Double Club System
Auctions starting 1
, 1
/
, 1NT
What has been shown?
Opener has shown a balanced hand of 11-13 hcp
with probably a 5-card diamond suit.
In 3rd/4th position opener may have only a 3-card or a 4-card diamond suit.
Note that opener has denied a 4-card spade suit (he would have bid it over 1 or raised 1).
But opener may have a 4-card heart suit if responder has bid spades,
since he may be slightly off-shape with a 5-card diamond suit, a 4-card heart suit,
and black suit doubletons.
Responder has shown 6+ hcp
and a 4-card or longer major suit.
Responder may be somewhat weaker than 6 hcp
if he has expectations of a likely improvement in the contract by his bidding.
Strategy
Responder's continuations follow the Puppet Checkback system,
which helps to find the best fit
and enables play at the two-level when a game invitation is refused.
Continuations
- pass
-
To play.
Responder does not have values for game and does not wish to play in his major suit.
- 2
-
A puppet to 2.
Opener must bid 2.
Responder can pass if he wishes to play in diamonds (which, after all, is opener's suit).
If responder makes a further bid, as he usually will, he shows game-invitational values.
His bid is natural and non-forcing.
Note that to invite game in no trumps he must use this puppet sequence and follow it with 2NT
(because a direct bid of 2NT is another puppet bid, see below).
- 2
-
Artificial and forcing to game.
Opener is asked to show 3-card support for responder's major suit
or a 4-card holding in the other major suit,
otherwise to bid 2NT to deny any extra length in the majors.
Responder and opener then bid naturally to find the best denomination for a game contract
or, possibly, a slam.
- 2 (after 1 originally)
-
A natural and weak sign-off.
Responder shows 5+ spades and 4+ hearts.
Opener should pass with 4-card heart support,
otherwise give preference to spades.
- 2/
-
A natural and weak sign-off.
Opener should pass.
- 2 (after 1 originally)
-
A natural and game-forcing reverse.
Opener should bid naturally and constructively, seeking to find the best contract.
- 2NT
-
A puppet to 3.
Opener must bid 2.
Responder can pass if he wishes to play in clubs.
If responder makes a further bid, he shows that his major suit is a good 6-card suit and game-forcing values.
If he repeats his suit he shows no singleton or void.
If he bids any other suit, including diamonds, he shows a singleton or void in that suit.
He bids 3NT (non-forcing) or 4 (forcing) to show club shortage.
- higher suit bids
-
Natural and forcing.
Strong and distributional.
- 3NT
-
Natural and to play.
Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club