Continuations after opener has a 5 card heart suit
Bid
Meaning
3♠
Slam try in hearts (Could play this as RKCB in hearts!)
4♣
Natural Slam try in Clubs
4♦
Natural Slam try in diamonds
4♥
To play
4♠
Splinter
4NT
RKCB for hearts or quantitative in hearts (make sure you agree)
Continuations after opener has a 5 card spade suit
Bid
Meaning
3NT
To Play
4♣
Natural Slam try in Clubs
4♦
Natural Slam try in diamonds
4♥
Slam try in spades (Could play this as RKCB in spades)
4♠
To play
4NT
RKCB for spades or quantitative in spades (make sure you agree)
After a 3NT response
Bid
Meaning
4♣
Natural Slam try in Clubs
4♦
Natural Slam try in diamonds
4♥
5/5 in the majors no slam try
4♠
5/5 in the majors slam try?
Opener bids 4NT to sign off or bids 4♦ over 4♣ to look for slam in clubs. Responder bids a major to show interest in slam in diamonds or bids 4NT to sign off.
It’s really critical you discuss this as a lot of people play this the wrong way and as soon as they hear 4NT they start answering RKCB. You shouldn’t play it this way in the minors…use the majors to agree a minor slam interest.
The Lavings convention is a simple way of asking for 5 card majors after partner has opened a strong or weak NT.
After an opening 1NT Bid and 2♣ Response
So it’s important to known you can only bid 2♣ with invitational hands.
Bid
Meaning
2♦
Minimum no 5 card Major
2♥
Minimum 5 card hearts
2♠
Minimum 5 card spades
2NT
Maximum no 5 card suit
3♣
Maximum 5 card club suit
3♦
Maximum 5 card diamond suit
3♥
Maximum 5 card heart suit
3♠
Maximum 5 card spade suit
Continuations after 2♦
So after 1NT – 2♣ – 2♦ uninterrupted
Bid
Meaning
2♥
5 card suit non-forcing
2♠
5 card suit non-forcing
2NT
To Play
3♣
Promissory 4 card Stayman
3♦
3 Card Stayman
3♥
Shows 5 spades and 4 Hearts
3♠
Shows 5 hearts and 4 Spades
Continuations after 2NT
So after 1NT – 2♣ – 2NT uninterrupted. 3♣ would be promissory Stayman and a bid of 3♦ would ask for a 3 card major.
Some Examples
Let’s look at some examples of strong and Weak NT openers.
a)
b)
c)
d)
♠ AQ1083 ♥ K8 ♦ KJ7 ♣ A97
♠ AJ53 ♥ J54 ♦ QJ72 ♣ K7
♠ KJ4 ♥ K108 ♦ AQ762 ♣ A7
♠ KJ862 ♥ 42 ♦ KQ7 ♣ AJ10
♠ 954 ♥ A74 ♦ Q8543 ♣ K3
♠ Q73 ♥ KQ973 ♦ A65 ♣ 43
♠ Q72 ♥ AQ962 ♦ 93 ♣ 953
♠ Q73 ♥ KQ973 ♦ A65 ♣ 43
e)
f)
g)
h)
♠ AQ862 ♥ 42 ♦ KQ7 ♣ KJ10
♠ KJ82 ♥ 42 ♦ KQ7 ♣ AJ107
♠ KJ8 ♥ 42 ♦ KQJ7 ♣ A1092
♠ KJ62 ♥ 42 ♦ KQ7 ♣ AJ107
♠ J73 ♥ K10973 ♦ 43 ♣ A65
♠ Q763 ♥ KQ93 ♦ A65 ♣ 43
♠ Q763 ♥ KQJ3 ♦ 1073 ♣ K5
♠ Q1073 ♥ KQ73 ♦ A65 ♣ 43
i)
♠ K82 ♥ AQJ6 ♦ A982 ♣ K8
♠ AJ943 ♥ 1094 ♦ QJ3 ♣ A7
The Bidding
a) 1NT (15-17) – 2♣ – 3♠ – 4♠
So the 3♠ shows a maximum and you simply raise it to 4♠
b) 1NT (12-14) – 2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥
Partner has invitational 5 card heart suit but after just bidding 2♥ you can pass this even with 3 card support.
c) 1NT (15 – 17) – 2♣ – 3♦ – 3♥ – 4♥
The original NT bidder is maximum with a 5 card diamond suit. You now bid your 5 card heart suit (game forcing) which gets supported to 4♥.
d) 1NT (12 – 14) – 2♣ – 3♠ – 4♠
The original NT bidder is maximum with a 5 card spade suit. You now bid 4♠.
e) 1NT (15-17) – 2♣ – 2♠
So the 2♠ shows a minimum with 5 spades which you can just pass.
f) 1NT (12-14) – 2♣ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♠ – 4♠
2NT shows a maximum without any 5 card suit. 3♣ is promissory Stayman (it guarantees a 4 card major) and partner bids 3♠ which then gets raised to 4♠.
g) 1NT (12 – 14) – 2♣ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♦ – 3NT
The 2NT shows a maximum without any 5 card suit. 3♣ is promissory Stayman (it guarantees a 4 card major) and partner bids 3♦ which denies a 4 card major. 3NT is then bid.
h) 1NT (12 – 14) – 2♣ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 3NT – 4♠
The 2NT shows a maximum without any 5 card suit. 3♣ is promissory Stayman (it guarantees a 4 card major) and partner bids 3♥. 3NT is bid as you don’t like hearts and partner converts to the known 4-4 spade fit and bids 4♠.
g) 1NT (15 – 17) – 2♣ – 2NT – 3♦ – 3♥ – 3NT – 4♠
The 2NT shows a maximum without any 5 card suit. 3♦ asks for a 3 card major (should guarantee a 5 card major) and partner bids 3♥. 3NT is bid which partner can either pass or bid 4♠ if they have 3 card spade support.
So that’s how to play the Lavings bidding convention….a five card major ask after an opening 1NT.
The Michael’s cue bid is a very popular bidding convention to show distributional hands…hands usually with at least 55 shapes (5521).
This Michael’s cue bid is usually used in the direct position, i.e., immediately after an opponent has made their bid.
All these direct overcall bids are known as Michael’s cue-bids:-
Opening Bid
Direct Overcall
Shows
1♣
2♣
5+ hearts and 5+ Spades
1♦
2♦
5+ hearts and 5+ Spades
1♥
2♥
5+ spades and 5+ unspecified minor
1♠
2♠
5+ hearts and 5+ unspecified minor
For example if your right-hand opponent opened 1♥ and you bid 2♥, your 2♥ call would be a Michael’s cue-bid. This would show at least 5 spades and at least 5 card in either clubs or diamonds.
If your right-hand opponent opened 1♠ and you bid 2♠, your 2♠ call would be a Michael’s cue-bid. This would show at least 5 hearts and at least 5 card in either clubs or diamonds.
Better still if your right-hand opponent opened 1♣ or 1♦ and you bid the Michael’s cue-bid.
This would specifically show 5-5 (or longer) in the majors. This is better for you as you know exactly what two suits partner has.
What about points?
So that’s the shapes and the suits…but what values should you have for the bid?
Typically I imagine a hand like:
♠ KQ1072 ♥ KQ1073 ♦ 4 ♣ 75
You can play several methods but usually either a weak hand (say, 6 to 11 points) or a strong hand (a good 15 or more high-card points). Hands with intermediate strength should simply overcall at the one level, with the hope that the second suit can be shown later in the auction. Why do this? It’s to give partner some indication of our strength and involve him in the decision process as to how high we compete (sacrifice).
Responding to the Michael’s cue bid
So after 1♣ – 2♣ showing at least 5 / 5 in the majors….
Response
Meaning
2♦
Natural, good diamond suit (usually 6+) Non-forcing.
2♥
Sign-off…may be equal length as spades.
2♠
Sign-off…must be longer in spades than hearts though.
2NT
Natural and invites partner to bid 3NT
3♣
Artificial, game / slam interest in hearts or spades. Forcing.
3♦
A very strong diamond suit (6+ cards). Forcing
3♥
Preemptive, usually with 4 hearts
3♠
Preemptive, usually with 4 spades
3NT
To Play
So after 1♦ – 2♦ showing at least 5 / 5 in the majors….
Response
Meaning
2♥
Sign-off…may be equal length as spades.
2♠
Sign-off…must be longer in spades than hearts though.
2NT
Natural and invites partner to bid 3NT
3♣
Natural usually shows 6+ cards. Non-Forcing
3♦
Artificial, game / slam interest in hearts or spades. Forcing.
3♥
Preemptive, usually with 4 hearts
3♠
Preemptive, usually with 4 spades
3NT
To Play
So after 1♥ – 2♥ showing at least 5 spades and a minor suit as of yet unspecified.
Response
Meaning
2♠
Sign-off.
2NT
Asks for the minor
3♣
Natural usually shows 6+ cards. Non-Forcing
3♦
Natural usually shows 6+ cards. Non-Forcing
3♥
Forcing
3♠
Preemptive, usually with 4 spades
3NT
To Play
So after 1♠ – 2♠ showing at least 5 hearts and a minor suit as of yet unspecified.
Response
Meaning
2NT
Asks for the minor
3♣
Natural usually shows 6+ cards. Non-Forcing
3♦
Natural usually shows 6+ cards. Non-Forcing
3♥
Preemptive, usually with 4 hearts
3♠
Forcing…usually slam interest in hearts.
3NT
To Play
Bidding in 4th position
You can also use it to show 5 / 5 in the other two suits like:
North
East
South
West
1♣
Pass
1♠
2♣*
Now the 2C bid shows 5 /5 in diamonds and hearts.
OR…..
North
East
South
West
1♣
Pass
1♥
2♣*
Now the 2C bid shows 5 /5 in diamonds and spades.
You could also have a different meaning for the other cue-bid:-
OR…..
North
East
South
West
1♣
Pass
1♥
2♥*
Now the 2♥ bid shows 5 /5 in diamonds and spades….but a stronger hand 15+
Another alternative….
North
East
South
West
1♣
Pass
1♥
2♥*
Now the 2♥ bid could show longer spades than diamonds at least 6/5. This is because you have bid the higher cue-bid.
And now….
North
East
South
West
1♣
Pass
1♥
2♣*
Now the 2♣ bid could show longer diamonds than spades at least 6/5. This is because you have bid the lower cue-bid.
So the Michael’s cue bid is a great way of letting your partner know your shape using just one bid….of course it does tell the opponents as well which means they might stop out of a game if they know the splits are bad. Quite often these bids can be used to find a good sacrifice.
Make sure you have an agreement with your partner…like I said a common one is to show the hand as either weak OR strong.
Alternatively you can play a bidding convention called CRO (Colour/Rank/Other). Using the CRO bidding convention you can specify what the other minor is.
You can go two ways with this to demonstrate two different NnTrump strength holdings.
Bidding 2♥ forces 2♠. Now the 2NT bid shows 25+ points
Bid 2NT directly shows 23-24 points.
Some people play reverse Kokish as well – where the two bids above are reversed…so make sure you know which Kokish you are playing if you are playing it.
Partnerships can have different points holding for 2NT openers so make sure you have a partnership agreement as some people play 20-21 2NT openers.
Let’s look at some examples of 2♣ openers using kokish relays :-
a)
b)
c)
d)
♠ AK ♥ AJ10 ♦ AQ532 ♣ AK7
♠ AKJ5 ♥ AQ9 ♦ A87 ♣ AK5
♠ AQ10 ♥ AK ♦ QJ104 ♣ AQJ10
♠ Q103 ♥ AQJ ♦ AQJ ♣ AK96
♠ QJ732 ♥ 98765 ♦ 5 ♣ 42
♠ 107 ♥ K108632 ♦ K52 ♣ 43
♠ 7432 ♥ 543 ♦ 987 ♣ 973
♠ KJ954 ♥ 42 ♦ 1074 ♣ 743
a) 2♣ – 2♦ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 4♦ – 4♥.
The 2NT bid shows 25+ points. partner bids muppet stayman and the 3♥ response denies a 4 card major. Partner bids 4♦ to show 5-5 in the majors and 4♥ is reached.
The 2NT bid shows 25+ points. Partner bids a two under slam try 4♣ and partner accepts with a cue bid of 4♦. Partner does a quick check for keycards and decides 6NT is a better contract.
c) 2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 2♠ – 2NT – All Pass
The 2NT bid shows 23-24points.
d) 2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 2♠ – 2NT – 3♣ – 3♥ – 3NT – 4♠
The 2NT bid shows 23-24 points. 3♣ is muppet stayman, 3♥ denies a 4 card major, 3NT shows a 5 card major and partner bids 4♠.
The kokish relay is a useful system for keeping the bidding at 2NT when you have these 25+ point holding allowing partner to investigate major holdings below the 3NT level. The disadvantage of this system is in order to agree hearts you can end up bidding 4H…
2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 2♠ – 3♥ – ? harder to agree hearts without signing off in 4♥
Where the bidding previously may have preceded with…
2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ – 3♥ – now can look for a slam in hearts more comfortably
So it’s up to you if you want to play the Kokish relay system…how often do you pick up 25 counts?
Kokish has some more complex bids – but as far as I know – most people don’t play these bids or have even discussed them…
After 2♣ – 2♦ – 2♥ then:
3♣: 5+ hearts and 4+ clubs
3♦: 5+ hearts and 4+ diamonds
3♥: 6+ hearts
3♠: 5+hearts and 4+ spades
Now if you were to bid 2nt and show a 5 card heart suit (after puppet/muppet) – partner should know you are 5332 shape
Multi-Landy is a convention used after the opponents open 1NT. It gets its name from the use of the Landy 2♣ overcall and the Multi 2♦ convention. One purpose is to more precisely identify major-suit fits.
The conventional calls over 1NT are as follows.
Bids
Meaning
Double
Penalty 15+points (particularly against a weak 1NT). Against a Strong NT it shows a 4-card major with a longer minor. Double after passing shows a 4-card major with a longer minor.
2♣
At least 5-4 or 4-5 in hearts and spades. 8-15 points
2♦
5+ hearts or 5+ spades (no side suit). 8-15 points
2♥
At least 5-4 in hearts and a minor. 8-15 points
2♠
At least 5-4 in spades and a minor. 8-15 points
2NT
At least 5-5 in clubs and diamonds. 8-15 points
Minimum points usually at favourable vulnerability or/and when 55 or 6 card suits…don’t bid vulnerable with garbage!
Some example hands that might use this convention are:
1)
2)
3)
4)
♠ AQ102 ♥ K10963 ♦ 4 ♣ K75
♠ KQ10942 ♥ A8 ♦ 842 ♣ 75
♠ 6 ♥ KQ1063 ♦ AJ1085 ♣ Q7
♠ KJ763 ♥ 8 ♦ AQ109 ♣ Q76
5)
6)
♠ 9 ♥ 84 ♦ AQ1085 ♣ KJ763
♠ AQ ♥ K98 ♦ QJ1095 ♣ KJ8
Hand 1 would bid 2♣ showing at least 5-4 in the majors
Hand 2 would bid 2♦ showing a 5+ major without a second suit.
Hand 3 would bid 2♥ showing 5 hearts and a minor suit.
Hand 4 would bid 2♠ showing 5 spades and a minor suit.
Hand 5 would bid 2NT showing 5-5the minors
Hand 6 would simply double against a weak NT for penalties
Responses to the Double showing a minor and a major
Response
Meaning
2♣
Shows club tolerance and willingness to play in clubs. Partner can pass with long clubs, or bid 2♦ without clubs.
2♦
Shows diamond tolerance and willingness to play in diamonds. Partner can pass with long diamonds, or bid 2M without diamonds.
2♥
Natural, 4+ hearts, non-forcing.
2♠
Natural, 6+ spades, non-forcing.
2NT
Artificial, forcing. Asks the over caller to clarify their major holding.
3♣ – Shows 4 hearts, max strength.
3♦ – Shows 4 spades, max strength.
3♥ – Shows 4 hearts, min strength.
3♠ – Shows 4 spades, min strength.
3♣
Natural, 6+ good clubs, non-forcing.
3♦
Natural, 6+ good diamonds, non-forcing.
3♥
Pre-emptive or Good suit maybe 7 card suit.
3♠
Pre-emptive or Good suit maybe 7 card suit.
3NT
To play
Responses to the 2♣ Overcall
The 2♣ overcall shows at least 5-4 in the majors.
Response
Meaning
Pass
Natural, 6+ good clubs
2♦
An artificial bid asks partner to bid their major suit.
2♥
Natural sign-off, showing a preference for hearts even if partner is 5-4.
2♠
Natural sign-off, showing a preference for spades even if partner is 5-4.
2NT
Artificial, forcing. Asks the over-caller to clarify their major holding.
3♣ – Shows 4+ hearts, max strength.
3♦ – Shows 4+ spades, max strength.
3♥ – Shows 4+ hearts, min strength.
3♠ – Shows 4+ spades, min strength.
3♣
Natural, 6+ good clubs, non-forcing.
3♦
Natural, 6+ good diamonds, non-forcing.
3♥
Pre-emptive
3♠
Pre-emptive
3NT
To play
Responses to the 2♦ Overcall
The 2♦ overcall shows a single-suited major.
Response
Meaning
2♦
Natural, 6+ good diamonds
2♥
Natural signoff if over caller has hearts. However, this bid may also be made with game-invitational values in spades. If the over caller corrects to 2♠, then partner is allowed to raise or bid something else to show a good raise in spades.
2♠
Natural signoff if over caller has spades. However, this also shows a good raise in hearts. If the over caller has hearts they bid 3♥ with a minimum and bid a feature with a maximum…or can bid 4♥ direct.
2NT
Artificial, forcing. Asks the over caller to clarify their major holding.
3♣ – Shows 5 hearts, max strength.
3♦ – Shows 5 spades, max strength.
3♥ – Shows 5 hearts, min strength.
3♠ – Shows 5 spades, min strength.
3♣
Natural, 6+ good clubs, non-forcing.
3♦
Natural, 6+ good diamonds, non-forcing.
3♥
Natural, 6+ good hearts, non-forcing.
3♠
Natural, 6+ good spades, non-forcing.
3NT
To play
Responses to the 2♥ Overcall
2♥ shows a 5 card major and at least a four-card minor.
Response
Meaning
Pass
This is where we play
2♠
Natural, 5+ good spades, no heart support, non-forcing.
2NT
Artificial, forcing. Asks the over caller to clarify their minor holding.
3♣ – Shows 4+ clubs, min strength.
3♦ – Shows 4+ diamonds, min strength.
3♥ – Shows 4+ clubs, max strength.
3♠ – Shows 4+ diamonds, max strength.
3♣
Asks partner to pass or correct to 3♦
3♦
Good raise in hearts
3♥
Pre-emptive raise
3♠
Natural, 6+ good spades, non-forcing.
3NT
To Play
4♥
To Play
4♠
To Play
Responses to the 2♠ Overcall
2♠ shows 5 spades and at least a 4-card minor.
Response
Meaning
Pass
This is where we play
2NT
Artificial, forcing. Asks the over caller to clarify their minor holding.
3♣ – Shows 4+ clubs, min strength.
3♦ – Shows 4+ diamonds, min strength.
3♥ – Shows 4+ clubs, max strength.
3♠ – Shows 4+ diamonds, max strength.
3♣
Asks partner to pass or correct to 3♦
3♦
Good raise in spades
3♥
Natural, 6+ good hearts, non-forcing.
3♠
Pre-emptive raise
3NT
To Play
4♥
To Play
4♠
To Play
Responses to the 2NT Overcall
Shows 5/5 in the minors.
Bids
Meaning
Pass
This is where we play
3♣
A weak hand with tolerance for clubs.
3♦
A weak hand with tolerance for diamonds
3♥
Natural, 6+ good hearts, non-forcing.
3♠
Natural, 6+ good spades, non-forcing.
3NT
To Play
4♣ / ♦
Invitational
4♥ / ♠
4♥ / ♠
5♣ / ♦
To Play
Please note that these notes are merely ideas on how to play this convention…but you can change them how you want. That is one of the main points about complex bridge conventions…you can change them to how you want to play them…as long as you agree to them with your partner…that is the crucial point.
In Competition
Obviously, when you overcall 2♣, the opposition might double this contract which might show clubs, they might bid diamonds…so it’s important you have an agreement on what double, re-double, or 2♦ means from partner?
I would suggest over 2♣ double, Redouble asks for the longer major and 2♦ is now natural.
Over a 2♦ bid double asks partner to bid their longer major.
The support double is a double, as the name suggests, which shows just 3 card support for partners bid MAJOR suit. Most partnerships just play this up to the 2 level.
Also if a double is made of partners suit then a re-double by partner also shows 3 card support.
If you are playing support doubles it means that bids of partners suit show 4 card support.
Let’s look at some examples
All of these are example of support doubles.
Auction 1
1♣ – P – 1♥ – 1♠
D*
Shows 3 card heart support
Auction 2
1♣ – 1♦ – 1♥ – 2♦
D*
Shows 3 card heart support
Auction 3
1♣ – P – 1♠ – 2♦
D*
Shows 3 card spade support
Auction 4
1♣ – P – 1♠ – 2♦
2♠
This now shows 4 card support because you didn’t double.
Auction 5
1♣ – P – 1♠ – D
RD
The RD doesn’t show extra points it just shows you have an opening hand and you’ve got 3 spades in your hand.
If we start with an auction with no intervening bidding such as:-
1♠ – 2♣
2♠ – 3♠
?
If we have agreed an 8 card fit in the majors then most of the time it’s going to play better in 4♠, therefore if we give up the 3NT bid as a natural bid, we can use it for something more constructive….The Frivolous 3NT.
Based on the principal of fast arrival 3♠ here can show a better hand. We can now use 3NT as the more useful Frivolous 3NT conventional bid.
So what are the kinds of hand that would bid 3NT, cue bid, or just bid 4♠?
Hands that would bid the Frivolous 3NT
a)
b)
c)
d) We open 1♣
♠ AQ10863 ♥ A62 ♦ K84 ♣ 7
♠ KQ10754 ♥ KQ8 ♦ 3 ♣ K65
♠ AKJ1072 ♥ 108 ♦ K2 ♣ QJ10
♠ KJ876 ♥ K2 ♦ K106 ♣ KJ
All these Hands bid the Frivolous 3NT
Hands that would Cue Bid
a)
b)
c)
d) We open 1♣
♠ AQ10863 ♥ AKQ ♦ Q72 ♣ 7
♠ KQ10754 ♥ Q8 ♦ A72 ♣ A5
♠ QJ10972 ♥ AK ♦ AQ ♣ Q72
♠ KQJ86 ♥ AJ2 ♦ K106 ♣ A7
All these Hands would cue bid at the lowest available level
Hands that would bid straight to game
a)
b)We open 1♣
c)We open 1♣
d)
♠ KJ10863 ♥ KJ ♦ KJ ♣ 732
♠ KQ754 ♥ KQ8 ♦ Q2 ♣ J72
♠ K10972 ♥ AK7 ♦ Q7 ♣ 972
♠ K987432 ♥ KQ ♦ QJ ♣ 94
All these Hands would bid straight to game
Which auctions are Frivolous 3NT?
So in all the following Frivolous 3NT applies….
Auction 1
1♠ – 2♣
2♠ – 3♠
3NT
Okay if you cannot spot this as frivolous 3NT you’re in trouble!
Auction 2
1♠ – 2♥
3♥ – 3NT
The Frivolous 3NT convention may be used by either partner as this is a 2/1 game forcing auction.
Auction 3
1♠ – 2♥
3♥ – 3♠
3NT
Frivolous 3NT may be used after an intervening cue bid.
Auction 4
1♠ – 2♣
3♣ – 3♠
3NT
Frivolous 3NT may be used after an intervening raise of responder.
Auction 5
1♠ – 2♦
2NT – 3♠
3NT
Frivolous 3NT applies even if opener rebid a natural 2NT as long as the major is raised.
Auction 6
1♠ – 2NT
3♣ – 3♦
3♠ – 3NT
Frivolous 3NT applies after any game forcing raise of a major, even without a 2/1. Here the responses are to Swedish Jacoby.
What Auctions aren’t frivolous 3NT?
Auction 1
1♠ – 2♣
2♠ – 2NT
3♣ – 3♠
3NT?
Here the 3♠ bid only shows 2 card support so the 3NT can be natural.
Auction 2
1♠ – 2♣
2♥ – 2♠
3NT?
Jumps to 3NT aren’t frivolous…you can simply cue-bid over 2♠ or bid 3♠
Auction 3
1♠ – 2♣
2♥ – 3♠
3NT?
3♠ is a strong picture jump raise therefore the Frivolous 3NT is not needed when the partnership is already known to be in the slam zone. This could be a case of wanting partner to cue bid 4♣ before you bid 4♦
Auction 4
1♠ – 2♦
3♠ – 3NT
The 3♠ bid is similar to the last auction is a strong picture jump suit rebid setting the suit. Frivolous 3NT is not needed since the partnership is already known to be in the slam zone.
Auction 5
1♠ – 1NT
2♣ – 3♠
3NT
Since the 3♠ is a 3-card limit raise. Here the Frivolous 3NT is off since responder’s 3♠ raise did not create a game force.
RKC Minorwood is a bridge convention which looks for all the keycards in a minor suit at a lower level that the normal 4NT RKCB
If you play inverted minors for example then the sequences will fit into this system:
1♣-2♣-4♣
So here 4♣ is RKC minorwood and the responses are:-
4♦ – 1/4 Keycards
4♥ – 0/3 Keycards
4♠ – 2 Keycards
4NT – 2Keycards + Queen of clubs
It’s also possible to play 4♦ as – no you tell me about your keycards and you can play the responses starting at 4♥ instead. But let’s not confuse things!
If the Queen of trumps has not been shown or denied, then the cheapest non-trump suit becomes the Queen ask, and the next cheapest non-trump suit asks for Kings specifically. If the Queen has been shown, the cheapest non-trump suit asks for Kings.
4NT / 5♣ bids are sign off.
When replying to the queen ask : The 5NT bid response would show the queen + 2 kings.
1♦-2♦-4♦
So here 4♦ is RKC minorwood
4♥ – 1/4 Keycards
4♠ – 0/3 Keycards
4NT – 2 Keycards
5♣ – 2Keycards + Queen of diamonds
It’s also possible to play 4♥ as – no you tell me about your keycards and you can play the responses starting at 4♠ instead. But let’s not confuse things!
If the Queen of trumps has not been shown or denied, then the cheapest non-trump suit becomes the Queen ask, and the next cheapest non-trump suit asks for Kings. If the Queen has been shown, the cheapest non-trump suit asks for Kings.
4NT / 5♦ bids are sign off.
When replying to the queen ask : The 5NT bid response would show the queen + 2 kings.
Spotting Minorwood?
When is Minorwood minorwood?
The 4m bid cannot be construed as competitive.
The partnership is in a GF auction, has reached game (i.e. 3NT), or bypassed any effort to check for 3NT (which covers the 1m (2m/3m) 4m case).
The minor suit fit is explicitly established, implied (e.g. auction started 1♣ 1NT), or one partner has bid the minor enough times that partner’s 4m should imply support (at least Hx or xxx).
Again this is another bridge convention that people play in different ways…so you really need to make sure that you and your partner are playing it the same way before you agree to play inverted minors.
This version i’m going to describe I play with a prepared club (might only be a 2 card suit) and a 5 card diamond suit (unbalanced) with a strong NT.
So the whole point of inverted minors are that the 2♣ and 2♦ bid replace the 3♣ and 3♦ bids in normal Acol. In simplistic terms at least. However there is more complexity to it than that….
Let’s start with 1♣ – 2♣
This shows 10+ points, a 5 card club suit and is forcing to 2NT or 3♣.
2♦ = 15+ points or natural diamonds
2♥ = A heart stop, and possibly no spade stop or getting ready to show a 5 card suit.
2♠ = A spade stop, and possibly no heart stop or getting ready to show a 5 card spade suit.
