SWISS bids are direct 4
♣ or 4
♦ jumps over an opening of 1
♥|1♠ even with
any opponent intervention.
Ex .: 1♥-2♦(opp)-4♣ OR 4
♦
This promises solid support in partner suit - at least 4 cards & values for at least the 4-level.
These SWISS bids also promise
balanced hands - that is : no singleton or void!
BARON 2N jump response also shows a balanced hand but deny 4 card support for partner.
These SWISS bids all show a
Balanced hands NO V|S & (15)16+ HCP with good 4+ card support. for partner's major.
If a SWISS bid is made following an opponent's intervention then there can be a shortage in the opponents bid or implied suit.
Note:
SWISS bids are the antithesis of SPLINTERS! Splinters are not used in
this system in direct response to Opening bids --- However
Splinters are used in Beta over responder suit. E.g. 1
♥-1
♠-4
♣|♦...or 1
♦-1
♥-4
♣...
The difference between SWISS responses of 4
♣ & 4
♦ is as follows::
4
♦ promises EXCEPTIONAL trump support usually at least 6+ HCP in the trump suit.
This
would reassure an opener who is concerned about the honour strength he
holds in his suit - who might well otherwise not attempt a slam.
Those
who adore the splinter and abhor our non-use in direct
response to a Major opening should understand our policy that
responder has many ways to show a unbalanced hand in BETA, e.g
using DGR or a new suit without jump, also
structuraly Beta needs
partner to show his
own suit
in the first response (also seen as forcing in BETA on opener).
In Beta a strong balanced hand with 16+HCP without 4 card support for partner's opening suit may bid 2N baron.
Subsequent
to suit agreement, eg SWISS bids, or delayed support(limit bids), In
either case opener may continue to game or in Beta any new suit
following direct or implied suit agreement is automatically a cue-bid
(showing a control), inviting slam interest,
& TURBO NOT NLACKWOOD follows!
Note: Cue-bidding can show Singletons and
voids as
well as Aces & useful Kings!
BETA fundamentally believes that
responder shows his suit ASAP - this is important for many reasons -
E.g. it helps determine how well the hands fit. It also can bring to light a
useful double fit. Often critical too in deciding 'for or against' a SLAM venture!
Note: BETA does NOT use direct splinters over Major openings however
splinters can be used following a change of suit by responder!
Important generalBETA understandings:-
An important theme in BETA is a direct3-level jump
response in a NEW suit is WEAK at least 6+ cardsto at least an Honour.
Also valid throughout BETA ... a rebid of your suit
by opener or responder ALWAYS promises 6 cards. However when responder
makes such a rebid it shows weakness <= (HCP!. When opener rebids he
is NOT showing weakness but also denying a 4 card 2nd suit. Showing a
2nd suit in BETA is considered forcing for 1 round.
Now a jump rebid in a new suit in BETA shows a
shortage with control usually and 16+ HCP (Note: 2 Exceptions: 1S and
1D openings followed by 3C with or without jump promise a 5-5 and at
least <=7 LTC)
we also play 4th suit as game forcing & invoking Cue-bidding.
=-=-=-=-=-=
In
Beta we use 2N following an intervention in a 'sort of TRUSTCOTT style'
promissing at least 4 card support and a solid raise to at least
the 3-level and is valid over minor as well as Major openings! - unlike SWISS this style of showing support
operates
for minors as well as Major Beta openings! Again responder also
promises a Balanced hand - no singleton or void! BETA doea
Example 1
♦(partner)-1
♠(opp)-2NT-
Shows a solid raise of partner's Diamond suit, showing a minimum 4 card
support and forcing to at least the 3-level.