These conventions are part of Standard English Acol Foundation Level. Indeed, they are so standard that they are part of nearly all bidding systems. You should know all of these.
| Stayman over an opening 1NT | Blackwood ace-asking |
| Takeout Doubles | Negative Doubles |
| Fourth suit forcing |
These conventions are part of Standard English Modern Acol, in addition to those in the above list. They are also part of many, even most, of the world's bidding systems. They are widely played by many players and you will do well to familiarise yourself with them.
| Red Suit Transfers over an opening 1NT | Slam-try cue bids |
| Help Suit Trial Bids after a raise to the two-level | Splinter bids |
| Truscott 2NT (2NT after an opponent's takeout double) | |
| Unassuming Cue Bids in competitive auctions | |
There are some conventions which are so useful, and so easily added to your bidding system, that I advise you to learn them. Indeed, I advise you to play them, provided that your partner has also learnt them!
| Kokish Relay | |
| Five-Ace Blackwood (an improvement over Blackwood suitable for casual partnerships) | |
| Roman Keycard Blackwood (an improvement suitable for regular partnerships) | |
| Weak Two Openings and the Ogust Convention | |
| Lebensohl | Italian-Style Cue Bids |
| Smolen Transfers after a Stayman negative | |
| Puppet Checkback over a 1NT rebid | |
| Staveley Wriggle after your 1NT opening is doubled | |
Here are a few conventions which you may want to know, since you will find many people who play them. If the user is your partner for the evening, knowing the conventions will clearly be helpful. If the users are your opponents, knowing the convention will help you to deal with it.
| Multi Two Diamond Opening |
This section contains some notes on when and how to compete in the auction and, importantly, when not to.
| Overcalls | When to bid, when to pass |
Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club