BETA: Opening bids etc...

   

This page aims to give an outline & essential introduction to BETA bidding.

Beta's 1-level opening bids are natural with an alertable 1 with 2+ cards. BETA is a 5452 system.
Unless the hand lends itself to any of the 7 specialised opening bids: 2, 2, 2, 2, 2N, 3 or 3; pre-emptive bids: 3 and above: the opening bid will be PASS or a natural 1-level opening bid: Showing 5+ cards & 10+ HCP in 1, 1, 1 or a 1N 12-14. Otherwise 1 2+ cards and 12+ HCP. One important exception is a 1 opening with precisely 4-4 in the majors.
If 1NT's full specification is present then 1NT 12-14, is a priority opening. Otherwise a 1 opening remains for all other 12-18 HCP hands. Otherwise PASS!

Be aware that 3rd hand Major openings can be shaded in length or HCP.

Priority Order of  1-level opening bids

• PASS >7.5 LTC unless a 'shaded' 3rd hand opening. Consider a pre-emptive opening bid 3 or 3 or 4mi or higher or 2 with a weak Major 2 opening.
  
• 1 5+ card suit 10+HCP  This bid is 100% 5+ cards! Hence responses do treat it that way - unless a 3rd hand opening!
  
• 1 5+ card suit 10+HCP as for 1 above  OR precisely 4-4 in BOTH Majors and 10+HCP. The probability of 5 cards exceeds 90%.
  
• Partner must give the fit directly with 4+cards in either Major.
• Over 1H  bid 1S with 4 cards (which strictly denies a heart fit)
• However jump in partner's major with 15+ HCP and a good 4+ card fit if opponents intervene we use 2N to show this support - kind of 'Trustcott'.
  
• 1 5+Card Suit. 12+HCP ideally. Denies  a 5 card Major. However opening with 10|11 is feasible if a clear rebid is available (usually this means 6+ cards for a Diamond rebid OR a promissing 5+-4 hand.
• Partner must respond with their lowest ranking 4+ card Major regardless of length
• 1 openings are restricted below 12HCP as a 1NT rebid has to be 12-16HCP
• Over 1 4+ card fits are shown in inverted style: i.e. with 10+ HCP bid 2 else bid 3

• 1N Balanced no S|V 12-14HCP 'adjusted' - requires a minimum of 7 minor cards minimum {3-4}, and maximum 9 minor cards Maximum {3-6}|{4-5}. Strictly  No Singleton or void, but 2-2 in Majors is permitted.  Maximum minor cards is 9 {4-5} or {3-6} - See 1N for full details & full specification. If 1NT is available it must be used in preference to a 1 opening!
• 1! Alertable as can be just 2 cards Club. 12-18 HCP - never <12!. It denies any of the bids listed above.  Strictly denies a 1-level suit opening or a 1NT opening 12-14. Note: we never open 1 with 10-11HCP - this allows for a12-16 balanced 1NT rebid BETA sequences aim in the first place to discover any Major fit whether 4-4 or 5-3 or 6-2 by the 2-level! Secondly NT suitability. Our responses to a 1 opening are designed to achieve these aims using transfer bids for Majors, rebids that show 6 cards & and a 1NT rebid (12-16) Crowhurst & a 2! 9+ inquiry.
  
• Responses to a 1 opening:-
  
• 1 response shows 4+ Hearts also 1-1¦(opp)-* show Hearts  <=(15)HCP - 16+ shown with a direct bid of 2Ma. If responder has both majors he must respond showing Hearts even if Spades are longer!
  
• 1 response shows 4+ Spades also 1-1(opp)-* shows 4+ Spades also as above
  
• 1-*(opp)-** shows both Majors 4-4 or better.
  
• 2Ma response shows 5+ Cards & (15)16+ HCP
• 2 response denies any Major, shows (4)5+ card 's & 10+ HCP.
• 2 shows response denies any Major, Shows 4+ Clubs & 10+HCP
  
• 1!={9}10+HCP & no Major suit;
  
• 1NT=5-8(9) also no major;
  
• PASS 0-4HCP also usually no major
• 3any is a break-out. Shows a weak hand and a long suit: 7+ cards or a 6 card with some honour strength
  
• 1N v 2 There is no conflict between 1 & 1NT openings - 1N always takes preference over a 1 opening when its full specification is respected. Note: A 1N opening can contain a 4 card Major BUT ONLY with this specific distribution: {42}{43} Therefore a 2 Staymanic inquiry, always 9+HCP, will unravel the entire distribution! - rebid of 2Ma shows 4 cards, 2 shows 4 Diamonds! and 2N or PASS shows 4 clubs & 3 shows 5¦6 Clubs - totally unravelling the precise distribution.
  
• Note: Permitted 1N opening distributions are: 2245, {23)44, {23}35, 33{43} & even 2236. A 3 card minor suits must always contain at least one of A¦K¦Q 
• Note: 12-14 Adjusted means e.g. an aceless 15 is downgradd to 14 and opened; a an aceless 12 is downgraded to 11 and PASSed. Further details in the full 1NT text.
  
• 1NT is a balanced in 3rd hand openings) a 11-14 HCP is acceptable. As above: No singletons|voids , but a 3-3-{3-4}is allowed.
  
• 2! is a virtually game forcing bid - well almost! Either 23+ HCP Balanced or  <=3 1/2)  LTC Unbalanced. Sequences are a series of Q's & A's in this original and powerful approach fitting particularly well when one hand is much much stronger than the other. The opener has total control of the bidding & the final choice of contract at the 4 to 7 level! Concept inspired by Italian methods. Responder simply answers his partner's questions in 4 step responses OR makes a 'break-out' in a long suit with no positive response available OR bids the 1st step - a negative.
  
• 2! 'multi 3-way' & forcing, Rebids expose nature: 2¦3Major:  a weak 'major two';  2¦3NT: 19-20 balanced hands; 3mi: <=7 LTC 5+-5+ : 3-> + ; 3-> +
• 2/ openings with 5+ card major & a 4 card 2nd suit, a strict: 4-5 LTC count, usually 15+ HCP, 15 HCP 5LTC minimum a flat 5422 distribution is discouraged - open 1Ma instead. OR a Strong 6+ card rebiddable Majors in a distributional hands (Specifically NOT 6322)
• Note: if a 5+-4 distro card suit is powerful in top honours consider bidding 2Ma even if strong enough for a 2 opening
• 2MA openings are also available for single-suited hands with a 6+ card Major with a 4-5LTC strict count.
• Partner may make a break-out in any 7+ card  suit with no Major fit.
  
• 2NT opening is 21-22 HCP balanced 5 card Major permitted - note not ACOL's 20-22 the precise 2 point ranges of Beta (see 2 for 19-20HCP)
• 3/ Forcing. Shows 5+-5+ 2-suited hands (4)5-8 LTC: 3 shows both Red Suits ; 3 shows both Majors. PASS shows a (6)7+ card suit and denies a 3+ card Major fit. Use this opening in preference to a 2 opening - reason is: its  easier for the responder, who has control of the bidding, to make a final decision than the opener whereas with a 2 opening control of the bidding and choice of the final contract is firmly placed with the opener and holding 2 5 card suits is not easy to handle with our 2 sequencies.
• Must be used in preference to openings of 2 & 2Ma.
  
• Partner may make a break-out in any 7+ card suit without support for either of partner's suits:  thats <Qx
• A response bid of a 3N inquiry if possibly game going in one of partner's suits
• Otherwise  bid 3 in either suits - closure.  Distributionl & limited raise to a Major game is permitted
  
• 3 and all higher openings bids are all classical pre-emptive bids.
  
• Note 3mi are not pre-emptive in BETA.
  
• BETA can also show any 5-5 or better hands with  an opening bid or by an opening bid & 3-level rebid OR following any opponents opening bid!
  
• With 5-5 Spades & Clubs: Open 1 Spade 6-7LTC  and rebid 3 Clubs (with or without jump)
  
• With 5-5 minors open 1D  rebid 3Clubs - again with or wiothout jump.
  

Opener's rebids - an outline:

• A simple rebid without jump in a second suit is made at the 1 or 2 level, shows no additional values - reversing values are never required but it promises the first bid suit to be at least a 5 card suit and the second suit to be of 4 or more cards. Even at the 1-level!
  
• In BETA rallies Change of suit is a 1 round  FORCE.
• A simple rebid of a  suit is always 6+ cards by either opener (not showing extra values) or responder - weak
  
• A jump rebid of his opening suit is invitational 6+ cards non-forcing 5-6 LTC if a Major, or 4-5 1/2 LTC in a minor. (partner may PASS, raise or bid 3NT. Bidding a new suit is looking for a slam, a cue-bid ONLY with TURBO following)
  
• A single jump rebid in a third suit, Forcing, declares a good (15)+ HCP. This rebid WILL always be short 2/3 card suit with at least either Ace or King&Queen - preferably 2 top honours - a kind of advance cue-bid but suggests opener has a 5332 (4333) shape and is single suited hand
• After a 2 over 1 response care is required in Beta ACOL. See discussion on rebids to a 2 over 1 response.
  
• A simple rebid of 2NT following a 2over1 response is 12-14 (possibly a bad fifteen). It shows a balanced hand. Denies a 5-4 distribution & usually has guards in unbid suits. Responder may bid an unbid minor to inquire.
  
• A single jump rebid of 2NT shows 17-18 balanced. Note: after a major opening 90% probably 5 card; 10% 4 card!
  
• A rebid of 3NT shows a good 15 or 16 HCP & a flat hand
• A simple rebid of 1NT shows 12-16 HCP balanced, denies a 5-4 distribution. 2C is the ONLY forcing continuation & a Crowhurst inquiry - promises 9+HCP.
  
• Direct raises of partner's suit are limit bids. Somewhat pre-emptive if opponents intervene.
  
• Double jump rebids agree partner's suit and show shortage (splinter bids) 15+ HCP.
•  Note: Direct double jump responses in BETA are NEVER splinter bids
  
• Double is strictly forcing if opener-s first bid was a T-O *. It shows a minimum of 18HCP
• A 3C rebid following an opening bid of 1S or 1D declares a 5-5+ with Clubs
• A rebid of 2 in an unbid suit shows a 5+-4 distribution and also never shows reversing values.
  
• A rebid of openers suit shows 6 cards ALWAYS. A rebid by responder shows 6+ cards abut also a weak hand - this is a STOP bid and should be respected.
  
• a responder's 2N rebid without jump does not show any additional values.
  

Some basic responses to opening bids

• Jumping to 2NT is game forcing over partner's 1 level suit opening shows (15) 16+ HCP and usually denies a 4+ card major suit. This is Baron allowing opener to describe his hand accurately bidding 'up the line' (major shows 3 cards)
  

• Jumping ina new suit over a 1 level suit opening shows 16+HCP and promises a good (5)6+ card suit.
  
• Major transfer Responses to 1 Note: This opening is not made holding both Major suits: with 4-4 opener bids 1 otherwise opens with longest Major (also with 5-5 opens 3.:
• 1 Shows 4+ Hearts.Opener bids 1 with 4+ Hearts - 2 if strong with Hearts 16+
  
• 1 Shows 4+ Spades opener bids 1S with 4+ Spades - 2 if strong with Spades 16+
  
• 1  Denies a Major & shows positive values... 10+HCP also denies a 5 + card minor
  
• 1N 5-(9) Denies Major suit
  
• 2N 16+ Balanced no 4 card Major BARON.
• SWISS balanced 4mi responses to 1Ma
• Unbalanced support can be shown by DGR sequences and cue-bidding
  

• Responses at the 1-level to a1 opening are natural including inverted minor sequences denying a major suit. Responder with both Majors with 4+ cards MUST bid 1 regardless. A strong synergy exists between responses to a 1C and 1D openings
  
• Following a 1-level opening bid except in Clubs - any response in a new suit without jump at the 2 level shows (9) 10 - 14 (15) HCP: either a good 4+ card minor suit or a 5+ card Heart suit. These simple responses should be treated as forcing on the opener.
• Responses to a 2D (multi) opening bid
• 2NT shows 16+ HCP or 12+ HCP and support for BOTH majors
• 2S Shows heart support
• 2H denies heart support  - does not necessarily imply Spade support!
• 3mi are brea-outs 7+ cards.
• Opener's Rebids 
• 2N 19-20 Balanced
• 2|3 Ma Weak 6 cards suit
• 3C shows 5-5+ C+H
• 3D shows 5-5+ D+S
  

• Majorsuit raises are limit bids.
• Minor raises are inverted.
  
• 1 - 1NT - 2!   NF, inquires for a 5 card red suit or choose between  PASS or perhaps 2. Aimed at improving the contract - As a partner with 5-8 is not able to show a 5 card red suit at the 2-level. One can show a 6+ card  suit with <=8 HCP instead of bidding 1NT, by bidding and repeating the suit. This approach is not recommended with 6 hearts  over a 1S opening - pass and bid hearts at your next bid instead as we prefer that 1-2 always shows 10+HCP.
• 3 (red suits) &  3 (Majors) openings:- Show 5-5 or better Hands <=7LTC. (maybe 2nd rebid following a 2 opening. Bid 3N if and only if certain of a 4-level contract in one of the suits specified. Otherwise PASS with a 7 card suit, or bid 3 of preferred suit offered - with choice always opt for the Major. Bear in mind that few HCPs and length in the right places will easily make game - discount all Q's and J's outside the declared suits.

Responders rebids

• Responder rebids his suit. WEAK. Shows a 6+ card suit and denies 10+ HCP. This is a STOP bid!
  
• Responder rebids with any new suit at the 3-level'. Forcing. This is a game FORCE, at 2 level forcing to agreement..  4th suit with jump (below 3NT) shows a  4+ card suit  and game values. Above 3NT is a void  or singleton cue-bid and game values (trump suit is partner's deision.. Cue-bidding & TURBO follows.
  
• Responder rebids 1NT (<=10HCP) or 2NT balanced, without jump - es. 2NT without a jump is a NEGATIVE to any of opener's suits - and not promising more strength than his initial response bid.
• Responder agrees opener's first suit showing 3 card support. At 3 level this bid is game forcing. At the 2-level this is suit preference ONLY
  
• Raises opener's 2nd suit shows 4+ cards. Also to be treated as 'encouraging'. However if a minor is raised to the 4 level  it is usually to be considered as Forcing.
  
• Re-Bidding 3NT is to play and 2NT with jump is 17-18 balanced while 2NT witout jump is a limiting bid also 1N - shows no additional values and nothing else to show.
  

3/ opening weak  Specific 5+-5+ & LTC <=7

Either both red suits or both majors can be shown respectively. Must be in the range, conservedly, of 5-8LTC & a strict minimum of 5-5.  It caters for rarer 6-5 6-6 even 6-7!
Continuations:
Simple fits cn be shown directly at 3-level or game level but are NOT invitational for any further bidding
With intervention raises become, to play or are pre-emptive in nature.
3NT Forcing is the ONLY FORCING response to any 5-5 declaration. If game is looking plausible then alsways bid 3NT
If intervention PASS & *¦** replace 1st & 2nd steps responses  NEXT & NEXT+1 are 3rd & 4th stepsasks about the shortage - four   steps are : 4  Club shortag, 4 'Other' Shortage 4 Club Void & at least 6-5 & 4. 'Other void

Important point: When a 5-5+ hand is declared the reponder is in control and is responsible to decide the final choice of denomination & level. His partner may exceptionally raise the level: ONLY with good reason

2 opening - Forcing. 3 types of hand  & 3 types of Response.

1. Weak major 2 - with a 6 or poor 7 card suit- shown by PASS if partner responds 2, 2, 3 or 3
2. 5-5 or better: either Clubs & Hearts OR Diamonds and Spades - following sequences as in 3 & 3 openings.
   
3. 19-20 Balanced hand - may contain a 5 card suit - shown with 2N or 3N (over 2N response only)
   

1. Strong: 2NT: shows either: 12-15HCP with support to at least  the 3-level in both Majors (requires at least xx) OR  (15)+ HCP
2. Weak responses 2S! Showing either hearts 4 card Hearts or 3 cards hearts headed with a top honour: A¦K¦Q  OR simply 2H! Denying Hearts - requests partner to PASS or transfer or show other types of 2 openings
3. Pre-emptive responses: 3NT: 5-5 or better in both minors OR 3 minor showing a 7 card suit headed by a top honour A¦K¦Q

Handling intervention:
As used consistently thoughout the system if partners 2D opening is overcalled PASS except with the strong response then *¦**
If intervention occurs after partners response then * shows the Strong 2NT hand. Also 3¦¦¦ will have usual meanings. 3 can be 6 card if partner denied Heart support  or 3 showing 7 card Hearts