Q-plus Bridge:  Bidding Systems

• American systems
• British systems
• German systems
• French systems
• Italian systems
• Dutch systems
• Nordic systems
• Precision systems
• Other systems

American Systems

Basic Standard American (A-AMC-B)

• a simple, natural system
• openings: 5-card majors; 1NT : 16-18; 2♣ : game forcing;
      2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : weak; 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman (no transfers); after 1 of a major : splinters
• slam bidding: cue bids promising first round control; classic Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump;
      against 1NT : 2♣ = Landy, 2NT = Unusual
• competitive bidding: negative doubles only at the one-level

Standard American Yellow Card (A-SAYC-I)

• This system is common in internet Bridge.
• openings: 5-card majors; 1NT : 15-17; 2♣ : almost game forcing;
      2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : weak; 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman, transfers (2♠=minors);
      after 1 of a major : 2NT = Jacoby (4-card support, 13+ total points); splinters
• slam bidding: cue bids (second round control); RKC-Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump; cue bid = Michaels
      against 1NT : 2♣ = Landy, 2NT = Unusual
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 2♠

2-over-1 game forcing (A-2-1-A)

• A similar structure as Standard American Yellow Card
  but a response at the two level, like 2♦ over 1♠,
  forces to game and needs therefore a stronger hand.
  Also, more conventions are applied.
• openings: 5-card majors (can be 4 in 3rd and 4th seat); 1NT: 15-17;
      2♣ - 2♦ ; 2♥ = Kokish;  2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : weak; 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman, transfers (2♠=minors);
      after 1 of a major : 2NT = Jacoby; splinters
      after 1 of a minor : inverted raises
• slam bidding: cue bids (second round control); RKC-Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump; cue bid = Michaels
      against 1NT : Multi-Landy (2♣ = Landy, 2♦ = 6-card major)
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 3♥; Lebensohl

British Systems

Basic Acol (B-ACL-B)

• a very simple, natural system
• openings: 4-card majors; 1NT : 12-14; 2♣ : game forcing;
      2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : strong and forcing (but not game forcing); 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman (no transfers)
• slam bidding: classic Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: none
• competitive bidding: no negative doubles

Standard Acol (B-ACL-S)

• a simple, natural system, similar as Basic Acol, with additionally:
• artificial overcalls: against 1NT : 2♣ = Landy, 2NT = Unusual
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 2♠

Intermediate Acol (B-ACL-I)

• still rather simple, similar as Standard Acol, with additionally:
• artificial responses: after 1NT: transfers (2♠=minors);
      after 1 of a major : splinters
  
• slam bidding: cue bids promising first round control; classic Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump; cue bid = Michaels

Advanced Acol (B-ACL-A)

• a further step after intermediate Acol:
• the opening bid 2♦ = Multi
• slam bidding: cue bids (second round control); keycard Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1NT : Multi-Landy (2♣ = Landy, 2♦ = 6-card major)

Acol as with Bernard's Acol Bidding (B-BERN-A)

• similar as Standard Acol, with the main change:
• In Standard Acol, opener's 1NT rebid shows 15-16 points,
  whereas in Bernard's Acol it is 15-17, and the 2NT rebid
  shows therefore 18-19 instead of 17-18 in Standard Acol.

Benjamin Acol as with Bernard's Advanced Acol (B-BERN-M)

• similar as Advanced Acol, with two main changes:
• Benjamin Two-bids: 2♣ = artificial, a strong 2-bid, usually in a major;
  2♦ = artificial game force; 2♥, 2♠ : weak
• Opener's 1NT rebid shows 15-17 points (as discussed above)

German Systems

Basic Standard German 16-18 (D-GER-BA)

• a simple, natural system, a bit old-fashioned
• openings: 5-card majors; 1NT : 16-18; 2♣ : game forcing;
      2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : strong; 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman, transfers
• slam bidding: cue bids (second round control); classic Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump
  
• competitive bidding: negative doubles only at the one-level

Basic Standard German 15-17 (D-GER-BN)

• The current standard, using Benjamin
• openings: 5-card majors; 1NT : 15-17; 2NT : 20-21
  2♣ : semi forcing - strong but after the 2♦ response
         the rebids 2♥, 2♠, 2NT (22-23), 3♣, 3♦ can be passed;
  2♦ : game forcing;   2♥, 2♠ : weak
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman, transfers
• slam bidding: cue bids (second round control); RKC Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump
  
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 4♥

Advanced German 2004 (D-FRG-A)

• This has the same structure as Basic Standard German 15-17,
  but uses more conventions, e.g.:
• artificial responses: after 1NT: 2♠ = transfer to ♣, 3♣ = transfer to ♦
      after 1 of a major : 2NT = invitational raise with 3 trumps
  
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: Ghestem
      against 1NT : 2♣ = Landy, 2NT = Unusual
• competitive bidding: Lebensohl

Advanced German 2015 (D-G15-A)

• this is a further development of advanced German 2004:
• response to 1 of a minor : inverted raises;
      2 of a major : weak (exception: 1♦ - 2♥ = 5♠ + 4♥)
• response to 1 of a major : Bergen raises; 2NT = slam interest with 4 trumps
• artificial overcalls: against 1NT : Multi-Landy
• slam bidding: RKC Blackwood-1403

Swiss Acol (D-SWISS)

• A "compromise system" popular in Switzerland, where the 1-spade opening
  promises 5-card length but the 1-heart opening only a 4-card length.
• other openings: 1NT : 15-17; 2♣ : game forcing;
      2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : strong; 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman, transfers (2♠=minors)
• slam bidding: cue bids (second round control); classic Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump; cue bid = Michaels
      against 1NT : 2♣ = Landy, 2NT = Unusual
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 2♠

Prepared Clubs (D-LCL-B)

• This is similar to "Basic Standard German 16-18" and also a bit old-fashioned.
  The main difference is that the opening bid of 1♣ is forcing,
  but does not promise more than normal opening strength, i.e. 12 points.
  Partner with a weak hand must respond 1♦.
• This is not Polish club, because with Polish club the rebid 1NT after 1♣ - 1♦
  shows 18-19 points, whereas with prepared Clubs it shows 12-14 points.
  (Polish club is not implemented with Q-plus Bridge.)

French Systems

Basic Standard French (F-FRA-B)

• a simple, natural system, traditionally used in France
• openings: 5-card majors; 1NT : 16-18; 2♣ : game forcing, responses are ace showing;
      2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : strong; 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman, transfers
• slam bidding: cue bids (second round control); classic Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump
  
• competitive bidding: negative doubles only at the one-level

Modern Standard French (F-FRA-M)

• a more modern system used in France
• openings: 5-card majors; 1NT : 15-17; 2NT : 20-21
  2♣ : semi forcing - strong but after the 2♦ response
         the rebids 2♥, 2♠ 2NT (22-23), 3♣, 3♦ can be passed;
  2♦ : game forcing;   2♥, 2♠ : weak
• artificial responses: after 1NT: 2♠ = transfer to ♣, 3♣ = transfer to ♦
      after 1 of a major : 2NT = invitational raise with 3 trumps;
         2♣ by a passed hand = Drury
  
• slam bidding: cue bids (second round control); RKC Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: Ghestem
      against 1NT : 2♣ = Landy, 2NT = Unusual
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 3♠

Italian Systems

Basic 4-card major Standard-Italian (I-IT4-B)

• the old Italian system, with 4-card majors and a strong notrump.
• openings: 4-card majors (but with a preference to a 4-card minor);
      1NT : 16-18; 2♣ : game forcing; 2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : strong; 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman
• slam bidding: cue bids (second round control); classic Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump
      against 1NT : 2♣ = Landy, 2NT = Unusual
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 4♦

Basic Italian 5-card major (I-IT5-B)

• the modern Italian base system
• openings: 5-card majors, 1♦ 4+, therefore 1♣ can have only 2 clubs.
      1NT : 16-18; 2♣ : game forcing; 2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : strong; 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman
• slam bidding: cue bids (second round control); classic Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump
      against 1NT : 2♣ = Landy, 2NT = Unusual
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 4♥

Advanced Italian 5-card major (I-IT5-A)

• the modern Italian system
• openings: 5-card majors, 1♦ 4+, therefore 1♣ can have only 2 clubs
      1NT : 15-17; 2♣ : game forcing; 2♦ = Multi (usually a weak 2 in a major);
      2♥, 2♠ : strong;
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman, transfers
• artificial continuation: after 1♥ - 1♠, 1♥ - 1NT, 1♠ - 1NT : 2♣ = Gazzilli
• slam bidding: cue bids (second round control); RKC Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump
      against 1NT : 2♣ = Landy, 2NT = Unusual
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 4♥

Dutch Systems

4 kaart Hoog - beginner (H-4-HOOG-B)

• a very simple 4-card major system for beginners
• openings: 4-card majors; 1NT : 12-14; 2♣ : game forcing;
      2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : strong and forcing (but not game forcing); 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman (no transfers)
• slam bidding: classic Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: none
• competitive bidding: no negative doubles

Standard Hoog - beginner (H-5-HOOG-B)

• a simple 5-card major system for beginners
• openings: 5-card majors, 1♦ 4+, therefore 1♣ can be only 2 clubs
      1NT : 15-17; 2♣ : almost game forcing; 2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : weak; 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman, transfers (2♠=minors);
      after 1 of a major : 2NT = 16+ points and 3+ trumps;
• slam bidding: classic Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: none
• competitive bidding: no negative doubles

Standard Hoog - club (H-5-HOOG-I)

• a more developed version of the simple system,
  with the additional conventions:
• artificial responses: after 1 of a major : splinters
• slam bidding: RKC Blackwood-1403
• artificial overcalls: over 1 of any suit: 2NT = Unusual (lowest unbid suits);
      cue bid over 1 of a minor: the majors;
      cue bid over 1 of a major: the other major and clubs;
      against 1NT : 2♣ = Landy, 2NT = Unusual
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 3♠

Biedermeijer Rood (H-B-ROOD-A)

• a fairly advanced system
• openings: at the 1-level as with Standard Hoog, also 2♣ : almost game forcing;
  2♦ = Multi, 2♥, 2♠ : weak, 5 cards in the suit and 4+ in a minor
• artificial responses: after 1 of a minor : inverted raises
      after 1 of a major : 2NT = 11+ points and 4+ trumps; splinters;
      after 1NT : Stayman, transfers, 2♠ = ♣, 2NT = ♦
• slam bidding: RKC Blackwood-1403
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: as with Standard Hoog
      against 1NT : Multi-Landy
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 4♥

Nordic Systems

Basic Standard Danish (N-DAN-B)

• a simple 4-card major system with a strong 1NT opening
• openings: 4-card majors; 1NT : 15-17; 2♣ : game forcing;
      2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : strong and forcing (but not game forcing); 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman (no transfers)
• slam bidding: classic Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: none
• competitive bidding: no negative doubles

Standard Nordic (N-NORD-I)

• an intermediate 4-card major system with a strong 1NT opening
• openings: 4-card majors; 1NT : 15-17; 2♣ : almost game forcing;
      2♦, 2♥, 2♠ : weak; 2NT : 21-22
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman and transfers
• slam bidding: cue bids and keycard Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: 2NT = Unusual Notrump
      against 1NT : 2♣ = Landy, 2NT = Unusual
• competitive bidding: negative doubles up to 2♠

Standard Danish plus (N-DAN-I)

• as Standard Nordic but with Benjamin opening bids:
• 2♣ : semi forcing - strong but after the 2♦ response
         the rebids 2♥, 2♠, 2NT (22-23), 3♣, 3♦ can be passed;
  2♦ : game forcing;   2♥, 2♠ : weak

Precision Systems

The Precision Systems all have in common that the 1♣ opening
shows a strong hand with 16+ points and almost any distribution.
Partner with a weak hand, up to 7 points, must respond 1♦.
The responses 1♥, 1♠, 1NT, 2♣, 2♦ show a positive hand
with 8+ points and are game forcing.
Unless otherwise stated, higher suit responses show a long suit
in a weak hand, and 2NT a positive hand with a 4-4-4-1
or 5-4-4-0 distribution.

The other opening bids are:

• 1♥, 1♠ : 5-card suit, 11 - 15 points
• 1NT : depending on the system, 13-15 or 14-16 points
• 2♣ : usually 6 (or 5 strong) clubs, 11 - 15 points
• 2♦ : short(!) diamonds, 4-4-1-4, 4-3-1-5, 3-4-1-5, 4-4-0-5
• 1♦ : either a balanced hand with opening strength but
         too weak for 1NT or long diamonds up to 15 points
• 2♥, 2♠ : weak

Note: After the 1♦ opening the response 2♦ is in all systems
strong and forcing, similar as the response 2♣.

Precision Club 70 (P-PRC-I)

• traditional Precision with 1NT=13-15
• artificial responses: after 1NT: Stayman and transfers (2♠=minors);
• slam bidding: cue bids and RKC Blackwood
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: Michaels, Unusual Notrump
      against 1NT : Astro
• competitive bidding: Lebensohl, negative doubles up to 3♥

Precision Club 70 plus (P-PRC-S)

• This system used in previous versions several asking bids,
  but since asking bids have gone out of fashion they have been
  removed from Q-plus Bridge. So it is now largely the same
  as the base system except for a few gadgets.

Precision Club 90 (P-P90S-I)

• Precision as played in the 1990s with 1NT=14-16.
  Otherwise the conventions are largely the same
  as with Precision Club 70, except that the defence
  against 1NT is Asptro instead of Astro.

Precision Club 90 plus (P-P90P-A)

• The key difference to Precision Club 90 is that in response
  to the 1♣-opening the bids 1♥ and 1NT are switched:
  1♥ shows a balanced hand and 1NT shows (5+) hearts!
  Other changes:
• In response to 1 of a major : 2NT = invitational raise with 3 trumps
• artificial overcalls: against 1 of a suit: Ghestem

Standard Modern Precision (P-PMS-I)

• There are two main differences to Precision Club 90:
  (1) In response to the 1♣-opening the bid 1♥ (of a non-passed hand)
      shows any distribution between 8 and 11 points.
      The responses 1♠, 1NT, 2♣, 2♦, and 2♥ are stronger (12+),
      also 2♠, which shows a 4-4-4-1 distribution (2NT is not used).
  (2) After 1♣ - 1♦ the rebids 1♥ and 1♠ are forcing
      and do not promise 5 cards.
  Other differences:
• In response to 1 of a major : 2NT = 13+ points and 4+ trumps
• Defence against 1NT : Landy

Modern Precision plus (P-PMP-A)

• The differences to Standard Modern Precision are:
• In response to the 1♣-opening the bid 1♠ is a "normal" positive,
  i.e. 8+ points.
• As a non-passed hand, the responses 1NT and 2♥ are switched,
  as a passed hand, the responses 1NT and 1♥ are switched,
  so in both cases 1NT shows hearts.

Precision Club 90 modern (P-P90M-A)

• This system is based on Precision Club 90 plus and adopts
  mainly the treatment of Standard Modern Precision:
• After 1♣ - 1♦ the rebids 1♥ and 1♠ are forcing
  and do not promise 5 cards.
  
• And: The defence against 1NT is Landy.

Other Systems

strong 2 club system A (for competitions) (Q-SY2-X)

• This system is used when Q-plus Bridge participates in competitions.
  The structure is: 5-card majors, 1NT = 15-17, 2♣ and 2♦ are strong
  (a Benjamin variation), 2♥ and 2♠ are weak.
  Some - but not too many - gadgets are employed, in particular Gazzilli.

Point Count Method