Double Club System

Auctions starting 1, 1; 2, 2

What has been shown?

Opener has shown either a strong to Game-Forcing club single-suiter or a Game-Forcing Three-Suited Hand with short hearts.

Responder is unlimited at this stage, though he could have nothing. If he has some values, he may have 6-11 hcp with a 4-card major (but no 5-card major), or he may have a strong hand (12+ hcp) with diamonds as the longest suit.

Opener's Strategy

Opener describes his hand by making one of three bids.

Opener's Continuations

2

Shows a Game-Forcing Three-Suited Hand with short hearts. If responder has 4-card or longer support for any of opener's three suits he should jump in the suit he chooses as trumps. If there is no fit responder should choose the trump suit with a pass or a minimum bid. The Game Force is cancelled if there is no fit, since a three-suited hand does not play well when there is no fit.
Memory Guide: Opener has the three suits he has bid: clubs, diamonds and spades.

2NT

Artificial and forcing: Shows a Game-Forcing club single-suiter of approximately 21+ hcp. Responder should show his cheapest stopper if he has one. With minimum values and no stopper he should bid 3, which opener can pass if he does not have game in hand. With some distributional features and trump support but no stopper, responder should bid 4.

3

Shows a highly game-invitational club single-suiter of approximately 19-20 hcp. Responder should show his cheapest stopper if he has one. With minimum values and no stopper he should pass. With some distributional features and trump support but no stopper, responder should bid 4.

Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club