Double Club System

Auctions starting Pass, 1H/S, 2C

What has been shown?

Opener has shown either an unbalanced hand with no suit longer than the bid major suit or a balanced hand with less than 14 hcp.

Responder's 2C is artificial and Drury-like, showing either (a) a balanced hand of 12-13 hcp or (b) a slightly weaker hand with 4-card support for opener's suit and 7 losers.

Strategy

A light opener with a 5-card or longer suit must rebid 2H/S, which should be passed by responder (who will always have at least 2-card support). A balanced opener with only a 4-card suit must rebid 2D, which warns responder that opener lacks a 5-card suit and has less than 14 hcp. Game may still be reached if both have good values. Any other rebid by opener confirms a natural unbalanced opening and full values.

Continuations

2
Artificial. Shows a balanced 11-13 hcp with only a 4-card suit and warns responder that opener is weak and balanced. Game may still be reached if both have maximum values.
2 (after a 1 opening bid)
Natural and forcing, showing a 4-card or longer heart suit together with a longer spade suit, but is not an absolute game-force (opener may be light). Responder's continuations are identical to the sequences that start with a 1st or 2nd position 1 opening bid followed by rebid of 2 after a two-over-one response.
2/
Opener shows a light or sub-minimum opening bid but guarantees a 5-card or longer suit. Responder should pass.
2 (after a 1 opening bid)
A natural and game-forcing reverse, showing a 4-card or longer spade suit together with a longer heart suit.
2NT
Forcing. Opener has a full-strength opening bid with a 6-card suit and does not have any other suit to show, so is semi-balanced.
higher suit bids
Natural and forcing to game. Note: Not a splinter in support of responder, since responder has not yet shown a suit.

Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club