Cornerstone Developments

1M Cornerstones

1♥ Cornerstone

• 1♠
  F1. No slam

  • 1N
    5=♥. no 3+♠ or 5+m. Natural Continuation
  • 2m
    5+m (2♣ can be =1444)
  • 2♥
    6+♥ or good 5=♥
  • 2♠
    3+♠ Spiral raise
  • 2N
    6+♥ 3=♠ Max
  • 3X
    Nat Max
• 1N
  NF. Can hide 4=♠ if bal

  • P
    To play. 4441, 5332, 54xx
  • 2m
    5+m Continuation
  • 2♥
    6+♥ or good 5=♥
  • 2♠
    5+♥ 5+♠ Max
  • 2N
    6+♥ 5=m. Then minors are P/C
  • 3m
    5+♥ 6+X
  • 3♥
    6+♥ Max
• 2♣
  Art. GF. Relay
• 2♦
  Art. 3+♥ Inv to game value. Spiral raise
• 2♥
  Wide range raise. Spiral raise
• 2♠/3m
  6+ suit. inv
• 2N
  Nat misfit inv. Any bid is GF. Continuation
• 3♥
  Preempt. (4)5+♥
• 3♠/4m
  Fragment raise
• 3N
  To play
• 4♥
  To play. Either way
• 4♠
  To play

1♠ Cornerstone

• 1N
  NF.
• 2♣
  Art. GF. Relay
• 2♦
  Art. 5+♥ F1. Either 6+♥ constructive (no 3=♠) or 5=♥ inv+. No slam

  • 2♥
    No 3=♥ / 5=♠. Any strength. May have 5m if min

    • P
      6+♥. To play
    • 2♠/N/3X
      Nat inv
  • 2♠
    5+♠ 1-♥. Any strength. May have 5m if min

    • P
      6+♥ constructive.
    • 2N/3X
      Nat Inv
  • 2N
    5+♠ 2=♥ Min
  • 3m
    4=♠ 5+m Max
  • 3♥
    ♥ fit. Min
  • 3♠
    6+♠ Max
  • 3N
    5=♠ 2=♥ Max
  • 4♥
    To play
• 2♥
  Art. 3+♠ Inv to game value. Spiral raise
• 2♠
  Wide range raise. Spiral raise
• 2N
  Nat misfit inv. Continuation
• 3m
  6+ suit. inv
• 3♥/4m
  Fragment raise
• 3♠
  Preempt. (4)5+♠
• 3N
  To play
• 4♥
  To play
• 4♠
  To play. Either way

1M - 1N; 2m

• 2oM
  Fit m, fragment raise in oM
• 2M
  Fit m, fragment raise in om
• om
  Nat Inv
• 2N
  Nat Inv
• 3m
  Courtesy raise

1M - 2N; 3m

• 3oM
  Fit m, fragment raise in oM
• 3M
  Fit m, fragment raise in om
• om
  Fit m. Need fitting honor in om
• 3N
  To play
• 4m
  Nat. Not suitabke for NT

1M Contested Auction

1M (Dbl)

• P
  Non descriptive. Later Dbl is competitive
• Dbl
  Our board. Interested in penalizing opponents. Forcing to 2M
• 1N
  Nat. NF. May have 3-card support
• 2M
  3+M support. Wide range. Less than invite. Spiral Raise
• 2N
  4+M. Limit raise+
• Suit
  Expected to be competitive, but can be weaker. NF
• JS
  Preemptive

1M (Suit bid)

• Dbl
  (up to 3♦) Negative. Asks partner for unbid 4-card major or the longest suit
• Dbl
  (from 3♥) Optional
• NS
  NF
• JS
  GF
• Raise
  Wide range
• 3M
  Pre
• 4M
  To play. Either way
• Cue
  Inv+ 3+ support
• 2N
  4+ support. Limit raise+

1M (1N)

• P
  Non-descriptive
• Dbl
  Optional. Correctable on offensive hands
• 2m
  Competitive. NF
• 2M
  Wide range. Spiral raise
• 2N
  4+ support. Limit raise+
• 3X
  Preemptive

1M (Michale / U2NT)

• Dbl
  Optional
• Cue low
  GF 5+ in 4th suit
• Cue high
  Fit M. Inv+
• 3M
  Competitive
• 4th suit
  Constructive NF

Modified Drury

Used in Mode 3

P - 1M

• 2♣
  8-10 Bal 2=M

  • P/2m/2M
    To play
  • 2oM/2N
    Nat inv
  • 3m
    Canape. GF
  • 3oM
    Nat GF
  • 3M
    6+M Inv
  • 3N/4M
    Inv
• 2♦
  8-10 Bal 3-4M

  • 2M
    To play
  • 2oM/2N
    Inv
  • 3m
    Canape GF
  • 3M
    Art. Choice of 3N / 4M
  • 3N/4M
    To play. Not correctable

1N Cornerstone

1N

• 2♣
  Puppet to 2♦. “5+♦ any strength, both minors GF, or a major invite”

  • (1)
    Weak in ♦
  • (2)
    Inv with long ♦
  • (3)
    Long ♦ SI
  • (4)
    5+♦ 4=M GF
  • (5)
    5+4+ minors GF
  • (6)
    Three suited short M SI, or
  • (7)
    4-5M inv (not 4-card flat)
• 2♦
  Trans to 2♥. 5+♥. Include 5-5 majors inv and 5+♥ 4=♠ GF
• 2♥
  Trans to 2♠. 5+♠. Not 5=♠ inv
• 2♠
  Size ask.

  • (1)
    Bal inv (may have a 4-card major if flat)
  • (2)
    Bal SI, or
  • (3)
    Inv with long ♣
• 2N
  Trans to 3♣

  • (1)
    Weak in ♣
  • (2)
    5+♣ 4=M GF, or
  • (3)
    Long ♣ SI
• 3♣
  5+♠ 4=♥ GF
• 3♦
  4=♥ 4=♠ GF
• 3M
  4=M COG. Usually 3-oM. May pull to 5m after 3N
• 3N
  To play
• 4♣/♦
  Long ♥/♠ GF+
• 4M
  To play
• 4N
  Quantitative

2♣ Puppet to 2♦

1N - 2♣; 2♦

• P
  Weak with ♦
• 2M
  4-5M inv. Maybe 4-4 majors / 5M-4oM. Keri
• 2N
  Art. Long ♦ inv or 5+4+ minors GF. 3♣ ask, then

  • 3♦
    Long ♦ Inv.
  • 3♥+
    5+4+ minors GF. See Continuation
• 3♣
  Art. Three suiters short major. 3♦ ask 4-card major
• 3♦
  5+♦ 4=♥ GF
• 3♥
  5+♦ 4=♠ GF
• 3♠+
  6+♦ SI

Majors Invite (Keri)

Note

If the responder is flat with one 4-card major, go through 1N - 2♠.

1N - 2♣; 2♦ - 2M

• P
  Min. 3=M
• 2♠
  Min. 2=♥ 4-5♠
• 2N
  Min. 2=M

  • 3m
    5+m to play
  • 3♥
    (After 2♠) 5=♠ 4=♥
• 3m
  4=M. Help suit game try in m
• 3♥
  Art. Max 4=oM. May have 3=M

  • 3♠
    5=M
  • 3N/4oM
    To play
• 3♠
  Art. Max 3=M COG (or dispersed strength with 4=M)
• 3N/4M
  To play

Both minors GF

1N - 2♣; 2♦ - 2N; 3♣

• 3♦
  Long ♦ inv
• 3♥
  Short ♥. 5+4+ minors ST.

  • 3♠
    Ask better minor (3N=♦, 4♣=♣)
• 3♠
  Short ♠. 5+4+ minors ST.

  • 3N
    NF
  • 4♣
    Ask better minor (4♦=♦, 4♥+=♣ and cue)
  • 4♦
    Fit ♦
  • 4♥+
    Fit ♣. Cue
• 3N
  5-4 minors NF. 5422 or stiff honor. 4♣ ask better minor
• 4m
  6m 4=om
• 4♥/♠
  6+♣/♦ 5+om

2♦/♥ Transfers

Normal Accepts

1N - 2♦/♥; 2M

• 2♠
  5-5 majors inv+ or 5+♥ 4=♠ GF. 2N ask, then

  • 3♣
    5+♥ 4=♠ GF. Continue like 1N - 3♣
  • 3♦
    5+♥ 5+♠ GF. Natural continuation
  • 3♥
    5-5 majors inv
• 2N
  Art. 5=M GF
• 3m
  5+M 4+m GF. Good suits or extra length.
• 3M
  6+M Inv
• 3N
  5=M COG. Disperse values. 3N is still possible even with fit
• 3oM/4♣+
  Long M ST

2N Game Force

Responder has a hand that does not want to sell out at 3N if there is a fit, or a hand that has an alternative game other than 3N if 3N is flawed. Typical hands include:

• 5M with short suit / weak doubleton
• 5M 4m that does not want to bid 3m directly

1N - 2♦/♥; 2M - 2N

• 3♣
  Ask shortage. Does not promise / deny M fit

  • 3♦
    Short oM

    • 3♥
      Ask minor

      • 3♠
        4=♣ 3-4♦ COG
      • 3N
        4=♦ 3-4♣ COG
      • 4m
        4=m 3-4om Forcing
    • 3N/4M
      To play
  • 3♥
    No short

    • 3♠
      Good doubleton (at worst KJ) support
    • 3N/4M
      To play
    • 4m
      5+m, 3=M
  • 3♠/N
    Short ♣ / ♦ (implies 4+om)

    • 3N
      To play
    • 4♣/♦
      (Short minor) double fit
    • 4♦/♣
      (Implied minor) Fit m
    • 4M
      Fit M
• 3♦
  Fit M. Ask for minor if responder has SI

  • 3♥/♠
    4=♣ / 4=♦. SI
  • 3N
    Weak trump. SI
  • 4M
    No slam interest
• 3M
  Good M support. No interest in minor
• 3oM
  Nat. 5oM
• 3N
  To play. 2=M

Super Accepts

1N - 2♦/♥

• 2M
  Normal Accept
• 2N
  Max. 4+M. No weak doubleton
• Suit
  Max. 4+M. Weak doubleton in suit
• 3M
  5=M

After super accepts, no re-transfer except n immediate 4♦ / 4♥.

2♠ Size Ask

1N - 2♠

• 2N
  Min

  • 3♣
    Was long ♣ inv
  • 3♦
    Confit
  • 3N
    To play
• 3♣
  Max

  • 3♦
    Confit
  • 3M
    4=M. Was bal inv
  • 3N
    To play, either bal inv or long ♣ inv

Confit

Responder has a balanced hand, investigates the number of controls and a fit for a slam.

1N - 2♠; 2N/3♣ - 3♦

• 3♥
  2-3 controls

  • 3♠
    Ask again

    • 3N
      2 controls
    • 4♣
      3 controls, 4+ suits. Bid up the line
  • 3N
    To play
  • 4♣+
    4+ suits. Bid up the line
• 3♠
  4 controls
• 3N
  5 controls
• 4♣+
  6+ controls. 4+ suit. Bid up the line

Note

The number of control is based on 10-13 range. For 14-16 1N, add one control to the requirements.

Then the development follows the following rules:

• Any time the responder rebids NT, the opener must pass
• The opener must not raise the level unless fitting
• Both players bids suits up the line, rebidding shows 5
• Fit partner by a raise

2N Transfer to 3♣

1N - 2N; 3♣

• P
  Weak ♣ to play
• 3♦
  5+♣ 4=♥ GF
• 3♥
  5+♣ 4=♠ GF
• 3♠+
  6+♣ SI

3♣ 5+♠ 4=♥ Game Force

1N - 3♣

• 3♦
  Ask short

  • 3♥/♠
    Short ♣/♦
  • 3N
    No short
  • 4m
    6+♠ short m
• 3M
  Fit
• 3N
  Not interested in a major

3♦ 4-4 Majors GF

1N - 3♦

• 3M
  Fit M. Not the worst hand

  • 3N
    Disperse values. MST
  • 3m
    Shortness. ST
  • 4M
    To play
• 3N
  NF
• 4m
  Double fit. Cue
• 4M
  Fit M. NF

Modules

Major-Minor Game Forcing

Some sequences shows major-minor two suiters:

• 5+M 4+m: Ends at 3m
• 4=M 5+m: Ends at 3♦ / 3♥ (one under)

M + m two suiters continuation

• 3M
  Fit M
• 3oM
  Fit m
• 3N
  No fit. NF
• 4m
  If 3oM is available, then fit m Kickback RKCB, else fit m GF
• 4M
  Fit M Min
• 4om/4oM
  Double fit. Help suit slam try

Long Suit Slam Tries

After a transfer to a suit, responder can initiate long suit ST by bidding 3♠ (or 3♥ after ♠), 3N in a minor, or 4-level bids.

Long suit slam tries (Major) and continuation

• 3oM
  ST. No short (may have singleton Ace / King)

  • 4M
    Negative
  • 3N
    Ask weak doubleton (worse than Jx)

    • 4m
      m
    • 4M
      oM
    • 4N
      No
• 4X
  Splinter
• 4M
  Mild ST. NF
• 4N
  RKCB

Long suit slam tries (Minor) and continuation

• 3♠
  ST. No short (may have singleton A/K)

  • 3N
    Negative
  • 4m
    Kickback RKCB
  • 4om
    Ask weak doubleton (worse than Jx)

    • 4♦ / 5♣
      (Original suit) om
    • 4M
      M
    • 4N
      No
• 3N
  Mild ST. NF
• 4m
  (Responder’s suit) Kick back RKCB
• 4X
  Splinter

1N Contested Auction

1N (Dbl) / 1N (P) P (Dbl)

• P
  Ask for a 5-card suit. May be a strong hand

  • P
    No 5-card suit. To play
  • Rdbl
    Have a 4-card suit.

    • P
      To play 1N redoubled
    • 2♣
      Weak. P/C
• Rdbl
  A 5+card suit. Puppet to 2♣, then P/C
• 2♣/♦/♥
  4+4+ in the suit bid and a higher suit. P/C
• 2♠
  GF. 5+5+ in ♠ and another suit. 2N asks for the second suit
• 2N
  GF. 5+5+ minors
• 3m
  GF. 5+♥ 5+m
• Higher
  System on

1N (2♣=Anything)

• System on. Dbl = Puppet to 2♦

1N (2♦/♥/♠)

• Lebensohl. Slow Show.
• Dbl
  Take out if nat. Suit-showing if art
• 4♣/♦
  Long ♥/♠ GF
• 4M
  To play even if it is their suit

1N (2N=Minors)

• Dbl
  Values. Further Dbls are penalties
• 3♣
  Ask 4+ majors. Smolen after 3♦
• 3♦/♥
  Transfer. 5+♥/5+♠. Inv+

  • 3♥/♠
    NF. Other rebids are GF

1N (3♣)

• 3♦/♥
  Transfer. 5+♥/5+♠. Inv+
• 3♠
  5+♦ GF
• 4♣
  ♦ + M GF. 4♦ ask M
• 4♦
  Both majors COG

1N (3♦)

• 3♥
  5+♠ Inv+
• 3♠
  5+♥ GF
• 4♣
  ♣ + M GF. 4♦ ask M
• 4♦
  Both majors COG

1N (3M)

• Refer to Against Major Preempt or Raise

1N, then opponent doubles responder’s puppet / asking bid

• P
  No stopper (Responder double to re-puppet)
• Rdbl
  Max with length in the doubled suit
• Complete / answer
  Stopper

1N, then opponent doubles responder’s transfer bid

• P
  No fit (Responder double to re-puppet)
• Rdbl
  Max with length in the doubled suit
• Complete
  Fit

2m Cornerstones

2♣ Cornerstone

• 2♦
  5+♥ F1
• 2♥
  Art. GF Relay
• 2♠
  5+♠ F1
• 2N
  Good ♣ raise. (Don’t pass without a good reason)
• 3♣
  Blocking
• 3X
  Inv 6+X
• 3N
  To play

2♦ Cornerstone

• 2♥
  Art. GF Relay
• 2♠
  5+♠ F1
• 2N
  5+♥ F1
• 3♣
  Good ♦ raise
• 3X
  Inv 6+X
• 3N
  To play

2m Contested Auction

2m (Dbl)

• P
  Non-descriptive
• Rdbl
  Our board. New suit next round is F1
• NS
  Constructive. NF
• JS
  Pre
• 2N
  Inv with support. New suit shows shortness

2m (Suit bid)

• Dbl
  (up to 3♦) Negative.

  • Unbid M
    3-card M.
  • 2N
    Nat. stop in overcalled suit
• Dbl
  (from 3♥) Optional
• NS
  Constructive. NF
• 2N
  F1. Bal inv or GF with m support
• Cue
  Ask stopper. May stop at 4m

2m Passed Response

Used in Mode 3

P - 2m

• New suit
  5-7 5+ suit. Tolerance in m
• 2N
  8-10 Bal. Inv