Opener shows 11-15 HCP (sometimes 10), and "4=4=1=5 shape minus a card".
Responder Bids after 2♦
- Pass - weak hand with long diamonds
- 2♥ALERT - To play; but Opener bids 2♠ when holding only 3 hearts.
Further bidding by Responder is non-forcing.
- 2♠ALERT, 3♣ALERT - to play
- 2NTALERT - Shape/Strength Asking Bid - promises at least invitational
strength.
- 3♦ - Invitational with self-sufficient diamonds
- 3♥, 3♠ - Mixed Raise (5 trumps)
- 3NT, 4♥, 4♠, 5♣, 5♦ - to play
The 2NT Asking Bid
Opener bids 3♣ with a bad hand and shows shape otherwise. We bid the 3 card
major to minimize wrong-siding.
- 3♣ALERT - any minimum hand. Any bid by Responder is a signoff except
3♦
- 3♦ALERT - maximum hand with 4=4=1=4 shape
- 3♥ALERT - maximum hand with 4=3=1=5 shape
- 3♠ALERT - maximum hand with 3=4=1=5 shape
- 3NTALERT - maximum hand with 4=4=0=5 shape
Responder's Bids after 2NT-3♣-3♦
3♦ALERT says: Show me shape anyway. Again we bid the 3 card major to
minimize the chance of wrong-siding. Responses:
- 3♥ALERT - 4=3=1=5
- 3♠ALERT - 3=4=1=5
- 3NTALERT - 4=4=1=4
- 4♣ALERT - 4=4=0=5
Relays
After Opener has shown exact shape, Responder can bid the next step which
is not 3NT to ask for controls.
Opener Min
- 2 CP (or sometimes less)
- 3 CP
- 4 CP
- 5 CP and zoom
Opener Max
- 3 CP
- 4 CP
- 5 CP
- 6 CP
- 7 CP and zoom
After control points are known, a standard honor scan commences.
Interference
- Responder's Doubles are always for penalty. Redoubles are for penalty
except over 2♦ itself
- 2♦-(X)-XX asks for better major.
- 2♦-(X)-P is to play.
- If 2NT is still available, it is still the asking bid.
- If the interference is over 2NT, Opener can make the correct bid,
Pass with a min, or Double with a max.