Ariel

General Principles

  1. When the opponents have shown one suit, the cue-bid is a stopper ask
  2. When the opponents have shown two suits, the cue-bid shows a stopper. In some cases the direct double shows a stopper in that suit and no stopper in the other.
  3. When a redouble shows a strong hand, doubles are penalty from the redoubler and takeout from the opener; the principle is that the opener is unlikely to hold a penalty double.
2♣︎(X)XX(2M)In this position we play the double as T/O and the pass as cooperative – I will pass a double from partner. The same applies after a 1M opening. A penalty double from the opener simply comes up very rarely. More often it is T/O.
After the opening 1x – (1x) – Pass the same applies
  1. Usually the first double is T/O; we make an exception for the cases after a preempt, when the direct double is penalty
  1. We rarely penalise cue-bids of partner's suit. Therefore the double is lead-directing: “I like the lead”.
  1. When the opponents interfere with our Blackwood responses we play REPO-DEPO
  2. When we ask for second-round control in a suit looking for a grand slam, the steps are as follows: the next step shows xx, we bid the grand slam with Q/K, and we sign off with Jxx+ or xxx+. When there is no room for the next step with two small cards, we bid the grand slam.
  3. The responses to Exclusion Blackwood are 0, 1 without Q, 1 with Q, 2 without Q, 2 with Q, etc. The responses are analogous when one hand is limited. A typical example is 1♣︎ – 1♦︎ or after a preempt. The same applies to the situation where we have opened with a preempt or have made a negative response – e.g. (1♦︎) – X – (Pass) – 1M
  4. Whenever we have passed we play simple Lebensohl (except after a 1NT opening, where we always play transfer Lebensohl, even after a pass). If we have not passed we play transfer Lebensohl. The positions are absolutely all of those in which partner has doubled (T/O or HCP), or has opened 1NT or 1♦︎. Regardless of whether the opponents' call is conventional or not.
  5. When they make a conventional call (e.g. Michaels etc.) X + X = T/O, Pass + X = penalty
  6. When the opponents have put us under pressure after a 1♣︎ opening, pass and then raise = balanced with 3-card support and a stronger hand, a direct raise = 4-card support, and the double shows shortage in the opponents' suit.
  1. When the opponents intervene in our GF auction, the double shows shortage
  2. When we are in a GF auction and show a 6-card major, 2NT promises 2+ cards and asks for shortage
  3. In 3rd and 4th seat all openings are natural and assume no game (0-13 points)
  4. When we have shown 5-4, the next suit is a shortage in a natural sequence.
  5. After a 5-7(8) double, a NT bid and a jump are the only forcing calls. Note that NT does not necessarily mean a balanced hand; it simply introduces a force, usually when there is no undefined suit, and it is forcing at least to 2NT, i.e. it demands a mandatory invitation, and any acceptance is forcing. The continuations are analogous to those after a 1NT opening.
  6. 1♣︎(4♥︎+)X0-7 or 10- with points in the overcalled suit, and Pass is GF
  7. We do not play 4th suit forcing after a 1♣︎ opening.
  • 4♣︎ is “bid 4♦︎, and I will tell you which game we play”
    • 4♦︎/♥︎/♠︎/5♣︎ is OPTIONAL Blackwood for ♥︎/♠︎/♣︎/♦︎. We respond to it in steps.
    • the 1st step is always MIN, and the following ones are as in normal Blackwood
    • After the “MIN” response, the next step that is not the trump suit is RKCB and we respond in the well-known way.
NB. The Blackwood is optional regardless of whether we have already shown minimum/maximum.

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