Standard
American Yellow Card v2Quick Index
Overview
Choices
General Approach
Simple vs Full SAYC
Response to 15-17 1NT
Interference after 1NT
Responses to 2NT-3NT openings
Major Suit Responses
Major Suit Bidding, cont'd
Responses to Major Opener
Two Club Opening
Weak 2 Responses
Slam Bidding
Defensive Bidding
Competitive Bidding
Defensive Agreements
The "Standard American Yellow Card" on BP
Live! allows for rapid partnerships to be formed, playing a relatively simple, yet
powerful, set of tools, without spending 15 minutes 'hammering out a system....."
The object is to provide a simple, modern method
which will lead to a good, solid understanding in a partnership when both players have
read this booklet. (Few sequences are defined in the later rounds of "ACBL Standard
Yellow Card" auctions. Players are free to assign forcing, invitational or
non-forcing meanings to natural calls in such sequences. Fourth Suit Forcing is one such
example.
Players may still exercise their bridge judgements,
such as in deciding to open a four-card major in third seat. The ACBL Standard Yellow Card
"normally five-card majors" approach can withstand an occasional deviation.
Unlike actual formal SAYC 'Events', played here in
the U.S., we use SAYC as a general framework for co-operative partnerships. There is
nothing 'new', per se, which an ACOL player would be surprised by. But it is still a
framework.
Without making things TOO complex, you can add
conventions to your partnership by agreement. It is considered polite, however to
PRE-ALERT your partnership agreements before play begins.
For example, the following PRE-ALERT:
- "We play SAYC; DONT; RKCB; Bergen Raises; and
ALL 2-Level Openings except 2C are ALERTABLE."
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Normally open five-card majors in all seats.
Open the higher of long suits of equal length: 5-5
or 6-6.
Normally open 1D with 4-4 in the minors.
Normally open 1C with 3-3 in the minors.
No-trump openings show a balanced hand and can be
made with a five-card major or minor suit. 1NT = 15-17 2NT = 20-21 3NT = 25-27
Strong artificial 2C opening.
Weak two-bids in diamonds, hearts and spades.
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Simple SAYC would NOT include:
Jacoby Transfers
Jacoby 2NT
Negative Doubles
Michaels Cue Bid
Unusual 2NT
Full SAYC includes the above but partners may wish
to add:
Negative Doubles to 3S (Full SAYC is Negative
Doubles To 2S)
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RESPONSES AND
LATER BIDDING
AFTER A 15-17 1NT OPENING
2C is "non-forcing" Stayman, meaning that
the bidding can stop in two of a suit. Opener bids 2H with 4-4 in the majors. If responder
rebids three of either minor, he is showing slam interest and at least a five-card suit.
Jacoby transfers showing a five-card suit are used for the majors.
2D is a transfer to hearts, 2H is a transfer to
spades. Opener accepts the transfer though he can jump to the three level with 17 points
and four-card support for responder's major, for example: 1NT -- 2D 2H = normal acceptance
of the transfer 3H = 17 points and four-card heart support If, after the transfer is
accepted, responder bids a new suit, that is natural and game forcing. Possible calls
after the accepted transfer are: 1NT -- 2H -- Pass = content to play 2S. -- 2NT, 3S =
invitational. Over 2NT opener can pass or return to 3S with a minimum hand; bid 3NT or 4S
with a maximum. -- 3C, 3D, 3H = natural and game forcing. -- 3NT = asking for a choice
between 3NT and 4S. -- 4S = placing the contract, with a six-card or longer suit.
A 2S response requires the 1NT bidder to rebid 3C,
which can be passed with a club bust, or responder can rebid 3D with a diamond bust.
Example: 1NT -- 2S 3C -- Pass = club bust. -- 3D = diamond bust (no-trump opener passes).
Other responses to 1NT: 1NT -- 3C, 3D = invitational to 3NT with a six-card or longer
suit. -- 3H, 3S = At least a six-card suit and slam interest (otherwise responder uses a
transfer bid).
4C = Gerber, asking for aces. 4C IS GERBER OVER ANY
1NT OR 2NT BID BY PARTNER INCLUDING A REBID OF 1NT or 2NT. Responses show the number of
aces, by steps, just as over a Blackwood 4NT. (5C is used to ask for kings.) 1NT -- 4C 4D
= 0 or 4 aces 4H = 1 ace 4S = 2 aces 4NT = 2 aces. After 5C (King ask) 5D = 0 or 4 kings
5H = 1 king 5S = 2 kings 5NT = 3 kings.If the player using Gerber makes any bid other than
5C, that is to play (including 4NT). A direct raise of 1NT to 4NT is natural and invites
6NT. 4NT is slam invitational only because 4C is available as Gerber.
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INTERFERENCE
AFTER 1NT OPENING BIDS
If the opponents double, all conventional responses
are "on." For example: 1NT -- (double) -- 2C = (Stayman). -- 2D = (transfer to
hearts).
If the opponents bid over your 1NT opener, Stayman
and transfers are "off." Bids are natural except for a cuebid, which can be used
with game force strength as a substitute for Stayman.
If the opponents intervene over a conventional
response, bids carry the same meaning as if there were no intervention. A bid says,
"I'm bidding voluntarily, so I have a real fit with you." 1NT -- (Pass) -- 2D --
(Double) 2H = Real fit for hearts (pass with only two hearts)
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RESPONSES
TO A 2NT OR 3NT OPENING
Stayman and Jacoby transfers for the majors are
used.
2NT -- 3C = Stayman. -- 3D, 3H = Jacoby transfers to
hearts and spades respectively.
4C = Gerber.
4NT = Inviting a slam in no-trump.
3NT -- 4C = Stayman. -- 4D, 4H = Jacoby transfers to
hearts and spades respectively.
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RESPONSES
AND LATER BIDDING AFTER A 1H OR 1S OPENING
1H and 1S openings show a five-card or longer suit.
Responses:
1H -- 1S = at least four spades, 6 or more points.
Tends to deny a heart fit.
1H -- 1NT = 6-10 points, denies four spades or three
hearts. NOT forcing.
1H -- 2C, 2D = 11 points or more, promises at least
four of the suit.
1H -- 2H = three-card or longer heart support; 6-10
dummy points.
1H -- 2NT = Game-forcing raise ("Jacoby
2NT"), 13+ dummy points. Asks opener to show a suit with a void or singleton to help
responder evaluate slam prospects. With a minimum hand (after taking features into account
) opener bids 4H.
1H -- 2S, 3C, 3D = strong jump shifts. Invite a
slam.
1H -- 3H = limit raise (10-12 dummy points with
three or more hearts).
1H -- 3NT = 15-17 HCP, balanced hand with two-card
support for partner.
1H -- 4H = usually 5+ hearts, a singleton or void,
and fewer than 10 HCP.
Opener's rebids are natural and standard.
Rebids with a minimum hand (13-16 points): Rebidding
no-trump at the cheapest available level; Raising responder's suit at the cheapest level
(this can be done with good three-card support if desired); Rebidding a new suit (but not
reversing); Rebidding opener's suit at the lowest level.
Rebids with a medium hand (17-18) points: Jump raise
or jump rebid of opener's suit; Reverse in a new suit Non-reverse bid in a new suit (this
has the wide range of 13-18 points).
With a maximum hand (19-21 or 22 points) opener must
make a very strong rebid: Jump in no-trump; Double jump raise in responder's suit or
double jump rebid of opener's suit; Jump shift in a new suit.
If responder jumps to 2NT over a 1H or 1 S opening,
that is Jacoby 2NT, asking opener to show a singleton or void. If opener has no short
suit, he shows his hand strength; 1H -- 2NT 3C, 3D, 3S = singleton or void in that suit.
Other bids deny a short suit. 4H = minimum hand. 3NT = medium hand (15-17). 3H = maximum
hand (18+). Responder follows up by attempting to sign off in game, bidding 4NT Blackwood,
or cuebidding if still interested in trying to cooperate with opener in making the slam
decision.
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SUBSEQUENT
BIDDING BY RESPONDER
If responder has bid a suit at the one level, he
next determines whether he wishes to sign off in a partscore, invite game, sign off in
game, or force to game and get more information about opener's hand. Having made his
choice, he selects the best available bid.
Bids available for signoff in partscore:
Pass, 1NT, 2 of a previously bid suit. 1H -- 1S 2C
-- Pass, 2H, 2S = 6-10 points, signoff in partscore.
Bids available for inviting game:
2NT, 3 of a previously bid suit: 1H -- 1S 2D -- 2NT,
3D, 3H, 3S = 11-12 points, inviting game. Second-round forcing bids. A new suit response
(other than after a 1NT rebid by opener) is a one-round force. If it is a fourth suit in
the auction, it may be artificial. 1H -- 1S 2C -- 2D = one-round force, could be
artificial. ... but ... 1H -- 1S 1NT-- 2C, 2D = non-forcing. Responder must jump shift to
3C or 3D to force game.
Second round forcing bids following a 1NT rebid by
opener:
A reverse or jump shift into a new suit is a game
force. 1C -- 1H 1NT -- 2S or 3D = game force.
Bids available for signing off in game:
3NT, 4H, 4S, 5C, 5D. If responder initially bids a
new suit at the two level, the same rules apply EXCEPT that a subsequent jump raise of
opener's first suit to the THREE LEVEL is game forcing (responder should make a limit
raise directly over the opening with 10-12 points and at least three-card support):
1S -- 2C 2H -- 2NT, 3C, 3H = Invitational to game
(11-12 points).
1S -- 2C 2H-- 2S = Preference, not forcing.
Responder has 11-12 points and a doubleton spade.
1S -- 2C 2H -- 3D = Game force, could be artificial.
1S -- 2C 2H -- 3S = Game force. NOTE: Responder
promises to bid again if he responded with a new suit at the two level unless opener's
rebid is at the game level.
1S -- 2C 2D = forcing one round. Responder can limit
his hand by bidding 2S, 2NT, 3C, or 3D at this point. He should not pass, since opener
could have 18 points (just short of a jump shift rebid).
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RESPONSES
TO A 1C or 1D OPENING
A 1D opener suggests a four-card or longer suit,
since 1C is preferred on hands where a three-card minor suit must be opened. The exception
is a hand with 4-4-3-2 shape: four spades, four hearts, three diamonds, and two clubs,
which should be opened 1D. Responses and later bidding generally follow the ideas set down
in the previous section. Bidding at the one level is up-the-line in principle. Responder
needs more trumps to raise (4 to raise 1D; 5 to raise 1 C, though one less trump will do
in a pinch in a competitive sequence). Responses of 2NT and 3NT are standard: 1C -- 2NT =
13-15, game forcing -- 3NT = 16-17 There is no forcing minor-suit raise.
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A 2C OPENING,
RESPONSES AND LATER BIDDING
A 2C opening shows at least 22+ points, or the
playing equivalent.
Responses:
2C -- 2D = artificial, could be "waiting"
with a good hand not suited to a positive response.
2H, 2S, 3C, 3D = natural and game forcing. At least
a five-card suit and 8 points.
2NT = a balanced 8 HCP. If opener rebids 2NT after a
2D response (showing 22-24 points), the same responses are used as over a 2NT opening: 2C
-- 2D 2NT -- 3C = Stayman. -- 3D, 3H = Jacoby transfers to hearts and spades respectively.
-- 4C = Gerber. -- 4NT = Inviting a slam in no-trump.
If opener rebids a suit over a 2D response, the
bidding is forcing to 3 of opener's major or 4 of opener's minor. 2C -- 2D 2H -- 2S 3H =
not forcing.
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SEQUENCE AFTER
A WEAK TWO-BID OF 2D, 2H, OR 2S
Weak two-bids show a six-card suit of reasonable
quality and 5-11 HCP. On rare occasions it may be a very good five-card suit. It is
possible to open a weak two with a poor seven-card suit (not good enough to open with at
the three level).
Responses:
A 2NT response is forcing, showing game interest.
(This applies also if the opponents intervene with a double or a bid.) Opener rebids his
suit with a minimum weak two (5-8 points). With a maximum hand opener bids another suit to
show a "feature" (ace or king in that suit); lacking a feature he raises to 3NT
and lets responder place the contract.
Any raise of opener's suit is to play and could be
pre-emptive.
A 3NT response is also to play.
"RONF" on the card means "Raise Only
Non-Force." A new suit response is forcing one round and shows at least a five-card
suit. Opener should raise a major suit response with a three-card fit, or perhaps with a
doubleton honour. With no fit for responder's suit, opener rebids: With a minimum weak
two-bid (5-8 points), rebid the suit at the cheapest level. With a maximum weak two-bid,
name a new suit or bid no-trump.
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SLAM BIDDING
Blackwood 4NT is used to ask for aces. Responses
show the number of aces by steps. 5NT is then used to ask for kings; 5NT guarantees the
partnership holds all four aces.
4NT 5C = 0 or 4 aces 5D = 1 ace 5H = 2 aces 5S = 3
aces
5NT 6C -- 0 or 4 kings 6D -- 1 king 6H -- 2 kings 6S
-- 3 kings
A jump to 5NT (and some 5NT bids when the auction is
at the five level) is "Grand Slam Force", asking partner to bid a grand slam
with two of the three top trump honours; 5NT -- 6 of the trump suit = fewer than two top
trump honours (A, K, or Q). -- 7 of the trump suit = two of the three top trump honours.
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DEFENSIVE
BIDDING
Overcalls show 8-16 points (double and bid the long
suit with a stronger hand).The only forcing response is a cuebid of opener's suit, asking
the overcaller about the quality of his overcall: (1D) -- 1S -- (Pass) -- 2D (Pass) -- 2S
= minimum overcall. -- other = extra strength (11 or 12 points minimum).
A 1NT overcall shows 15-18 points and a balanced
hand (preferably a stopper in opener's suit). No artificial responses are used to the 1NT
overcall except 2C, which is Stayman.
A jump overcall of 2NT shows at least 5-5 in the
lower two unbid suits.
Jump overcalls are pre-emptive, showing the same
values as an opening bid at the same level: (1D) -- 2S = a hand that would open a weak
two-bid in spades. -- 3C = a hand that would open 3C.
A cuebid overcall when the opponents have bid two
suits is natural in either suit.
A cuebid overcall, when the opponents have bid only
one suit, is a "Michaels cuebid", showing a 5-5 two-suiter (or more
distributional). If the opening is in a minor suit, the cuebid shows the majors; if the
opening is in a major, the cuebid shows the other major and an unspecified minor. (1D) --
2D = at least 5-5 in the majors, 8 points or more. (1S) -- 2S = at least 5-5 in hearts and
a minor; 10 points or more. Responder can bid 2NT over a major suit cuebid to ask for
partner's minor. (1H) -- 2H -- (Pass) -- 2NT (asks for the minor). (Pass) -- 3C = club
suit. -- 3D = diamond suit.
Reopening bids mean much the same as direct seat
bids, though they can be lighter at the minimum end. A reopening 1NT after an opponent has
opened shows 10-15 points. This is a wide range but there will not usually be a game on
for you.
Doubles are for takeout over opening partscore bids
(4 D or lower); penalty over opening game bids (4H or higher).
A below-game jump response to a takeout double is
invitational. To force, responder cuebids opener's suit.
Versus opening pre-empts, overcalls in suits or
no-trump are natural; cuebids are Michaels.
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COMPETITIVE
BIDDING
There is almost an endless variety of possible
sequences, so it pays to have simple guidelines to prevent bidding misunderstandings:
Bids mean the same thing they meant without the
intervening bid.
However it is sometimes necessary to pick a bid that
would normally have been a second choice without the overcall: 1D -- (Pass) -- 1S -- (2C)
2S with S J43 H A875 D AQJ4 C J3 (rebid 1NT if RHO has passed).
Cuebidding RHO's suit shows values for game without
clear direction for the moment. This is often used to show a game-forcing raise: 1S --
(2C) -- 3C = game force; usually a raise.
Negative doubles are used through 2S promising four
cards (at least) in any unbid major.
Bidding a major at the two level or higher shows 11
or more points and a five-card or longer suit.
1C -- (1D)-- Double = 4-4 or better in the majors.
1D -- (1H)-- Double = exactly four spades (1S
promises five).
1D -- (1S)-- Double = four hearts and 6+ points or
five hearts and 5-10 points.
If RHO makes a takeout double:
1D -- (Double) -- 1H ,1S = forcing, point count not
limited.
1D -- (Double) -- 2C = non-forcing (6-10 points,
usually a six-card suit).
1D -- (Double) -- 2NT = limit raise (at least 10
points) -- or better.
1D -- (Double) -- Redouble = 10 points or more, but
it is better to make a more descriptive bid of 1H, 1S, or 2NT with the appropriate hand.
1D -- (Double) -- 3D = Pre-emptive, good trump
support but fewer than 10 points.
A responder's jump shift after a double is to play:
1D -- (Double) -- 2H, 2S, 3C = six-plus-card suit,
like a weak two-bid or pre-emptive three-bid.
A redouble can have one of three meanings:
To play if: Your side is at the four level or
higher: 4S -- (Double) -- Redouble = Penalty: The opponents double an artificial bid: 1NT
-- (Pass) -- 2D -- (Double) Redouble = Penalty. good diamond suit
A good hand if their double is for takeout:
1S -- (Double) -- Redouble = 10+ points; SOS,
requesting a different suit, if your side is doubled for penalty in a trump suit at the
three level or lower: 1D -- (Pass) -- Pass -- (Double) Pass -- (Pass) -- Redouble = SOS,
responder can support at least two of the unbid suits.
Unless otherwise noted elsewhere, any bid or double
by the opponents cancels a convention intended for non-competitive sequences.
Examples:
1H -- 1S -- 2NT = Natural (12-14 HCP).
2C -- Double -- 2D = Natural and Positive.
If the opponents use a convention (such as Michaels
or the unusual no-trump), you can double to show at least 10 points, or you can cuebid one
of their shown suit(s) to force to game:
1S -- (2S) -- 3H = game force. -- Double = at least 10 points, probably balanced.
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DEFENSIVE LEADS AND
SIGNALS
Pairs choose from the following options.
- Which card is led from AKx.
- Which card is led from xxx, xxxx or xxxxx.
- Whether 4th best, or 5th best leads are used.
- Whether 3rd best is led from KJ10x, K109x, or Q109x,
(and from AJ10x or A109x versus NT).
- Whether or not frequent count signals are given.
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