Double Club System

Auctions starting 1H/S, 3NT

What has been shown?

Opener has shown opening bid values (although he may be light) and a 5-card major suit.

Responder has shown 4-card support for opener's major suit and a balanced or semi-balanced hand with sufficient values for game (typically a hand of 7 losers).

Opener's Strategy

If opener has a minimum hand of 7 losers or a slightly stronger hand of 6 losers then a slam is unlikely to be on and opener should sign off in game.

If opener has a strong hand of 5 losers or fewer then slam is likely to be worth bidding. Opener can make a control bid and, if responder is able also to make a control bid, can follow up with 4NT (RKB) to check on controls with the intention of bidding a slam if sufficient controls are held.

Continuations by Opener

new suit
A control bid, showing first or second round control in the bid suit, either the ace, the king, a void, or a singleton.
4H/S
A natural sign-off. Opener is either minimum or does not have sufficient extra values to head towards a slam.
4NT
Roman Keycard Blackwood.

Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club