Ariel

Hard to remember

The things we keep forgetting

43 agreements across 10 pages, in reading order. Each one links back to its section.

General Principles

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  • 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
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1♣︎Responses & Notrump Ranges

Responses to 1♣︎
  • 3♣︎♥︎ fit or a transfer to 3NT → 3♦︎ is a relay (3NT to play, anything else is with ♥︎ as trumps)
Responses to 1♣︎
  • 3♦︎♠︎ fit
Responses to 1♣︎
  • 3NTchoice of games
Responses to 1♣︎
  • 4♣︎this is the trump suit, natural
Responses to 1♣︎
  • 4♦︎this is the trump suit, natural

1♣︎After 1♣︎–1♦︎

1♣︎ – 1♦︎
3♥︎55MM, INV, then 3NT is a choice of games, 4♣︎/♦︎ – accept with the corresponding major, and it is better than 4M, which is to play
1♣︎ – 1♦︎
3♠︎55MM, GF, then 3NT is a choice of games, 4♣︎/♦︎ – accept with the corresponding major, and it is better than 4M, which is to play
1♣︎ – 1♦︎ – 1♥︎
1♣︎ – 1♦︎ – 1♥︎
1♣︎ – 1♦︎ – 2♣︎ (development as after a Precision 2♣︎ opening)

1♣︎Competitive Auctions

1♣︎ – (X = majors)

1♦︎Responses & Opener's Rebids

Responses to 1♦︎
  • NB: 2 of a minor denies a 4-card major
Responses to 1♦︎
2♥︎5♠︎4♥︎ or 55, to play → 2NT is an invitation in a major, 3M = PRE
Responses to 1♦︎
1♦︎ – 1M
1♦︎ – 1M – 1NT
General principles when the auction is 1♦︎ – 1M – 2♣︎
  • 2OM always shows 5+M and is GF
    • Then 2NT always promises a fit and requires a 3♣︎ relay, to which we answer: low length, high length, extra diamonds, (03)55.
    • The next step that is not 2NT shows a shortage in the major and a maximum hand. It requires a new next-step relay, to which we answer: low length, high length, extra diamonds.
    • The next 3 steps are 55 with low/high, extra diamonds, extra clubs
    • 3NT is always a shortage in the major, MIN
General principles when the auction is 1♦︎ – 1M – 2♣︎
  • 2NTINV+ hands go through here
General principles when the auction is 1♦︎ – 1M – 2♣︎
  • 3mINV in the suit
General principles when the auction is 1♦︎ – 1M – 2♣︎
  • 3MINV / the only exception is 1♦︎ – 1♥︎ – 2♣︎ – 3♠︎, where we set trumps (hearts), slam ideas → then 3NT (Good Minimum), Cue = Max /
1♦︎ – 1♠︎ – 2♣︎ – 2♥︎ (GF with 5+ cards in the major)
  • 2NTrelay, to which we answer low length, high length, extra diamonds, (03)55, xx65 / exception, because there is one extra step available /
1♦︎ – 1♠︎ – 2♣︎ – 2♥︎ (GF with 5+ cards in the major)
General principles when the auction is 1♦︎ – 1M – 2♦︎
  • 2OM always shows 5+M and is GF
    • Then 2NT always promises a fit and requires a 3♣︎ relay, to which we answer: low shortage, high shortage, extra diamonds, balanced.
    • The next step that is not 2NT shows a shortage in the major and a maximum hand. It requires a new next-step relay, to which we answer: low length, high length, extra diamonds.
    • The next 3 steps are low length, extra diamonds with a low/high singleton
    • 3NT is always a shortage in the major, MIN
General principles when the auction is 1♦︎ – 1M – 2♦︎
  • 2NTINV+ hands go through here
General principles when the auction is 1♦︎ – 1M – 2♦︎
  • 3MINV / the only exception is 1♦︎ – 1♥︎ – 2♦︎ – 3♠︎, where we set trumps (hearts), slam ideas → then 3NT (Good Minimum), Cue = Max /
1♦︎ – 1♥︎ – 2♦︎ – 2♠︎ (GF with 5+ cards in the major)
3NTshortage in the major, MIN, 7222 (exception)

1♥︎Responses & Rebids

Responses to 1♥︎
2♣︎all-purpose force = relay, GF (from a passed hand 3+♥︎)
Responses to 1♥︎

1♥︎2♣︎ Game-Forcing Relay

Basic principle after 2M fit (R)

Basic principle after 2M fit (R)Hard to remember

Basic principle after 2M fit (R)
Basic principle after 5-4 Body (R)

Basic principle after 5-4 Body (R)Hard to remember

Basic principle after 5-4 Body (R)

1♠︎Competitive Auctions

1♠︎ – (2♥︎)
1♠︎ – (2♠︎)

1NTResponses & Stayman

1NT – 2♣︎ – 2♠︎ (in this position we have no invitation to 3NT !!)

1NTTransfers

Transfer principles !!!

Transfer principles !!!Hard to remember

1NT – 2♦︎/2♥︎

1NT2♦︎2♥︎Hard to remember

1NT – 2♦︎/2♥︎