Bijan’s 1C Opening

Summary: We open 1C with at least 2 clubs. Responder use transfer responses as follows:

· 1D shows hearts, opener bids 1H with 3 and 2H with 4 hearts

· 1H shows spades, opener bids 1S with 3 and 2S with 4 spades

· 1S shows no 4 card major transfer to 1NT, usually 5-7 points

· 1NT no 4 card major 8-10 points

· 2NT no 4 card major 11-13 points (balanc with points distributed)

· 3NT no 4 card major 14+ points (Balance with points distributed)

· 3C/3D/3H/3S natural Very Strong

· 2C transfer to 2H usually 6+ hearts

· 2D transfer to 2S usually 6+ spades

· 2H 4-6 shape in Hearts and Spades

· 2S 4-6 shape in Spades and Hearts

· After 1C-1S-1NT sequence, responder has the following bid options:

o Pass with 5-7 points

o 2C weak Clubs to be passed

o 2D weak Diamonds to be passed

o 2NT both minors invitational

o 3NT both minors game force

o 3C or 3D natural 10+ invitational

In modern bridge it is crucial to get into bidding as quickly as possible. Time to open with 13+ points is long past.

In this convention we open 1C with 11+ points and at least 2 clubs (note may have 4 or more Diamonds) with transfer responses as core of this system.

Using transfer responses,

1D shows hearts, opener
- With 3 hearts bids 1H and if interfering bid, we x (support x)
- With 4 hearts bids 2H (with minimum hand bid 1H & support H later)
- With <3 hearts and 4 spades bids 1S
- With balance hands no 3 hearts or 4 spades bids 1NT
- With <3 hearts, unbalanced and a long minor bids the long minor
- With <3 hearts, strong hand and a long minor bids that at 3 level.
1H shows spades, opener :
- With 3 spades bids 1S, again if interfere by opponents x = support x
- With 4 spades bids 2S (with minimum hand bid 1S & support later)
- With balance hands no 3 spades bids 1NT
- With <3 spades, unbalanced and a long minor bids the long minor
- With <3 spades, strong hand and a long minor bids that at 3 level.
1S shows no 4 card major inviting opener to bid 1NT (responder with 5-7 points will pass)

Follow up sequences after 1NT can show weak C or D, invitational or game force in both minors or invitational in C, D

Pass with 5-7 points
2NT both minors invitational, after this 3H/3S minorwood for C/D
3NT both minors game force (opener to decide if pass 3NT or look for game/slam in minor using 1430 RKCB minorwood 4C/4D
2C or 2D weak C and D
3C or 3D natural 10+ invitational
2C and 2D responses are transfer to Hearts and Spades (we do this when we have 6 cards). If very little point with 5 card we can use with intention to pass
2H/2S shows 6-4 shape in S-H or H-S (we bid the 4 card suit)
3C/3D/3H/3S natural Very Strong
1NT no 4 card major 8-10 points
2NT no 4 card major 11-13 points (balance & points distributed)
3NT no 4 card major 14+ points (balance & points distributed)

When partner opens 1C, we announce it: 2 plus, UNUSUAL. This is because opener may have 4+ diamonds.

Responder with 5-5 or 5-4 or 4-5 in S-H starts with 1D and if opener does not accept or does not bid S, responder can bid S. This is clearly showing 5 card in spades as opener have denied 4 spades.

2C and 2D bids (transfer to H or S) can be used in variety of situations: With very weak 6 or even 5 card suits with intention of passing. With 6 card suits when we want to invite (by bidding 2NT) or game force by bidding 3NT. With 7 cards suit we can raise to 3H/3S after transfer.

1C Opening advantages

We find any combination of major fit
- For example 5-3 fit when responder has 5 card in major and only 6-9 points. Usually hand is played at 1NT (1C/D-1H (or S)-1NT pass
- 6-4 combination
- Preempt 2 level via 2C/2D transfers with intention of passing. Opponents and partner don’t know we will pass. By that time it maybe late for them to come into the bidding. A direct weak jump overcall give it away straight away
- With 6 cards in major and invitational or game force, we can show it after partner accepted the transfer by raising, bidding 2NT or bidding 3NT
We open with 11 points
Opener more often becomes declarer
Opponents bidding become more difficult with artificial bids, such as our 1S bid, often we are bidding their suits. They need to know how to defend against it
We can bid and pass a 2C or 2D when responder has long C or D and is weak
We can let declarer to play 1NT when we have 5-7 points and no 4 card major. Again by bidding 1S which is likely to be opponent’s suit making it more difficult for them
1NT and 2NT responses will be showing 8-10 and 11-13 points respectively with no 4 card major
Invitational or game force in minors can be established through 1C-1S and subsequent bidding sequences
We can describe powerful 6-4 distribution in majors

If there is interference:

X = stolen bid (for 1D and 1H only)

If interference is 1D or 1H, System is on & X is stolen bid

If interference is 1S or at 2 level, System if off

Defence against opponent’s 1C opening if they use Transfer Responses

After opponent’s 1C opening and transfer responses

Such as (1C) P (1D), we can bid as follows:

X = this is my suit (D)

1H = take out for other 3 suits (bidding their suit)

1S = natural, single suit

1NT = 15-18 with stopper

2H = Michaels (5 cards in spades and 5 in a minor)