Weak Pre-empts

5-10 HCP 6-card suit strength undisciplined in third seat, undisciplined -- often 5 card suit in fourth seat, likely a hand with 10-12 HCP -- desire to make competition difficult

WEAK 2D

2H/S natural, forcing 1 rd

2NT asks Opener to rate his hand

3C  asks for a NT stopper (doesn't have to be A or K)

3D  preemptive (fit not necessarily good!)

3H/S  asking bid, Special RKCB (see Asking Bids Over Preempts)

4C  asking bid, Special RKCB (see Asking Bids Over Preempts)

4H/S  to play

Note: After a jump asking bid, if Responder rebids the ask suit then wants to know Opener's holding

WEAK 2H

2S natural, F1

2NT  asks Opener to rate his hand

3C asks for a NT stopper (doesn’t have to be A or K)

3Dnatural, F1

3H preemptive

4C asks if opener has shortness

Responder's Actions(over shortness) Next step (excluding 4H is Special RKCB)

4H  to play

Jumps in new suits (below game) ask partner to respond key cards if at least second round control (see Special RKCB after Opener preempts) i.e. 3S/4C/4D

Note: After a jump asking bid, if Responder rebids the ask suit then wants to know Opener's holding

WEAK 2S

2NT  asks Opener to rate his hand

3C asks for a NT stopper (doesn’t have to be A or K)

3D/H natural, F1

3S preemptive

4C asks if opener has shortness

Responder's Actions  (over shortness) Next step (excluding 4S is Special RKC)

4S to play

Jumps in new suits (below game) ask partner to respond key cards if at least second round control (see Special RKCB after Opener preempts) i.e. 4C/4D/4H Note: After a jump asking bid, if Responder rebids the ask suit then wants to know Opener's holding

3-LEVEL INTERFERENCE OVER 2NT ASKING BID

2D/H/S  - (Pass)   -  2NT  - (3X)

Bid natural and non-minimum

2D/H/S  - DBL or 2X)    -   ??

ASKING BIDS OVER PREEMPTS

1. When partner opens 2D to 3D, DBL jumps are asking bids looking for second round control.  Partner responds Special RKCB if he has second round control or better.  With no control he returns to his suit.

e.g.       2D - 3S  RKCB if Opener has a spade control

2. When partner opens 3H to 4S then a minor suit (without a jump) asks for second round control. Partner responds Special RKCB if he has second round control or better.  With no control he returns to his suit.  A major suit is always natural.  Forcing below game, otherwise to play.

3S - 4C  RKCB if Opener has a club control

3H - 3S natural

3S - 4H natural

4C - 4S natural

4C - 4D RKCB if partner has a diamond control                                    

3. Partner can make a second asking bid in the jump suit to clarify if Opener has strength or shortness

2H  -  4C - 4NT - 5C

4. A raise of 4H to 5H or 4S to 5S asks about a control in the other major

4H -  5H

INTERFERENCE OVER OUR ASKING BIDS

DIPS and RIPS (assuming Special RKCB) below our game level

e.g.       2H    -     (Pass)  -   4C   -  (DBL)

            ??

2S       -     (Pass)   -   4C - (4H)

DBL no keycards

Pass 1 keycard

4S no second round control of clubs

4NT 1 keycard with the QS

5C 2 keycards

5D 2 keycards with the QS

When the opponents bid the ask suit OR bid higher than our suit, the responses change

e.g.       2H -     (Pass)   -   4C  -   4S/5C/5D

If Responder bids anything other than Opener's suit, this is Special RKCB Suit Bid .With void or singleton respond to Ace-ask

From a memory perspective, if you wish to simplify then you might adopt the following: Partner rebids his/her suit with 2 of top 3 honours.  Otherwise you can play a "graded" response around the rebid of partner's suit.  The more you like your hand the more you bid.  This is less restrictive than playing Ogust.  3NT can be retained as top 3 honours in the suit.

SPECIAL RKCB (When Partner Pre-empts or is Known to Be Weak)

When partner opens a preempt, RKCB changes to the following:

Any time partner is known to be < 10 HCP then Special RKCB applies When partner is known to be 0-3 HCP then RKCB asks about suit quality (i.e. steps are no honour, J, Q, QJ, K)