NT openers and rebids when playing Precision.

When hot 1NT opening shows a balanced 13-15 HCP

• 1 -1 - 1NT shows a balanced 16-18 HCP
• 1 -1 - 2NT shows a balanced 19-21 HCP
• 1 -1 - 3NT shows a balanced 24-26 HCP (2NT opener shows 22-23)

When not hot 1NT opening shows a balanced 10-12 HCP

• 1 -1 - 1NT shows a balanced 16-18 HCP
• 1 -1 - 2NT shows a balanced 19-21 HCP
• 1 -1 - 3NT shows a balanced 24-26 HCP (2NT opener shows 22-23)

Responding to 1 (16 >)

• 1 shows 0-7 HCP or the Unusual Positive response (responder has a game going hand with any 4,4,4,1) (one exception 7 HCP consisting of an Ace and a King both in long suits or both in the same suit)
• 1 shows at least 5 hearts and 8 HCP or more
• 1 shows at least 5 spades and 8 HCP or more
• 2 shows at least 5 clubs and 8 HCP or more
• 2 shows at least 5 diamonds and 8 HCP or more
• INT shows a balanced 8-13 HCP with no 5 card suit
• 2/2 shows a 6 card suit with 4-6 HCP with the HCP concentrated in the suit 2NT would ask for shortness (singletons or void)
• 2NT shows a balanced 14+ with no 5 card suit
• 3 shows any broken 7 card suit. Game forcing.
• 3 shows any solid 7 card suit. Game forcing
• 3 shows a 7 card heart suit. Pre-emptive.
• 3 shows a 7 card spade suit. Pre-emptive.

The Unusual Positive Response of 1 over 1 opener. Opener bids as if responder has the 0-7 hand.

• If opener`s rebid is 1NT then a jump to the 3 level would show the 4,4,4,1 hand with a stiff in the suit bid.
• If opener rebids a major then a jump to 2NT shows the UP 1 with a stiff in opener`s major and 10-12HCP, and a jump to 3NT shows the same hand shape with 13-HCP.
• If opener rebids a minor responder would jump to 3NT to show the same hand shape with 10-12 HCP, and 4NT to show 13+HCP. If the bidding has gone: 1-1-2-4NT 5 is Stayman.

Opener`s rebid after 1-1

1/1/2/2 all show 5 card suits.These bids are non-forcing. If you have an extremely strong hand , or a hand with at least 8 tricks do not make a minimum non forcing bid.

1NT shows 16-18 HCP

2/2 shows the equivalent of a Standard bidder`s 2 opener

2NT shows a balanced hand with 19-21 HCP

3/3 show very strong ,unbalanced hands with long minor suits

3/3 shows a solid suit with an extremely powerful hand (at least 9 tricks) and requires partner to cuebid an Ace or void. This bid sets trump.

3NT shows a balanced hand with 24-26 HCP. (22-23 HCP NT hands) are opened 2NT.

Responders second bid after they have responded 1 to 1 and opener has bid a major.

• 0-4 pass especially if balanced, if you have a fit and distributional values use your judgement. If you have an Ace it is also advisable to keep the bidding open
• If opener has bid 1 or 1 and you have 4-5 support points raise partner to the 2 level. If you are raising with only 4 points make sure you have some distribution.
• Jump raise partner with a fit and 6-7 support points. Always show a fit rather than introducing your own suit except in one instance. If partner has bid 1 and you have 4 or more spades it is acceptable to bid 1 even with 3 card heart support. Partner could have opened 1 with a 4,4,4,1 hand.
• With 5-7 HCP and no fit for partner, you may bid your own suit which shows at least a 5 card suit except in the instance just discussed above, and it is non-forcing. Try to avoid at all costs bidding NT. The strong hand should play NT.

Responders second bid after they have responded 1 to 1 and opener has bid 1NT Opener has shown 16-18 HCP and now responder has become captain. Do not make any invitational bids unless you have 7 HCP or some long suit to compensate. With 6 HCP Stayman is safe however.

Here are your bids over 1NT

• Transfer into any major of 5 cards or longer and pass with 0-6 HCP.
• 2 is a relay to 3 , pass or correct to 3d
• 2 Stayman with 6 or 7 HCP Partner`s responses are:
  • 2 = 16-17 HCP with no 4 card major
  • 2 = 16-17 HCP 4 hearts;possibly 4 spades
  • 2 = 16-17 HCP 4 spades;denies 4 hearts
  • 2NT shows 18 HCP with no 4 card major
• 3 = 18 HCP, at least one 4 card major.
  • Responder bids 3 to ask which (opener bids hearts first)

The Auction after responder has made a positive game forcing response.

If your hand is balanced, respond in the appropriate level in NT.

With 16-18 you would respond 1NT over 1 or 1; 2NT over 2 or 2.

With a balanced hand and 19-21 pts you will bid 2NT over a major response and 3NT over a minor response.

When you hand is even stronger 24+ balanced you will want to find another bid. Even with 3 card support for partner and a balanced hand you still might want to bid NT because a direct raise of partner`s suit is the Trump Asking Bid (TAB). The TAB is usually reserved for when opener has slam interest. There are other ways to show support of partner.You could make a jump raise or splinter with 3 card support.With a balanced hand there is no need to rush to show your support. Give partner a chance to describe their hand further.

Trump Asking Bids A direct raise of partner`s major suit response to 1, confirms a fit and is asking partner about the quality of their trump

• 1st step = 5 or more trumps with no top honor
• 2nd step = 5 trumps, 1 top honor
• 3rd step = 5 trumps with 2 top honors
• 4th step = 6 or more trumps with 1 top honor
• 5th step = 6 or more trumps with 2 top honors
• 6th step = Five or more to the AKQ Control Asking Bids.

The CAB is always used after the TAB . You can make as many CAB`s as the auction permits and responder must continue to answer your requests until you bid trump.

• 1st step = no control Jxx or worse
• 2nd step = third round control , Queen or doubleton
• 3rd step = second round control, King or singleton
• 4th step = first round control, Ace or void
• 5th step = AK or AQ

If opener uses the CAB for the same suit after your response

• 1st step = length
• 2nd step = strength

Thus if you have shown 3rd round control and partner asks about that suit again, the first step would show a doubleton the second step the guarded queen. The same goes for a singleton. the first step would show a stiff and the second step would show the singleton King. If the first CAB is at 5 or higher level the responses are compressed to these:

• 1st step = zero controls
• 2nd step = second round control
• 3rd step = first round control

When they interfere After 1 X (opening hand values)

Pass 0-4 HCP

1 5-7 HCP

Redouble positive game force,usually balanced

All other responses are the same as if they had not doubled.

After 1 X (showing majors) Same structure applies except that if you bid NT you guarantee stoppers in both majors.

When they overcall 1 of a suit

• Pass 0-4 or trap pass
• Double 5+ balanced or 5-8 unbalanced
• Suit bids are natural and game forcing.
• Cuebid usually shows a balanced game forcing hand with no stopper in ops suit

They overcall 1NT(showing the minors) A variation of Unusual v Unusual can be used over any bid by ops that show known two suiters

• 2 shows 5 or more hearts,game forcing.
• 2 shows 5 or more spades,game forcing.
• 2/2 natural but not forcing
• Double shows an interest in penalizing one of their suits

They overcall at the 2 level

• Double = 6-8 HCP, any shape. If the overcall 2, you can no longer jump to 3 for the unusual positive, so you might have the 4-4-4-1 pattern. The 3 option is still open over 2, however, since that would be a jump. Also, after responder doubles,a new suit by opener is a 1 round force.
• Suit bids are positive and game forcing.
• 2NT = 8-10 or 14+ balanced with stoppers.
• 3NT - 11-13 with stoppers.
• A cuebid shows the values to be in game but no clear cut action; no long suit, no stopper in the overcaller`s suit.

They overcall at the 3 level

• Double = a balanced hand with a positive response.
• Suit bids are positive and game forcing
• 3NT = 8-11 with stoppers.

What to do when they overcall after 1 - P - 1 - (1/1 overcall)

• Pass shows a balanced minimum with no 5 card suit
• Double = takeout (support for the other suits)
• Suit bids are natural (5 or more in the suit) and are not forcing
• 1NT shows a stopper and the upper end of NT range
• 2NT shows a stopper and the equivalent of a 2NT rebid without the interference.
• Cuebid = strong hand , lacking a stopper.

After 1 - P - 1 - 1NT (showing the minors)

• Pass shows a balanced minimum
• Double is penalty orientated
• 2 shows 5 or more hearts,and extra values (Unusual v Unusual)
• 2 shows 5 or more spades,and extra values
• 2/2 natural but not forcing
• 2NT = upper end of 1NT rebid range, stoppers in the minors.

After 1 - P - 1-X (showing diamonds)

• Pass shows a balanced minimum
• INT shows a diamond stopper with the upper end of the range.
• Suit bids ignore the double.

When the interference is higher than the one level Pass shows a balanced minimum Other bids take on a bit more weight Unusual v Unusual still applies over 2NT

2 opener This shows 11-15 HCP and either 6 or 5 and a 4 card major 2 asks for shape. responses are:

• 3 = 6 with no 4 card major. (a major bid after 3 would ask openr to bid 3NT with a stopper)
• 2/2 shows 5 and a 4 card major 11-13 HCP
• 3/3 shows 5 and a 4 card major 14-15 HCP
• 3NT shows 6 AKJxxx and no 4 card major.

2-2/2 is invitational

2-3/3 is game forcing

2 opener This shows 13-15 HCP and either 6 or 5 and a 4 card major. 2NT asks for shape. responses are:

• 3 = 6 with no 4 card major bad suit
• 3 = 6 with no 4 card major good suit
• 3/3 shows a 4 card major.

2-2/2 is invitational

2-3/3 is game forcing

When we open 1NT 10-12 or 13-15

• 2 is stayman. There is no drop dead Stayman because we need a way to show the invitational hands with a 5 or 6 card major. Over 1NT-2-2 now 2/2 shows 5 card inv hand, 3/3 shows 6 card inv hand over 1NT-2-2-3 would show the inv heart hand. Pass,raise,or bid 3NT.
• 2 is game forcing stayman
• 2/2 to play
• 2NT shows 5-5 minors or majors no game interest
• 3/3/3/3 6 card over 10-12 NT responder shows 10-12 hcp
• 3/3/3/3 6 card over 13-15 NT responder shows 7-9 hcp

2 Forcing to Game Stayman Forcing Stayman bidder knows that partner does not have a 5 card major and another 4 card side suit. Opener will only get a chance to show his 5 card suit if responder asks for further clarification of the hand. When opener has a 5 card major and the bidding goes 1NT-2-2(New Suit) , Opener now does not rebid his 5 card major but shows support (or lack thereof) for responders suit. Responder must also keep in mind when they have a game forcing hand that partner may have a 5 major when opening INT. It is a simple process after opener shows he has at least a 4 card major to find out if they have 5 by bidding 2NT as a further inquiry.

1NT -P - 2 Forcing to Game, does not promise a 4 card major. Responses:

• 2shows 4/5 , (may have 4 if only 4 ).
• 2shows 4/5 (does not have 4 )
• 2NT denies a 4 card major or a 5 card minor
• 3denies a 4 card major but shows 5 or more
• 3denies a 4 card major but shows 5 or more

1NT-2-2- 2 (responder has 5 or more ). Responses are:

• 2NT max hand doubleton
• 3/3/3honour 3rd support or better with Ace of bid suit
• 3 honour 3rd support or better, either a minimum or no cue-bid.
• 3NT minimum hand with xx 4 xxx in
• 4NT RKC

INT-2-2- 2NT - asks shape Responses are:

• 3 = 4 + 4,
• 3= 4 + 4,
• 3 = 5
• 3 = 4 + 4,
• 3NT = 3,4,3,3

INT-2-2- 3(responder has 5 or more - slam try) Responses are:

• 3promises honour 3rd or better and the Ace
• 3 promises honour 3rd or better and Ace - denies Ace
• 3promises honour 3rd or better and Ace - denies lower Aces
• 3NT a doubleton or no cue-bid available
• 4 RKC

1NT-2-2-3(responder has 5 or more - slam try). Responses are:

• 3 promises honour 3rd or better and the Ace
• 3 promises honour 3rd or better shows Ace - denies Ace
• 3NT a doubleton or no cue-bid available.
• 4 promises honour 3rd or better with Ace and no other Aces
• 4 RKC for

1NT-2-2 3 (responder has 10 or more HCP & 4 or more , slam try ).

• 3 splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more , slam try,
• 4NT is RKC
• 4 splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more , slam try, 4NT is RKC
• 4splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more, slam try,
• 4NT is RKC
• 3NT to play 4NT RKC

1NT-2-2- 2NT asks shape Responses are:

• 3 = 4 + 4,
• 3 = 4 + 4 ,
• 3 = 5 ,
• 3NT = 4,3,3,3

1NT-2 -2 - 3 (responder has 5 or more - slam try) Responses are:

• 3promises honour 3rd or better and the Ace
• 3 promises honour 3rd or better and Ace - denies Ace
• 3 promises honour 3rd or better and Ace - denies lower Aces
• 3NT a doubleton or no cue-bid available
• 4 RKC

1NT-2-2 - 3 (responder has 5 or more - slam try) Responses are:

• 3 promises honour 3rd or better and the Ace
• 3 promises honour 3rd or better shows Ace
• 3NT a doubleton or no cue-bid available.
• 4 promises honour 3rd or better with Ace
• 4 RKC for

1NT - 2 - 2NT - 3 (responder has 10 or more HCP 5 ) Responses are:

• 3/4/4 honour 3rd support or better with Ace of bid suit
• 3NT doubleton 4 xxx

1NT-2-2 3 (responder has 4 or more ,10 or more HCP - slam try)

• 4NT is RKC
• 4 splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more , slam try ,4NT is RKC
• 4 splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more , slam try, 4NT is RKC
• 4 splinter 10 or more HCP, 4 or more , slam try, 4NTis RKC
• 3NT to play then 4NT RKC

1NT-2-2NT-3 asks shape Responses are:

• 3 = 3,3,4,3
• 3 = 2,3,4,4
• 3 = 3,2,4,4
• 3NT = 3,3,3,4

1NT-2-2NT

• 3 shows 5 or more slam try
• 3 shows 10+ HCP and 5 slam try
• 3 shows 10+ HCP and 5 slam try

Runouts over 1NT- X (Must run with < 9 pts 10-12 NT, < 6 pts 13-15 NT)

• Bid a suit touching suits, that and higher.
• redouble forces the opener to bid 2. Responder has a single suited hand.
• Pass forces the opener to redbl, which may be left in or start of showing 2 non-touching suits.

Runouts over 1NT - P - P - X Responder may: 

• Pass with balance of power
• Redouble to show single suited minor hand. Opener must bid 2.
• DONT runouts for 2 suited hands.