Count further points as follows:

Void 2 points

Singleton 1 point

Every card over 4 1 point

Be warned. We find this bidding can be misinforming our partner of our strength. A certain amount of intuition is needed as to when to exit

Opener 1NT

Responder who holds 2 4-card majors 2C (forcing)

Opener either if no 4 card major 2D (forcing)

or call 4 card major

Responder to 2C probably call 2NT or if 12+ points 3NT

to 2H/S call NB or if 12+ points 4H/S

You have ascertained that you have 32+ points and are looking for a slam. You would like to know how many aces your partner has

Call 4NT (forcing)

Responses 4 or NO aces 5C

1 ace 5D

2 aces 5H

3 aces 5S

Either call agreed suit or 5NT is calling for Kings

If you have 23+ points as opener you can open 2C, which is forcing to game

Response 2D 0-2 points (opener can exit below game with 2NT)

3 points 1NT

4+ points call longest suit

If your opponent has the bid and it is your call you can call ‘double’. If the double is passed all round all score points are doubled

You can have an understanding with your partner (which must be known by your opponents) that if you double at the first opportunity it is telling your partner that you can support the un-bid suits. Your partner then calls his longest suit if he wishes

Open at the 3 level if you have 8+ cards in one suit and 5-9 points. Partner should recognise your very weak point count and bid accordingly. In such circumstances partner is likely to have a void in your suit and their own long suit. However he should still support your suit.

If the opposition open the bidding you should no longer use the charts previously given as your bidding sequence. Overcall bids require a different point to opening bids and length becomes more important.

Do not bid opponents suit or NT’s unless extremely strong and you have good stops and length in that suit.

Overcalling does disrupt your opponents bidding and can cause them to overbid. However it also immediately tells your opponents your strength which will help them with their finesses. You may score more points by your opponents going down. You will certainly score more by them going down rather than you going down! For these reasons a no-bid call is often the best call.

Note 1 Do not bid NT as an overcall unless you have a lot of points (17+) and good stops in the suit your opponents have bid. (The danger is if you win the bidding in NT your opponents will immediately lead their suit and if they have good length you will go down)

Note 2 See pre-empt above for hands with a low point count but length.

If you have a long suit you can over-call as shown below.

Be aware that as the opponents have bid they should have 13+ points so unless openers partner has no points, you do not have enough points for game.