Other Agreements

1. We do not overcall at the 1 level without 10 HCP {unless the suit is so good it needs to be shown) and do not overcall at the 2 level without an opening hand. We do not raise partner`s overcall without 8 support points

2. When they open and we overcall 1NT and LHO doubles we are in trouble.

• redouble by partner says I have a single suited hand and tells 1NT bidder to bid 2
• a direct bid shows touching suits
• pass forces 1NT bidder to redouble and now a suit bid shows that suit and another higher suit.

3. When we open 2 and partner bids 2 (no A or K) lets say opener now bids 3 and responder bids 3 showing a 4 card suit. If opener now bids 4NT it is an asking bid asking for the Queen of Hearts . With the Queen of Hearts and no outside Queen responder bids 6 but with the Queen of Hearts and another Queen they show that Queen.

Example: 2 - 2 -3 -3 - 4NT- 6

Responder`s hand J10x Q9xx 98 xxxx

Openers Hand Void KJxxx AK10xxx AK This hand happened June 21st 2003

4. When we open 1NT responder cannot bid Garbage Stayman with 5-4 in the majors with the intention of bidding the 5 card major if opener`s response is 2. That is because a bid of a major in that sequence is an invitational bid. With the weak 5-4 hand responder just bids the 5 card major to play.

Examples

• 1NT-2-2-2/2 shows a 5 card major and invitational values.
• 1NT-2-2-2 shows 5 spades and invitational values
• 1NT-2-2-3 shows 5 hearts and invitational values.

5. When we open 1 and get a 1 overcall, a double by responder shows at least 4 cards in both majors therefore a direct bid of 1 of a major might only be a 4 card suit

6. When we open in 4th seat or bid in fourth seat after two passes 2 /2 shows a 6 card suit and 16 HCP to just under a 2 opener, partner needs to keep this in mind and must raise to 3 with 6-8 HCP and bid game with a good 9