Since these early days
Bidding systems have proliferated and evolved in nearly a century of
the game. The most well known or heard of systems are in order of popularity:
- American Standard - known as SAYC -
and used throughout the world - based on 5 card majors (variants: Jais Lebel or SEF, '2over1') - easily the most used system today.
- ACOL, a british standard -
based on 4
card majors with a huge plethora of add ons & variants, including Beta in its
early development! - all these bidding variations suggested to me that
ACOL was seriously somehow lacking.
One most unhelpful fact is the EBU's defence of ACOL - discouraging growth
of other systems in the UK - still today beginners are directed to
ACOL. This is most unfortunate - it is not the ideal system for beginners as
it requires considerable experience to succeed. The upshot is that
beginners were easily held down - so frustrating and discouraging for them. SAYC is
surely a better starting point. I believe competition heps to improve
players and systems. This, I strongly believe, has culminated in and explains the UK's limited success on the
world stage.
- Precision, an example of
systems
characterised by a 'Strong Club' opening bid, it was started by MrWei
many tried it but most have since discarded it. However it remains
prominent in India where it is highly developed..
- Oddities: Polish Club, Fantoni, Ladder, Beta (not our BETA!), Roman, Canape, Neapolitain - all with interesting ideas.
Any bidding system can be supplemented
with numerous 'add-on' conventions. Some of which have been universally adopted as standard. For example:
Note: BETA has embraced
cue-bidding and TURBO. 4NT has many meanings in Beta that depend on
context of the preceeding bidding - e.g. after a 2C opening it asks the
number of Kings held; In cue-bidding sequences 4NT is TURBO - [bidding 4N states an even number of Key Cards rather than asking about KC's];
In BETA sequences following disclosure of a 5-5 it asks about the LTC! We
also use Cue-bidding which is married to TURBO;
We employ Rubinsohl 4-way (far superior to
Lebensohl) but only with 2N and higher;
Our extensive use of transfers to manipulate who plays a contract (in this
respect we appreciate Fantoni);
A somewhat novel
approach, somewhat experimental, to Take-out double sequences;
Our special handling of 5+-5+
2-suited hands which also indirectly helps to clarify ALL other 2-suited hands;
An Italian based Q&A style for strong hands opened
with 2C;
A number of other Conventions: Trustcott(modified usage), Baron, Swiss,
Crowhurst(modified slightly),
Inverted minors; TRAP (against strong club systems); Puppet (FULL).
Also: guides such as 'Change of
suit forcing', 'No use of the 'reverse concept' - Change of suit
forcing for 1 round, New suit at3-level game forcing and a cue-bid.
Our 4NT bid has several meanings which are uniquely determined by
context. And we also have a love of bids that
show 2 suits! Also a unique
approach to responding to a T-O double, an innovative defence to
1C(non-16+) openings by an opponent, also an organised approach to
bidding in the protective position.
Lastly but by no means least we use a 3-way Multi 2D opening & a
Multi 1NT O'call too!
Anybody looking to learn bridge would be well advised to start
with the
American Standard bidding system SAYC (not 2 over 1) - and certainly
not ACOL or BETA which requires greater skill and experience to achieve a good
level of bidding and experienced players would run rings around you.
Once experienced by all means progress to ACOL or even to BETA!..
Also BETA is definetly not for beginners! You are welcome to
try BETA with an established partner only once you are a confident partnership!
