Robot Bidding System #1 (SAYC)

Table Of Contents (Show)

Open bid

Bid	Meaning
1♣	12-21 HCP, 3+ cards
1♦	12-21 HCP, 4+ cards or 4-4-3-2
1♥	12-21 HCP, 5+ cards
1♠	12-21 HCP, 5+ cards
1NT	15-17, balance hand, may have five card major/minor, no singleton or void
2♣	22+ HCP, any distribution except 3NT, forcing
2♦	6-10 HCP, 6 cards (as lower as 5 HCP in some rare case)
2♥	6-10 HCP, 6 cards (as lower as 5 HCP in some rare case)
2♠	6-10 HCP, 6 cards (as lower as 5 HCP in some rare case)
2NT	20-21 HCP, balance hand
3♣	6-10 HCP, 7 cards (as lower as 5 HCP in some rare case)
3♦	6-10 HCP, 7 cards (as lower as 5 HCP in some rare case)
3♥	6-10 HCP, 7 cards (as lower as 5 HCP in some rare case)
3♠	6-10 HCP, 7 cards (as lower as 5 HCP in some rare case)
3NT	25-27HCP, balance hand

Responding to One of a Minor

1♣

Bid	Meaning
Pass	0-5 HCP
1♦/1♥/1♠	6+ HCP, 4+ cards, force 1 round Exceptions: - 1♦ may be as low as 2 cards when holding 18+ HCP, 3-3-2-5 hand; - 1♦ may be as low as 1 cards when holding 19+ HCP, 3-3-1-6 hand; - With 19+ HCP, void diamond, it must be 7+ card ♣, go 4NT directly.
1NT	6-10 HCP (may be 11-12 HCP with 3-3-3-4 hand)
2♣	6-10 HCP, 5+ cards, no 4-card major
Jump shift	19+ HCP, 5+ cards, game forcing and slam invitational
2NT	13-15 HCP, balance hand, no 4-card major
3♣	11-12 HCP, 5+ cards, no 4-card major (with 3-3-1-6 hands, may be up to 18 HCP)
3NT	16-17 HCP, balance hand, no 4-card major

1♦

Bid	Meaning
Pass	0-5 HCP
1♥/1♠	6+ HCP, 4+ cards, force 1 round
1NT	6-10 HCP
2♣	11+ HCP, 4+ cards, normally no 4-card major, force 1 round (may be as low as 3 cards when holding 18+ HCP and 3-3-4-3 hand)
2♦	6-10 HCP, 4+ cards, normally no 4-card major
Jump shift	19+ HCP, 5+ cards, game forcing and slam invitational
2NT	13-15 HCP, balance hand, no 4-card major
3♦	11-12 HCP, 4+ cards, no 4-card major
3NT	16-17 HCP, balance hand, no 4-card major

1♣ /♦-2/3NT

Bid	Meaning
PASS	To play, minimum HCP, balance hand (N/A for 2NT response)
3NT	To play, balance hand
4♣	Geber
4NT	Invitation to 6NT
5NT	Invitation to 7NT
6NT	To play, balance hand
Rebid	5+ Cards, unbalance, minimum HCP, let responder to choose
New Suit	Slam interest, unbalance, cue-bid or 4+ cards, forcing.

Responding to One of a Major

1♥

Bid	Meaning
PASS	0-5 HCP
1♠	6+ HCP, 4+ cards, force 1 round
1NT	6-10 HCP
2♣/2♦	11-18 HCP, 4+ cards
2♥	6-10 HCP, 3+ cards
2♠	19+ HCP, 5+ cards
2NT	Jocoby 2NT, 13+ HCP, 4+ ♥suit
3♣/3♦	19+ HCP, 5+cards
3♥	11-12 HCP, 3+ cards
3NT	15-17 HCP, balance hand
4♥	5-9 HCP, 5+ cards, good distribution

1♠

Bid	Meaning
PASS	0-5 HCP
1NT	6-10 HCP
2♣/2♦	11+ HCP, 4+ Cards
2♥	11+ HCP, 5+ Cards
2♠	6-10 HCP, 3+ Cards
2NT	Jocoby 2NT, 13+ HCP, 4+ ♠suit
3♣/3♦/3♥	19+ HCP, 5+ Cards
3♠	11-12 HCP, 3+ Cards
3NT	15-17 HCP, balance hand
4♠	5-9 HCP, 5+ cards, good distribution

Responding to NT

1NT

Bid	Meaning
PASS	0-7 HCP, no good suit
2♣	Stayman, usually 8+ HCP, ask for major
2♦/2♥	Jacoby transfer, transfer to 2♥/2♠ (A transfer jump to 3♥/3♠ is good support, 17 HCP, 4+ cards)
2♠	Weak, 6+ minor cards, request partner to bid 3♣
2NT	8-9 HCP, balance hand, no 4-card major, invitation to 3NT
3♣/3♦	7- HCP, 6+ semi-solid cards, invitation to 3NT (non-SAYC standard)
3♥/3♠	9+ HCP, 6+ semi-solid cards, game forcing and slam invitation
3NT	10-15 HCP, balance hand, no 4-card major
4♣	Gerber, ask ace (not implemented)
4NT	16-17 HCP, balance hand
5NT	20-21 HCP, balance hand
6NT	18-19 HCP, balance hand
7NT	22+ HCP, balance hand

If an opponent doubles, all conventional responses are "on.". For example:
1NT - (X) - 2♣ = Stayman
1NT - (X) - 2♦ = transfer to heart

If an opponent bids over your 1NT opener, conventional responses like Stayman and transfers are "off." Bids are natural except for a cuebid, which may be used with game forcing strength as a substitute for Stayman.

2NT

Bid	Meaning
PASS	0-4 HCP, no good suit
3♣	Stayman, 5+ HCP, ask for major
3♦/3♥	Jacoby transfer, transfer to 3♥/3♠
3♠	Not defined
3NT	5-11 HCP, balance hand
4♣	Gerber, ask ace
4NT	12 HCP, balance hand, invite to 6NT
5NT	16 HCP, balance hand, invite to 7NT
6NT	13-15HCP, balance hand
7NT	17+ HCP, balance hand

3NT

Bid	Meaning
PASS	0-5 HCP, no good suit
4♣	Stayman
4♦/4♥	5+ cards, transfer to 4♥/4♠
4NT	6-7 HCP, invite to 6NT
5NT	10-11 HCP. invite to 7NT
6NT	8-9 HCP, sign off
7NT	12+ HCP

Response to a 2C Opener

2♣

Bid	Meaning
2♦	0-7 HCP (Negative) or waiting (such as 4-4-4-1 with 8+ HCP)
2♥/2♠/3♣/3♦	8+ HCP, 5+ card, game forcing (2NT if the suit does not have 2 out of 3 top honors and balance hand)
2NT	8+ HCP, balance hand, game forcing

2♣-2♦

Bid	Meaning
2♥/2♠/3♣/3♦	5+ card, force 1 round
2NT	22-24 HCP (all system are on, 3C:Stayman, 3D/3H: transfer)
3♥/3♠/4♣/4♦	Self-supporting holding in that suit (game forcing)
3NT	28-30 HCP
4NT	31-32 HCP
5NT	33-34 HCP
6NT	35-36 HCP
7NT	37+ HCP

2♣-2♦-2♥/2♠/3♣/3♦

Bid	Meaning
3♣/3♦/3NT	0-4 HCP, double negative. (For 2♥/2♠or3♣/3♦ response respectively)

Response to a Weak 2 Opener

Bid	Meaning
Raise	Preemptive
New Suit	13+ HCP, good quality 5+ cards and preferred 6, force 1 round. Opener Rebid Raise: 3+ cards or QX support. New suit: Maximum, show feature has at least KX. NT: Maximum, good quality open suit (likely AKQ as it has no side feature). Rebid suit: no better option.
2NT	Forcing (even RHO bid), asked opener to further describe the hand. Opener Rebid Rebid open suit: Minimum New suit: Maximum, show feature with A or protected K/Q. 3NT: Maximum, lack of feature but solid in open suit.
3NT	To play.

Response to a Weak 3 Opener

Bid	Meaning
Raise	Defensive, should be passed.
3♥/3♠ (open 3♣/3♦)	6+ cards, forcing to game in the major or 3NT.
3NT	To play
4NT	Blackwood
5NT	Grand Slam Force (With 2 or more trump controls, responder makes a Grand Slam call in the trump suit. Otherwise, the responder signs off in a Small Slam.)

Jacoby 2NT

1♥/1♠-2NT

Bid	Meaning
3-level new suit	Void or signleton
4-level open suit	12-14 HCP
3NT	15-17 HCP, balance hand
3-level open suit	18+ HCP
4-level new suit	5+ cards, semi-solid

Opener Rebid

Minimum Hand (12-15 HCP)

Raise responder's suit at cheapest level, 4 cards+, major preferred but not mandatory.
Show a second suit. 4 cards+, lower ranking than the first (non reverse). (12-18 HCP)
Rebid original suit at the cheapest level, usually 6 cards+.
Rebid notrump at the cheapest level. (last option).

Medium Hand (16-18 HCP)

Jump raise partner's suit or jump rebid own suit.
Reverse in a new, higher-ranking suit (if the first suit is longer than the second).
Show a new suit without reversing. (12-18 HCP)

Max Hand (19-21 HCP)

Reverse.
Jump rebid in notrump, usually 18-19 HCP.
Double jump raise partner's suit.
Double jump rebid own suit.
Jump Shift into a new suit, 4 cards+.

Special Cases:

1♣-2♣/1♦-2♦

Bid	Meaning
2♥/♠	12-18 HCP, 4+ cards, unlikely to have good support in opening minor
2NT	18-19 HCP, balanced hand, stoppers in remaining suits
3♣/3♦	16-18 HCP, 4+ cards, no stoppers in majors
4♣/4♦	19-21 HCP, 4+ cards, no stoppers in majors

Reverse

A reverse by opener is non-jump rebid at the two-level in a new suit that is higher ranking than opener's original suit. 17+ points (may be 15 with good hand),.Usually with 5 cards in the opening suit and 4+ cards in the new suit. Forcing for one round unless the opponents intervene.

Eg. 1♣ -1♠; 2♥ or 1♦ - 1♠; 2♥

Subsequent bidding by responder

Sign off in a partscore

Pass
1NT
A 2-level bid in a previous mentioned suit.

Invitational bids

2NT
A three-level bid in a previously mentioned suit.

Forcing Bids:

Unless responder's first call was 1NT, any new suit will be forcing for one round.
A second-round jump raise of partner's major-suit opening bid is usually a game force.
A reverse or jump shift into a new suit is game force.
A bid of the fourth suit at the two-level or higher is forcing for one round and may be artificial.

Fourth Suit Forcing (FSF)

Bid the only unbid suit at the two-level or above is forced for one-round. The bidder does not guarantee the quality of the bid suit.

The opener's responses to FSF are:

Response to responder first suit (usually major) with 3+ cards. (jump raise for better hands).
Rebid his second suit at the cheapest level. (jump rebid for better hands).
Rebid his own first suit at the cheapest level (jump rebid for better hands).
Bid NT to show a stopper in the fourth suit. (usually opener's first bid suit is minor).
Raise the forth suit with 4+ cards. (never beyond 3NT)

If the FSF caller:

Delay to support his partner. it is game forcing and want to investigate for slam.
Rebid own suit, it shows a good hand which is also game forcing.
If opener bids NT, Gerber and Quantitative NT are enabled.

Blackwood Intervention

Upon an intervention after Blackwood 4NT/5NT, DOPI, ROPI, DEPO is used to reply Blackwood.

DOPI: Double = 0/4, Pass = 1.... (When the overcall is above 2 cards, 5H/6H). DOPI will be switched to DEOP.
ROPI: Redouble = 0/4, Pass = 1...
DEOP: Double = 0/2/4. Pass = 1/3.

Overcalls

Bid	Meaning
1-level	8-15 HCP, normally 5+ cards (major may have 4 good cards), non-forcing
2-level	10-15 HCP, 5+ cards, non-forcing
1NT	15-18 HCP, contains 1 stopper in opener's suit
Jump overcall	Preemptive, same as preemptive open bid

Responding to Overcalls

In general, one responds to a one-level overcall in a suit as if it were an opening bid.

A simple raise shows 6-10/11 points and three-plus trumps.
A jump raise shows 6-10 points and four-plus trump. (Preemptive)
A raise to game is to play.
New suits are forcing by an unpassed hand and deny a fit with partner.
A cuebid of opener's suit shows a limit raise, or better, in partner's suit.

When response to 1NT overcall, Stayman is on and transfer is off.

Michaels and the Unusual Notrump

Direct cuebid (Michaels) - when opponents has only bid one suit and partner has not bid.

Cuebid	Meaning
on minor	5-5 or better in major suit; 6-10 HCP or 16+ HCP.
on major	5-5 or better in unbid major + a minor; 6-10 HCP or 16+ HCP.

Responding to Micheal:

A perferred bid.
A jump perference. (Preemptive)
A cuebid of opener's suit. (Game or slam try)
A new suit, non-forcing.
2NT. For major cuebid, ask for minor. For minor cuebid, no major fit.
3NT to play.

Unusual 2NT, after opponents open, a 2NT overall shows at least 5-5 in the two lowest unbid suits. The strength is 6-10 or 17+ HCP, at most 7 losing trick count in favorable vulnerability, or else 6 LTC.
Eg. (1♦)-2NT or (1♦)-Pass-(1♠)-2NT

A jump to 2NT in the balance seat is not Unusual Notrump

(1♦)-P-(P)-2NT shows a balanced 19-21 HCP.

Responding to Unusal NT

A preference bid.
A jump preference (Preemptive).
A cuebid of opener's suit (Game or slam try).
A new suit, non-forcing.
3NT, to play.
4NT, Blackwood.

Cuebid Opponent's Suit

Cuebdding right-hand opponent's suit shows values for game without clear direction for the moment. This is often used to show a game-forcing raise:

1♠-(2♣)-3♣ = game force; usually a raise;

Overcalling their NT Openings

Cappelletti is adopted to defend against 1NT opening.

Bid	Meaning
Double	Shows an equivalent hand as 1NT open bid.
2♣	Unknown one suited hand, Advancer - Pass: with at least 6+ good club and no value in other suit. - 2`♦`: Ask partner to name his suit. - 2♥/2♠: Strong 5+ cards suit. - 2NT: 11+ HCP, reasonable support for all four suits. Note: With (1NT)-2♣-(X): A redouble means 7+ HCP, well support for any suit partner might have, and invite partner to compete to the three-level.
2♦	Both major suits. Advancer - Pass: with at least 6+ good diamond, no fit in major suits. - 2♥/2♠: a simple preference bid. - 2NT: asks partner to bid his better minor. - 3C: 6+ good clubs, no fit in major suits. - 3♥/3♠: an invitation to game with 4+ cards.
2♥/2♠	Named major and unnamed minor suit. Advancer - Pass: to play. - 3♥/3♠: raise, 7-10 HCP. - New suit: natural and non-forcing. - 2NT: ask for partner's minor. If advancer follows with a raise to three of the major, it is invited to game in the major with 10-12 HCP.
2NT	Both minor suits
Overall	Natural

Except for double, a holding of less than 15 HCP and reasonable shape. With more, the overcaller might well begin with a double.

Responder's Action after an 1NT intervention

Bid	Meaning
Double	Negative at the two and three level (Not implemented)
Two level suit	5+ cards, to play
Three level suit	5+ cards, game forcing
2NT	Lebensohl, relay to 3♣ (Not implemented) Responder's Rebid - Pass with a weak hand and long clubs. - Any suit below the rank of the overcall is a signoff. - Any suit above the rank of the overcall is invitational. - Cue bid is Stayman (Not implemented) - 3NT a stopper in enemy suit
Immediate cue bid	Stayman (Not implemented)
3NT	Denies a stopper in enemy suit (Not implemented)

After artificial overcalls showing two-suiters where only one of the suits is known, lebensohl is used and the known suit serves the same function as a naturally overcalled suit. If both of the suits are known strong hands can use unusual vs. unusual to show responders suits. Against an artificial double or 2♣ bid to show a single suit, responder can use lebensohl immediately, ignoring which suit was to be shown. Or, if interested in what the suit is, can pass and over the identified suit use all of lebensohl.

Doubles

Doubles of suit bids are for takeout over opening partscore bids and are for penality over opening bids at the game level or higher.

Bid	Meaning
Takeout double	1. 12+ HCP, shortness in the suit(s); shortness in the suit(s) bid by opponents; reasonable support for the unbid suit. 2. 17+ HCP, has a suit with 5+ card. 3. 19+ HCP, balance hand, rebid with NT.
Double an opening 1NT	Penalty . 15-17 HCP, balance hand (same as open 1NT). Partner bid, if has a long suit (5+ cards)
Negative double	Negative doubles are for responder and employed though 2♠ and show values in unbid suits. If RHO has overcalled in 1-level: 6+ HCP, 2-level 8/9 HCP, 3-level 10+. HCP. (Though players usually made with 7-9 HCP with no upper limit.) Eg. 1`♦`-(2♣)-X (Shows 4-4 or better in major suits) 1`♦`-(1♥)-X (Shows 4 spades. A bid of 1♠ promises a 5+ cards) 1`♦`-(1♠)-X (Shows 4+ hearts)
Reopen Double	Double by the opener after an overcall with partner pass. Usually has singleton or doubleton in opponents suit. (A void will trend to bid instead of a reopen double) Eg. 1`♦`-(2♣)-P-(P)-X or 1`♦`-(P)-P-(2♣)-X Response: A pass is a penalty based on Rule of Nine (level+suit length+honor length>=9) else partner must bid if opponents has passed.

Response to takeout doubles are:

Bid	Meaning
Minimum bid	4+cards, 0-9 HCP. May pass after intervening, so slightly stronger 5-9 HCP.
1NT	6-10 HCP, balance and has stopper in opponent's suit.
Jump raise	10-12 HCP. 4+ cards.
2NT	10-12 HCP, balance and has stopper in opponent's suit
Cuebid	1, 13+ HCP, game forcing. 2. 10-12 HCP, support for any unbid suit, forcing 1 round.
3NT	To play, 13-16 HCP.
Double jump	Weak by good shape, preemptive
Pass	Rare, at least 5 card in opponent's bid suit. Well believe that the 1-level contract will be defeated???

Rebids by takeout doubler after minimum bid:

Bid	Meaning
Pass	16 or less HCP
Raise	4+ cards, 17-18 HCP. May down to 13-18 HCP if partner bid after intervene.
Jump raise	4+ cards, 19-21 HCP
New suit	5+ cards, 17-20 HCP
Jump new	6+ cards, self-sufficient hand
1NT	18-19 HCP, balance, has stopper in opponent's suit.
2NT	19-21 HCP if non-jump, 20-22 if jump, has stopper in opponent's suit.
3NT	shows 9 tricks (not implemented)
Cuebid	21+ HCP, slam interest

Responses to negative double:

Bid	Meaning
Minimum rebid	16 or less HCP
Jump rebid	16-18 HCP
Cuebid	19+ HCP, game forcing
Pass	Penality (Rare)

Defense to Weak Two Bids

Bid	Meaning
Double	Takeout, 14+ HCP, 4+ cards for unbid suits (suit with honors may have 3 cards, but usually 4 cards for unbid major). If partner has some length in enemy suit, may convert to a penalty double. (8-11, 4+ cards on opener's suit and no other suit to bid) - With 0-7 HCP, advancer bids at 2 level if possible. Otherwise bid 2NT (Lebensohl). - A jump to the three level is game forcing (opening hand strength) - A minimum response at the three level promises 8-11 HCP. - 3NT: 12+ HCP, 4+ cards in opener's suit has stopper, no other 4+ cards suit. Doubler Rebid New suit promised 5+ cards with qaulity.
Minimum Overcall	10-18 HCP, 5+ cards. In case of 5 cards, must be good suit. With 19+ HCP, 5 cards, double then rebid the suit.
Jump Overcall	16+ HCP, 6+ cards.
2NT	16-18 HCP, balance hand, has stopper in opponent's suit.
3NT	21-22 HCP, balance hand, has stopper in opponent's suit. With 19-20 HCP or 23+ HCP, double then bid 2NT or 3NT.
Cuebid	Strong hand, 7 plus running tricks. forcing. Ask partner to bid 3NT if has stopper in opponent's suit.

Lebebsohl after Weak Two Bids

After a takeout double for weak two, if partner has 0-7 HCP, bid 2NT. Doubler bids 3C and and pass for any correction.

Defense to Weak Three Bids

Bid	Meaning
Double	Takeout, 13HCP+, 4+ card for unbid suits (suit with honors may have 3 cards, but usually 4 cards for unbid major). Perhaps a little less in the passout seat.
Minimum Overcall	10-15 HCP, 6+/7+ cards (Non-Vul/Vul). 6-7 winning tricks, non-forcing
Jump Overcall	12+ HCP, 8+ cards, self sufficient hand.9+ winning tricks or 2-3 losing tricks.
3NT	17+ HCP, has stopper in the opener's suit and a good minor suit.
Cuebid	17+ HCP, Micheals (Two unbid majors or one unbid majors and one minors).

Balancing

Eg. (1♠)-Pass-(Pass)-?

Those made in the passout seat - mean much the same as their direct-seat counterparts, bu can be lighter:

A balancing bid of 1NT shows 12-14 HCP.
A balancing bid of 2NT shows 19-21 HCP.

Notes:

Bidding other that those listed in the page may not be implemented for the robot.
The page will be updated after robot has been modified and tested to be stable.
The system is mainly based on the book "Standard Bidding System" written by Ned Downey & Ellen Pomer.

Last modified at 23-Mar-2023 by WeWeWeb.