1S Opening bid

Requirements

Due to the critical need to enter the auction when holding a spade suit: the requirements are significantly lowered by comparison of other suit openings:

1 is opened with 10 HCP with any 5+ card suit . 2 opening will cover 3-9HCP and a 6 card suit.
With 4-4 in Majors and 10+ HCP : Open 1 - See 1H opening bid. Partner is required to bid 1S even if a minor suit is longer. A direct Heart raise or minor suit bid or 1NT will deny holding 4+ spades!
Also with 12-14 & specifically a 4333 distribution a 1 opening is made with 6+ HCP in spades EVEN if both minors are headed by top honours in preference to 1NT - 1NT's pre-emptive value is weakened in this case. 1 openings are similar but more restictive (13)-14HCP}. Use judgement in deciding the choice of 1 or 1NT with these 4333 hands. Be prepared to PASS with 12 HCP with a weak spade suit and minors not both headed by top honours.
With 15+ and a 4333 distribution a 4 card spade suit must be opened.

Due to the structure of our openings 1 Spade is always showing 5+ cards. Only clubs could be also 5 card!
Our 1NT opening bid will never have a 5 card suit in Spades (nor in Hearts or Diamonds either)

There is an equally important upper limit specified for a 1

opening - leading to these other openings in order of preference:

With 7 1/2 LTC or less & 5-5 or better: In the majors open 3D, with Diamonds & Spades open 2 and rebid 3.
With balanced hands with 5 Spades we open: 2 with 23+; 2N with 21-22 & 2 with 19-20 & rebid 2N
Single suited hands with 5+ Spades and 3 1/2 LTC or less: Open 2C and rebid with a Spade Trump request
With 5+ Spades and 4 in any other suit with 4-5 LTC : open 2 and rebid +1 in the other suit if partner bids either 2N.
With 6+ Spades and 4-5 LTC: open 2 and rebid 3¦4 with 5 or 4 LTC respectively, when partner inquires with 2N.

Also see Defense when opponents open the bidding before you and Intervention when an opponent overcalls you

Responses

To Jump in

: Shows a GOOD 5+ card suit & (15)16+ HCP. Shaded to 15 only if holding minimum support for spades - i.e. 1st step not permitted. This is a trump request. If the response is a negative the responder gives a trump request response to the opener's suit! If a positive response is received - the trump suit if fixed unless 3NT is subsequently bid - and cue-bidding follows. 4NT is TURBO following in any cue-bid(s) sequence.
2NT: BARON (15)+ HCP balanced hand (no 5 card suit) can be shaded to 15 ONLY with minimum support for Spades - Qx or better - 2nd step trump response. A Baron bid invites bidding up the line for both players up to 3NT. A rebidded suit shows 5+ cards any missed suit denies 4 card holding.
Note: over any intervention 2NT becomes Jacoby showing 4+ card support and payable at least at the 3-level.
2

: Needs minimum support: Hx or xxx & 4-8(9). This is can be somewhat pre-emptive or a sound raise. Opener can rebid in a new suit trial-bid. with 15+.
3

: Limit
4

: To play
4

: See SWISS bids. Shows 4-5 card spade support, a balanced hand & a solid raise to 4

- available even if opponents intervene! Note: In Beta direct splinter bids are NOT used.
2

: Response shows a good 9+HCP. Minimum requirements are a 4+ card suit headed with Ace¦King. This must be adhered to or partner may miss a game.
2

: Can also be a 6 card suit and 5-9 HCP. Subsequent Rebid of 3

shows this and is a STOP bid (this is always true in Beta that when responder rebids his initial response!)
Cue-bid: When 1

was an overcall. This shows invitational values 13+ and <3 card spade support and no 5 card un-bid suit. Forcing for 1 round. Overcaller can rebid a 6 card Spade suit; show a second suit; else 2NT minimum.
2

: Shows a 5 card suit & 10+ HCP
1NT: Ideally 5-7(8) HCP especially to cater for when holding a 5 card red suit, a special 2

! rebid (non-forcing) requests a red suit suit or PASS , or chooses between the black suits.
The logic behind the sequence 1

-1N-2

! Where 2

is artificial is given below,

Rebids by opener

-1NT-2

!-? To be used to improve the contract. Responses in order of preference:

2¦ 5 card suit
PASS Good Clubs
2 Flattish hand - at least 2 card Spade support min: Hx

-1NT- 2

To play. Usually shows a 6 card suit. 10+

1

-2

-? Normally forcing responses 10+ HCP. UNLESS responder rebids his suit at his next bid.

PASS minimum. Usually only a poor fit & minimum 10 HCP or following a light 3rd suit opening bid
2NT 12-14(15) HCP Balanced. See detail conditions and alternatives in 2over1responses

3¦3 rebids are STOP bids

Other minor: FORCING inquiry
3 rebid 6+ card suit - not at all invitational!
3NT to play

3rd suit, 12+ 5-4 or better at 2 or 1 level.

A rebid of 2NT denies fit in either of opener's suits. Attention: Promises 9+ only
With 3, Responder can show 3 card major support. See our trial-bid if opener continues in 4th suit

3rd 'suit' at 3-level without jump (over a 2/1 response) requires 15+ HCP. As this bid is "a new suit at 3-level" it is also GAME FORCING givig partner a free bid to further best describe his hand. See 2over1 discussion for further information
2 10-11-12 HCP Minimal values 6 card suit
Jnew suit: (15)16+ HCP, short suit (2-3 cards) with top honour(s) - not support showing
3¦3¦3 Show 4 card support. 3 is not Forcing but invitational (note partner has allowed for a 10HCP minimum opening - so with good opening values always proceed to game.
4¦¦ Limit raises
1-3-?: 3 is not Forcing but invitational (note partner has allowed for a 10HCP minimum opening - so with good opening values always proceed to game. Similar situation:1 -2X(opp)-2N-P-?: Same logic proceed to game with a good opening.

Responder's rebid following a Trump Request

If Partner gave a negative response to your trump request you MUST now show support for partner's opening bid if available (>Qx) or bid a 2nd suit or 3N...
If partner gave a positive response this sets the trump suit.
However a 2nd step response showing minimal support may not in your opinion set the trump suit. In this case your options are:

3NT to play
Rebid your suit, showing at least 6+, and good honour strength in the suit too
Raise your partner's suit - setting it as the trump suit nominated
Cue-bid - GF. TURBO follows. Note: Control requests do not follow in these sequences.

If you or your partner rebid their suit it shows a standalone suit, becomes the agreed suit. Cue bids, slam bidding or simply bidding gam are possible continuations.

Finally 4NT, is RKCB if no cue-bids have been made, this also a tacit acceptance of the previous bid suit as trumps is set.
After cue bidding TURBO is employed.