Double Club System

Auctions starting 1C, 1D; 1H, 2H

What has been shown?

Opener has shown either an unbalanced hand with no suit longer than clubs or a balanced hand with 20+ hcp. Opener's rebid of 1H is a Kokish Relay, asking responder to bid 1S. If opener follows the relay with 1NT he shows the balanced hand. If he bids anything else he shows the unbalanced hand, with natural clubs and hearts.

Responder has shown a 4-card heart suit with 9 losers. He has broken the Kokish Relay on the assumption that opener has an unbalanced hand with clubs and hearts. However, as just noted, opener may not have a heart suit, in which case he will have to correct the contract to no trumps.

Opener's Strategy

If opener corrects to 2NT he shows the 20+ hcp balanced hand. If he bids anything else he shows the unbalanced hand, with natural clubs and hearts, and his subsequent bids have their normal meaning.

Opener's Continuations

2S
A help suit game try, agreeing hearts.
2NT
Forcing. Opener has a balanced hand with 20-22 hcp. Opener does not deny a heart suit or a club suit with this bid, of course, though any implication that he has either suit is cancelled by this rebid. Responder continues naturally, bidding a 4-card spade suit if he has one. With 2-card spades, responder can simply bid 3NT. With 3-card spades, responder should repeat hearts, even though he is known to have only 4 cards, so that opener can bid a 5-card spade suit if he has one.
3C
Forcing. Shows a strong hand with potential slam interest but worries about the quality of the heart suit. If responder has good hearts and a maximum, he should bid 3H. Otherwise he should sign off in 4H.
3D
A help suit game try, agreeing hearts.
3H
An invitational raise of hearts.
4H
An obvious sign-off. Opener may be balanced with 4-card or 5-card heart support, or may be natural clubs and hearts unbalanced.

Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club