural, solid suit, defines this suits as trumps, slam interest, demands cue bids
3 NT:		To play, uninteresting hand, minimum

The subsequent bidding after the Relay-Trigger of 1 ♠:

1 ♠ is a relay and asks in turn for responder’s distribution and key cards. After opener’s replies, the next possible bid is always a further relay. If one does not yet know the entire distribution, the relay asks for further distribution; if one knows the exact distribution, the relay is an ace ask (the following relay is for kings, after that follows the queen ask). Only the 4 cards are queried in each case, this according to the scheme Crash (Colour-R ank-And-SHape):

If the first ask is at the 2, 3 or 4: level:

Crash step 1: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 2: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces of the same colour (red or black)

Crash step 4: 2 aces of the same rank, therefore in the majors or in the minors

Crash step 5: 2 aces of unequal colour or unequal rank, therefore ª and ¨ or © and §

It continues analogously after the next relay for kings and then for queens. The bid of game in the trump suit or respectively a suit in which partner has shown 4+ cards is never a relay (then the next higher bid is the relay).

If the second or third ask is done with 5 ♣ or higher:

Crash step 1: 0 or 3 kings (queens)

Crash step 2: 1 or 4 kings (queens)

Crash step 3: 2 kings (queens) of the same colour (red or black)

Crash step 4: 2 kings (queens) of the same rank, therefore in the majors or in the minors

Crash step 5: 2 kings (queens) of unequal colour or unequal rank, therefore ª and ¨ or © and §

If the first ask occurs at 4 NT:

Crash step 1: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 2: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces

If the first ask occurs at 5 ♣ or higher:

Crash step 1: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 2: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces

If the response has shown an honour, one can clarify in which suit this top card is. Instead of bidding the first relay suit, one simply bids the next higher suit (or No Trumps) which cannot be trumps (therefore has not shown 4+ cards). The replies are as follows:

With one shown honour:

Step 1: Honour in the longest suit (if two equally long suits: In the lower ranking suit)

Step 2: Honour in the second longest suit

Step 3: Honour in the second shortest suit

Step 4: Honour in the shortest suit

With two shown honours:

Step 1: Honours in both longer suits

Step 2: Honours in both shorter suits

With three shown honours:

Step 1: The honour is missing in the shortest suit

Step 2: The honour is missing in the second shortest suit

Step 3: The honour is missing in the second longest suit

Step 4: The honour is missing in the longest suit

Here too, with two equally long suits: Show the lower suit first.

If the opponent doubles a relay by the enquirer, responder bids on as if there had been no double if he has the ace or at least the king doubleton in the doubled suit. Otherwise he waits for his partner’s redouble and then bids his responses. If on the other hand the opponent bids a suit, pass shows the first step (partner’s double is then again the relay), double the second step and so on. If the opponent doubles a response to the relay, the enquirer’s pass replaces his relay (responder redoubles for step one, bids the first step for step two etc.), redouble is to play. If the opponent bids after a response within the relay sequences, the enquirer’s pass replaces the relay, double on the other hand is for penalty. Responder’s first step is then double.

1 ♣	1 ♥
1 ♠	1 NT:	15+ HP, balanced hand without a 5 card major
	2 §:	5+ ♥, maximum hand, 12+ HP à 2 ♦ is a relay
	2 ¨:	8-11(12) HP, exactly 5 ♥ and a minor as a second suit (4+ cards) à 2 ♥ is a 54 Pick-up relay
	2 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 5+ ♥ and 4-5 ♠ (5 ♠ only with 5- 5 in the majors) or balanced hand with a minimum à 2 ♠ is a 54 Pick-up relay
	2 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♥, single suiterà 2 NT is the Six-shooter relay
	2 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♥, 4 card minorà 3 ♣ is a relay
	3 §:	12+ HP, 5 ♥ and 5+ ♣ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 5 ♥ and 5+ ♦ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ © and 5+ ♣ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ © and 5+ ♦ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ © and 5 ♠ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	4 §:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ © and 6+ ♣ à 4 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ © and 6+ ♦ à 4 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 8+ © without a second suit

1 §	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 §		2 § = relay
	2 ¨:	17+ HP, any distribution (except exactly 3-3-3-4) à 2 ♥ is a relay
	2 ©:	4 ♥, 15-16 HP , 4 ♠ possible à 2 ♠ is a relay
	2 ª:	4 ♠, 15-16 HP à 2 NT is a relay
	2 NT:	15-16 HP, no 4 card major, no 5 card minor à 3 ♣ is a relay
	3 §:	15-16 HP, 5 ♣, plus any 3-3-2-distribution à 3 ¨ is now a Splinter relay
	3 ¨:	15-16 HP, 5 ♦, plus any 3-3-2-distribution à 3 ♥ is now a Splinter relay
	3 ©:	15-16 HP, 2-2-4-5 à 3 ♠ is now Crash
	3 ª:	15-16 HP, 2-2-5-4 à 4 ♣ is now Crash
	3NT:	17+ HP, 3-3-3-4 à 4 ♣ is now Crash (with 3-3-4-3, one goes via 2 ♦ and bids 3 ♥ after the following relay)

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠:	17+ HP, 4 ♠, 4 ♥ possible à 2 NT is a relay
	2 NT:	17+ HP, 4 ♥ (à 3 ♣ is a relay)
	3 §:	17+ HP, 5 § plus any 3-3-2 distribution (à 3 ♦ is a now a Splinter relay)
	3 ¨:	17+ HP, 5 ¨ plus any 3-3-2 distribution (à 3 ♥ is a now a Splinter relay)
	3 ©:	17+ HP, 3-3-4-3 ( 3 ª à Crash)
	3 ª:	17+ HP, 2-3-4-4 (3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash)
	3 NT:	17+ HP, 3-2-4-4 (4 § à Crash)

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 §:	17+ HP, 4 ♣ and 4 ♠ ( à 3 ♦ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 ¨:	17+ HP, 4 ♦ and 4 ♠ ( à 3 ♥ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 ©:	17+ HP, 4-3-3-3 (à 3 ♠ is now Crash )
	3 ª:	17+ HP, 4-4-2-3 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash )
	3NT:	17+ HP, 4-4-3-2 (à 4 § is now Crash )

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 §
3 ¨	3 ©:	17+ HP, 4-2-3-4 (à 3 ♠ is now Crash )
	3 ♠:	17+ HP, 4-3-2-4 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash )

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	17+ HP, 4-2-4-3 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash )
	3NT:	17+ HP, 4-3-4-2 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash )

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	17+ HP, 4 ♥ and 4 ♦ (à 3 ♥ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 ©:	17+ HP, 3-4-3-3 (à 3 ♠ is now Crash )
	3 ª:	17+ HP, 2-4-3-4 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash )
	3NT:	17+ HP, 3-4-2-4 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash )

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ª:	17+ HP, 2-4-4-3 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash )
	3NT:	17+ HP, 3-4-4-2 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash )

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ©:	17+ HP, 3-3-2-5 à 3 ♠ is now Crash
	3 ª:	17+ HP, 3-2-3-5 à 4 ♣ is now Crash
	3NT:	17+ HP, 2-3-3-5 à 4 ♣ is now Crash

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	17+ HP, 3-3-5-2 à 4 ♣ is now Crash
	3NT:	17+ HP, 3-2-5-3 à 4 ♣ is now Crash
	4 ♣:	17+ HP, 2-3-5-3 à 4 ♦ is now Crash

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♥
2 ª		(2 ª = relay)
	2 NT:	15-16 HP, 4 ª (à 3 ♣ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 §:	15-16 HP, 4 § (à 3 ♦ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 ¨:	15-16 HP, 4 ¨ (à 3 ♥ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 ©:	15-16 HP, 3-4-3-3 (now 3 ª à Crash )
	3 ª:	15-16 HP, 2-4-2-5 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash )
	3NT:	15-16 HP, 2-4-5-2 (now 4 § à Crash )

2 ª asks for the second 4 card suit; this is shown as naturally as possible and otherwise as always up the line (and hence 2 NT shows 4 ª).

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♥
2 ♠	2 NT	(2 ª = relay)
3 ♣	3 ¨:	15-16 HP, 4-4-2-3 (now 3 © is Crash)
	3 ©:	15-16 HP, 4-4-3-2 (now 3 ª is Crash)

If one knows 4-4 in two suits, the next relay is a Sidestep relay. The first step shows 2 cards in the higher and 3 cards in the lower of the remaining suits, the second step 3 cards in the higher and two cards in the lower of the remaining suits.

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♥
2 ♠	3 ♣	(2 ª = relay)
3 ♦	3 ©:	15-16 HP, 2-4-3-4 (now 3 ª à Crash )
	3 ª:	15-16 HP, 3-4-2-4 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash )

As soon as the exact distribution is known, the next relay is always Crash; Exception: 3 NT (therefore 4 § à Crash).

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♥
2 ♠	3 ♦	(2 ª = relay)
3 ♥	3 ª:	15-16 HP, 2-4-4-3 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash)
	3NT:	15-16 HP, 3-4-4-2 (now 4 § à Crash)

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♠
2 NT	3 §:	15-16 HP, 4 §
	3 ¨:	15-16 HP, 4 ¨
	3 ©:	15-16 HP, 4-3-3-3 (now 3 ª is Crash)
	3 ª:	15-16 HP, 4-2-2-5 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § is Crash)
	3NT:	15-16 HP, 4-2-5-2 (now 4 § is Crash)

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣	(2 NT = relay)
3 ♦	3 ©:	15-16 HP, 4-2-3-4 (now 3 ª à Crash)
	3 ª:	15-16 HP, 4-3-2-4 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash)

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♦	(2 NT = relay)
3 ♥	3 ª:	15-16 HP, 4-2-4-3 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash)
	3 NT:	15-16 HP, 4-3-4-2 (now 4 § à Crash)

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	15-16 HP, 3-3-4-3 (now 3 © à Crash )
	3 ©:	15-16 HP, 2-3-4-4 (now 3 ª à Crash )
	3 ª:	15-16 HP, 3-2-4-4 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash )
	3NT:	15-16 HP, 3-3-3-4 (now 4 § à Crash )

Also after the relay of 3 § as shown above, one sees the principle behind these relays: One tries to construct them to be as natural as possible.

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ©:	15-16 HP, 3-3-2-5 (now 3 ª is Crash)
	3 ª:	15-16 HP, 3-2-3-5 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § is Crash)
	3NT:	15-16 HP, 2-3-3-5 (now 4 § is Crash)

With the Splinter relay, the answers are as follows: Step 1 shows shortage in the lowest of the remaining suits, Step 2 shows shortage in the middle of the remaining suits and Step 3 shows shortage in the highest of the remaining suits.

1 ♣	1 ♥	Meaning of the bids
1 ♠	1 NT
2 ♣	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ª:	15-16 HP, 3-3-5-2 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § is Crash)
	3 NT:	15-16 HP, 3-2-5-3 (now 4 § is Crash)
	4 §:	15-16 HP, 2-3-5-3 (now 4 ¨ is Crash)

And as said: With a natural bid, one can always break out of the relay sequences! The bidding then becomes natural, a fit is known, and cue bids follow, 4 NT becomes a 5 Ace Blackwood.

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §	5+ ♥, 12+ HP
2 ♦	2 ©:	12+ HP, 5+ ♥ and 4-5 ♠ or a balanced hand à 2 ♠ is a 54 Pick-up relay
	2 ª:	12+ HP, 6+ ♥, single suiter à 2 NT is a Six-shooter relay
	2 NT:	12+ HP, 6+ ♥, 4 card minor à 3 ♣ is a relay
	3 §:	12+ HP, 5 ♥ and 4 ♣ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 5 ♥ and 4 ♦ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	12+ HP, 6+ © and 5 ♣ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 6+ © and 5 ♦ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 6+ © and 5 ♠ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	4 §:	12+ HP, 6+ © and 6+ ♣ à 4 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 6+ © and 6+ ♦ à 4 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♥:	8 ♥, 12+ HP

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	2 ©
2 ♠	2 NT:	12+ HP, 5 ♥ and any 3-3-2 à 3 ♣ is a Splinter relay)
	3 §:	12+ HP, 6+ ♥ and 4 ♠ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 5 ♥ and 5 ♠, very bad ♠ (otherwise one would have opened 1 ♠) à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	12+ HP, 4-5-2-2 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 4-5-1-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 4-5-3-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 4-5-0-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 4-5-4-0 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	2 ©
2 ♠	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 3-5-3-2 à 3 ♥ is Crash
	3 ©:	12+ HP, 3-5-2-3 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 2-5-3-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	2 ©
2 ♠	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	12+ HP, 4-6-1-2 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 4-6-2-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 4-6-0-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 4-6-3-0 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 4-7-1-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 4-7-0-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 4-7-2-0 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	4NT:	12+ HP, 4-8-0-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 4-8-1-0 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 4-9-0-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	2 ©
2 ♠	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ª:	12+ HP, 5-5-1-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 5-5-2-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 5-5-0-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 5-5-3-0 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	2 ª
2 NT	3 §:	12+ HP, 6 ♥ and any 3-2-2 à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 6 ♥ and any 3-3-1 à 3 ♥ is a Splinter relay
	3 ©:	12+ HP, 7 ♥ and any 3-2-1 à 3 ♥ is a Splinter relay
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 3-7-3-0 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 2-7-2-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 3-7-0-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-7-3-3 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 8 ♥ without a second suit, interested in more

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	2 ª
2 NT	3 §
3 ♦	3 ©:	12+ HP, 2-6-2-3 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 2-6-3-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 3-6-2-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 ª
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ª:	12+ HP, 3-6-3-1 à 4 ♣ is now Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 3-6-1-3 à 4 ♣ is now Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 1-6-3-3 à 4 ♦ is now Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	2 ª
2 NT	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	12+ HP, 2-7-3-1 or 3-7-2-1 à 4 ♣ is RKCBW (41/30, ♥ as trumps)
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 2-7-1-3 or 3-7-2-3 à 4 ♦ is RKCBW (41/30, ♥ as trumps)
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 1-7-2-3 or 1-7-3-2 à 4 ♠ is RKCBW (41/30, ♥ as trumps)

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 6+ ♥ and 4 ♣ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	12+ HP, 6+ © and 4 ♦ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-6-2-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 2-6-1-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 0-6-3-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 3-6-0-4 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 1-7-1-4 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 0-7-2-4 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 2-7-0-4 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 0-8-1-4 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 1-8-0-4 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-9-0-4 à 5 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	12+ HP, 1-6-4-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 2-6-4-1 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-6-4-3 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 3-6-4-0 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-7-4-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 0-7-4-2 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 2-7-4-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-8-4-1 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 1-8-4-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♠:	12+ HP, 0-9-4-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	3 §
3 ♦	3 ©:	12+ HP, 2-5-2-4 à 3 ♠is Crash
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 1-5-3-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 3-5-1-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 0-5-4-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ª:	12+ HP, 2-5-4-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 1-5-4-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 3-5-4-1 à 4 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	12+ HP, 1-6-1-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 0-6-2-5 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 2-6-0-5 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-7-1-5 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-7-0-5 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	12+ HP, 0-8-0-5 à 5 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 1-6-5-1 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-6-5-2 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 2-6-5-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	12+ HP, 0-7-5-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 1-7-5-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-8-5-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	3 NT
4 ♣	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 5-6-1-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 5-6-0-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 5-6-2-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	12+ HP, 5-7-0-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 5-7-1-0 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 5-8-0-0 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 6-7-0-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-6-1-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-6-0-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	12+ HP, 0-6-0-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 0-7-0-6 à 5 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 §
2 ♦	4 ♦
4 ♠	4 NT:	12+ HP, 0-6-6-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 1-6-6-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-6-7-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-7-6-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♥, 4 ♣ à 2 NT is a Sidestep relay
	2NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♥, 4 ♦ à 3 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♥, 5 ♣ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♥, 5 ♦ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♥, 6 ♣ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♥, 6 ♦ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 2-5-2-4 à 3 ♦ is Crash
	3 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 1-5-3-4 à 3 ♥ is Crash
	3 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 3-5-1-4 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 0-5-4-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 2-5-4-2 à 3 ♥ is Crash
	3 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 1-5-4-3 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 3-5-4-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 1-5-2-5 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 2-5-1-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 0-5-3-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 3-5-0-5 à 4 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 1-5-5-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 2-5-5-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 0-5-5-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 3-5-5-0 à 4 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 1-5-1-6 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 0-5-2-6 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 2-5-0-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 1-5-6-1 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 0-5-6-2 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 2-5-6-0 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ©
2 ♠	2 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♥ and any 3-3-2 à 3 ♣ is a Splinter relay)
	3 §:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♥ and 4 ♠ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♥ and 5 ♠, very bad ♠ (otherwise one would have opened 1 ♠) à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 4-5-2-2 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 4-5-1-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 4-5-3-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	8-11(12) HP, 4-5-0-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 4-5-4-0 à 4 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ©
2 ♠	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	8-11(12) HP, 3-5-3-2 à 3 ♥ is Crash
	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 3-5-2-3 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 2-5-3-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ©
2 ♠	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 4-6-1-2 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 4-6-2-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 4-6-0-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 4-6-3-0 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 4-7-1-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 4-7-0-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 4-7-2-0 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 4-8-0-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 4-8-1-0 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 4-9-0-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ©
2 ♠	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 5-5-1-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5-5-2-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	8-11(12) HP, 5-5-0-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5-5-3-0 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♥
1 ♠	2 ♠
2 NT	3 §:	8-11(12) HP, 6 ♥ and any 3-2-2 à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	8-11(12) HP, 6 ♥ and any 3-3-1 à 3 ♥ is a Splinter relay
	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 7 ♥ and any 3-2-1 à 3 ♥ is a Splinter relay
	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 3-7-3-0 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 2-7-2-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	8-11(12) HP, 3-7-0-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 0-7-3-3 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 8 ♥ without a second suit

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ª
2 NT	3 §
3 ♦	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 2-6-2-3 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 2-6-3-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 3-6-2-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 ª
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 3-6-3-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 3-6-1-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 1-6-3-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1©
1 ♠	2 ª
2 NT	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 2-7-3-1 or 3-7-2-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 2-7-1-3 or 3-7-1-2 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 1-7-2-3 or 1-7-3-2 à 4 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♥ and 4 ♣ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ © and 4 ♦ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 1-6-2-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 2-6-1-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 0-6-3-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 3-6-0-4 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 1-7-1-4 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 0-7-2-4 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 2-7-0-4 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 0-8-1-4 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 1-8-0-4 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 0-9-0-4 à 5 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 1-6-4-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 2-6-4-1 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 0-6-4-3 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 3-6-4-0 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 1-7-4-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 0-7-4-2 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 2-7-4-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 0-8-4-1 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 1-8-4-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 0-9-4-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	12+ HP, 1-5-2-5 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 2-5-1-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 0-5-3-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 3-5-0-5 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 1-5-1-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-5-2-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 2-5-0-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 0-5-1-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 1-5-0-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-5-0-8 à 5 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-5-5-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 2-5-5-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 0-5-5-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 3-5-5-0 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 1-5-6-1 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 0-5-6-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 2-5-6-0 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 0-5-7-1 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 1-5-7-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-5-8-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 1-6-1-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 0-6-2-5 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 2-6-0-5 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 0-7-1-5 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 1-7-0-5 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 0-8-0-5 à 5 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♥
1 ♠	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 1-6-5-1 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 0-6-5-2 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 2-6-5-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 0-7-5-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 1-7-5-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 0-8-5-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	3 NT
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5-6-1-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 5-6-0-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 5-6-2-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5-7-0-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 5-7-1-0 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5-8-0-0 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 6-7-0-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 0-6-1-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 1-6-0-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	8-11(12) HP, 0-6-0-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 0-7-0-6 à 5 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ©
1 ♠	4 ♦
4 ♠	4 NT:	(10)11-13 HP, 0-6-6-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	(10)11-13 HP, 1-6-6-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♦:	(10)11-13 HP, 0-6-7-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	(10)11-13 HP, 0-7-6-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 ♠:

1 §	1 ª	Meaning of the bids
1 NT:		Relay trigger, asks about strength, the exact distribution and key cards
2 §:		6+ §, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 ¨:		6+ ¨, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 ©:		6+ ©, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 ª:		Natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 NT:		Asks about the number of Italian controls
3 §/¨/©:		Natural, solid suit, sets the trump suit, slam interest, demands cue bids
3 NT:		To play, uninteresting hand, absolute minimum with balanced hand and 2 ♠

After partner’s positive response, opener can ask about the exact distribution with a No Trump response. As a rule, one begins with the relay.

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §:	Maximum hand, 12+ HP à 2 ♦ is a relay
	2 ¨:	8-11(12) HP, a minor suit as a second suit à 2 ♥ is a 54 Pick-up relay
	2 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 5+ ♠ and 4- 5 ♥ (5 ♥ only if 5-5 in the majors) or a balanced hand with a minimum à 2 ♠ is a 54 Pick-up relay
	2 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♠, single suiter à 2 NT is a Six-shooter relay
	2 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♠, 4 card minor à 3 ♣ is a relay
	3 §:	12+ HP, 5 ♠ and 5+ ♣ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 5 ♠ and 5+ ♦ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♠ and 5 ♣ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♠ and 5 ♦ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♠ and 5 ♥ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	4 §:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♠ and 6+ ♣ à 4 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♠ and 6+ ♦ à 4 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 6-6 in ♠ and ♥ à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 8+ ♠, no second suit

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 ©:	12+ HP, 5+ ♠ and 4- 5 ♥ (5 ♥ only if 5-5 in the majors) or a balanced hand à 2 ♠ is a 54 Pick-up relay
	2 ª:	12+ HP, 6+ ♠, single suited à 2 NT is a Six-shooter relay
	2 NT:	12+ HP, 6+ ♠, 4 card minor à 3 ♣ is a relay
	3 §:	12+ HP, 5 ♠ and 4 ♣ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 5 ♠ and 4 ♦ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	12+ HP, 6+ ♠ and 5 ♣ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 6+ ♠ and 5 ♦ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3NT:	12+ HP, 6+ ♠ and 5 ♥ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	4 §:	12+ HP, 6+ ♠ and 6+ ♣ à 4 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 6+ ♠ and 6+ ♦ à 4 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 6-6 in ♠ and ♥ à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 ©
2 ♠	2 NT:	12+ HP, 5 ♠ and any 3 -3-2 à 3 ♣ is a Splinter relay)
	3 §:	12+ HP, 6+ ♠ and 4 ♥ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 5 ♠ and 5 ♥ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	12+ HP, 5-4-2-2 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 5-4-1-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 5-4-3-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 5-4-0-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 5-4-4-0 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 ©
2 ♠	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 5-3-3-2 à 3 ♥ is Crash
	3 ©:	12+ HP, 5-3-2-3 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 5-2-3-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 ©
2 ♠	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	12+ HP, 6-4-1-2 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 6-4-2-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 6-4-0-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 6-4-3-0 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 7-4-1-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 7-4-0-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 7-4-2-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 8-4-0-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 8-4-1-0 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 9-4-0-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 ©
2 ♠	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ª:	12+ HP, 5-5-1-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 5-5-2-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 5-5-0-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 5-5-3-0 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 ª
2 NT	3 §:	12+ HP, 6 ♠ and any 3 -2-2 à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 6 ♠ and any 3 -3-1 à 3 ♥ is a Splinter relay
	3 ©:	12+ HP, 7 ♠ and any 3 -2-1 à 3 ♥ is a Splinter relay
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 7-3-3-0 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 7-2-2-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 7-3-0-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 7-0-3-3 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 8 ♠ without a second suit

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 ª
2 NT	3 §
3 ♦	3 ©:	12+ HP, 6-2-2-3 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 6-2-3-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 6-3-2-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 ª
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ª:	12+ HP, 6-3-3-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 6-3-1-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 6-1-3-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 ª
2NT	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	12+ HP, 7-2-3-1 or 7-3-2-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 7-2-1-3 or 7-3-1-2 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 7-1-2-3 or 7-1-3-2 à 4 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	12+ HP, 6+ ♠ and 4 ♣ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	12+ HP, 6+ ♠ and 4 ♦ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 6-1-2-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 6-2-1-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 6-0-3-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 6-3-0-4 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 7-1-1-4 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 7-0-2-4 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 7-2-0-4 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 8-0-1-4 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 8-1-0-4 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 9-0-0-4 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	12+ HP, 6-1-4-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 6-2-4-1 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 6-0-4-3 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 6-3-4-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 7-1-4-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 7-0-4-2 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 7-2-4-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 8-0-4-1 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 8-1-4-0 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 ♠:	12+ HP, 9-0-4-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	3 §
3 ♦	3 ©:	12+ HP, 5-2-2-4 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 5-1-3-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 5-3-1-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 5-0-4-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ª:	12+ HP, 5-2-4-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 5-1-4-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 5-3-4-1 à 4 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	12+ HP, 6-1-1-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 6-0-2-5 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 6-2-0-5 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 7-0-1-5 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 7-1-0-5 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	12+ HP, 8-0-0-5 à 5 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 6-1-5-1 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 6-0-5-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 6-2-5-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	12+ HP, 7-0-5-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 7-1-5-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 8-0-5-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	3 NT
4 ♣	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 6-5-1-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 6-5-0-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 6-5-2-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	12+ HP, 7-5-0-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 7-5-1-0 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 8-5-0-0 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 7-6-0-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 6-0-1-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 6-1-0-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	12+ HP, 6-0-0-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 7-0-0-6 à 5 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 §
2 ♦	4 ♦
4 ♠	4 NT:	12+ HP, 6-0-6-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 6-1-6-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 6-0-7-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 7-0-6-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♠, 4 ♣ à 2 NT is a Sidestep relay
	2NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♠, 4 ♦ à 3 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♠, 5 ♣ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♠, 5 ♦ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♠, 6 ♣ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♠, 6 ♦ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♠, 7 ♣ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♠, 7 ♦ à 4 ♦ is a Sidestep relay

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 5-2-2-4 à 3 ♦ is Crash
	3 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5-1-3-4 à 3 ♥ is Crash
	3 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 5-3-1-4 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 5-0-4-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5-2-4-2 à 3 ♥ is Crash
	3 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 5-1-4-3 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 5-3-4-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 5-1-2-5 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 5-2-1-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5-0-3-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 5-3-0-5 à 4 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 5-1-5-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5-2-5-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 5-0-5-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5-3-5-0 à 4 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5-1-1-6 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 5-0-2-6 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5-2-0-6 à 4 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5-1-6-1 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 5-0-6-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 5-2-6-0 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ©
2 ♠	2 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♠ and any 3 -3-2 à 3 ♣ is a Splinter relay)
	3 §:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♠ and 4 ♥ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	8-11(12) HP, 5 ♠ and 5 ♥ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 5-4-2-2 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 5-4-1-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5-4-3-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	8-11(12) HP, 5-4-0-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5-4-4-0 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ©
2 ♠	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	8-11(12) HP, 5-3-3-2 à 3 ♥ is Crash
	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 5-3-2-3 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 5-2-3-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ©
2 ♠	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 6-4-1-2 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 6-4-2-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6-4-0-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 6-4-3-0 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 7-4-1-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 7-4-0-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 7-4-2-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 8-4-0-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 8-4-1-0 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 9-4-0-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ©
2 ♠	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 5-5-1-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 5-5-2-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	8-11(12) HP, 5-5-0-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 5-5-3-0 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ª
2 NT	3 §:	8-11(12) HP, 6 ♠ and any 3 -2-2 à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ¨:	8-11(12) HP, 6 ♠ and any 3 -3-1 à 3 ♥ is a Splinter relay
	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 7 ♠ and any 3 -2-1 à 3 ♠ is a Splinter relay
	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 7-3-3-0 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 7-2-2-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	8-11(12) HP, 7-3-0-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 7-0-3-3 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 8 ♠ with no second suit

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ª
2 NT	3 §
3 ♦	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 6-2-2-3 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 6-2-3-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6-3-2-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ª
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ª:	8-11(12) HP, 6-3-3-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6-3-1-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 6-1-3-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 ª
2NT	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 7-2-3-1 or 7-3-2-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 7-2-1-3 or 7-3-2-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 7-1-2-3 or 7-1-3-2 à 4 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♠ and 4 ♣ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ©:	8-11(12) HP, 6+ ♠ and 4 ♦ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 6-1-2-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6-2-1-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 6-0-3-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 6-3-0-4 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 7-1-1-4 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 7-0-2-4 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 7-2-0-4 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 8-0-1-4 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 8-1-0-4 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 9-0-0-4 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6-1-4-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 6-2-4-1 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 6-0-4-3 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 6-3-4-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 7-1-4-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 7-0-4-2 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 7-2-4-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 8-0-4-1 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 8-1-4-0 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 9-0-4-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	12+ HP, 5-1-2-5 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 5-2-1-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3NT:	12+ HP, 5-0-3-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 5-3-0-5 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 5-1-1-6 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 5-0-2-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 5-2-0-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	12+ HP, 5-0-1-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 5-1-0-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 5-0-0-8 à 5 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 5-1-5-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 5-2-5-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 5-0-5-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 5-3-5-0 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 5-1-6-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 5-0-6-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 5-2-6-0 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 5-0-7-1 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 5-1-7-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 5-0-8-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6-1-1-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 6-0-2-5 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 6-2-0-5 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 7-0-1-5 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 7-1-0-5 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 8-0-0-5 à 5 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 6-1-5-1 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 6-0-5-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 6-2-5-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 7-0-5-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 7-1-5-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 8-0-5-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	3 NT
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 6-5-1-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 6-5-0-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 6-5-2-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	8-11(12) HP, 7-5-0-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 7-5-1-0 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 8-5-0-0 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 7-6-0-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 6-0-1-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11(12) HP, 6-1-0-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6-0-0-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 7-0-0-6 à 5 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	1 ♠
1 NT	4 ♦
4 ♠	4 NT:	8-11(12) HP, 6-0-6-1à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11(12) HP, 6-1-6-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11(12) HP, 6-0-7-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11(12) HP, 7-0-6-0 à 5 NT is Crash

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 1 NT:

The bid shows: à 8-14 HP with a balanced hand (8 HP with 4-3-3-3 possibly bid 1 ♦)

à denies a 5 card (or longer) major

à containing a 5 card minor with balanced distribution (5-3-3-2)

à any 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, any 5-3-3-2 with a 5 card minor

à in principle to be avoided (however possible with bad quality in the suits): 5-4-2-2 with 5-4 or 4-5 in the minors

After that, we use no transfer bids on the part of opener (after all he is to play the hand). Rather suit bids (apart from 2 § which is a kind of Stayman) are natural and at the same time Support Asking bids.

The first bids:

Opener	Responder	Meaning of the bids
1 §	1 NT
2 §:		Relay (start of a relay sequence, with which first the exact distribution, strength and subsequently key cards can be determined)
2 ¨:		6+ ¨, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 ©:		6+ ©, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 ª:		6+ ª, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 NT:		6+ §, requests cue bids with a fit
3 §/¨/©/ª:		Natural, very strong hand, bid suit is trumps, requests cue bids
3 NT:		Natural, to play, no interest in more (therefore minimum)

Tip: 1 ♣ - 1NT forces to game. One should - when non-vulnerable - with a hand containing exactly 8 HP and a 4-3-3-3 distribution without any middle cards, consider whether one should begin with 1 § - 1 ¨ and treat the hand as having 7 HP. If partner has merely 16 HP and a balanced hand, this is the only chance not to land in 3 NT with only 24 HP.

1 §	1 NT	Meaning of the bids
2 §		2 § = Relay
	2 ¨:	12-14 HP, any distribution (except 3-3-3-4) à 2 ♥ is a relay
	2 ©:	4 ♥, (8)9-11 HP, 4 ♠ possible à 2 ♠ is a relay
	2 ª:	4 ♠, denies 4 ♥, (8)9-11 HP à 2 NT is a relay
	2 NT:	(8)9-11 HP, no 4 card major, no 5 card minor à 3 ♣ is a relay
	3 §:	(8)9-11 HP, 5 ♣, any 3-3-2 à 3 ¨ is now a Splinter relay
	3 ¨:	(8)9-11 HP, 5 ♦, any 3-3-2 à 3 ♥ is now a Splinter relay
	3 ©:	(8)9-11 HP, 2-2-4-5 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ª:	(8)9-11 HP, 2-2-5-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12-14 HP, 3-3-3-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash (with 3-3-4-3, one goes via 2 ♦ and bids 3 ♥ after the subsequent relay)

With 1 ♣ - 1 NT - 2 ♣, one can start a relay sequence. With the Relay Trigger, responder indicates now that he wants to reach at least game. Now the relay sequences start. Responder can always break out of the relay sequences by bidding another suit. This bid is always natural and game forcing. If one has changed into a natural sequence and a fit is known, cue bids follow. However back to the relay sequences: If one knows the exact distribution, the relay is an ace ask (the next relay is for kings, after that follows the queen ask). At the same time in each case only the 4 cards are queried, this according to the scheme Crash (Colour-Rank-And-SHape):

If the first ask is at the 2, 3 or 4 level:

Crash step 1: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 2: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces of the same colour (red or black)

Crash step 4: 2 aces of the same rank, therefore in the majors or in the minors

Crash step 5: 2 aces of unequal colour or unequal rank, therefore ª and ¨ or © and §

Analogously things proceed after the next relay with kings and later queens. The bid of game in the trump suit or respectively a suit in which partner has shown 4+ cards, is never a relay (then the next higher bid is the relay).

If the second or third ask is made with 5 ♣ or higher:

Crash step 1: 0 or 3 kings (queens)

Crash step 2: 1 or 4 kings (queens)

Crash step 3: 2 kings (queens) of the same colour (red or black)

Crash step 4: 2 kings (queens) of the same rank, therefore in the major suits or in the minor suits

Crash step 5: 2 kings (queens) of unequal colour or unequal rank, therefore ª and ¨ or © and §

If the first ask occurs at 4 NT:

Crash step 1: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 2: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces

If the first ask occurs at 5 ♣ or higher:

Crash step 1: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 2: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces

With one shown honour:

Step 1: Honour in the longest suit (if two equally long suits: In the lower ranking suit)

Step 2: Honour in the second longest suit

Step 3: Honour in the second shortest suit

Step 4: Honour in the shortest suit

With two shown honours:

Step 1: Honours in both longer suits

Step 2: Honours in both shorter suits

With three shown honours:

Step 1: The honour is missing in the shortest suit

Step 2: The honour is missing in the second shortest suit

Step 3: The honour is missing in the second longest suit

Step 4: The honour is missing in the longest suit

Here too, with two equally long suits: Show the lower suit first.

If the opponent doubles a relay by the enquirer, responder bids on as if there had been no double if he has the ace or at least the king doubleton in the doubled suit. Otherwise he waits for his partner’s redouble and then bids his responses. If on the other hand the opponent bids a suit, pass shows the first step (partner’s double is then again the relay), double the second step and so on. If the opponent doubles a response to the relay, enquirer’s pass replaces his relay (responder redoubles for step one, bids the first step for step two etc.), redouble is to play. If the opponent bids after a response within the relay sequences, enquirer’s pass replaces the relay, double on the other hand is for penalty. Responder’s first step is then double.

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠:	4 ♠, 4 ♥ possible à 2 NT is a relay
	2 NT:	4 ♥ (à 3 ♣ is now a relay)
	3 §:	5 § and any 3-3-2 (à 3 ♦ is now a Splinter relay)
	3 ¨:	5 ¨ and any 3-3-2 (à 3 ♥ is now a Splinter relay)
	3 ©:	3-3-4-3 (now 3 ª à Crash)
	3 ª:	2-3-4-4 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash)
	3 NT:	3-2-4-4 (now 4 § à Crash)

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 §:	4 ♣ and 4 ♠ (à 3 ♦ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 ¨:	4 ♦ and 4 ♠ (à 3 ♥ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 ©:	4-3-3-3 (à 3 ♠ is now Crash)
	3 ª:	4-4-2-3 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash)
	3 NT:	4-4-3-2 (à 4 § is now Crash)

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 §
3 ¨	3 ©:	4-2-3-4 (à 3 ♠ is now Crash)
	3 ♠:	4-3-2-4 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash)

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	4-2-4-3 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash)
	3 NT:	4-3-4-2 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash)

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	4 ♥ and 4 ♦ (à 3 ♥ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 ©:	3-4-3-3 (à 3 ♠ is now Crash)
	3 ª:	2-4-3-4 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash)
	3 NT:	3-4-2-4 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash)

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ª:	2-4-4-3 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash)
	3 NT:	3-4-4-2 (à 4 ♣ is now Crash)

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ©:	3-3-2-5 à 3 ♠ is now Crash
	3 ª:	3-2-3-5 à 4 ♣ is now Crash
	3 NT:	2-3-3-5 à 4 ♣ is now Crash

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♦
2 ♥	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	3-3-5-2 à 4 ♣ is now Crash
	3 NT:	3-2-5-3 à 4 ♣ is now Crash
	4 ♣:	2-3-5-3 à 4 ♦ is now Crash

If one has 5 ♠ and is only interested in game, one breaks out of the relay sequence and bids a natural 3 ♠.

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♥
2 ª		(2 ª = relay)
	2 NT:	4 ª (à 3 ♣ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 §:	4 § (à 3 ♦ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 ¨:	4 ¨ (à 3 ♥ is now a Sidestep relay)
	3 ©:	3-4-3-3 (now 3 ª à Crash)
	3 ª:	2-4-2-5 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash)
	3 NT:	2-4-5-2 (now 4 § à Crash)

2 ª asks for a second 4 card suit; this is shown as naturally as possible (and otherwise, as always, up the line, hence 2 NT shows 4 ª).

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♥
2 ♠	2 NT	(2 ª = relay)
3 ♣	3 ¨:	4-4-2-3 (now 3 © is Crash)
	3 ©:	4-4-3-2 (now 3 ª is Crash)

If one shows 4-4 in two suits, the next relay is a Sidestep relay. The first step shows 2 cards in the higher and 3 cards in the lower of the remaining suits, the second step shows 3 cards in the higher and two cards in the lower of the remaining suits.

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♥
2 ♠	3 ♣	(2 ª = relay)
3 ♦	3 ©:	2-4-3-4 (now 3 ª à Crash)
	3 ª:	3-4-2-4 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash)

As soon as the exact distribution is known, the next relay is always Crash; exception: 3 NT (then 4 § à Crash).

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♥
2 ♠	3 ♦	(2 ª = relay)
3 ♥	3 ª:	2-4-4-3 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash)
	3 NT:	3-4-4-2 (now 4 § à Crash)

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♠
2 NT	3 §:	4 §
	3 ¨:	4 ¨
	3 ©:	4-3-3-3 (now 3 ª is Crash)
	3 ª:	4-2-2-5 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § Crash)
	3 NT:	4-2-5-2 (now 4 § is Crash)

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣	(2 NT = relay)
3 ♦	3 ©:	4-2-3-4 (now 3 ª à Crash)
	3 ª:	4-3-2-4 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash)

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♦	(2 NT = relay)
3 ♥	3 ª:	4-2-4-3 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash)
	3 NT:	4-3-4-2 (now 4 § à Crash)

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ¨:	3-3-4-3 (now 3 © à Crash)
	3 ©:	2-3-4-4 (now 3 ª à Crash)
	3 ª:	3-2-4-4 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § à Crash)
	3 NT:	3-3-3-4 (now 4 § à Crash)

With the 3 § relay as shown above, one sees the principle behind these relays: One tries to construct them as naturally as possible.

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ©:	3-3-2-5 (now 3 ª Crash)
	3 ª:	3-2-3-5 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § Crash)
	3 NT:	2-3-3-5 (now 4 § Crash)

With the Splinter relay, the responses are always as follows: Step 1 shows shortness in the lowest remaining suit, Step 2 shows shortness in the middle remaining suit and Step 3 shows shortness in the highest remaining suit.

		Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 NT
2 ♣	3 ¨
3 ♥	3 ª:	3-3-5-2 (now 3 NT is to play, 4 § Crash)
	3 NT:	3-2-5-3 (now 4 § Crash)
	4 §:	2-3-5-3 (now 4 ¨ Crash)

And as said: With a natural bid, one can always break out of the relay sequences! The bidding then becomes natural; if a fit is known, cue bids follow, 4 NT is 5 Ace Blackwood. For example, but also in the above sequence: If one has 5 ♠ and only interest in game, one does better to get out of the above relay sequence and bid a natural 3 ♠.

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 2 ♣:

2 § is bid with the following conditions:

à 8+ HP

à At least 5 § (irrespective of suit quality)

à Not 5 ♣ with 3/3/2 (bid 1 NT!)

One should note that one may have no 5 card suits with the direct No Trump bids.

1 §	2 §	Meaning of the bids
2 ¨:		Relay, asks about distribution
2 ©:		6+ ♥, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 ª:		6+ ♠, Support Asking bid in ª
2 NT:		Not defined
3 §:		Fit, natural, requests cue bids
3 ¨:		6+ ♦, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
3 NT:		Minimum, 16 HP, game proposal, suggests a boring hand, usually without a 4 card major and with a 3 card fit in ♣

2 ¨ is therefore now an inquiry for distribution as well as indirectly for strength.

Some tips about Crash:

If the first ask is at the 2, 3 or 4 level:

Crash step 1: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 2: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces of the same colour (red or black)

Crash step 4: 2 aces of the same rank, therefore in the majors or in the minors

Crash step 5: 2 aces of unequal colour or unequal rank, therefore ª and ¨ or © and §

If the second or third ask is done with 5 ♣ or higher:

Crash step 1: 0 or 3 kings (queens)

Crash step 2: 1 or 4 kings (queens)

Crash step 3: 2 kings (queens) of the same colour (red or black)

Crash step 4: 2 kings (queens) of the same rank, therefore in the majors or in the minors

Crash step 5: 2 kings (queens) of unequal colour or unequal rank, therefore ª and ¨ or © and §

If the first ask occurs at 4 NT:

Crash step 1: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 2: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces

If the first ask occurs at 5 ♣ or higher:

Crash step 1: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 2: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces

With one shown honour:

Step 1: Honour in the longest suit (if two equally long suits: In the lower ranking suit)

Step 2: Honour in the second longest suit

Step 3: Honour in the second shortest suit

Step 4: Honour in the shortest suit

With two shown honours:

Step 1: Honours in both longer suits

Step 2: Honours in both shorter suits

With three shown honours:

Step 1: The honour is missing in the shortest suit

Step 2: The honour is missing in the second shortest suit

Step 3: The honour is missing in the second longest suit

Step 4: The honour is missing in the longest suit

Here too, with two equally long suits: Show the lower suit first.

If the opponent doubles a relay by enquirer, responder bids on as if there had been no double if he has the ace or at least the king doubleton in the doubled suit. Otherwise he waits for his partner’s redouble and then bids his responses. If on the other hand the opponent bids a suit, pass shows the first step (partner’s double is then again the relay), double the second step and so on. If the opponent doubles a response to the relay, enquirer’s pass replaces his relay (responder redoubles for step one, bids the first step for step two etc.), redouble is to play. If the opponent bids after a response within the relay sequences, enquirer’s pass replaces the relay, double on the other hand is for penalty. Responder’s first step is then double.

1 §	2 §	Meaning of the bids
2 ¨	2 ©:	4-5 ♥ à 2 ♠ is a 5-4 Pick-up relay
	2 ª:	4-5 ♠ à 2 NT is a 5-4 Pick-up relay
	2 NT:	5+ § and 5+ ♦à 3 ♣ is a relay
	3 §:	Exactly 6 ♣ and no second suità 3 ♦ is a relay
	3 ¨:	6+ ♣ and 4 ♦à 3 ♥ is a relay
	3 ©:	7 ♣, 8-11 HP à 3 ♠ is a relay
	3 ª:	12+ HP, 7 § with any 3/2/1 à 4 ♣ is a Splinter relay
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 2-2-2-7 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 §:	12+ HP, 3-3-0-7 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ¨:	12+ HP, 3-0-3-7 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ©:	12+ HP, 0-3-3-7 à 4 ♠ is Crash

Important: Sooner or later one distinguishes 2 strength zones in the response: 8-11 HP as well as 12+ HP.

One should note further that one cannot have 5 ♣ and 4 ♦ or 5 ♦ and 4 ♣, with this one directly bids 1 ♣ - 2 ♥ (or 1 NT with good doubletons).

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♥
2 ♠	2 NT:	8-11 HP à 3 ♣ is a 54 Pick-up relay
	3 ♣:	12+ HP, 6+ ♣, 4 ♥ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♦:	12+ HP, 2-4-2-5 à 3 ♥ is Crash
	3 ♥:	12+ HP, 1-4-3-5 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 3-4-1-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 4-4-0-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 6+ ♣ and a bad 5 ♥ à 4 ♦ is a Sidestep relay

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♥
2 ♠	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦:	8-11 HP, 6+ ♣, 4 ♥ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♥:	8-11 HP, 2-4-2-5 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	8-11 HP, 1-4-3-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	8-11 HP, 3-4-1-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 4-4-0-5 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 6+ ♣ and bad 5 ♥ à 4 ♠ is a Sidestep relay

One notes with both of the above sequences that the 0-4-4-5 distribution is shown with 1 ♣ - 2 ♥.

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♥
2 ♠	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	12+ HP, 1-4-2-6 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 2-4-1-6 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 0-4-3-6 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 3-4-0-6 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 1-4-1-7 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-4-2-7 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 2-4-0-7 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 0-4-1-8 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 1-4-0-8 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-4-0-9 à 5 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♥
2 ♠	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	8-11 HP, 1-4-2-6 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	8-11 HP, 2-4-1-6 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 0-4-3-6 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 3-4-0-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 1-4-1-7 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 0-4-2-7 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 2-4-0-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11 HP, 0-4-1-8 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11 HP, 1-4-0-8 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11 HP, 0-4-0-9 à 5 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♥
2 ♠	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 1-5-1-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 0-5-2-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 2-5-0-6 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 0-5-1-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 1-5-0-7 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-5-0-8 à 5 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♥
2 ♠	2 NT
3 ♣	4 ♦
4 ♠	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 1-5-1-6 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11 HP, 0-5-2-6 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11 HP, 2-5-0-6 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11 HP, 0-5-1-7 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♠:	8-11 HP, 1-5-0-7 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 NT:	8-11 HP, 0-5-0-8 à 6 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣:	8-11 HP à 3 ♦ is a 54 Pick-up relay
	3 ♦:	12+ HP, 6+ ♣, 4 ♠ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♥:	12+ HP, 4-2-2-5 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 4-1-3-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 4-3-1-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 6+ ♣ and 5 ♠ à 4 ♦ is a Sidestep relay

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	8-11 HP, 6+ ♣, 4 ♠ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♠:	8-11 HP, 4-2-2-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	8-11 HP, 4-1-3-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 4-3-1-5 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 6+ ♣ and 5 ♠ à 4 ♠ is a Sidestep relay

One notes with both the above sequences: With 4-0-4-5 one goes via 1 ♣ - 2 ♥.

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 4-1-2-6 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 4-2-1-6 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 4-0-3-6 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 4-3-0-6 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 4-1-1-7 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 4-0-2-7 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 4-2-0-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 4-0-1-8 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 4-1-0-8 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 4-0-0-9 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11 HP, 4-1-2-6 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 4-2-1-6 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 4-0-3-6 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 4-3-0-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 4-1-1-7 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 4-0-2-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11 HP, 4-2-0-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11 HP, 4-0-1-8 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11 HP, 4-1-0-8 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 ♠:	8-11 HP, 4-0-0-9 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♠
2 NT	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 5-1-1-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 5-0-2-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 5-2-0-6 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 5-0-1-7 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 5-1-0-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 5-0-0-8 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦	4 ♦
4 ♥	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 5-1-1-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 5-0-2-6 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11 HP, 5-2-0-6 à 5 ♦ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11 HP, 5-0-1-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11 HP, 5-0-1-7 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 ♠:	8-11 HP, 5-0-0-8 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦:	8-11 HP
	3 ♥:	12+ HP, precisely 5 ♦ and 5 ♣ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, precisely 5 ♦ and 6+ ♣ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 6+ ♦ and precisely 5 ♣ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, at least 6 ♣ and 6 ♦ à 4 ♦ is a Sidestep relay

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	8-11 HP, precisely 5 ♦ and 5 ♣ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 NT:	8-11 HP, precisely 5 ♦ and 6+ ♣ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 6+ ♦ and precisely 5 ♣ à 4 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, at least 6 ♣ and 6 ♦ à 4 ♥ is a Sidestep relay

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	12+ HP, 1-2-5-5à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 2-1-5-5à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-3-5-5à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 3-0-5-5à 4 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 1-2-5-5 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 2-1-5-5 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 0-3-5-5 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 3-0-5-5 à 5 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 1-1-5-6 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-2-5-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 2-0-5-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 0-1-5-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 1-0-5-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-0-5-8 à 5 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 NT
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 1-1-5-6 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 0-2-5-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 2-0-5-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 0-1-5-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11 HP, 1-0-5-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11 HP, 0-0-5-8 à 5 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 NT
4 ♣	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 1-1-6-5 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-2-6-5 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 2-0-6-5 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 0-1-7-5 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 1-0-7-5 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-0-8-5 à 5 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦
3 ♥	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 1-1-6-5 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 0-2-6-5 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 2-0-6-5 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11 HP, 0-1-7-5 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11 HP, 1-0-7-5 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11 HP, 0-0-8-5 à 5 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-1-6-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-0-6-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 0-0-6-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 0-0-7-6 à 5 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦
3 ♥	4 ♦
4 ♥	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 0-1-6-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 1-0-6-6 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11 HP, 0-0-6-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11 HP, 0-0-7-6 à 5 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	8-11 HP
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 6 ♣, with any 3/2/2 à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 3-3-1-6 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 3-1-3-6 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 1-3-3-6 à 4 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11 HP, 6 ♣, with any 3/2/2 à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 3-3-1-6 à 4 ♦ is a Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 3-1-3-6 à 4 ♥ is a Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 1-3-3-6 à 4 ♠ is a Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 2-2-3-6 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 2-3-2-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 3-2-2-6 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 2-2-3-6 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 2-3-2-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 3-2-2-6 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	8-11 HP à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 1-2-4-6 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 2-1-4-6 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-3-4-6 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 3-0-4-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-1-4-7 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 0-2-4-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 2-0-4-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-1-4-8 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 1-0-4-8 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♠:	12+ HP, 0-0-4-9 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 1-2-4-6 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 2-1-4-6 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 0-3-4-6 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 3-0-4-6 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11 HP, 1-1-4-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11 HP, 0-2-4-7 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11 HP, 2-0-4-7 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♠:	8-11 HP, 0-1-4-8 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 NT:	8-11 HP, 1-0-4-8 à 6 ♥ is Crash
	6 ♣:	8-11 HP, 0-0-4-9 à 6 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT	8-11 HP, 2-2-2-7 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣	8-11 HP, 7 ♣, with any 3-2-1 distribution à 4 ♦ is a Splinter relay
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 3-3-0-7 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 3-0-3-7 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 0-3-3-7 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	3 ♥
3 ♠	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 2-3-1-7 or 3-2-1-7 à 4 ♠ is RKCBW (41/30, ♣ as trumps)
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 2-1-3-7 or 3-1-2-7 à 4 NT is RKCBW (41/30, ♣ as trumps)
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 1-2-3-7 or 1-3-2-7 à 5 ♦ is RKCBW (30/41, ♣ as trumps)

1 ♣	2 ♣	Meaning of the bids
2 ♦	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 2-3-1-7 or 3-2-1-7 à 4 ♥ is RKCBW (41/30, ♣ as trumps)
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 2-1-3-7 or 3-1-2-7 à 4 ♠ is RKCBW (41/30, ♣ as trumps)
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-2-3-7 or 1-3-2-7 à 4 NT is RKCBW (41/30, ♣ as trumps)

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 2 ♦:

2 ♦ responses have the following requirements:

à 8+ HP

à At least 5 ♦ (irrespective of suit quality)

à One does not have 5 ♦ with 3/3/2 distribution (1 ♣ - 1 NT) and does not have 5 ♦ and 4 ♣ (1 ♣ - 2 ♥).

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥:		Relay, asks about distribution and indirectly strength
2 ♠:		6+ ♠, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
2 NT:		Not defined
3 ♣:		6+ ♣, natural, requests cue bids with a fit
3 ♦:		Fit, natural, requests cue bid
3 ♥:		6+ ♥, natural, requests cue bids with a fit

2 ♥ is now an inquiry about the distribution.

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 ♠:	4-5 ♠ à 2 NT is a 54 Pick-up relay
	2 NT:	4-5 ♥ à 3 ♣ is a 54 Pick-up relay
	3 ♣:	Exactly 6 ♦ without a second suit à 3 ♦ is a relay
	3 ♦:	6+ ♦ and 4 ♣ à 3 ♥ is a relay
	3 ♥:	7 ♦, 8-11 HP à 3 ♠ is a relay
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 7 ♦ with any 3/2/1 distribution à 4 ♣ is a Splinter relay followed by Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 2-2-7-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 3-3-7-0 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 3-0-7-3 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-3-7-3 à 4 ♠ is Crash

Important: Sooner or later one distinguishes 2 strength zones in the responses: 8-11 HP as well as 12+ HP.

Also note that responder cannot have 5 ♣ and 4 ♦ or 5 ♦ and 4 ♣, with that one directly bids 2 ♥ after 1 ♣.

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣:	8-11 HP à 3 ♦ is a 54 Pick-up relay
	3 ♦:	12+ HP, 6+ ♦, 4 ♠ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♥:	12+ HP, 4-2-5-2 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 4-1-5-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 4-3-5-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 4-4-5-0 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 6+ ♦ and 5 ♠ à 4 ♥ asks for further distribution, 4 NT is Roman Key Card Blackwood (41/30)

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	8-11 HP, 6+ ♦, 4 ♠ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♠:	8-11 HP, 4-2-5-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	8-11 HP, 4-1-5-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 4-3-5-1 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 4-4-5-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 6+ ♦ and 5 ♠ à 4 NT is Roman Key Card Blackwood (41/30)

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 4-1-6-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 4-2-6-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 4-0-6-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 4-3-6-0 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 4-1-7-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 4-0-7-2 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 4-2-7-0 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 4-0-8-1 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 4-1-8-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 4-0-9-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11 HP, 4-1-6-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 4-2-6-1 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 4-0-6-3 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 4-3-6-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 4-1-7-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 4-0-7-2 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11 HP, 4-2-7-0 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11 HP, 4-0-8-1 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11 HP, 4-1-8-0 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 ♠:	8-11 HP, 4-0-9-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	4 ♦
4 ♥:		Relay, further ask about the distribution
4 ♠:		To play
4 NT:		Roman Key Card Blackwood (41/30)

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	4 ♦
4 ♥
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-5-6-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 0-5-6-2 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 2-5-6-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-5-7-1 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 1-5-7-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♠:	12+ HP, 0-5-8-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 ♠
2 NT	3 ♣
3 ♦	4 ♥
4 NT:		Roman Key Card Blackwood (there is no distribution inquiry to 4 NT)

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦:	8-11 HP à 3 ♥ is a 54 Pick-up relay
	3 ♥:	12+ HP, 6+ ♦, 4 ♥ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 2-4-5-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 1-4-5-3 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 3-4-5-1 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 6+ ♦ and 5 ♥ à 4 ♠ is a Sidestep relay, 4 NT à RKCB (41/30)

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	8-11 HP, 6+ ♦, 4 ♥ à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 NT:	8-11 HP, 2-4-5-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 1-4-5-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 3-4-5-1 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 6+ ♦ and 5 ♥ à 4 ♠ is a Sidestep relay, 4 NT à Roman Key Card Blackwood (41/30)

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	12+ HP, 1-4-6-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 2-4-6-1 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-4-6-3 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 3-4-6-0 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-4-7-1 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 0-4-7-2 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 2-4-7-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-4-1-8 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 1-4-8-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♠:	12+ HP, 0-4-9-0 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠
3 NT	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 1-4-6-2à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 2-4-6-1à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 0-4-6-3à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 3-4-6-0 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 1-4-7-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11 HP, 0-4-7-2 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11 HP, 2-4-7-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11 HP, 0-4-8-1 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♠:	8-11 HP, 1-4-8-0 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 NT	8-11 HP, 0-4-9-0 à 6 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	4 ♥
4 ♠	4 NT:	12+ HP, 1-5-6-1 à 5 ♣ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 0-5-6-2 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 2-5-6-0 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-5-7-1 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-5-7-0 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 NT:	12+ HP, 0-5-8-0 à 6 ♣ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦
3 ♥	4 ♥
4 ♠:		Relay, further inquiry about distribution
4 NT:		Roman Key Card Blackwood (41/30)
5 ♣		To play
5 ♦:		To play
5 ♥:		To play
5 ♠:		To play

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	8-11 HP
	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 6 ♦ with any 3/2/2 à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 3-3-6-1 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 3-1-6-3 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 1-3-6-3 à 4 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	8-11 HP, 6 ♦ with any 3/2/2 à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 3-3-6-1 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 3-1-6-3 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 1-3-6-3 à 4 ♠ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 2-2-6-3 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 2-3-6-2 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 3-2-6-2 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 2-2-6-3 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 2-3-6-2 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 3-2-6-2 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	8-11 HP à 4 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 1-2-6-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 2-1-6-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-3-6-4 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 3-0-6-4 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-1-7-4 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	12+ HP, 0-2-7-4 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♣:	12+ HP, 2-0-7-4 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-1-8-4 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	12+ HP, 1-0-8-4 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♠:	12+ HP, 0-0-9-4 à 5 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 1-2-6-4 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 2-1-6-4 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 0-3-6-4 à 4 NT is Crash
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 3-0-6-4 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♣:	8-11 HP, 1-1-7-4 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♦:	8-11 HP, 0-2-7-4 à 5 ♥ is Crash
	5 ♥:	8-11 HP, 2-0-7-4 à 5 ♠ is Crash
	5 ♠:	8-11 HP, 0-1-8-4 à 5 NT is Crash
	5 NT:	8-11 HP, 1-0-8-4 à 6 ♥ is Crash
	6 ♣:	8-11 HP, 0-0-9-4 à 6 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT	8-11 HP, 2-2-7-2 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣	8-11 HP, 7 ♦ with any 3-2-1 distribution à 4 ♦ is a Splinter relay
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 3-3-7-0 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 3-0-7-3 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 0-3-7-3 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	3 ♥
3 ♠	4 ♣
4 ♦	4 ♥:	8-11 HP, 2-3-7-1 or 3-2-7-1 à 4 ♠ is RKCBW (41/30, ♦ as trumps)
	4 ♠:	8-11 HP, 2-1-7-3 or 3-1-7-2 à 4 NT is RKCBW (41/30, ♦ as trumps)
	4 NT:	8-11 HP, 1-2-7-3 or 1-3-7-2 à 5 ♦ is RKCBW (30/41, ♦ as trumps)

1 ♣	2 ♦	Meaning of the bids
2 ♥	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 2-3-7-1 or 3-2-7-1 à 4 ♥ is RKCBW (41/30, ♦ as a trump)
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 2-1-7-3 or 3-1-7-2 à 4 ♠ is RKCBW (41/30, ♦ as a trump)
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 1-2-7-3 or 1-3-7-2 à 4 NT is RKCBW (41/30, ♦ as trumps)

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 2 ♥:

The bid of 1 ♣ - 2 ♥ is made with the following requirements:

à 8+ HP

à exactly 9 cards in the minors, namely 5 ♦ and 4 ♣ or 4 ♦ and 5 ♣

Opener can now start a relay sequence with 2 ♠ or make a SAB by bidding a new suit. 2 NT asks about the Italian controls.

As a rule, one uses the relay of 2 ♠ because this gives information about strength and distribution.

1 ♣	2 ♥	Meaning of the bids
2 ♠	2 NT:	8-11 HP, 4 ♦ and 5 ♣ à 3 ♣ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♣:	8-11 HP, 5 ♦ and 4 ♣ à 3 ♦ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♦:	12+ HP, 4 ♦ and 5 ♣ à 3 ♥ is a Sidestep relay
	3 ♥:	12+ HP, 5 ♦ and 4 ♣ à 3 ♠ is a Sidestep relay

1 ♣	2 ♥	Meaning of the bids
2 ♠	2 NT
3 ♣	3 ♦:	8-11 HP, 2-2-4-5 à 3 ♥ is Crash
	3 ♥:	8-11 HP, 1-3-4-5 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	8-11 HP, 3-1-4-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	8-11 HP, 0-4-4-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 4-0-4-5 à 4 ♦ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♥	Meaning of the bids
2 ♠	3 ♣
3 ♦	3 ♥:	8-11 HP, 2-2-5-4 à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	8-11 HP, 1-3-5-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	8-11 HP, 3-1-5-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	8-11 HP, 0-4-5-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	8-11 HP, 4-0-5-4 à 4 ♥ is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♥	Meaning of the bids
2 ♠	3 ♦
3 ♥	3 ♠:	12+ HP, 2-2-4-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	12+ HP, 1-3-4-5 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 3-1-4-5 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 0-4-4-5 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 4-0-4-5 à 4 NT is Crash

1 ♣	2 ♥	Meaning of the bids
2 ♠	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	12+ HP, 2-2-5-4 à 4 ♣ is Crash
	4 ♣:	12+ HP, 1-3-5-4 à 4 ♦ is Crash
	4 ♦:	12+ HP, 3-1-5-4 à 4 ♥ is Crash
	4 ♥:	12+ HP, 0-4-5-4 à 4 ♠ is Crash
	4 ♠:	12+ HP, 4-0-5-4 à 4 NT is Crash

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 2 ♠:

The bid of 1 ♣ - 2 ♠ is made with the following requirements:

à 1-4-4-4 or 4-4-4-1, black singleton

à 12+ HP

With the relay of 2 NT, the singleton can now be found, which (as usual in our system) is shown from below:

1 ♣	2 ♠	Meaning of the bids
2 NT	3 ♣:	Singleton ♣ à 3 ♦ is Crash
	3 ♦:	Singleton ♠ à 4 ♥ is Crash

Because one now knows the exact distribution, the relay (= the bid of the next possibility for a bid) is an ace ask (the following relay is for kings, after that follows the queen ask). At the same time in each case only the 4 cards are queried, this according to the scheme Crash (Colour-Rank-And-SHape):

Crash step 1: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 2: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces of the same colour (red or black)

Crash step 4: 2 aces of the same rank, majors or minors

Crash step 5: 2 aces of unequal colour or unequal rank, therefore ♠ and ♦ or ♥ and ♣

So it continues after the next relay for kings and later queens. Note that 3 NT or the bid of game in a known 4 card suit is never a relay, for example after 1 ♣ - 2 ♠ - 2 NT - 3 ♣ - 3 ♦ - 3 ♠ à 4 ♣ is therefore Crash.

Responder can always break out of the relay sequences if he selects another bid. Therewith the final contract is determined.

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 2 NT:

The bid of 1 ♣ - 2 NT is made with the following requirements:

à 4-1-4-4 or 4-4-1-4, red singleton

à 12+ HP

With the relay of 3 ♣, the singleton can now be determined, which (as usual in our system) is shown from below:

1 ♣	2 NT	Meaning of the bids
3 ♣	3 ♦:	Singleton ♦ à 3 ♥ is Crash
	3 ♥:	Singleton ♥ à 3 ♠ is Crash

Because one now knows the exact distribution, the relay (= the bid of the next possibility for a bid) is an ace ask (the following relay is for kings, then follows the queen ask). At the same time in each case only the 4 cards are queried, this according to the scheme Crash (Colour-Rank-And-SHape):

Crash step 1: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 2: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces of the same colour (red or black)

Crash step 4: 2 aces of the same rank, therefore majors or minors

Crash step 5: 2 aces of unequal colour or unequal rank, therefore ♠ and ♦ or ♥ and ♣

Things continue analogously with the next relay for kings and later queens. Note that 3 NT is never a relay, for example after 1 ♣ - 2 NT - 3 ♣ - 3 ♦ - 3 ♥ - 3 ♠ à 4 ♣ is therefore Crash.

Responder can always break out of the relay sequences if he selects another bid. Therewith the final contract is determined.

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 3 ♣:

The bid of 1 ♣ - 3 ♣ is made with the following requirements:

à 1-4-4-4 or 4-4-4-1, black singleton

à 8-11 (bad 12) HP

An example of the bid 1 ♣ - 3 ♣: ♠ 4/ ♥ AJ97/ ♦ J432/ ♣ Q962

Somewhat aggressive to be sure, but otherwise how does one describe this hand with a bid?

With the relay of 3 ♦, the singleton can be determined, which (as usual in our system) is shown from below:

1 ♣	3 ♣	Meaning of the bids
3 ♦	3 ♥:	Singleton ♣ à 3 ♠ is Crash
	3 ♠:	Singleton ♠ à 4 ♣ is Crash

Crash step 1: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 2: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces of the same colour (red or black)

Crash step 4: 2 aces of the same rank, therefore majors or minors

Crash step 5: 2 aces of unequal colour or unequal rank, therefore ♠ and ♦ or ♥ and ♣

Similarly it goes for the next relay for kings and then for queens. Note that 3 NT is never a relay, after 1 ♣ - 3 ♣ - 3 ♦ - 3 ♠ à 4 ♣ is therefore Crash.

Responder can always break out of the relay sequences if he selects another bid. Therewith the final contract is determined.

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 3 ♦:

The bid of 1 ♣ - 3 ♦ is made with the following requirements:

à 4-1-4-4 or 4-4-1-4, red singleton

à 8-11 (bad 12) HP

An example of the bid 1 ♣ - 3 ♦: ♠ J1074/ ♥ 2/ ♦ A987/ ♣ AQ96

Responder does, to be sure, have 4 Italian controls, but in order to be able to bid 4 ♦, he would have to have at least 12 HP.

With this convention, opener is often able to immediately place the contract. Take the following example: You hold ♠ KQJ65/ ♥ AJ8/ ♦ KQ/ ♣ K108 and your partner now bids 3 ♦ after a 1 ♣ opening, we see - that on the one hand there are wasted values in both possible singletons, and might on the other hand be missing possibly two aces (clarifiable with Crash) - immediately that there is only one contract: 4 ♠. It looks different if you possess ♠ AKQ876/ ♥ 976/ ♦ AK43/ ♣ - : After 1 ♣ - 3 ♦, the potential is enormous if responder has a singleton ♥, if he has the ♦ king as well, 6 ♠ is unbeatable.

With the relay of 3 ♥, the singleton can now be determined, which (as usual in our system) is shown from below:

1 ♣	3 ♦	Meaning of the bids
3 ♥	3 ♠:	Singleton ♦ à 4 ♣ is Crash
	3 NT:	Singleton ♥ à 4 ♣ is Crash

Because one now knows the exact distribution, the relay (= the bid of the next step) is an ace ask (the following relay is for kings, after that follows the queen ask). At the same time respectively only the 4 cards are queried, this according to the scheme Crash (Colour-Rank-And-SHape):

Crash step 1: 1 or 4 aces

Crash step 2: 0 or 3 aces

Crash step 3: 2 aces of the same colour (red or black)

Crash step 4: 2 aces of the same rank, therefore in the majors or minors

Crash step 5: 2 aces of unequal colour of unequal rank, therefore ♠ and ♦ or ♥ and ♣

Similarly it goes for the next relay for kings and then queens. Note that 3 NT is never a relay, after 1 ♣ - 3 ♦ - 3 ♥ - 3 ♠ à 4 ♣ is therefore Crash.

Responder can always break out of the relay sequences if he selects another bid. Therewith the final contract is determined.

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 3 ♥:

The bid of 1 ♣ - 3 ♥ is made with the following requirements:

à Running 7 card suit, with at least AKQ

à Side values possible

An example: ♠ 1092/ ♥ AKQJ432/ ♦ 5/ ♣ J2

3 NT is natural and to play – note that it plays from the right hand. With addition values, responder can continue with a cue bid. Opener’s 3 ♠ is on the other hand a relay, which asks about controls outside of the running suit (which opener is assumed to know):

Opener	Responder	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	3 ♥
3 ♠	3 NT:	No outside control
	4 ♣:	One Italian control outside (therefore a king)
	4 ♦:	Two Italian controls outside (therefore an ace or two kings)
	4 ♥:	Three Italian controls outside (therefore an ace and a king or three kings)

After that new suits are - apart from responder’s running suit– CAB.

If opener, based on his own hand, can not determine which suit responder has, he can do this with a 4 ♣ ask:

Opener	Responder	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	3 ♥
4 ♣	4 ♦:	I have ♦
	4 ♥:	I have ♥
	4 ♠:	I have ♠
	4 NT:	I have ♣

After that opener can initiate a cue bidding sequence.

If after 1 ♣ - 3 ♥, opener now bids 5 NT directly or delayed, he wants to play in a Grand Slam if responder has a very good suit (AKQJ109x).

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 3 ♠:

The bid of 1 ♣ - 3 ♠ has the following requirements:

à Running 8 card suit, with at least AKQ

à Side values possible

An example: ♠ 102/ ♥ AKQ87432/ ♦ 5/ ♣ J2

3 NT is natural and to play – note that it plays from the correct hand. With addition values, responder can continue with a cue bid. Opener’s 4 ♣ is a relay, which asks about controls outside of the running suit (which opener is presumed to know):

Opener	Responder	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	3 ♠
4 ♣	4 ♦:	No outside control
	4 ♥:	One Italian control outside (therefore a king)
	4 ♠:	Two Italian controls outside (therefore an ace or two kings)
	4 NT:	Three Italian controls outside (therefore an ace and a king or three kings)

After that new suits are - apart from responder’s running suit – are cue bids.

If opener based on his own hand cannot determine which suit responder has, he can do this with a 4 ♦ ask:

Opener	Responder	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	3 ♠
4 ♦	4 ♥:	I have ♥
	4 ♠:	I have ♠
	4 NT:	I have ♦
	5 ♣:	I have ♣

After that opener has the possibility of using cue bids.

If after 1 ♣ - 3 ♠, opener now bids 5NT either directly or delayed, he wants to play in a Grand Slam if responder has a very good suit (AKQJ109xx).

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 3 NT:

The bid of 1 ♣ - 3 NT is made with the following requirements:

à Running 9 card suit, at least with AKQ

à Side values possible

An example: ♠ 10/ ♥ AKQ987432/ ♦ 5/ ♣ J2

Opener’s 4 ♣ is a relay, which asks about controls outside of the running suit (which opener is assumed to know):

Opener	Responder	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	3 NT
4 ♣	4 ♦:	No control outside
	4 ♥:	One Italian control outside (therefore a king)
	4 ♠:	Two Italian control outside (therefore an ace or two kings)
	4 NT:	Three Italian control outside (therefore an ace and a king or three kings)

After that new suits– apart from responder’s running suit – are cue bids.

If opener based on his own hand cannot determine which suit responder has, he can do this with a 4 ♦ ask:

Opener	Responder	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	3 NT
4 ♦	4 ♥:	I have ♥
	4 ♠:	I have ♠
	4 NT:	I have ♦
	5 ♣:	I have ♣

After that opener has the possibility of using cue bids.

If after 1 ♣ - 3 NT, opener now bids 5NT either directly or delayed, he wants to play in a Grand Slam if responder has a very good suit (AKQJ109xxx).

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 4 ♣:

The further bidding is natural. 4 NT asks about the honour points in ♣ (5 ♣ shows 4 HP, 5 ♦ 5 HP, 5 ♥ 6 HP (with 7 HP in ♣, one bids after 1 ♣ à 2 ♣).

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 4 ♦:

The further bidding is natural. 4 NT asks about the honour points in ♦ (5 ♣ shows 4 HP, 5 ♦ 5 HP, 5 ♥ 6 HP (with 7 HP in ♦, one bids after 1 ♣ à 2 ♦)).

The subsequent bidding after 1 ♣ - 4 ♥:

The further bidding is natural. 4 NT asks about the honour points in ♥ (5 ♣ shows 4 HP, 5 ♦ 5 HP, 5 ♥ 6 HP (with 7 HP in ♥, one bids after 1 ♣ à 1 ♥)).

The Subsequent Bidding after 1 ♣ - 4 ♠:

The further bidding is natural. 4 NT asks about the honour points in ♠ (5 ♣ shows 4 HP, 5 ♦ 5 HP, 5 ♥ 6 HP (with 7 HP in ♠, one bids after 1 ♣ à 1 ♠)).

The subsequent bidding after interventions after 1 ♣:

General comments:

Before dealing with the defence against interventions after the 1 ♣ opening, one must be aware when and why and in which style the opponents intervene against the 1 ♣ opening. Experts intervene in order to impede us in the exchange of information and in order to give themselves on the other hand indications for a defence or a lead. Less experienced players intervene only already because they feel challenged by a system that they do not know and believe therefore that they have to do things that would be designated as too risky against a natural system. There is a tendency to pass with stronger hands, while with weak hands to immediately intervene. At the same time interventions are also made with hands which would pass against a natural 1 ♣ opening. 4 card suits or bad 5 card suits are introduced, sometimes jump bids are made with inadequate 5 card suits.

After 1 ♣ - pass and later intervention, the interventions as a rule are identical to those against a natural opening in the suit now bid. Against this type of intervention, we protect ourselves - as far as there is not something explicitly described differently in the system - exactly the same as after a natural opening of the suit.

Things are different after 1 ♣ - pass - 1 ♦: Often similar interventions are used as directly against 1 ♣, for that reason one must be specially prepared against these interventions. And if the opponents intervene after a positive bid by responder, the situation is once again different given that here we already know the game strength.

Basically there are two types of interventions: Those with which it is immediately clear what the intervener has (e. g. a suit or a clearly defined two suiter), and those with which the opponent has either this or that. Here there is an attempt to create imprecise situations, especially to take away the possibility of the bidding of a cue bid. The disadvantage that these opponents get is that the partner of the intervener is also unclear as to who now has what so that he is hardly in a position to make a pre-emptive bid. Either way, it must be said that the second type of intervention is more frequent.

Against a strong ♣ system, it is advisable to somehow be able at least show a major at the 1 level in order to be able to give an indication for the lead. For us as users of the Zass system, this has - as one sees below - the advantage that we very often - and this is our rule number 1 represented below – can use our usual system as without intervention. In particular, opener retains at his disposal our relay sequences, SAB, TAB etc. as soon as responder makes any bid that shows 8+ HP. Our aim is therefore always to return as quickly as possible to our usual system without intervention.

It is very important to control the bidding after opposing interventions. Precisely because the opponents intervene often in an unrestrained or undisciplined way. It is up to us to punish this

- doubled enemy contracts as certain tops. In order to avoid as far as possible being disturbed, we orient ourselves by the following represented rules.

Rule number 1

Our endeavour is always to return, as quickly as possible, to our usual system without intervention. If our bid is identical to that which we would have used without the intervention, we still also have our relay sequences further available to us; just as opener can with pass get into the relay sequences if his partner forced to game and the second opponent also speaks (however not higher than step 2) (double by opener here is penalty). With opponent interventions, which make entry into the relay sequences impossible, the bidding will become perfectly natural.

Therefore we always try to make a bid which we would have also made without the intervention. The pre-requisite is that the opponent has intervened so that our bid is still possible.

Rule number 2

It is important that one knows very quickly after intervention how strong partner is. At the same time we recognise three zones against interventions at the 1 and 2 levels (therefore up to 2 ♠ by the opponent):

à 0-4 points à we pass

à 5-7(8) points à double/redouble

à (8)9+ points à the usual bid (this guarantees game; it follows Rule 1).

To simplify memorising, we behave according to this scheme in all our protection actions against interventions with double or at the 1 and 2 levels.

- Pass: 0-4 HP or a penalty double against the intervention suit (opener will double with shortage)

- Double/redouble: Negative, 5-7(8) HP, whether balanced distribution or not

- Other bids: As without intervention (also No Trump bids as far as possible; if the opponent intervened at the 2 level, 2 NT shows 8+ HP, a balanced hand and a stopper in the opponent’s suit à after that, 3 ♣ is Baron ( asks for 4 card suits up the line); 3 ♦, 3 ♥ and 3 ♠ are natural bids (5+ cards).

With suit interventions at the 3 level, pass can be up to 7 HP. Against interventions at the 3 level, double shows 7-11 HP with or without a stopper or respectively 11+ HP without a stopper (Note: the double is penalty if we are non-vulnerable and the opponents are vulnerable), on the other hand 3 NT shows 11+HP and a stopper (forcing for one round!).

After suit interventions, jumps in a new suit (from 2 ♠) are always the same as the bids without intervention (Rule 1). Especially with the opponent’s bid of 1 ♦, we are

practically undisturbed; apart from pass, double and an overcall of a known suit all bids are just the same as if the opponents had not intervened.

Rule number 3

If after the hostile intervention responder has shown 5-8 HP with a double/redouble, but shown no suit and now the second opponent pre-empts, opener has the following bids: Pass asks partner to double (which can later be passed, bid of a suit by opener is natural and shows a two suiter), the bid of a suit is natural and shows a single suiter, double shows an offensive hand (can however be converted by partner into a penalty double), the bid of partner’s suit shows a fit (cue bids follow).

If responder makes a positive bid with more than 8 HP after the hostile intervention however and now the second opponent pre-empts at the 2 level, opener has following bids: Pass is the Relay Trigger, it therefore starts our relay bid (1st step = double), the bid of a suit is natural (5+ cards), double is penalty and the bid of partner’s suit is natural and asks for cue bids.

If responder makes a positive bid with more than 8 HP after the hostile intervention however and now the second opponent pre-empts at the3 or 4 level, opener has the following bids: Pass asks partner to double (which can later be passed, if opener later bids a suit, this is natural and show he has a two-suiter), the bid of a suit is natural and shows a single suiter, double an offensive hand (can however be converted to penalties by partner), the bid of partner’s suit is TAB below game.

Rule number 4

If we know a suit of the opponents with certainty (namely with a single suiter or a two suiter with a known suit), the bid of this suit without a jump shows 8+ HP and a balanced hand without a stopper, 1 NT shows a stopper (2 ♣ is a relay), if one must bid 2 NT then 3 ♣ is Baron; so as far as possible we otherwise make our bids as without intervention (and our relay sequences follow). One can also use the direct cue bid if one has Ax or Axx in the opponent’s suit and would like partner to be able to bid No Trumps if need be. After that, 3 NT by opener shows a minimum with a stopper in the opponent’s suit and without further interest; 2 NT is Baron (with or without a stopper), asking partner to bid 4 card suits up the line. If possible we always make our natural bids as if without intervention and return to our relay sequences.

Rule number 5

If we know two suits of the opponents with certainty, the bid of one of these suits here shows a stopper (and 8+ HP) and denies a stopper in the other suit. After that, 3 NT by opener shows a minimum with a stopper in the opponent’s suit not stopped by partner; 2 NT is Baron (with or without a stopper), asking partner for a natural bid

(4 card suits bid up the line). If possible we always make our natural bids (e. g. 1 NT) as if without intervention and return to our relay sequences (after 1 NT with 2 ♣).

Rule number 6

If no suit is clearly defined, we take no notice of the intervention (opener applies Rule 1) or wait until the opponent has shown the suit(s) and then bid further, as if we had known the suit (or respectively suits) immediately. Also the 4-4-4-1-hands are bid here, as if the opponent had not intervened (inasmuch as the bid doesn’t have to be natural because of the level of the intervention).

Rule number 7

After partner’s pass, double by opener is negative. If, however, the second opponent has introduced another suit, double is penalty.

If responder has first doubled and the second opponent now bids a suit, opener’s double is negative. All later doubles are penalty. This applies especially if responder also passes the negative double of opener and has therewith converted it into a penalty double (and the second opponent has now escaped).

If responder makes a positive bid after 1 ♣ (e.g. 1 NT) and the opponent intervenes now, pass is the Relay Trigger, therefore double by opener is penalty.

The opponent bids after 1 ♣ à Double:

We attach from principle no importance to the meaning of the double. We use our three strength zones:

à Pass shows 0-4 HP

à Redouble shows 5-7(8) HP, usually balanced

à All other bids are identical as without the opponent’s double (therefore also jumps to the 2, 3 and 4 level, therefore for example 3 ♣ shows 1-4-4-4 or 4-4-4-1 and 8-11(12) HP (etc.). Only the cue bid of a known suit by the double has a special meaning (Rule 4 and 5)

As information:

What opposing agreements we know for the double against 1 ♣:

à Double shows both major suits (Disco or Mathe convention)

à Double shows a single suiter ♥ (Trap convention)

à Double shows a two suiter ♥ and ♣ (Truscott convention)

à Double shows a single suiter ♦ or a two suiter ♥/♠

à Double shows ♥ and a lower ranking suit (Badger convention)

à Double shows two suits of the same colour (therefore ♠ and ♣ or ♥ and ♦) (Modified Crash convention)

If the double has shown clearly a certain suit, the bid of this suit also at the 1 level counts already as a cue bid (and therefore shows 8+ HP and a balanced hand, after that 2 ♣ is a relay like after an undisturbed 1 ♣ -1 NT sequence). If the bid has shown two clearly defined suits, the bid of one of these suits shows 8+ HP and a stopper and denies a stopper in the other suit (after the cue at the 1 level, 2 ♣ is a relay, after the cue at the 2 level or higher new suits are natural, 2 NT is Baron).

Redouble in particular could be the preparation of a profitable business: Often the second opponent now bids, and if he bids one our suits, it is worth a penalty double. This counts in particular with not very experienced players who play the double against 1 ♣ as a takeout double.

However, let’s look at the continuations in detail:

We	Opponent	We	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	Double	Pass:	0-4 HP
		Redouble:	5-7(8) HP, balanced hand

Opponent

Meaning of the bids

1 ♣

Double

1 ♦:

As a principle applies without regard to the meaning of the double:

à 5+ ♦, 8+ HP

A comparable bid follows like after positive responses without intervention (therefore 1 NT asks for controls, suits are SAB etc.);

Note: 1 ♣/Double/1 ♦/Pass

1 ♥: Relay, same sequences as after 1 ♦ - 1 ♥!

One must especially notice the following exceptions:

à Double shows ♦: Cue bid, stopper ask with balanced distribution, 8+ HP à opener has now the Relay Trigger (2 ♣)

à Double shows ♦ and a second known suit: 8+ HP, ♦ stopper, no stopper in the other suit (2 ♣ is now a relay)

In all other cases - for example if the meaning the double is unclear (e.g. any two suiter with or without ♦, a single suiter in ♦ or a two suiter etc.) - 1 ♦ is natural and the bidding is as after positive responses without intervention (therefore 1 ♥ is a relay (continue as after 1 ♦ -1 ♥)).

Opponent

Meaning of the bids

1 ♣

Double

1 ♥:

As a principle applies without regard to the meaning of the double:

à 5+ ♥, 8+ HP or balanced distribution with 15+ HP and a stopper in any known suit

A comparable bid follows as after positive answers without intervention (therefore 1 ♠ is a relay)

One must especially note the following exceptions:

à Double shows a single suiter in ♥: Cue bid of 1 ♥, denies a ♥ stopper, 8+ HP, balanced distribution, after this 2 ♣ by opener is a relay.

à Double shows the major suits: 8+ HP, balanced distribution, stopper in ♥, no ♠ stopper; 2 ♣ is now a relay.

à Double shows a two suiter with ♥ and a second known suit: 8+ HP, balanced distribution, ♥ stopper, no stopper in the other suit; 2 ♣ is now a relay.

à Double shows ♥ and a lower suit: Cue bid, denies a ♥ stopper, 8+ HP (one does not know the second suit, therefore one asks about a stopper and shows no ♥ stopper), 2 ♣ is now a relay.

In all other cases - for example if the meaning the double is unclear (e. g. any two suiter with or without ♥, a ♥ single suiter or a two suiter etc.) - 1 ♥ is as if there was no intervention and the bidding is as after positive answers without intervention (therefore 1 ♠ is a relay).

Opponent

Meaning of the bids

1 ♣

Double

1 ♠:

As a principle applies without regard to the meaning of the double:

à 5+ ♠, 8+ HP; a comparable auction follows as after positive responses without intervention (therefore 1 NT is a relay).

One must especially note the following exceptions:

à Double shows a ♠ single suiter: Cue bid, balanced hand without a ♠ stopper, 8+ HP, 2 ♣ is a relay, new suits are natural.

à Double shows the major suits: 8+ HP, ♠ stopper, no ♥ stopper, 2 ♣ is a relay, new suits are natural.

à Double shows a two suiter with ♠ and a second known suit: 8+ HP, balanced distribution, ♠ stopper, no stopper in the other suit, 2 ♣ is a relay, new suits are natural.

à Double shows ♠ and a minor suit: Cue bid, no ♠ stopper, 8+ HP, balanced distribution (one does not know the second suit, therefore one asks about a stopper and shows no ♠ stopper, 2 ♣ is a relay, new suits are now natural.

In all other cases - for example if the meaning the double is unclear (e. g. any two suiter with or without ♠, a ♠ single suiter or a two suiter etc.) - 1 ♠ is natural and the bidding is as after positive responses without intervention (therefore 1 NT is a relay, suits are natural).

Opponent

Meaning of the bids

1 ♣

Double

1 NT:

Variant 1: 8-14 HP, balanced hand, no 5 card major

Variant 2: If the opponent’s suit is known, this shows a stopper in that suit; if double shows both majors, then stoppers in both. In this variant, the point count has no upper limit (8+ HP).

The continuations correspond to those after the bid of 1 NT without intervention. 2 ♣ is therefore a relay, suits are natural. The cue bid of an opponent’s known suit is forcing and asks about the quality of the stopper (however, 2 ♣ is always a relay!).

Opponent

Meaning of the bids

1 ♣

Double

2 ♣:

As a principle applies without regard to the meaning of the double:

à 5+ ♣, 8+ HP, various distributions possible, not balanced distribution

There follows a comparable bid as after positive responses without intervention (therefore 2 ♦ is a relay and asks about the distribution, new suits are natural).

One must note the following exceptions:

à Double shows a defined two suiter with ♣: 8+ HP, shows a ♣ stopper, denies a stopper in the other suit and 2 NT is Baron, suits are now natural

à Double shows a ♣ single suiter: Cue bid, denies a ♣ stopper, 8+ HP, balanced distribution; because relay sequences are now no longer possible, suits are natural, 2 NT asks for distribution in the Baron style.

In all other cases - for example if the exact meaning the double is unclear (e.g. any two suiter with or without ♣, a ♣ single suiter or a two suiter etc.) - 2 ♣ is natural (8+ HP) and the bidding is as after positive responses without intervention (therefore 2 ♦ is a relay, new suits are natural).

Opponent

Meaning of the bids

Attention

1 ♣

Double

2 ♦:

Attention: Since after the double we can describe hands with 0-7 HP with pass and redouble, 1 ♦ is usually natural with 8+ HP, therefore 2 ♦ receives a new meaning:

à 6 ♦, 4-7 HP

(2 NT now asks about a singleton, 3 ♣ about the points in ♦)

All other bids retain their meaning as if the opponent had not doubled:

We	Opponent	We	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	Double	2 ♥:	8+ HP, 9 cards in the minorsà 2 ♠ is a relay (if double shows ♥ suit, one can bid 1 NT with 5-4 or 4-5 in the minors and a stopper in the opponent’s suit as well as 8-11 HP).
		2 ♠:	12+ HP, black singleton (2 NT now asks for the singleton)
		2 NT:	12+ HP, red singleton, the bidding continues as without intervention
		3 ♣:	8-12 HP, black singleton; 3 ♦ is a relay
		3 ♦:	8-12 HP, red singleton; 3 ♥ is a relay
		3 ♥:	8+ HP, solid unknown 7 card suit
		3 ♠:	8+ HP, solid unknown 8 card suit
		3 NT:	8+ HP, solid unknown 9 card suit
		4 ♣:	4-7 HP, 8 ♣
		4 ♦:	4-7 HP, 8 ♦
		4 ♥:	4-7 HP, 8 ♥
		4 ♠ :	4-7 HP, 8 ♠

The opponent bids after 1 ♣ à 1 of a suit:

As a general rule:

à Pass shows either weakness (0-4(5) HP) or the intention to convert a following negative double by opener into a penalty double. Pass can also uncover a psyche.

à Double shows 5-8 HP, usually a balanced hand (however is not compulsory); if the hand is unbalanced, this is shown by later bidding a new suit.

à A suit without a jump shows 8+ HP and at least 5 cards in the bid suit (our relay bids follow).

à 1 NT after 1 ♦ shows 8-14 HP, a balanced hand and a stopper in the opponent’s suit, the same after 1 ♥ or 1 ♠, but the bid has no upper limit as the relay of 1 ♥,which in an uncontested auction shows balanced distributions from 15 HP, is no longer possible; 2 ♣ is now a relay.

à A cue bid also shows a balanced hand with 8+ HP, however denies a stopper in the opponent’s suit. If the bid shows two clearly defined suits, the cue bid shows 8+ HP with a stopper and denies a stopper in the other suit. After a cue bid at the 1 level, 2 ♣ is a relay. If the cue bid is at the 2 level, 2 NT is Baron, suits are natural, a further cue bid asks about a half stopper.

à The remaining bids are as if without intervention and the bidding is identical.

The subsequent bidding after a positive bid (from 1 ♥ upwards) corresponds to that without intervention. Therefore for example after 1 NT, opener’s 2 ♣ is a relay etc.

One more tip: After partner’s pass, double by opener is negative. However, if the second opponent has introduced another suit, double is penalty.

We	Opponent	We	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♦	Pass:	0-4(5) HP or interest in a penalty double (double by opener is now negative)
		Double:	5-7 HP
		1 ♥:	8+ HP, 5+ ♥ or balanced hand with 15+ HP, 1 ♠ is a relay, now 1 NT is natural with ♠, suits are natural. If the opponent’s bid was a transfer showing hearts, 1 ♥ shows 8+ HP and a balanced hand, 2 ♣ is now a relay as after 1 ♣ - 1 NT.
		1 ♠:	8+ HP, 5+ ♠, now 1 NT is a relay If the opponent’s bid was a transfer showing spades, 1 ♠ shows 8+ HP and a balanced hand, 2 ♣ is now a relay as after 1 ♣ - 1 NT, 1 NT is a Control Ask, suits are natural.
		1 NT:	8-14 HP, balanced distribution, stopper in the opponent’s suit, 2 ♣ is a relay, suits are now natural
		2 ♣:	8+ HP, 5+ ♣, 2 ♦ is now a relay
		2 ♦:	8+ HP, balanced distribution, denies a ♦ stopper, new suits are now natural, 2 NT is Baron. If 1 ♦ does not show diamonds, 2 ♦ is natural with 8+ HP (2 ♥ is now a relay).
		2 ♥:	8+ HP, 9 cards in the minors (4-5 or 5-4), 2 ♠ is now a relay.
		2 ♠:	12+ HP, black singleton (2 NT is now a relay)
		2 NT:	12+ HP, red singleton (3 ♣ is now a relay)
		3 ♣:	8-12 HP, black singleton (3 ♦ is now a relay)
		3 ♦:	8-12 HP, red singleton (3 ♥ is now a relay)
		3 ♥:	Solid unknown 7 card suit à 3 ♠ asks about controls in the side suits, 3 NT is to play
		3 ♠:	Solid unknown 8 card suit à 4 ♣ asks about controls in the side suits, 3 NT is to play
		3 NT:	Solid unknown 9 card suità 4 ♣ asks about controls in the side suits
		4 ♣:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♣
		4 ♦:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♦
		4 ♥:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♥
		4 ♠:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♠

After positive bids (therefore bids with 8+ HP), the further bidding continues exactly as if the opponent did not bid 1 ♦ (so there are relays and natural bids).

What meanings the opponent can have for 1 ♦:

à Natural	We behave as shown above.
à Transfer to ♥	We behave as shown above. 1 ♥ is a stopper ask with 8+ HP, the jump to 2 ♥ shows 5-4 or 4-5 in the minors and 8+ HP (2 ♠ is a relay) 3 ♥ shows a solid 7 card suit from 8 HP.
à Shows a two suiter ♥ and ♦ (Truscott convention)	1 ♥ now shows a balanced distribution from 8 HP and a ♥ stopper, denies a ♦ stopper (2 ♣ is a relay); 2 ♦ also shows a balanced hand from 8 HP and a ♦ stopper, but denies a ♥ stopper; (2 NT is Baron, the rest is natural).
à Shows ♠ (Trap convention)	1 ♠ shows a balanced hand with 8+ HP and denies a ♠ stopper; the bid of 1 NT also shows 8+ HP and a balanced hand from 8 HP, and shows a ♠ stopper; the jump to 2 ♠ shows a black singleton with 1/4/4/4 and 8+ HP, the jump to 3 ♠ shows any solid 8 card suit from 8 HP.
à ♠ and a second suit (Badger convention)	1 ♠ shows a balanced hand from 8 HP and denies a ♠ stopper, shows a stopper in the other suit (2 ♣ is a relay); the bid 1 NT also shows 8+ HP and a balanced hand from 8 HP, shows however stoppers in both suits of the opponent (2 ♣ is a relay); the jump to 2 ♠ shows a black singleton with 1/4/4/4 and 8+ HP, the jump to 3 ♠ shows any solid 8 card suit from 8 HP.
à Two suits of the same colour (therefore ♠ and ♣ or ♥ and ♦) (Crash convention)	All our bids are as shown above. We therefore take no notice of the intervention.
à Two suits of the same rank (therefore the majors or the minors) (Modified Crash convention)	All our bids are as shown above. We therefore take no notice of the intervention.
Single suiter showing ♥ or two suiter ♠/♣	All our bids are shown above. We therefore take no notice of the intervention.

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♦	Pass	Pass
Pass:				Balanced distribution, minimum, 16-18 HP, not short in the opponent’s suit (otherwise one must double for partner)
Double:				Negative, at least one 4 card major (and if not: Short in ♦ or forcing to game)
1 ♥/♠:				Natural, 16-19(20) HP, not forcing
1 NT:				Balanced distribution, 19-20 HP, not forcing
2 ♣:				Natural, 16-19(20) HP, not forcing
2 ♦:				Very strong, short in ♦, no interest in a penalty double against ♦
2 ♥/♠:				Natural, 20-22 HP or respectively 8- 8½ tricks
2 NT:				Balanced distribution, 21-22 HP, not forcing
3 ♣:				Natural, 20-22 HP
3 NT:				Natural, 25+ HP

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♦	Pass	2 ♦
Pass:				Balanced distribution, minimum, 16-18 HP, not forcing
Double:				Negative, at least one 4 card major (and if not: Forcing to game)
2 ♥/♠:				Natural, not forcing
2 NT:				Lebensohl
3 ♣:				Natural, constructive (reason: Otherwise we have 2 NT as Lebensohl available to us)
3 ♦:				Stopper ask
3 ♥/♠:				Natural, constructive
3 NT:				To play
4 ♥/♠:				To play

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bid	Attention
1 ♣	1 ♦	Double	Pass
Pass:				Wants to penalise1 ♦
1 ♥:				Natural, one round forcing
1 ♠:				Natural, one round forcing
1 NT:				Balanced distributed, 16-18 HP, not forcing
2 ♣:				Natural, one round forcing
2 ♦:				à Opponent has ♦: Stopper ask à Opponent does not have ♦: Natural, one round forcing

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♦	Double	Pass
2 ♥:				Natural, forcing for one round
2 ♠:				Natural, forcing for one round
2 NT:				Strong two suiter
3 ♣/♦:				Natural, forcing to game (respectively to 4 of the named minor)
3 NT:				To play

We turn to the ♥ intervention:

We	Opponent	We	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♥	Pass:	0-4(5) HP or interest in a penalty double (double by opener is now negative)
		Double:	5-7 HP
		1 ♠:	8+ HP, 5+ ♠ (1 NT is now a relay) except if 1 ♥ was a transfer to ♠: Balanced distribution with 8+ HP, 2 ♣ is now a relay.
		1 NT:	8+ HP, balanced distribution, ♥ stopper (2 ♣ is a relay)
		2 ♣:	8+ HP, 5+ ♣ (2 ♦ is a relay)
		2 ♦:	8+ HP, 5+ ♦ (2 ♥ is a relay)
		2 ♥:	8+ HP, balanced distribution, denies a ♥ stopper (2 NT is Baron, the rest is natural). If the opponent’s bid shows another suit other than hearts, 2 ♥ shows 8+ HP and 5+ ♥. Now 2 NT is Baron, new suits are natural.
		2 ♠:	Black singleton, 12+ HP, in addition 4/4/4/1
		2 NT:	Red singleton, 12+ HP, in addition 4/4/4/1
		3 ♣:	Black singleton, 8-11 HP, in addition 4/4/4/1
		3 ♦:	Red singleton, 8-11 HP, in addition 4/4/4/1
		3 ♥:	Solid unknown 7 card suit à 3 ♠ asks about controls in the side suits, 3 NT is to play
		3 ♠:	Solid unknown 8 card suità 4 ♣ asks about controls in the side suits 3 NT is to play
		3 NT:	Solid unknown 9 card suità 4 ♣ asks about controls in the side suits
		4 ♣:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♣
		4 ♦:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♦
		4 ♥:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♥
		4 ♠:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♠

After positive bids (therefore bids with 8+ HP), further bidding develops exactly as if the opponents had not bid 1 ♥ (there are therefore relays).

Meanings for the opponent’s 1 ♥:

à Natural	We behave as shown above.
à Transfer to ♠:	We behave as shown above.
à Shows a two suiter ♥ and ♠ (Truscott convention)	1 ♠ now shows a balanced hand with 8+ HP and a ♠ stopper, however denies a ♥ stopper (2 ♣ is a relay); 2 ♥ now shows a balanced hand with 8+ HP and ♥ stopper, denies a ♠ stopper (2 NT is Baron, other bids are now natural); the remaining bids are as shown above.
à Two suits of the same rank therefore majors or minors (Crash convention)	All our bids are as shown above. We therefore take no notice of the intervention.
à Two suits of the same colour (♠ and ♣ or ♥ and ♦) (Trap convention)	All our bids are as shown above. We therefore take no notice of the intervention.
Shows a single suiter with ♠ or two suiter with ♣/♦	All our bids are as shown above. We therefore take no notice of the intervention.

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♥	Pass	Pass
Pass:				Balanced distribution, minimum, 16-18 HP, not forcing, not short in the opponent’s suit (otherwise one must double for partner)
Double:				Negative, other major (♠) to 4 (and if not: short in ♥ or forcing to game), partner in any case can convert into a penalty double
1 ♠:				Natural, 16-19(20) HP, not forcing
1 NT:				Balanced distribution, 19-20 HP, not forcing
2 ♣/♦:				Natural, 16-19(20) HP, not forcing
2 ♥:				Very strong, short in ♥, not interested in a penalty double of ♥
2 ♠:				Natural, 20-22 HP
2 NT:				Balanced distribution, 21-22 HP, not forcing
3 ♣/♦:				Natural, 20-22 HP
3 NT:				Natural, 25+ HP

If partner has passed and the second opponent introduces another suit, double by opener is penalty. .

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♥	Pass	2 ♥
Pass:				Balanced distribution, minimum, 16-18 HP
Double:				Negative, 4 ♠ (and if not: Forcing to game)
2 ♠:				Natural, not forcing
2 NT:				Lebensohl
3 ♣/♦:				Natural, constructive (otherwise one goes via 2 NT Lebensohl)
3 ♥:				Stopper ask
3 ♠:				Natural, very constructive
3 NT:				To play
4 ♣/♦:				Named minor and unspecified major suit (therefore here ♠), forcing, at least 5-5
4 ♥:				Minor suits, maximum of 1 loser in the opponent’s suit (♥)
4 ♠:				To play
4 NT:				Minor suits, two losers in the opponent’s suit (♥)

If partner has passed and the second opponent introduces another suit, double by openers is penalty.

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♥	Double	Pass
Pass:				Wants to penalise 1 ♥
1 ♠:				Natural, not forcing with minimum
1 NT:				Balanced distribution, 16-18 HP, not forcing
2 ♣/♦:				Natural, not forcing with minimum
2 ♥:				Balanced hand, asks about ♠ stopper, 4♠ possible
2 ♠:				Natural, forcing to game
2 NT:				Strong two suiter
3 ♣/♦:				Natural, forcing to game (respectively to 4 of the named minor)
3 NT:				To play
4 ♣/♦:				Named minor and ♠
4 ♥:				Minors, maximum 1 loser in ♥
4 ♠:				To play
4 NT:				Minors, two losers in ♥

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♥	Double	2 ♥
Pass:				Balanced distribution, one round forcing in case one wants to penalise the opponents
Double:				Negative, normally with 4 ♠
2 ♠:				Natural, one round forcing, not forcing with absolute minimum
2 NT:				Lebensohl
3 ♣/♦:				Natural, forcing to game (respectively to 4 of the named minor)
3 ♥:				Stopper ask
3 ♠:				Natural, forcing to game
3 NT:				To play
4 ♣/♦:				Named suit and ♠, forcing
4 ♥:				Minors, maximum 1 loser in ♥
4 ♠:				To play
4 NT:				Minors, two losers in ♥

We turn to the ♠ intervention:

We	Opponent	We	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♠	Pass:	0-4(5) HP or interest in a penalty double (double by opener is now negative)
		Double:	5-7 HP
		1 NT:	8+ HP, balanced distribution, ♠ stopper (2 ♣ is now a relay)
		2 ♣:	8+ HP, 5+ ♣ (2 ♦ is now a relay)
		2 ♦:	8+ HP, 5+ ♦ (2 ♥ is now a relay)
		2 ♥:	8+ HP, 5+ ♥ (now 2 NT asks for distribution, suits are natural, 3 ♥ is natural, asks for cue bids)
		2 ♠:	8+ HP, balanced distribution, denies a ♠ stopper (2 NT is now Baron, suits are natural, 3 ♠ asks about a half stopper in ♠)
		2 NT:	12+ HP, red singleton, as well as 4/4/4/1, 3 ♣ is a relay
		3 ♣:	8+ HP, red singleton, as well as 4/4/4/1, 3 ♦ is a relay
		3 ♦:	8-11 HP, red singleton, as well as 4/4/4/1, 3 ♥ is a relay
		3 ♥:	Solid unknown 7 card suit à 3 ♠ asks about controls in the side suits, 3 NT is to play
		3 ♠:	Solid unknown 8 card suit à 4 ♣ asks about controls in the side suits, 3 NT is to play
		3 NT:	Solid unknown 9 card suit à 4 ♣ asks about controls in the side suits
		4 ♣:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♣
		4 ♦:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♦
		4 ♥:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♥
		4 ♠:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♠

Meanings of the opponent’s 1 ♠:

Natural	We behave as shown above
à Two suits of the same rank(therefore majors or minors (Trap convention))	All our bids are as shown above. We therefore take no notice of the intervention.
à Shows a two suiter with ♠ and ♣ (Truscott convention)	2 ♣ now shows 8+ HP and a ♣ stopper, denies a ♠ stopper; 2 ♠ now shows a ♠ stopper and 8+ HP, denies a ♣ stopper (2 NT is Baron, other bids are natural)
Shows single suiter in ♣ or two suiter with ♦/♥	All our bids are as shown above. We therefore take no notice of the intervention.

After positive bids (therefore bids with 8+ HP), further bidding develops exactly as if the opponent had not bid 1 ♠ (it is therefore still possible to relay, SAB etc.).

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♠	Pass	Pass
Pass:				Balanced distribution, minimum, 16-18 HP, not forcing, not short in ♠ (otherwise one must double for partner)
Double:				Negative, 4 ♥ (and if not: Forcing to game) or short in ♠
1 NT:				Balanced distribution, 19-20 HP, not forcing
2 ♣/♦/♥:				Natural, 16-19(20) HP, not forcing
2 ♠:				Very strong, short in ♠, not interested in a penalty double of ♠
2 NT:				Balanced distribution, 21-22 HP, not forcing
3 ♣/♦/♥:				Natural, 20-22 HP
3 NT:				Natural, 25+ HP

If partner passes and the second opponent introduces a second suit, double by opener is penalty.

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♠	Pass	2 ♠
Pass:				Balanced distribution, minimum, 16-18 HP, not forcing
Double:				Negative, 4 ♥ (and if not: Forcing to game)
2 NT:				Lebensohl
3 ♣/♦/♥:				Natural, constructive
3 ♠:				Stopper ask
3 NT:				To play
4 ♣/♦:				Named minor and the other major (therefore here ♥), forcing, at least 5-5
4 ♥:				To play
4 ♠:				Minors, maximum of 1 loser in the opponent’s suit (♠)
4 NT:				Minors, two losers in the opponent’s suit (♠)

If partner passes and the second opponent introduces a second suit, double by opener is penalty.

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♠	Double	Pass
Pass:				Wants to penalise 1 ♠
1 NT:				Balanced distributed, 16-18 HP, not forcing
2 ♣/♦/♥:				Natural, one round forcing
2 ♠:				Balanced hand, asks about a ♠ stopper, 4 ♥ possible
2 NT:				Strong two suiter
3 ♣/♦/♥:				Natural, forcing to game (or respectively to 4 of a minor)
3 NT:				To play
4 ♣/♦:				Named minor and ♥
4 ♥:				To play
4 ♠:				Minors, maximum of 1 loser in ♠
4 NT:				Minors, two losers in ♠

We	Opponent	We	Opponent	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	1 ♠	Double	2 ♠
Pass:				Balanced distribution, one round forcing
Double:				Negative, normally with 4 ♥
2 NT:				Lebensohl
3 ♣/♦:				Natural, forcing to game (or respectively to 4 of the named minor, otherwise use Lebensohl)
3 ♥:				Natural, forcing to game
3 ♠:				Stopper ask
3 NT:				To play
4 ♣/♦:				Named minor and ♥, forcing
4 ♥:				To play
4 ♠:				Minors, maximum of 1 loser in ♠
4 NT:				Minors, two losers in ♠

The opponent bids after 1 ♣ à 1 NT:

Agreements for 1 NT against 1 ♣:

à 1 NT shows both minors (Badger, Disco and Mathe conventions).

à 1 NT shows either the major suits or the minor suits.

à 1 NT shows a two suiter ♠ and ♦ (Truscott convention).

à 1 NT shows ♠ and ♦ or ♥ and ♣ (Trap convention, Crash and Modified Crash).

Pass shows 0-4 HP, double 5-7(8) HP, a suit without a jump is natural (5+ cards, 8+ HP; a new suit by opener is then a SAB, so far as possible we get back into our relay system), 2 NT shows 8+ HP and a balanced hand without a5 card suit (3 ♣ is Baron, remaining suits are now natural). A jump in a suit is identical in meaning as that without intervention; if the intervention shows a certain suit, the jump into this suit shows a singleton (with 4-4-4-1 and 8+ HP), the double jump even a void (also with 8+ HP and a fit in all suits).

If the intervention of 1 NT shows a suit, a cue bid of this suit shows 8+ HP, a balanced hand without a stopper (2 NT is Baron, remaining suits are now natural). If the bid shows two defined suits, a cue bid of the suit shows a balanced hand with 8+ HP with a stopper and denies a stopper in the other suit (2 NT is Baron, suits are now natural). Jumps and double jumps in the opponent’s suit(s) show a singleton or respectively a void.

Often the opponents use the1 NT intervention to show the minor suits. As already mentioned, the cue of a minor shows a balanced hand with 8+ HP with a stopper in the named suit and denies a stopper in the other minor. One can also make this bid if one has a 4 card major (opener has the Baron convention at his disposal).

If responder doubles and now the second opponent bids a suit, double by opener is negative. If opener wants to penalise, he passes, and responder will double with shortage in the opponent’s suit, which can then be passed by opener. If opener has made a negative double (and therefore both players have doubled once) each further double by either partner is penalty.

The opponent bids 2 of a suit:

Meanings for the bid:

à The bid is natural and weak.

à The bid shows either a three suiter with a singleton in the bid suit or a two suiter with touching suits without the bid suit or natural and weak (Amsbury convention).

à The bid is either natural (and weak) or shows a three suiter with shortage in the bid suit (Panama and Trap convention).

Pass shows weakness (0-4 HP), double shows a hand with 5-7(8) HP, a suit without a jump shows 8+ HP and at least 5 cards in the bid suit (new suits are now natural, 2 NT asks after distribution), 2 NT shows 8+ HP and a stopper in the opponent’s suit ( 3 ♣ is Baron, suits are now natural), a cue bid also shows 8+ HP and a balanced hand, however denies a stopper in the opponent’s suit. 3 NT is to play. If the bid shows two known suits, the cue bid shows a balanced hand with 8+ HP and a stopper and denies a stopper in the other suit. The subsequent bidding corresponds within reasonable limits to that without intervention.

We	Opponent	We	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	2 ♣	Pass:	0-4 HP
		Double:	5-7(8) HP; if the second opponent now raises the suit, opener’s double is negative.
		2 ♦:	8+ HP, 5+ ♦ (new suits are now natural, 2 NT asks further about distribution, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		2 ♥:	8+ HP, 5+ ♥ (new suits are now natural, 2 NT asks further about distribution, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		2 ♠:	8+ HP, 5+ ♠ (new suits are now natural, 2 NT asks further about distribution, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		2 NT:	8+ HP, balanced distribution, ♣ stopper, 3 ♣ is Baron, new suits are now natural
		3 ♣:	8+ HP, balanced hand, asks for a ♣ stopper (new suits are now natural and show 4+ cards
		3 ♦:	8+ HP, red singleton, in addition 4/4/4/1, 3 ♥ is a relay
		3 ♥:	Solid unknown 7 card suit à 3 ♠ asks about controls in the side suits, 3 NT is to play
		3 ♠:	Solid unknown suit with 8+ cards à 4 ♣ asks about controls in the side suits,3 NT is to play
		3 NT:	Balanced distribution, to play, good stopper
		4 ♣:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♣
		4 ♦:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♦
		4 ♥:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♥
		4 ♠:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♠

With the Trap with Transfers convention, 2 ♣ shows a single suiter in ♦ or ♥ and ♠. With such unclear interventions, we take no specific notice. With the Truscott convention, 2 ♣ shows a two suiter with ♣ and ♦. Here one can show a stopper and can therefore deny a stopper in the other suit.

We	Opponent	We	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	2 ♦	Pass:	0-4 HP; if the second opponent now raises the suit, double by opener is negative.
		Double:	5-7(8) HP
		2 ♥:	8+ HP, 5+ ♥ (new suits are now natural, 2 NT asks about further distribution, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		2 ♠:	8+ HP, 5+ ♠ (new suits are now natural, 2 NT asks about further distribution, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		2 NT:	8+ HP, balanced distribution, ♦ stopper (3 ♣ is Baron, new suits are now natural)
		3 ♣:	8+ HP, 5+ ♣ (new suits are now natural, 2 NT asks about further distribution, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		3 ♦:	8+ HP, balanced hand, denies a ♦ stopper (new suits are now natural with 4+ cards)
		3 ♥:	Solid unknown 7 card suit à 3 ♠ asks about controls in the side suits, 3 NT is to play
		3 ♠:	Solid unknown suit with 8+ cards à 4 ♣ asks about controls in the side suits,3 NT is to play
		3 NT:	Balanced distribution, good stoppers, to play
		4 ♣:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♣
		4 ♦:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♦
		4 ♥:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♥
		4 ♠:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♠

After positive bids (from 8+ HP) further bidding develops exactly as if the opponent had not bid 2 ♦. With the Trap with Transfers convention, 2 ♦ shows a ♥ single suiter or ♠ and ♣. Of such unclear interventions, we take no specific notice.

We	Opponent	We	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	2 ♥	Pass:	0-4 HP
		Double:	5-7(8) HP; if the second opponent now raises the suit, double by opener is negative.
		2 ♠:	8+ HP, 5+ ♠ (new suits are now natural, 2 NT asks about further distribution, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		2 NT:	8+ HP, balanced distribution, ♥ stopper (3 ♣ is Baron, new suits are now natural)
		3 ♣:	8+ HP, 5+ ♣ (new suits are now natural, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		3 ♦:	8+ HP, 5+ ♦ (new suits are now natural, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		3 ♥:	8+ HP, balanced hand, denies a ♥ stopper (3 ♠ is now natural with 4+ cards
		3 ♠:	Solid unknown suit with (7)8+ cards à 4 ♣ asks about controls in the side suits, 3 NT is to play
		3 NT:	Balanced distribution, good stoppers, to play
		4 ♣:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♣
		4 ♦:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♦
		4 ♥:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♥
		4 ♠:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♠

With the Trap with Transfer convention, 2 ♥ shows a ♠ single suiter or ♣ and ♦. Of such unclear interventions, we take no specific notice.

We	Opponent	We	Meaning of the bids
1 ♣	2 ♠	Pass:	0-4 HP
		Double:	5-7(8) HP; if the second opponent now raises the suit, double by opener is negative.
		2 NT:	8+ HP, balanced distribution, ♠ stopper (3 ♣ is Baron, new suits are now natural)
		3 ♣:	8+ HP, 5+ ♣ (new suits are now natural, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		3 ♦:	8+ HP, 5+ ♦ (new suits are now natural, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		3 ♥:	8+ HP, 5+ ♥ (new suits are now natural, raising the trump suit is natural, asks for cue bids)
		3 ♠:	8+ HP, balanced hand, denies a ♠ stopper (4 ♣ is Baron, the remaining bids are now natural).
		3 NT:	Balanced distribution, good stoppers, to play
		4 ♣:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♣
		4 ♦:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♦
		4 ♥:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♥
		4 ♠:	4-7 HP, broken 8 ♠

With the Trap with Transfers convention, 2 ♠ shows a ♣ single suiter or ♦ and ♥. Of such unclear interventions, we take no specific notice.

The opponent bids 2 NT:

With the Trap with Transfers convention, the 2 NT bid shows a two suiter with ♥ and ♣. Now pass shows 0-4 HP, double 5-7(8) HP, 3 ♦ and 3 ♠ show 5+ cards and 8+ HP (now new suits are natural, Cue bids show stoppers and deny a stopper in the other suit (8+ HP).

The opponent bid after 1 ♣ à 3 of a suit:

If the bid is natural, we behave as follows:

à Pass shows weakness (0-6(7) HP) or interest in a penalty double

à Double shows a balanced hand with 7-10 HP with or without a stopper in the opponent’s suit;

Attention: If we are not vulnerable and the opponents are vulnerable, double of a suit at the 3 level is penalty!

à Suit without a jump shows 8+ HP and at least 5 cards in the bid suit, a new suit by openers is then natural

à 3 NT HP shows 11+ and at least a stopper in the opponent’s suit; if the opponents are vulnerable and we are not vulnerable: 7+ HP, like a negative double

à Cue bid: 11+ HP, with or without a stopper, in any case slammish

à Suit with a jump: Natural, not forcing.

The subsequent bidding corresponds so far as possible to that without intervention.

If partner passes, opener with shortage in the opponent’s suit must double so that partner, with a penalty double, can pass.

If the bid is a transfer, we behave as follows:

à Pass shows weakness (0-6(7) HP)

à Double shows 8+ HP and 5+ cards in the transfer suit (a new suit by opener is now natural)

à Bid of the opponent’s suit: Balanced hand with 7-10 HP with or without a stopper in the opponent’s suit

à Suit without a jump shows 8+ HP and at least 5 cards in the bid suit, a new suit by opener is then natural

à 3 NT HP shows 11+ and at least a stopper in the opponent’s suit

à Cue bid: 11+ HP, with or without stopper, in any case slammish

à Suit with a jump: Natural, not forcing.

With the Trap with Transfer convention, the 3 ♣ bid shows a two suiter ♠ and ♦. Now double shows 8+ HP and 5+ cards in ♣, a cue bid shows a stopper and ask about a stopper in the other suit (8+ HP).

The opponent bids after 1 ♣ à 4 of a suit:

Double shows values (as a rule with the purpose of a penalty double). Bids are natural and long, as a rule to be passed.

The opponent intervenes after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ by us:

If the opponent doubles after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦, one must know what the double means:

The double shows the ♦ suit:

à Pass: Minimum, balanced distribution and tolerance for ♦

à Redouble: 20+ HP

à 1 ♥: Natural, 16-19 HP

à 1 ♠: Natural, 16-19 HP

à 1 NT: 19-20 HP, ♦ stopper

à 2 ♣: Natural, 16-19 HP

à Remaining bids: As without the opponent’s double

The opponent’s double is negative (major oriented):

à Pass: Minimum, balanced distribution, usually 16-18 HP

à Redouble: 20+ HP

à 1 ♥: Natural, 16-19 HP

à 1 ♠: Natural, 16-19 HP

à 1 NT: 19-20 HP, stoppers in the majors

à 2 ♣: Natural, 16-19 HP

à Other bids: As without opponent’s double

If, after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦, the opponents now bid a major at the 1 level, pass shows a balanced hand with 16-18 HP (and as a rule only one stopper in the opponent’s suit), double is take out, 1 NT shows 19-20 HP and a balanced hand. The remaining bids remain unchanged.

à Pass: Minimum (16-18 HP, balanced distribution, no 5 card major)

à Double: Take out, not minimum

à 1 ♠: Natural, 5+ ♠

à 1 NT: 19-20 HP, balanced distribution

à 2 ♣/♦/♥: Natural, 5+ cards

à Cue bid: Good two suiter

à 2 NT: 21-22 HP, balanced distribution

à Suit with a jump: Very strong, natural, game forcing

à Cue bid with a jump: Three suiter, 20+ HP, shortage in opponent’s suit

If, after 1 ♣ - 1 ♦, the opponent now bids a suit at the 2 level (or higher), we act comparably:

à Pass: Minimum (16-18 HP, balanced distribution, at the 3 level one can have a boring hand of up to 20 HP)

à Double: Take out, not minimum

à New suit: Natural, 5+ cards

à 2 NT: 19-20 HP, balanced distribution

à Cue bid: Good two suiter

à Suit with a jump: Very strong, natural, game forcing

à Cue bid with a jump: Three suiter, 20+ HP, shortage in the opponent’s suit

If, after 1 ♣- 1 ♦, the opponent now bids1 NT (= minors), we behave as follows:

à Pass: Minimum (16-18 HP, balanced distribution)

à Double: Penalty oriented

à 2 ¨: ª suit, good hand

à 2 NT: 19-20 HP, balanced distribution

If, after 1 § - Pass - 1 ¨, the opponent now bids at the 2 level or higher, pass shows a balanced hand with a minimum, other bids are natural and show extra values.

If we made a positive bid, which shows at least 8 HP, we are in a very good situation if the opponent intervenes now. The strength for game is known. In this way, forcing pass can be used.

I.) The opponent intervenes naturally below game:

à 3 NT: Is to play

à New suit: Natural, single suiter, SAB

à Pass: Relay trigger

à Pass followed of new suit (except Relay Trigger) (after double):

Natural, second suit available

à Pass followed by support bid: Reasonable 2 card support (honour doubleton)

à Double: Good fit, good raise for partner

à Raise partner: Support, but minimum

II.) The opponent intervenes naturally above game (à so at least 4 ♣):

à Pass: Asks partner to double

à Pass followed of new suit (after double):

Natural, second suit available

à Pass followed by support bid: Reasonable 2 card support (honour doubleton)

à Pass followed by support bid with jump: Reasonable 3+ card support

à Double: Support for partner available, may be converted however into a penalty double

à New suit: Natural, single suiter

à Raise partner: Weak, but support

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