“Begin at the very beginning – it’s a very good place to start”

So, perhaps I’ve gone a little left and right in these posts and it’s not really been all that linear.

So my plan, at least for the next little while, will be to post about a topic until I reach the end of it and then move on to the next one.

We’ve been talking a whole bunch about the 1♣ opening and especially 1♣ – 1♦; so the plan is to stay concentrating on 1♣ and try to get to the end of the system and then move on to other aspects.  The other thing I want to do is to start defining what things mean beyond the first couple of bids.

I’m going to add this footnote to every page from now on; but here is my dictionary of abbreviations for reference – click here

So without further Ado, I present the:

Lee Forcing ♣ (initial draft):

1♣ – 16+ HCP (17+ balanced) OR < 5 Loser Hand (if I can make game opposite xxx from partner – I’m going to open that hand 1♣)

Exceptions:

• Namyats (8 1/2 trick 4H / 4S opening)
• 2NT = 19-20 Bal
• 4NT = Ace Asking Bid
• 5♥ / 5♠ = Bid 6 with A, K or Q, Bid 7 with 2.

1♦ – 11-15, 2+ Diamonds
1♥ – 11-15, 5+ Hearts
1♠ – 11-15, 5+ Spades
1NT – 14-16 Balanced
2♣ – 11-15, 6+ Clubs
2♦ – 11-15, 0 or 1 Diamond, 4-4-1-4, 4-4-0-5, 43-1-5
2♥ – 4-10, 6+♥
2♠ – 4-10, 6+♠
2NT – 19-20 Balanced
3♣ – Preemptive – 7+ Clubs
3♦ – Preemptive – 7+ Diamonds
3♥ – Preemptive – 7+ Hearts
3♠ – Preemptive – 7+ Spades
3NT – Preemptive – 4 Level Minor Preempt
4♣ – 7+ Hearts, 8 1/2 QT, 4 1/2 – 5 1/2 LT
4♦ – 7+ Spades, 8 1/2 QT, 4 1/2 – 5 1/2 LT
4♥ – 7+ Hearts, Preemptive
4♠ – 7+ Spades, Preemptive
4NT – Ace Ask
5♣ / ♦ – To Play
5♥ / ♠ – Bid 6 with A, K or Q, Bid 7 with 2 of them

Responses to 1♣

1♦ – 0-7 HCP or 8 HCP with 0 controls.  Not 7 HCP with 3 controls.
1♥ – 5+♠ or 11-13 Bal – GF
1♠ – 5+♥ – GF
1NT – 5+♣ – GF
2♣ – 5+♦ – GF
2♦ – 8-10 Bal – GF
2♥ – 4-6, 6+♥
2♠ – 4-6, 6+♠
2NT – 14+ Bal – GF
3♣ – 4-4-4-1 or 1-4-4-4 with < 4 Controls (usually 8-13 HCP)
3♦ – 4-1-4-4 or 4-4-1-4 with  < 4 Controls (usually 8-13 HCP)
3♥ – 1-4-4-4 with 4+ Controls (usually 14+ HCP)
3♠ – Solid 7 / 8 Card suit (AKQxxxxx or AKQJxxx)
3NT – 4-4-4-1 with 4+ Controls (usually 14+ HCP)
4♣ – 4-4-1-4 with 4+ Controls (usually 14+ HCP)
4♦ – 4-1-4-4 with 4+ Controls (usually 14+ HCP)

Responses to 1♣ in Competition:

Over X:

Pass – 0-4 HCP any
1♦ – 5-7 HCP any
XX – GF – no good bid
else as above

Over 1♦ (Natural):

Pass – 0-4 HCP any
X – 5-7 HCP Any
else as above

Jumps by Responder usually NF with long suit & semi positive

Over 1♥ / 1♠
    Pass    0-4 OR trap pass
    Double   5-8 BAL or 5-8 UNBAL
    Suit bids NAT GF 8+
    Cuebid – GF – no good bid

Overcall 1NT (minors)
    Unusual over unusual style
    DBL possible PEN
    2♣    GF 5+♥
    2♦    GF 5+♠
    2M    NAT NF

Overcall at 2 level   
    DBL    6-8 any shape
    Suit bids POS GF
    2NT    8-10 BAL stoppers
    3NT    11-13 stoppers
    Cuebid    Values for game no clear action

Overcall at 3 level
    DBL    GF – no good bid
    Suit     NAT GF
    3NT    8-11 stoppers

Overcall at 4 level
    DBL = Takeout
    Pass = Requests balancing double

Responses to 1♣ – 1♦ – 0-7 HCP or 8 HCP with 0 controls.

1♥ / 1♠ – 4+♥ / ♠ Forcing 1 round – if 4 then 4441 or longer minor

1NT – 17-19 Balanced

2♣ – 5+♣ – NF – no 4cM
2♦ – 5+♦ – NF – no 4cM
2♥ – 24+ Balanced (Kokish Relay) or GF minor suited hand
2♠ – 55+ Minors
2NT – 21-23 Balanced
3♣ – Natural – Invitational
3♦ – Natural – Invitational
3♥ – Natural – Suit Setting; bid lowest A or K
3♠ – Natural – Suit Setting; bid lowest A or K
3NT – To Play
4♣ – ?
4♦ – ?
4♥ – Stronger than Namyats; typically 3-4 losers
4♠ – Stronger than Namyats; typically 3-4 losers

Responses to 1♣ – 1♥ (5+♠ or 11-13 Bal – GF):

Over any sequence where a 9 card fit is found – first step by opener is always control ask.  Responses start at 0 unless shown a good hand – then start at 0-2.

1♠ – 5+♥

1NT – Asks

2♣ – 5+♣

2♦ – 5+♦

2♥ – 4+♠

Responses to 1♣ – 1♠ (5+♥ – GF):
Works the same as 1♥ except no 11-13 balanced response