Introduction to Contract Bridge, originally published as 30 days of Bridges, is a series of articles published by the Poafmersian Contract Bridge Association (PFCBA) for the major newspapers in the country, as part of a series on the various sports in our nation. The version as published here is a concise version of the entire series, made just enough for newcomers to understand the sport and learn some basics. The original series comprised of a month's worth of articles, which also included introduction to various bidding systems like Precision, Polish Club, as well as some cardplay techniques like the squeezes and endplay. Should there be another opportunity, those advanced articles will be released in a separate series.Introduction to Contract Bridge - 2 over 1 bidding system
To start it off, we need to understand the main principles of the system, as shown below:
- We always open with at least 12 High Card Points. If our hand has weird shape, especially when we have a decent suit, we can open with 11 High Card Points.
- Whenever have a 5-card major and enough points to open, we will always open with a bid of 1-of-a-major. This is except the situation where we have 5-3-3-2 balanced hand and we can open No Trumps.
- No Trump opening bids and rebids are reserved for balanced hands.
- 2 Clubs is a strong bid, reflecting hands that have 22 or more points, or at least 9 top tricks.
- Apart from 2 Clubs, the remaining bids 2-of-a-suit, 3-of-a-suit, 4-of-a-suit, and 5-of-a-minor are preemptive bids and should be taken at face value.
- When my partner opens with 1-of-a-major, and I have points to reach game (24 High Card Points in total at least), I will bid with 2-of-a-lower-suit to set a game forcing sequence.
- After a game forcing sequence is activated, bids at a low level indicate extras and interest in slams, while fast arrival indicates minimum and no extras.
- A 4-of-a-major game is the target, with an 8-card fit in the suit where possible. We will always indicate a major suit fit as early as possible. Otherwise, the next best alternative is 3 No Trump. (There are slight exceptions when playing Matchpoints, but we don't talk about that)
It basically describes how the system works. We start with the common 1-of-a-major opening bids. In response, a 2-of-a-minor (or 2 Hearts in response to 1 Spades) is a natural game force. Subsequently, the partner still can indicate a 8-card fit in the major suit. Looking for a major game is priority, so bids after a game-forcing sequence is often used to indicate fits. Once fits are done, a slow arrival at the game contract indicates an interest in slam - which typically comes with 32 points for small slam and 37 points for grand slam. Of course, these numbers are just approximates and as long as the source of tricks is cool, the contract can be bidded.
Some common bidding sequences:
TL;DR: Trying to just reach game in the shortest time possible, nothing extra to show. For the responder, just has barely enough points and no extra length in the major.
Similar to before. Opener says he has 15 or less points. Partner has nothing much extra, so just reach game.
This one is a common bid. Typically, when one bids 1H-2H and 1S-2S, the responder only has 6 to 9 High Card Points and 3 card suit. Using this bid can allow the responder to show an invitational 11 to 12 High Card Point hand. If the opener has slightly more than minimum, then he can go to game.
Of course, the list of bids can go to infinity. The number of sequences is so huge. Not to mention what happens when the opponents interrupt the bidding. That is another issue for another time.