The Kokish Relay

How to bid 6S with following hand?  ♠ AKJ2 ♥ A105 ♦AKQ2    ♣AK with pardner hand ♠ Q876 ♥ Q2 ♦3 ♣ 1096432

	Open 3NT with a big hand? – don't be silly.
	What is 3NT in the sequence 2♣ - 2♦ - 3NT? Answer – a very silly bid!
	You hold one of these hands and partner opens 3NT (25+) . Or else it goes 2♣ - 2♦ - 3NT to show 25+.
	Hand A Hand B Should you pass or bid Stayman with Hand A? Should you pass or transfer with Hand B? ♠ 8632 ♠ 86532 Obviously it's a complete lottery and most players past the beginner's stage play have some way to show the big balanced hand below the level of 3NT (Benjamin twos, Multi 2♦ or Kokish). ♥ 4 ♥ 74 ♦ J872 ♦ J872 ♣ 843 ♣ 843
	Traditionally 3NT here (and/or an opening of 3NT) are used to show very big balanced hands, 25+ points. But there is absolutely no doubt that this is very silly as it inhibits the use of transfers/Stayman/Baron whatever by a very weak responder. One solution is to also play 2♦ as also a strong bid (or else Multi with a strong balanced hand included) so that the sequence 2♦ - 2♥ - 2NT shows 25+. However, many players, especially from America , are not enlightened enough to play two strong artificial bids. But if you play 2♣ as your only strong bid then one North American player has actually come up with a scheme to solve the problem: –
	The Kokish relay : -
	After a strong 2♣ and 2♦ response (negative or waiting – however you play it) Then 2♥ = either natural with a ♥ suit or 25+ balanced. Responder then always bids 2♠ (the Kokish relay which says nothing at all) and – Opener then defines his hand: 2NT = 25+ balanced Any other bid = strong ♥ opener.
	Note that the Kokish relay works fine with 2♦ waiting/2♥ negative when responder bids 2♦ but when responder bids 2♥ (totally bust) then there is a problem. But at least the Kokish relay solves the problem most of the time. If you want to solve it completely then play Benjamin twos or the Multi 2♦ or play 2♦ negative to 2♣.
	For details of Benjamin twos or the Multi 2♦, refer to the link.
	And what should a 3NT opening mean? Have a look at the Gambling 3NT.

Walsh Diamond (Walsh Responses)

Walsh Diamond (Walsh Responses) - Outside the Walsh system, after partner opens 1 Club most players bid four card suits "up the line" looking for a major suit 8+ card fit.  Not necessarily so with the Walsh Diamond where opener begins by showing a 4 card major with a minimum hand.  The Walsh philosophy is, "Immediately bid your major suit with a minimum hand; with game-going values and a long Diamond suit, only then should you begin with the 1 Diamond response and belatedly rebid a major suit on your own.  When responder does not hold a 4 card major, Walsh players respond 1 Notrump with 8-10 points; otherwise respond 1 Diamond with a balanced hand and less than a reasonable 6- 8 point hand.

  Using the Walsh 1 Diamond approach then, after 1C by opener and 1D by responder, opener need not rebid a 4 card major (unless they hold an unbalanced hand).  Accordingly, opener can simply rebid Notrump with a balanced hand.

Bid	Meaning
1C - 1D; 1N - P;	After responder bids 1D, opener assumes responder does not hold a 4 card major and bypasses a 4 card major (perhaps 4=3=2=4 shape).  Holding minimum values and a balanced hand, responder passes.  With an unbalanced hand, responder rebids a minor suit.
1C - 1D; 1N - 2S;	Holding 4=2=5=2 with opening hand or better, begin by bidding 1D, rebidding a major suit with game-going values (make a "reverse" rebid of a 4 card major if necessary, 2S here should opener rebid 1N)
1C - 1D; 1H - 1S;	After responder bids 1D, opener rebid of a major signifies an unbalanced hand (say 2=4=2=5).  Should responder rebid 1S, the bid shows an opening hand with 4 Spades and 4+ Diamonds (responder's 1 Spade bid is natural and game forcing).
1C - 1D; 1S - 2S	Opener's hand is unbalanced, rebidding 1S. Responder's rebid agreements vary depending on partnership understandings: 1. Responder's 2S bid is a signoff bid with minimum values, and unbalanced hand and only 3 card Spade support (perhaps 3=3=6=1 shape).  With a minimum hand and 4 Spades, responder would have initially bid 1S. 2. Responder 2S bid is invitational, show 11 points and 3 card support

In summary, after opener begins 1C and responder bids 1D, with a balanced hand opener rebids 1N - bypassing a 4 card major suit.  If responder has a good 12+ point hand, responder will rebid a 4 card major (check-back bid).

Note: on the ACBL Convention Card, the players check "Frequently bypasses 4+ Diamonds."

Some play after responder begins with a 4 card major and jump rebids 3D, the bid shows a weaker unbalanced hand with a 4 card major and 6+ card minor:

Bid	Meaning
1C - 1H; 1N - 3D	Holding a 1=4=6=2 minimum hand, responder still bypasses 1D, rebidding 3D as a signoff bid.  Unlike other methods, responder's jump rebid is a conventional signoff bid.  Responder's 2D rebid would also be conventional (New Minor Forcing, Checkback Stayman, X-Y-Z, etc).
1C - 1H; 1N - 2D	In lieu of the above methods, some others prefer to rebid only 2D  to handle the above situation (4 card major, 5+ Diamonds and a weak hand).  However, this approach negates conventions like New Minor Forcing, 2C Checkback Stayman, etc.

Losing-Trick Count

Basic counting method

The estimated number of losing tricks (losers) in one's hand is determined by examining each suit and assuming that an ace will never be a loser, nor will a king in a 2+ card suit, nor a queen in a 3+ card suit; accordingly

a void = 0 losing tricks.
a singleton other than an A = 1 losing trick.
a doubleton AK = 0; Ax, Kx or KQ = 1; xx = 2 losing tricks.
a three card suit AKQ = 0; AKx, AQx or KQx = 1 losing trick.
a three card suit Axx, Kxx or Qxx = 2; xxx = 3 losing tricks.

It is also assumed that no suit can have more than 3 losing tricks and so suits longer than three cards are judged according to their three highest cards. It follows that hands without an A, K or Q have a maximum of 12 losers but may have fewer depending on shape, eg. ♠ J x x x ♥ J x x ♦ J x x ♣ J x x has 12 losers (3 in each suit), whereas ♠ x x x x x ♥ — ♦ x x x x ♣ x x x x has only 9 losers (3 in all suits except the void which counts no losers).

Until further information is derived from the bidding, it is assumed that a typical opening hand by partner contains 7 losers, eg. ♠ A K x x x ♥ A x x x ♦ Q x ♣ x x, has 7 losers (1 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 7).

To determine how high to bid, responder adds the number of losers in his hand to the assumed number in opener's hand (7); the total number of losers arrived at by this sum is subtracted from 24 and the result is estimated to be the total number of tricks available to the partnership.

Thus following an opening bid of 1♥, partner jumps to game in 4♥ with no more than 7 losers in his own hand and a fit with partner's heart suit (7 + 7 = 14 subtract from 24 = 10 tricks).
With 8 losers in hand and a fit, responder bids 3♥ (8 + 7 = 15 subtract from 24 = 9 tricks).
With 9 losers and a fit, responder bids 2♥ (9 + 7 = 16 subtract from 24 = 8 tricks).
With only 5 losers and a fit (5 + 7 = 12 subtract from 24 = 12 tricks), a slam is possible so responder may bid straight to 6♥ if preemptive bidding seems appropriate or take a slower forcing approach.

Refinements

Thinking that the method tended to overvalue unsupported queens and undervalue supported jacks, Eric Crowhurst and Andrew Kambites refined the scale as follows:

AQ doubleton = ½ loser according to Ron Klinger.
Kx doubleton = 1½ losers according to others.
AJ10 = 1 loser.
Qxx = 3 losers (or possibly 2.5) unless trumps.
Subtract a loser if there is a known 9-card trump fit.

In his book The Modern Losing Trick Count, Ron Klinger advocates adjusting the number of loser based on the control count of the hand believing that the basic method undervalues an ace but overvalues a queen and undervalues short honor combinations such as Qx or a singleton king. Also it places no value on cards jack or lower.

New Losing Trick Count (NLTC)

Recent insights on these issues have led to the New Losing Trick Count (Bridge World, 2003). For more precision this count utilises the concept of half-losers and, more importantly, distinguishes between 'ace-losers', 'king-losers' and 'queen-losers':

a missing Ace = three half losers.
a missing King = two half losers.
a missing queen = one half loser.

A typical opening bid is assumed to have 15 or fewer half losers (i.e. half a loser more than in the basic LTC method). NLTC differs from LTC also in the fact that it utilises a value of 25 (instead of 24) in determining the trick taking potential of two partnering hands. Hence, in NLTC the expected number of tricks equates to 25 minus the sum of the losers in the two hands (i.e. half the sum of the half losers of both hands). So, 15 half-losers opposite 15 half-losers leads to 25-(15+15)/2 = 10 tricks.

The NLTC solves the problem that the basic LTC method underestimates the trick taking potential by one on hands with a balance between 'ace-losers' and 'queen-losers'. For instance, the LTC can never predict a grand slam when both hands are 4333 distribution.

The NLTC also helps to prevent overstatement on hands which are missing aces.

Second round bids

Whichever method is being used, the bidding need not stop after the opening bid and the response. Assuming opener bids 1♥ and partner responds 2♥; opener will know from this bid that partner has 9 losers (using basic LTC), if opener has 5 losers rather than the systemically assumed 7, then the calculation changes to (5 + 9 = 14 deducted from 24 = 10) and game becomes apparent!
[edit] Limitations of the method

All LTC methods are only valid if trump fit (4-4, 5-3 or better) is evident and, even then, care is required to avoid counting double values in the same suit e.g. KQxx (1 loser in LTC) opposite a singleton x (also 1 loser in LTC).

Regardless which hand evaluation is used (HCP, LTC, NLTC, etc.) without the partners exchanging information about specific suit strengths and suit lengths, a suboptimal evaluation of the trick taking potential of the combined hands will often result.

Inverted Minors

In inverted minor raises, the responses to the opening of a minor suit are reversed:

1D p 2D

-- 10 HCP and up, WITH NO 4 CARD MAJOR.
This bid is forcing for 1 round, but NOT beyond 3 of the agreed suit.
Also, you must not then bid 2NT with 13, as responder, as this is NOT forcing.

1D p 3D

-- 5-9 hcp, also NO 4 CARD MAJOR. To make this bid one must have at least 5 diamonds, but in clubs one should have 5. It is also recommended that one have no 4 major suit cards.

REBIDS BY OPENER

With balanced 12-13 hcp, and BOTH majors stopped, bid 2NT. Responder, with minimum, may pass or bid 3 of anchor suit, especially if they do NOT have a stopper in the unbid minor suit.
With other minimum balanced hands, bid stoppers up the line. If responder rebids 2NT or 3 of agreed suit, pass.
If responder bids suit below 3 of the agreed suit, consider that a stopper, but do not go beyond 3 of the agreed suit as
the game force needs to be established by responder.
With unbalanced hand and 12-13 HCP, bid 3 in anchor suit in an attempt to preempt the opponents just in case responder is also a minimum.
If responder forces action beyond 3 of agreed suit, it shows 13+ HCP and is game forcing.
If responder forces action beyond 3NT, it shows interest in slam.
With balanced 14-15 HCP, and hand good enough for game, temporize by showing a stopper, but be sure that 3NT or 4 of the anchor suit is reached. Responder may bid 3 of agreed suit to show long trumps with minimum values or cue bid a new suit at the 2 or 3 level to show stopper and make a 3NT game try.

If Opener has interest in SLAM, begin cue bidding and continue beyond attempt by responder to sign off at part score or 3NT.

Jump shift

is a "splinter", and shows a singleton or void in the suit jumped into.

Double jump shift

is control asking bid - 1 step = no control;
2 steps = 2nd round control (singleton or KQ, because with Kx you bid NT, which does NOT count as a step);
3 steps = first round control (Ace or void, with poor trump length); 4 steps = absolute control (void, or singleton Ace with adequate trump support or AK). Repeat of asking bid asks 3rd round control specifically. 1 step = no controls; 2 steps = doubleton; 3 steps = Qxx or better. Jump to 4 in agreed suit = Roman Keycard Blackwood - follow usual step responses.

UDCA

Upside Down Count and Attitude (UDCA) - Inverting the "standard" meanings and depending on whether count or attitude signals are appropriate:

Attitude signals:

A high-low signal shows negative attitude

A low-high signal shows a positive attitude

Examples: Partner leads a SK, obviously the top of a sequence. Partner signals:

Low-High shows interest in the suit, or no interest in switching to another suit

High-low shows disinterest in the suit, requesting leader to switch to another suit

Conditions for attitude signals:

One partner leads the suit, other partner follows playing to the trick

Either side leads a suit, partner is void, discarding in a side suit

When the value of providing attitude signals to partner exceeds the value to Declarer

Also see Smith Echo

Count signals:

High-low shows an odd number of cards in the suit

Low-high shows an even number of cards in the suit

Conditions for count signals:

Opponent leads a suit

One partner leads the suit, other partner follows playing to the trick (although most players show attitude signals in this scenario)

When the value of providing count signals to partner exceeds the value to declarer

Smith Echo

Used when opponents are playing a Notrump contract, a discard signal indicating attitude of partner's opening lead. The discard signal is provided by the partner of the leader at the first opportunity, typically after declarer has won the trick. The play of a low spot card signals a discouragement while a high card provides a positive signal to continue the suit of the opening leader.

Reverse Bergen Raise

In the game of bridge, Bergen raises specify a conventional treatment of raising a major suit opening in a five-card major system . This convention is named after Marty Bergen, the developer of this treatment.

When Bergen raises are used, over a 1♥ (1♠) opening the bids of 3♣, 3♦ and 3♥ (3♠) all denote a four (or more) card trump support on hands of variable high card strength:

3♣ – invitational to game (typically 11-12 high card points)
3♦ – weak (typically 7-10 high card points)
3♥/3♠ – very weak (preemptive, typically less than 7 high-card points and four card support)
4♥/4♠ – very weak (preemptive, typically less than 7 high-card points and five card support)


Bergen raises are designed to take advantage of the Law of total tricks, which states that with nine trumps one should compete at the three-level regardless of high card strength.

Reverse Bergen off after interfer except double.

Lebensohl

Lebensohl - A comprehensive arsenal of bids designed to handle several difficult auctions, including:

1.	Opponent interferes with an opening Notrump auction
2.	Opponent makes an opening preemptive weak 2 bid
3.	Opener has made a 2 level reverse bid and responder has a weak hand

George Boehm originally attributed the convention resolving opponent's notrump interference to Ken Lebensold, who did not wish to take credit for the convention nor request the proper spelling of his name.

Partnership agreement needed:

1. Most play "systems on" over opponents' double: 1N - (X) - ?    Stayman, Jacoby Transfer, etc still on
2. Most play "systems on" over opponents' 2C overcall: 1N - (2C) - ?         Jacoby Transfer, etc still on
3. Basic Lebensohl suggests responder's double of opponents' 2D+ level or above overcall is for penalty, as:
    1N - (2D) - X
    Many advanced Lebensohl players prefer to play responder's double of opponents' overcall is a negative
    double for "takeout", as:
    1N - (2S) - X               Some partnerships play takeout at the 2 level, some at the 3 level but not the 2 level

Note - partner naming conventions seem reversed in Lebensohl discussions when overcaller Doubles.  After partner of the Doubler bids 2 Notrump, it is the Doubler who is known as the "Responder" (of the 2 Notrump bid); accordingly, the 2 Notrump bidding becomes known as the "Advancer".

Opponent interferes with an opening Notrump auction, as: 1N - (2D) - ?

Assuming overcaller has made a 2 level overcall, Lebensohl allows responder to clarify holdings as: signoff, invitational, forcing one round, game forcing.  Lebensohl also allows responder to show or deny a stopper.  Lastly, Lebensohl has a Stayman-like bidding sequence.  Generally, Lebensohl bidding is based on:

Immediate direct cuebids or jump bid denies a stopper ("fast denies"), while smaller incremental bids show a stopper ("slow shows").  These bids are game forcing.

After advancer (responder) bids 2 Notrump, the opener is forced to bid 3C unless opponent makes an intervening call.  Follow-up bids will indicate the nature of Advancer's hand.

When advancer makes a direct suit overcall at the 3 level, the bid is game forcing.  Thus, Lebensohl does not facilitate responder/advancer invitational bids in a suit below the overcalling opponent.  Experience shows the responder should initially pass (or double for penalty if their system permits), anticipating the 1 Notrump opener will make a suit bid showing a 5 card suit or make a reopening double which permits responder to make a belated call.

When responder bids at the 2 level or advances with 2 Notrump followed by a lower ranking suit than the overcalling opponent,  advancer's suit rebid is signoff.

When advancer bids 2 Notrump and opener puppets to 3C, then Advancer's 3 level bids above the opponents' bid suit are invitational.

1N - (X) - ?
Response	Meaning
2C	Stayman (many play systems on over opponent's Double)
2D/H/etc	5+ card suit (assuming partnership plays "systems on," advancer's (responder's) bid shows the next higher suit), i.e. Jacoby Transfer
XX	Redouble is typically "SOS", forcing opener to bid 2C, advancer will Pass (showing Clubs and weak hand) or correct to 2D
Pass	Typically "to play" (no desire to escape overcaller's penalty double) Note: some weak Notrump opener's prefer to play responder's Pass forces opener to Redouble; this allows responder to Pass penalizing overcaller (or hope opponent's will make a call) or responder may bid a longish suit after opener's Redouble.
1N - (2C) - ?
Response	Meaning
X	Typically Stayman (systems on over opponent's 2C overcall)
2D/H/etc	5+ card suit (next higher suit), i.e. Jacoby Transfer
Pass	If opponent's 2C overcall is natural, Pass is "to play". If conventional, Responder may follow up with a natural non-forcing bid
2N	Advancer forces opener to puppet to 3C.  Advancer's rebid above overcaller's suit is invitational
3x	Advancer's 3 level suit overcall is game forcing
1N - (2D) - ?
Response	Meaning
Double	Penalty (however many advanced players now play this as a  Negative Double for "takeout")
2H/S	5+ card suit, to play
2N	Advancer forces opener to puppet to 3C. Advancer rebid above overcaller's suit is invitational
3x	Advancer's 3 level suit overcall is game forcing
1N - (2D) - ?
2N	2N by responder forces opener to relay to 3C.  After 1N - (2x) - 2N - (P);           3C
1N - (2D) - 2N - (P); 3C -  (P)  - ?       Responder rebids:
	Pass is to play.  Responder is showing 5+ Clubs
	3D (cuebid) is game forcing with Diamond stopper ("slow shows") and a 4 card major
	3H/S, 5 card suit and invitational hand; advancer would have made an immediate 3 level call to show game forcing values
	3N, "to play" with stopper in Diamonds ("slow shows");  without a stopper, advancer would make an immediate 3 Notrump call (ostensibly showing a half-stopper or willingness to play in 4 of a minor suit)
1N - (2D) - ?      Responder direct jump bids (without going through 2N) are game forcing:
3C	Game forcing with Club suit
3D	Game forcing with a 4 card major and no stopper in Diamonds - "fast denies"
3H/S	Game forcing with Hearts/Spades
3N	Game forcing and no stopper in opponent's suit ("fast denies")
1N - (2H) - ?      Responder's 2 level suit bids are to play (non-forcing), 2N forces 3C with                            advancer's follow-up bid is either "to play", "Stayman" invite, or show stopper                            (further details follow below)
Double	Penalty (however many advanced players now play this as a  Negative Double for "takeout")
2S	5+ card suit, to play
2N	2N by responder forces opener to relay to 3C.  After 1N - (2H) - 2N - (P);           3C -  (P)  - ?
1N - (2H) - 2N - (P); 3C -  (P)  - ?
	Pass is to play, showing 5+ Clubs (indirectly bidding a lower suit at the 3 level)
	3D is to play, showing 5+ Diamonds (indirectly bidding a lower suit at the 3 level)
	3H is Stayman (showing 4 Spades), showing a stopper
	3S is invitational, showing 5+ Spades  (indirectly bidding a higher suit at the 3 level)
	3N is to play, showing a stopper (indirectly bidding 3N)
3C/D	Invitational, showing 5+ Clubs/Diamonds
3H	Stayman (showing 4 Spades), denying a stopper
3S	Game forcing, showing 5 Spades (jump bid)
3N	Game forcing, denying a stopper ("direct denies")

Opponent makes a preemptive weak 2 bid, with overcaller Doubling

Overcalling partner's 2 level bid is to play

Overcalling partner's 2 Notrump shows a 1 Notrump opener with stoppers in opponents' suit

When overcalling partner makes a takeout Double, with less than 7 points advancer wishes to make a signoff bid involving the Lebensohl 2 Notrump bid.

As before, when opponent overcalls partner's 1 Notrump bid, Lebensohl may be used after opponent opens preemptively with a weak 2 bid and partner doubles. This treatment allows responder to clarify holdings including: signoff, invitational, forcing one round, game forcing.  Similarly, Lebensohl here allows  partner of the Doubler to show or deny a stopper, and continues to allow a Stayman-like bidding sequences.  As we have seen before, Lebensohl bidding is based on:

(2D) - X - (P) - ?

Immediate direct cuebids or jump bid denies a stopper ("fast denies"), while smaller incremental bids show a stopper ("slow shows").  These bids are game forcing.

(2D) - X - (P) - 3D

After partner's Double, the 2 Notrump bid asks opener to bid 3C; however here overcaller may have 17+ points and choose not to accept the 3C puppet transfer.  "Disobedient" follow-up bids show the true nature of overcaller's hand, typically forcing game.

(2D) - X - (P) - 2N;
(P) - 3C                       Acceptance, willingness to play

(2D) - X - (P) - 2N;
(P) - 3D/H/S/N           Overcaller has strong interest in game, denying
                                   Advancer's captaincy

Advancer's lowest level bids, those made at the 2 level or beneath 3 of the opponent's bid suit after Responder's 2 Notrump "puppet" are signoff bids.

(2D) - X - (P) - 3C

When Responder bids 2 Notrump and Advancer puppets to 3C, Advancer's 3 level bids above the opponent's bid suit are invitational.

(2D) - X - (P) - 2N;
(P) - 3C - (P) - 3H

Also see Convention Card Instructions

(2H) -  X  - (P) - 2N;      (P)  - 3C - (P) - ?;    Advancer Bid After Bidding 2N relay and Responder's 3C response * See Note
	Pass, to play showing 5+ Clubs
	3H is Stayman, game forcing with stopper ("slow shows")
	3S is game forcing showing Spades (overcaller bids 3 Notrump or 4 Spades)
	3N shows a stopper without fewer than 4 Spades
	* Note: with a strong 17+ point hand, Doubler may deny Responder's 3C bid request after 2N and bid naturally to show extra values.
(2H) -  X  - (P) - ?;     Advancer direct bids without going through 2N show 7+ points (forcing)
3C/D	7-10 points with 5+ Clubs/Diamonds
3H	Stayman, 7+ points and no stopper ("fast denies")
3S	5 Spades, game forcing offering choice of 4S or 3 Notrump
3N	Game values without major suit trump support - "fast denies" stopper

 Opener has made a 2 level reverse bid as:

1D - 1S;
2H - ?

Opener makes a reverse bid showing 17+ points - a 2 level rebid of a rank higher than the 1 level opening bid (assuming responder's bid did not break the 2 level barrier). The responder now has a difficult bidding decision, particularly with minimum hand.   Perhaps the responder only had 5 points with a fair 5 card major suit, evaluating the hand a 6 points adding 1 distribution point.  From the Responder's perspective, game is quite unlikely so responder has interest to signoff below game.  Here, the Lebensohl treatment handles opener's reverse bid, again using responder's 2 Notrump bid (except 2 of opposite major, bidding the fourth suit used when opener bidding begins 1C and rebids 2D):

Bidding	Meaning
1C - 1S; 2H - 2N; 3C - 3S	2N requests opener to bid 3C, allowing responder to make a signoff bid.
1C - 1S; 2H - ?	Bidding 2S, 3C, or 3D are all game forcing constructive bids.
1C - 1S; 2D - 2H	Bidding 2 of opposite major after opener's 1C -> 2D rebid is Lebensohl. Responder's 2H (fourth suit) is equivalent to 2N in other auctions where opener reverses - in essence, responder cheaper bid of fourth suit or 2N is Lebensohl.
1C - 1H; 2D - 2S	Same as above.   Bidding 2 of opposite major after opener's 1C -> 2D rebid is Lebensohl. Responder's 2S (fourth suit) is equivalent to 2N in other auctions where opener reverses - in essence, responder cheaper bid of fourth suit or 2N is Lebensohl.
1C - 1H; 2D - ?	Similarly, any bid other than the Lebensohl 2S (fourth suit - opposite major) is game forcing.  So if responder bids 2N instead of the fourth suit, the 2N bid is game forcing.  Ditto when responder rebids 2H or any other bid.

Negative free bid

Negative free bid is a bridge convention (or, more accurately, a treatment) whereby a free bid by responder over an opponent's overcall is not forcing, and just shows a long suit in a weak hand. This is in contrast with standard treatment, where a free bid can show unlimited values and is unconditionally forcing. The treatment is a relatively recent invention, and has become quite popular, especially in expert circles.
Negative free bids are supposed to solve relatively frequent situations where the responder holds a long suit with which he would like to compete for a partscore, but is deprived from bidding it by opponent's overcall. For example, if South holds:♠ 86 ♥ KJ10852 ♦ K6 ♣ 532, partner opens 1♦ and East overcalls 1♠, he couldn't bid 2♥ in standard methods, as it would show 10+ high-card points, and a negative double would be too off-shape. With NFB treatment in effect though, he can bid 2♥ which the partner may pass (unless he has extra values and support, or an excellent suit of its own without tolerance for hearts).
However, as a corollary, negative free bids affect the scope of negative double; if the hand is suitable for "standard" forcing free bid (10-11+ points), a negative double has to be made first and the suit bid only in the next round. Thus, the negative double can be made with the following types of hand:

• A weakish hand with unbid suits (unbid major)
• A stronger hand with unbid suits
• A strong (opening bid or more) one-suited hand.

This can sometimes allow the opponents to preempt effectively.

Responder's new-suit bid is NOT a NFB if the bid is made:

• At a level of 3H or higher. If partner opens 1S and your RHO overcalls 3D, no Negative Freebid is available; your new-suit bid of 3H or 4C is forcing.
• At the one-level. Responder's new-suit bid at the one-level carries the standard meaning. After 1D by partner, 1H by RHO, a freebid of 1S is unlimited, showing 6+ points and a 5+-card suit (since you would make a negative double if you held only 4 spades).

Roman Key-Card Blackwood (RKCB)

RKCB is used after you and partner have agreed on a trump suit. Your auction must have confirmed support for a suit -- or one of you must have shown great length in the suit -- before you can assume that 4NT is Key-Card Blackwood. This is one of the most difficult aspects of RKCB to handle, so it's important for a partnership to discuss what types of auctions will confirm a trump suit.
If you bid 4NT directly over a 1-level opening bid, it's most valuable to use this as just "regular" Blackwood. No suit has been raised, so opener's response shows only the number of aces.
If you have an agreed trump suit, the responses to 4NT give information about 5 key cards -- the 4 aces, plus the king of the agreed trump suit. The meanings of responses to 4NT are:

• 5C -- 0 or 3 key cards
• 5D -- 1 or 4 key cards
• 5H -- 2 key cards, but no queen of trumps
• 5S -- 2 key cards WITH the queen of trumps
• 5NT -- 2 or 4 key cards AND a useful void
• 6 of a non-trump suit -- 1 or 3 key cards and a void in that suit (this is only used if the void suit can be shown below 6 of your trump suit)
• 6 of the agreed trump suit --1 or 3 key cards and a void in a higher-ranking suit

Finding outside kings

After a 5C, 5D, 5H or 5S response, the Blackwooder can bid 5NT to ask about the number of kings you hold. Since you've already shown (or denied) the trump king, you don't count this when you make your 6-level response to the king-ask. The steps are 6C (no outside kings), 6D (1 king), 6H (2 kings), 6S (3 kings).
If the Blackwooder uses the 5NT king-ask, he guarantees that your side has all five key cards and he promises interest in a grand slam. If you have significant extra strength or an undisclosed source of tricks (a solid side suit, for example), you can accept the grand-slam try immediately (without answering number of kings) by jumping to 7 of your suit.

Finding the trump queen

If responder has 2 key cards, his bid of 5H or 5S will also tell you if he holds the trump queen. You can also get this information after a 5C or 5D response. To do this, the Blackwooder bids the cheapest step (5D over a 5C response, 5H over 5D).
If the Blackwooder uses this step to ask and you do not have the trump queen, you retreat to 5 of your agreed suit. If you do have the queen, you bid the cheapest suit where you have a king.
After you bid your cheapest king, if the Blackwooder has room (and is interested in a grand slam), he can bid a new suit to ask if you have a king in that suit, too.
Here's an example auction:

   AK943                              Q876
   AQ1043                             K5
   A2                                 K1043
   4                                  AJ5 

  Opener:                             Responder:                             
    1S                                 2NT (forcing spade raise)
    4NT (How many key cards?)          5D (I have 1 or 4 key cards for a spade slam.)  
    5H (Do you have the spade queen?)  6D (I have the spade queen AND the diamond
                                         king, but I don't have the club king.)
    6H (I need the heart king.)        7S (I have the heart king, too.)
    Pass (Yay!)

NOTE:

There are several variations of RKCB responses. The "standard" treatments are the 5C, 5D, 5H and 5S responses, and the Blackwooder's use of the cheapest suit to ask about the trump queen. However, some pairs use different responses to show voids and to answer the queen-ask. Also, some pairs bid specific kings (instead of using the steps) when the Blackwooder uses the 5NT king-ask. You should go over these parts of RKCB with your partner to be sure you're both playing it the same way.

XYZ Convention

XYZ Convention - XYZ, meaning 3 successive partnership bids beneath the 2 level is a forcing conventional bid (similar to New Minor Forcing and Checkback Stayman methods).  Like similar conventional bids, opener's artificial "Z" call in the XYZ sequence is alertable.  XYZ allows the partnership to explore game using low level bids and efficiently find suit fits.  Generally, the XYZ Convention is "on" when responder's rebid options include both minor suits (2C and 2D).  The XYZ Convention has 10 possible unimpeded bidding sequences:

1C - 1D; 1H	1C - 1D; 1S	1C - 1D; 1N	1C - 1H; 1S	1C - 1H; 1N
1C - 1S; 1N	1D - 1H; 1S	1D - 1H; 1N	1D - 1S; 1N	1H - 1S; 1N

If the opposition enter the auction, XYZ is still on in 1 level auctions, such as:

1C - (X) - XX - (1H/S); 1S/N

1D - (1H/S) - X - (P); 1N

1D - (P) - 1H - (1S); X   Still on if Support Dbl

After XYZ is invoked by opener, responder's bids are:

Response	Meaning
2C	Requests opener to bid 2D which responder may pass or follow up with an invitational bid
2D	Game forcing, responder's hand pattern not yet disclosed, leaving an abundance of bidding space
2H/S	Showing a signoff bid, except opener's reverse: 1H followed by 2S
2N	Inviting 3N
3C	Showing a signoff bid
3D/H/S	Game forcing, shape showing

Keri NT series

从本期开始根据Ron Klinger先生的“Bid Better Much Better"的思想并结合实例对Keri一无将体系做一些详细讨论。
需要说明的是，本帖讨论的前提和牌例是自然叫牌法的15-17点强无将开叫。

一。体系产生的背景
在一无将开叫后，最常用的约定叫莫过于stayman(斯台曼). 请看2000年百慕大杯上挪威对法国的一副牌：
牌例（1）
      西       东                             叫牌过程         西     东
     S   Q 7 2       J 9 5 3                               1NT     2C（Stayman)
    H   A K T 6       J 7 5 4                             2H     3H
    D   Q 9 8 2     A 3                                    PASS
    C   A 7         Q J 8

东在找到4-4配合的H后做出3H邀叫很正常，可不幸北持HQ，挪威和法国开闭室的定约一样，不可避免地下一。问题出在哪里？我们能怪东持9点并有一门边花双张不该邀叫吗？

也许有些牌友会说，这样的问题无法解决，在实战中无非双方彼此彼此，是成是宕大家都一样。这种观点虽然不能说错，但未免过于宿命论了。深入分析一下，我们不禁要问：能否找到一种办法，使类似的邀叫在2阶就显示出来而不必上3阶？

牌例（2）
    西       东                 叫牌过程     西       东
  S   K Q J 2     8 6 3                   1NT     2C
  H Q 7 4       A K J 5                  2S       2NT
  D A K 4       9 6 3 2    
  C T 9 5       J 7

只要敌方的C不是4-4，2NT定约宕的机会极大。可看出，这副牌的定约若选择2H或2S则机会大的多。问题是：通过标准的Stayman后能找到4-3配的2阶高花定约吗？

再来看另一个常用的约定叫——转移叫。
目 前在许多专家中流行4花色转移叫, 即开叫1NT后，2D-2H, 2H-2S, 2S-3C，2NT-3D均是转移叫，那么自然的2NT邀叫要通过1NT-2C-2X-2NT的途径来显示，即通过Stayman后再叫出2NT的应叫人 并不保证有4张高花，而仅表示3nt邀叫。 但这样的过程往往给防守方提供的信息太多有利于敌方防守。

牌例（3）  
  西     东                                        叫牌过程     西         东
S J 6         K Q 7 4 2                                      1NT     2H(转移）
H J 9 6       8                                                    2S       3NT
D A J 7       K Q 4                                           PASS
C A K Q 7 2   8 6 5 3    

叫牌过程看上去没问题，可如何能发现H上的漏洞？ 3NT能打吗？

牌例（4）来自哈曼-索罗威百慕大上的一副牌：
  哈曼                     叫牌过程       索罗威      哈曼
S Q                                                 1NT     2D(转移）
H A K T 9 8                                     2H        2NT.......
D T 7 6 2
C   T 9 5
如果你现在坐在哈曼的位置上，如果同伴PASS你的2NT或加叫到3NT,你对敌方对S的进攻会感到放心吗？

这些问题充分暴露了传统一无将后续叫牌手段上的弱点。不论问题发生在百慕大杯上还是在sectiona或regional的比赛上，其实质特征都是相同的。

二. 体系的基本结构
我们先来简要回顾一下标准叫牌法对一无将开叫的后续叫牌手段。
当同伴开叫1NT(15-17点）后，采用目前标准的方法，应叫方根据自己的牌情通常有以下选择：
（1）0-7点的弱牌：
均型牌，pass； 非均型牌选择一个5张以上高花或6张以上低花的部分定约。用通常的转移叫手段，高花可以停在2阶，但低花通常就必须上3阶了，因此不主张选择5张低花套的部分定约。
（2）8-9点的邀叫牌：
均型牌：根据是否打4花色转移叫而直接采用2NT邀叫或先Stayman后再2NT邀叫；
有4张高花套的非均型牌，通过Stayman来寻找是否有高花配合，然后根据是否有高花配合再叫3阶高花或再叫2NT邀叫；
有5张高花的均型牌，2阶转移到该高花后再叫2NT；
有6张以上高花，2阶转移到该高花后再加叫到3阶；
有6张以上低花，这时如何表示邀叫需要搭档之间一些特殊约定，如不通过转移而直接在3阶叫低花等。
（3）成局牌力：
均型牌，直接叫3NT；
通过stayman寻找是否有高花配合后再叫4阶高花或3NT；
通过转移叫显示5张高花后再叫3NT，或再叫第2套4张以上新花逼叫；
通过德克萨斯转移叫直接在4阶叫出6张以上高花；
通过低花转移后再叫4张高花，等等。
（4）试探满贯以上牌力：
均型牌可通过4NT示量邀叫或4C的格勃问叫，而非均型牌则需要搭档之间许多约定加上默契的和配合。

好了，言归正传，我们的KERI一无将体系是如何来表示应叫者这些牌情的呢？

-- 0-7点弱牌：均型或半均型pass；有5张高花通过2D或2H转移到2阶高花，与标准方法完全一样，没什么特别

-- 1NT-2C： 这是一个最常用的叫品，2C在此不是Stayman, 而是一个傀儡叫（puppet)或称接力叫,要求开叫者接力到2D, 而开叫者必须无条件再叫2D, 等待应叫者的第2次再叫来澄清其牌情：
（1）1NT-2C-2D-PASS: 持5张以上方块套的弱牌，不愿意打1NT定约。能打2D定约是该体系的一个优势；
（2）1NT-2C-2D-2H或2S: 持4-5张高花的邀叫牌力，开叫者根据自己牌情可pass，定约停在2阶高花上；
（3）1NT-2C-2D-3C或3D：持6张C或D的邀叫牌力，开叫者可根据牌情可PASS
（4）1NT-2C-2D-2NT: 进局逼叫，后续叫牌将在今后系列中详细介绍。

-- 1NT-2D: 转移叫，5张以上H,应叫者持弱牌PASS，再叫3H为6张H的邀叫，其他再叫为进局逼叫。

-- 1NT-2H: 转移叫，5张以上S,应叫者持弱牌PASS，再叫3S为6张S的邀叫，其他再叫为进局逼叫。

-- 1NT-2S: 询问开叫方的高低限，开叫方2NT为低限，3C为高限，这是均型牌的3NT邀叫途径，也是6张以上单套牌满贯试探的途径。

-- 1NT-2NT: 转移到3C，再叫pass为6张以上C的弱牌，其它再叫均为进局逼叫。

-- 1NT-3C/3D/3H/3S: Splinter, 表示比该花色高一级的花色（即依次表示D/H/S/C)单缺，进局逼叫。

到此，体系的基本轮廓已经呈现出来，具体的后续叫将在后面的系列中详细讨论。

   三. 1NT-2C后的后续叫牌
1NT-2C，应叫者通过2C这样一个傀儡（puppet)叫品, 要求开叫者无条件地接力到2D后，再用下一个叫牌来表示其真实意图。这里的2C是1NT后最为便宜的一个应叫，与stayman无关，只能理解为是一种为 了后面更准确表达应叫者牌情的一种人工过渡叫品。而开叫者必须再叫2D, 毫无例外。其后的再叫为：
（1） 1NT-2C-2D-PASS
应叫者为5张以上D套的弱牌，不适合打1NT。如：
牌例3-1
            S 8 6 4
            H J 5
            D T 9 8 5 3 2
            C K T 4
若打1NT，6张小D恐怕十有八九是废物；而打2D，它们则变成了子弹。

（2）1NT-2C-2D-2H或2S
应叫者持4-5张所叫高花，在2阶就直接显示进局邀叫。如：
牌例3-2     S   A 8 6 4                      牌例3-3     S   K 6 5
                  H   J 5                                                 H   A 9 7 3 2
                  D   8 6 5 3                                          D   8 6 5
                 C   K 6 5                                             C   Q 5
            1NT-2C-2D-2S                                1NT-2C-2D-2H

应叫者持有4-4高花或5张H加4张S时均采用1NT-2C-2D-2H的邀叫路线，其理由下面会说明。

  开叫者持低限（15点或差的16点）的再叫：
-- pass: 3张将牌支持，或4张将牌支持的4-3-3-3牌型，使定约停在2阶水平。这样有可能导致定约成为4-3的将牌配合。但经验表明当牌力不足时，2阶的4-3将牌配的有将定约在多数情况下优于2NT定约；

--当应叫者叫出2H邀叫后的2S: H只有双张但有4张（甚至可能有5张）S，看看应叫者是否还有4张S，由应叫者最后选择PASS 2S或回到2nt来止叫。这同时也解释了刚才描述的应叫者持4-4高花或5张H加4张S时为什么要选择2H邀叫的理由；

--2NT：将牌双张，若是H为将牌邀叫花色时还否定有4张以上S，止叫；

--3C*: 特殊的人工叫品，表示控制好的低限，4张将牌支持，并同时有一门无废点力的双张边花（如不能是QX之类）的4-4-3-2牌型。此叫品是为了在同伴为高限邀叫牌力或也有牌型优势时仍不放弃叫到局的可能，应叫者随后可酌情决定是否叫到局。

开叫者持高限（好的16点或17点）的再叫，记住均要逼叫到局：
--3阶高花将牌：只有3张将牌支持且有一个双张边花，逼叫。应叫者根据自己是持4张还是5张将牌并考虑牌型因素来决定叫3NT还是4高花；

--3D：4-3-3-3 牌型，允许其4张为将牌，这在应叫方也为平均牌型时，尽管有高花将牌配合，但仍可能找到较合理的3NT作为最终定约；

--4阶高花将牌：4张将牌支持，非4-3-3-3牌型，止叫；

--当应叫者叫出2H邀叫后的3S跳叫：只有双张H但有4张（或5张）S，反问应叫者是否有S配合，逼叫到局；

--当应叫者叫出2S邀叫后的3H: 否定有3张以上S支持，但有5张H，问应叫者是否有3张H支持；

--3NT：只有双张将牌支持，并否定上述各种牌情，止叫。

应用上述叫牌原则，出以下牌例供讨论，请针对各个牌例说出合理的叫牌过程：
牌例3-4             西     东                 牌例3-5               西       东
                   S     A K          9 5 4                               A 8 4       9 5 2
                  H    K Q T 6     A J 4 3                           K 7 5 2     A 8 4 3
                  D    8 6 4 3     7 5                                  A K          Q 5 3
                  C     K 8 4       Q J 7 5                            Q J 8 4     K 7 3                        


牌例3-6     西      东                   牌例3-7         西       东
      S   A 8 7 3     9 5                                  A K 3        9 6 7
            H   K 7 5       A 8 4 3 2                   K Q J 5     A 6 4 3
            D   A K          Q 5 2                          A 8 4        K Q 2
            C   Q J 8 4     K 7 3                         9 7 4     T 8 3

（3）1NT-2C-2D-3C或3D
前 面（2）中讨论的是应叫人持4-5张高花套的邀叫，那么现在这一叫牌过程就是应叫人持低花套的进局邀叫。只不过与高花邀叫相比，低花邀叫要上到3阶，因此 要求其长度为6张以上的好套（至少带有AKQ之一）和6-8大牌点。若持7张至少带一大牌的套，大牌点甚至可以降低到4-5点。至于5张低花套如何邀叫？ 一般通过1NT-2S（询问高低限）的途径来直接试探3NT，不必显示出具体的低花套。而对有9点以上的6张低花套，应叫人应直接叫到局（后续系列将介 绍）。
之后开叫人的再叫选择：Pass、 叫3NT以及在3阶显示旁门花色的止张来试探3NT。在显示旁门花色的止张时，按最便宜的原则顺着花色等级叫。若越过某门花色，则否定所越过的这门花色有止张。如:
牌例3-8：
   西                   东                              叫牌过程           西     东
S   A 8 2            7 5                                                   1NT     2C
H   A 8               9 2                                                    2D     3C
D   A 7 6 4 2     9 8 2                                               3NT     Pass
C   K 9 3           A Q 8 6 5 2
尽管东西双方均为低限牌，但全是A-K的好控制及6张草花套的良好配合可提供9个快速赢墩。

牌例3-9:  
      西             东                                       叫牌过程     西      东
S   A 9 8 2     T 4                                                      1NT         2C
H   K Q J 9     A T 2                                                    2D         3C
D   Q 9           8 5                                                       PASS
C   Q J 5        K 8 7 4 3 2
西家虽然有C配合，但低限且控制较差，应该Pass 3C。

牌例3-10：
  西                  东                                 叫牌过程       西     东
S   A K J         7 4                                                 1NT        2C
H T 4 3          7 5                                                   2D        3D
D K Q 5         A J T 6 3 2                                      3S        4D
C A T 3 2       Q 6 5                                              PASS
西的D支持不错，3S再叫显示S止张但否定H上有止张（越过即否定原则），东若有H止张应叫到3NT，但这手牌只能叫回4D止叫。

牌例3-11:
    西                 东                                   叫牌过程     西       东
S   A K J        7 4 2                                                 1NT            2C
H   T 4 3        5                                                        2D             3D
D   K Q 5       A J 9 8 6 3 2                                     3S              5D
C   A T 3 2     7 5                                                 PASS
  东在西的3S后，意识到在自己单张H上同伴没大牌废点以及同伴有配合的D套为7张的价值，直接上5D应该有很大的成功机会。

如果应叫方的6张以上低花套为无任何大牌的弱套，即使有6-8点，也最好不要选择这一低花邀叫过程，而用低花转移叫（1NT-2C-2D-Pass和1NT-2NT-3C-Pass)停在部分定约上为佳。如：
牌例3-12：
    西      东                                                      叫牌过程     西       东
S   A K 3 2     8 6 4                                                      1NT        2NT（转移到C)
H   A 5 2        K Q                                                           3C        PASS
D   A 8 4 3     Q 5
C   Q 6           9 8 7 5 4 2
    虽然联手大牌点达到24点，但C套上的贫穷使3NT毫无希望。


（4）1NT-2C-2D-2NT 进局逼叫
前面（2）与（3）分别讨论了应叫方持4-5张高花与6张以上低花的进局邀叫。与标准叫牌手段相比，这里的邀牌过程由应叫人直接显示，而省去通过stayman等手段向开叫人“问”牌的过程，使邀叫更叫简洁。
但 是，若应叫人具有成局以上牌力且相对均型的牌时，就需要有一个叫品即能显示出进局逼叫的意图，又能同时询问开叫人的具体牌情，以便寻找最佳定约。这个进局 逼叫又同时兼问叫的叫品就是在1NT-2C-2D后应叫人再叫2NT。这里2NT绝不能理解为3NT邀叫！！ 最好理解为类似于精确体系1NT-2D中逼局Stayman的2D。
在1NT-2C-2D-2NT 进局逼叫后，开叫方的再叫为：

--3C= 无5张高花且牌型为非4-3-3-3的任何其他牌，如4-4-3-2或5-3-3-2(5张为低花)的牌型：
  应叫人再叫3D询问开叫人的4张高花，开叫人答叫3H/3S和3NT分别表示4张高花和无高花。
  应叫人再叫3H/3S表示自己所持的5张高花且5-3-3-2牌型（非均型牌通过其他途径显示）。
  应叫人再叫4C/4D表示4张低花的满贯兴趣，将在后续系列中详细介绍。

--3D= 任何4-3-3-3牌型：
  应叫人再叫3H/3S显示自己的4张高花，寻求开叫人4-4高花配合，后续叫牌按逻辑进行；
  如果应叫人持有5张高花，现在已经知道开叫人的牌型并肯定有至少5-3的高花配合。

--3H或3S= 5张H或S高花9(通常应为5-3-3-2牌型），注意：本体系鼓励5张高花的均型牌开叫1NT：
  应叫人的再叫按逻辑进行。

牌例3-13
       西       东                                      叫牌过程       西       东
S   K 5 4 2       A 8                                                 1NT          2C
H   A K Q 6     J 8 7 5                                             2D           2NT
D   A 4             Q J 3                                                 3C         3D*        *问高花
C   Q T 3         K 6 4 2                                               3H        4H     End

牌3-14
  西       东                                 叫牌过程   西     东
S   K 6 5 3     A J 7 4                               1NT       2C
H   A K Q 6     7 5                                     2D       2NT
D   A 4         Q J 3                                     3C       3D
C Q T 3       K 6 5 4                                  3H*     3NT     *4-4高花先叫H
                                                                 4S**     Pass     ** 东既然3D问但否定H配，应该有S配
牌例3-15
    西       东                                    叫牌过程     西     东
S   K 9 8 5     Q J T 4                                     1NT     2C
H   K Q 6     A 3 2                                            2D     2NT
D   K 5 3     A 8 4                                            3D*   3NT**     *4-3-3-3 牌型
C   A 9 2     7 4 3                                                             ** 都是4-3-3-3牌型，没必要找将牌配合

牌例3-16
    西       东                                   叫牌过程     西     东
S K 9 8 3     Q J T 4                                       1NT     2C
H K Q 6        A 2                                              2D     2NT
D K 5 3        A 8 4                                            3D     3S*   *4-2-3-4对着开叫人4-3-3-3，应找将牌配
C A 9 2        7 6 4 3                                         4S**         ** 打4-4将牌配合有将定约为佳

牌例3-17
  西        东                                     叫牌过程     西    东
S J 7 3         A 6 5 4 2                                    1NT     2C
H Q J 6       T 4                                              2D       2NT
D K Q J 5   A 4 2                                           3D       3NT*   *5-3-3-2对4-3-3-3，3NT更好
C A K 6       Q J 4                                         Pass

四. 高花转移叫及其后续叫牌
（1）高花转移叫的基本结构
  高花转移叫在许多情况下与标准叫牌方法相同，即应叫人通过1NT-2D-2H 或 1NT-2H-2S来表示5张以上高花，然后，应叫人的再叫为：

--PASS: 持有5张以上高花的弱牌，不想打或不适合打1NT。经验表明，当应叫人持5张高花的弱牌时尤其高花套为弱套时，即使牌型平均，选择2阶高花的部分定约在多数情况下要优于一无将定约；

--将高花加叫到3阶：6张以上高花套的进局邀叫。注意6张以上高花邀叫要上到3阶，这是与4-5张高花邀叫的明显区别。应叫人通过这样表示出6张以上的将牌长度将有利于开叫人对是否叫到局的判断；

--跳叫到4阶高花到局：止叫，6张高花的进局牌力，不表示任何满贯兴趣（与标准方法的不同）。6张以上高花满贯试探通过1NT-2S-2NT/3C-3高花的途径表示；

-- 1NT-2H-2S-4H: 即先2阶转移到S再跳4H，表示5-5高花但只有进局牌力，让开叫方选择4阶高花定约；

-- 1NT-2D/2H-2H/2S-2NT*: 特殊叫品，5+高花及另一未显示的4张低花，进局逼叫，将在（2）中详细介绍；

-- 1NT-2D/2H-2H/2S-3C或3D: 5+高花及所叫的5+低花，进局逼叫，将在（3）中详细介绍；

-- 1NT-2D-2H-2S*: 特殊叫品，表示4张H与5+S, 邀叫以上牌力，逼叫一轮，将在后续系列中详细介绍；

-- 1NT-2H-2S-3H*: 特殊叫品，表示4张S与5+H, 进局逼叫，将在后续系列中详细介绍。

（2）1NT-2D/2H-2H/2S-2NT*
  高花2阶转移叫后的2NT再叫是本体系中的一个特殊叫品，表示5+高花以及另一未显示的4张低花，进局逼叫，一个典型的牌例就是本文系列一中的牌例（3）：
牌例1-3  
  西                   东         采用本体系的叫牌：      西          东
S   J 6             K Q 7 4 2                                     1NT     2H(转移）
H   J 9 6         8                                                  2S     2NT(另有4张低花）
D   A J 7          K Q 4                       .......
C   A K Q 7 2   8 6 5 3    
    后面将会看到采用这种约定叫这副牌就会避开3NT的错误定约。

    开叫方在2NT后的再叫(为了叙述方便，以下称已经转移叫出的高花为M，另一高花为OM)：
-- 3C: 否定高花有3张以上配合，询问应叫方的短门花色。应叫方的回答为：3D=D单缺；3M=C单缺；3OM=OM单缺；3NT=5-4-2-2，无满贯兴趣；4C/4D=4张套，5-4-2-2，满贯兴趣。此后开叫人可决定定约的最后去向。

-- 3D: 有3张以上的高花配合同时自己还有一门4张以上低花套，询问应叫人的低花套，希望有可能发现有双套配合的满贯。应叫人的答叫为:   3H=4张C套，满贯兴趣；3S=4张D套，满贯兴趣； 4M=止叫，无满贯兴趣。应叫人叫出其他新花均为满贯试探，其复杂的约定叫将在后续系列的“满贯试探“中介绍。
    
-- 3M: 3张以上高花支持，高限但无另外4张以上低花。应叫人可再叫4M止叫、扣叫或4NT RKC 试探满贯。

-- 4M: 3张以上高花支持，低限，无兴趣寻找低花配合。应叫人在没有足够牌力时应PASS。

-- 1NT-2D-2H-2NT后，开叫方再叫3S表示5张S，否定3张以上H支持（当然也没有4张低花，因为5张S开叫1NT通常为5-3-3-2牌型），看看应叫方是否有3张S配合。

根据这些约定，我们来看刚才的牌例1-3，其叫牌过程应该为：
        西                                                           东
      1NT                                                      2H(转移叫）
      2S（无条件转移）                           2NT(另有4张低花）
      3C（无S配合，问单缺花色）       3H (H单缺）
      4C（不能打3NT,寻找低花配合)     5C(有4张C配合）
    如果东的4张低花不是C而是D，则东在4C后只能再叫4D，然后西只能勉强选5-2配的4S。
    如果西的H J96 变为 H AQ9, 则应在东的3H后叫3NT。

牌例4-1
    西                     东           叫牌过程     西       东
S     6 3              A K 7 4 2                    1NT     2H
H   J 9 6            8                                  2S     2NT
D   A J 7            K Q 4                           3C     3H
C   A K Q 7 2   8 6 4 3                          4C     4S(4张C支持，好的S控制）
                                                               4NT     5C (一个关键张--SA, C为将牌）
                                                               6C       PASS
牌例4-2：
  西                 东           叫牌过程：   西         东
S A K 7 2     8 6                                1 NT     2D
H 6 4           A K 8 3 2                        2H       2NT
D A Q 7       5 3                                  3C     3NT(5-4-2-2)
C K 9 5 2     Q J 4 3                          PASS(没必要找低花配合了）

牌例4-3：
  西                    东     叫牌过程：     西     东
S   A J 5           2                             1NT     2D
H   Q 7 6          K 8 5 3 2              2H       2NT
D   A Q             K J 3                       3D*     3H**     *H配合另有低花套   **4张C，满贯兴趣
C   Q J 6 3 2   A K 5 4                    4C       4NT*** ***C为将牌的RKC问叫
                                                          5S****   6C     ****2关键张加CQ
牌例4-4：
  西                      东         叫牌过程：   西       东
S   K 9 4         A Q 6 4 2                    1NT       2H
H   A K 8 5     Q 6                               2S         2NT
D   K J 5         A 9 6 2                         4S*       PASS   *S有配合，低限无4张以上低花
C   J 9 4          6 2                    
    
下次将讨论1NT-2D/2H-2H/2S-3C或3D后的后续叫牌。

（3）1NT-2D/2H-2H/2S-3C或3D
  应 叫人先进行2阶高花转移叫后再叫出3阶低花，表示第2套低花在5张以上的进局逼叫，这是与本期（2）中再叫2NT表示4张低花的严格区别，使得应叫人所描 述的牌型更为准确。经验表明，一手持有5-5以上的双套牌在同伴有所配合时具有较大的坐庄价值，远远优于5-4套的赢墩潜力。请看我队不久前在一次重要比 赛上的一副牌：
牌例4-5：
  本人               搭档       叫牌过程： 本人         搭档
S   J X X X     A Q X X X                                      Pass
H   A X X        X                                   1NT     2H (转移叫）
D   A K X X     X X                               2S       3C (5+C套,进局逼叫）
C   K X         A X X X X                        3S*     4C**    
                                                            4NT     5S***
                                                            6S       Pass
*3S-在搭档双套上配合极佳，且H与D上无输墩，因此将15点低限升值为高限处理，确定将牌并表示满贯兴趣
**4C-扣叫，虽然Pass过，但好控制的10个大牌点全在2个套上，响应同伴的满贯试探
*** 以S为将牌，2个关键张加SQ
尽管联手只有25个大牌点，但叫出了成功机会极高的小满贯。打牌的过程很简单，由于敌方SK双张处于被飞中的位置且C为3-3分布，定约超一完成。而在另一桌的对手采用标准的叫牌只能停在4S上。

在应叫人2阶高花转移再叫出3阶低花后，开叫人的再叫为：
-- 3NT： 高花无配合，低花有一定配合，且另2门花色有好牌力；

-- 加叫高花到3阶：高花配合好，且低花也有支持（如牌例4-5），其他两门花色无废牌点，满贯兴趣；

-- 加叫高花到4阶：高花有好配合但低花支持差，另2门花色有废牌点，示意止叫；

-- 3阶叫新花：扣叫，低花好支持但高花为双张。应叫人低花套不强而另2门花色有牌点可3NT叫停

-- 4阶叫新花：扣叫，低花好支持（4张）但高花有3张小支持，应叫人在没有进满贯牌力时可叫回4阶高花止叫。


（4） 转移叫的“超级接受“（Super-accepts)
  在标准无将叫牌手段中，许多搭档间对转移叫采用一种“超级接受"（Super-accepts)的约定, 即对应叫人2阶高花的转移要求，开叫人直接跳到3阶高花（或2NT等其他叫品）来显示4张将牌配合的高限牌力，以便应叫人在持有边缘牌时可作出准确的进局判断。
但 在本体系中，由于应叫人持5张高花邀叫时不需通过转移叫（见本系列讨论第3期），在用高花转移叫时，应叫人要么持弱牌希望停在2阶上，要么将会作下一轮再 叫来显示某种牌型（见本期（1）中的描述）。 因此，本体系没必要采用标准手段中所用的那种“超级接受”。作为一种取代手段，本体系建议用“超级接受“来寻找有9个快速赢墩的低限3NT定约，其约定如 下：
-- 1NT-2D/2S-2NT*: 所转移的高花上有2个大牌的4张，另有旁门花色的3个快速赢墩。如：
牌例4-6
      西         东                        叫牌过程            西               东
S K Q X X     A X X X X X                                1NT           2H(本希望转移到2S后pass)
H A X X       X X                                                2NT*(见上所述） 3NT(可数出9个快速赢墩，何乐不为）
D A K X       X X                                               Pass
C J X X       X X X
虽然联手只有21点，3NT应该是一个不错的一赌。只要敌方C为4-3或攻不出C。

-- 越过所转移高花叫出新花色*：所转移的高花4张带一大牌，旁门花色有4个快速赢墩。如:
牌例4-7
    西                      东                叫牌过程     西                                   东
S   A X X X     K Q X X X                              1NT                        2H(本希望转移到2S后pass)
H   A K Q     X X                                            3D*(见上所述）   3NT(何乐而不为）
D   A X X     X X                                             Pass
C   X X X     J X X    

在以上2例中，如果东的牌型有单缺而担心3NT定约，东可回到4S定约上。

-- 跳叫到3阶所转移高花*： 开叫人正好有5张所转移的高花（不要忘记本体系鼓励5张高花开叫）。无论应叫人持牌如何弱，根据总墩数定律，联手有5-5将牌配合时，叫到3阶总是不会吃 亏的。而且一旦应叫人有一定牌型，即使只有4-6点的低限，叫到局也是有很大机会做成的。

（5）应叫人持双套高花的叫牌手段
--持5-4高花套的邀叫
如果为 5H+4S 的邀叫牌力，细心的牌友可能还记得我们在本系列（3）的高花邀叫中已经讨论过，即选择1NT-2C-2D-2H 的邀叫途径，当开叫人没有3张以上H支持但有4张S时会再叫2S(低限）或3S(高限），S的4-4配合总不会错过。
但 是，如果应叫人的高花结构为 5S+4H 又怎么办呢？如果仍选择1NT-2C-2D-2H邀叫，开叫人持3张H加3张甚至4张S低限时会PASS，从而使4-3配的2H为最后定约而错过可能存在 的5-3甚至5-4配的S定约，岂不是很荒唐？而如果选择1NT-2C-2D-2S来邀叫，开叫方在持有2张S但有4张H的低限时会再叫2NT，而错过 4-4的H定约，同样不合理。如何解决这一问题？这是我们在系列（3）中讨论高花邀叫时留下的尾巴。（其实这样的问题在标准的1NT后续叫牌中同样存 在）。
针对这样的问题， 澳大利亚另一桥牌理论家Alan Walsh提出了以下思想：
“对无将开叫，应叫人转移到一门高花之后在最低水平上再叫另一门高花，显示5-4高花结构但先转移的那门为4张，再叫的另一门为5张”。
应 用这一思想，5S+4H 的邀叫就可以采用 1NT-2D-2H-2S 这条路线来解决，即先转移的H为4张，再叫的S为5张。当然应叫人再叫2S后，开叫人如果只有2张S但有4张H的低限牌时就必须上到3H，从而超过2阶水 平。这是本约定所带来的唯一不足，但综合权衡应该是得大于失。

--持5-5高花套的邀叫
采用与5S+4H 的邀叫相同的路线，即1NT-2D-2H-2S，但当开叫人持低限选择2NT后再叫3H。再叫一次先表示过的4张高花来重新表明高花套为5-5。一无将开 叫人的通常牌型为4-3-3-3，4-4-3-2 或 5-3-3-2， 2门高花总会有一门为3张， 因此5-5高花的应叫人一般总能找到5-3配的高花配合，而且持5-5高花牌型优势的应叫人上到3阶的风险也不大。

--持5-4高花的进局逼叫
5S+4H: 1NT-2D-2H-3S
5H+4S: 1NT-2H-2S-3H
开叫人再叫：3NT=无高花配合；4C=H配合+高限；4D=S配合+高限；4H=H配合+低限；4S=S配合+低限

--持5-5高花的进局逼叫
1NT-2H-2S-4H, 让开叫方示选一门4阶高花，无满贯兴趣。
1NT-2H-2S-3H，这与刚才5H+4S的进局逼叫过程相同，但由于3H是逼叫，开叫人必须再叫。如果开叫人选择3NT（应该持3张S+2张H），应叫人此后再叫4S，则表示5-5高花并有满贯兴趣。

（6）应叫人高花转移后再叫3NT
表示5-3-3-2牌型，成局牌力，但所显示的高花为最多由Q带队的5张弱套，牌点多在旁门花色上。这样可以给开叫人一个选择，以避免叫到虽有5-3配合，但严重缺乏大牌的高花弱套的4阶定约。如：
牌例4-8
      西               东                       叫牌过程     西         东
S 7 4 3         Q 8 6 5 2                                 1NT       2H(转移到S)
H A K 5         Q 4                                            2S       3NT（5-3-3-2，S为弱套）
D A K 7 3 2   Q 5 4                                         Pass*       *虽有S配合，但明显3NT优于4S
C J 9               K Q 4

五. 低花转移叫及其后续叫牌
（1）单套低花的弱牌
--方块单套弱牌：1NT-2C-2D-PASS. 这个过程在系列讨论（3）中已经介绍过，应叫人的2C通常只是一个“傀儡叫”，要求开叫人无条件接力到2D。而当应叫人再PASS这个2D后，前面的2C 实质上已经起到了转移叫的作用，即转移到方块，并可以使定约停在2阶。这种特定情况下的2C可以称作“条件转移叫”。

--草花单套弱牌：1NT-2NT-3C-PASS, 由于要到3阶，C套一般应在6张以上。1NT后应叫人的2NT任何时候都是转移叫3C，毫无例外。与刚才的2C相比，2NT可称为“绝对转移叫”。

（2）低花套的邀叫
6张以上单套低花的邀叫已经在系列讨论（2）中介绍过了，不用转移叫手段，这里就不再重复。
5张低花套的均型牌采用1NT-2S问开叫人高低限的手段，后面章节将会讨论。
低花套+4张以上高花套的邀叫，采用系列（3）中介绍的高花邀叫手段，不单独考虑低花套。

（3）单套低花的进局逼叫
--只有成局牌力：持均型牌的5-6低花套但只有成局牌力时，一般均选择1NT-3NT-PASS 的过程，没必要显示出低花套和采用转移叫。

--有满贯兴趣的牌力：应叫人先转移到低花后再叫出3NT，即1NT-2C-2D-3NT(这里的2C也可称为“条件转移叫” 和 1NT-2NT-3C-3NT这两个叫牌顺序，即表示持5张单套低花的满贯邀叫。

牌例5-1
    西         东                                   叫牌过程     西       东
S   A 8 6         K 4                                         1NT         2C（傀儡叫，接力到2D，这里为条件转移叫）
H   K Q 8 7     A T 4                                      2D          3NT（5张D的均型牌，满贯邀叫）
D   A 6 5         K Q J T 4                                6NT*     PASS     *高限，好控制，直接叫到6NT)
C   A T 9         Q J 7

（4）双套牌的进局逼叫
--5+C加4张高花：1NT-2NT(转移叫）-3C-3H/3S. 即先转移到3C后再叫出3阶高花。
开叫人的再叫：3NT=想打；4C=高花无支持，确定C为将牌，不适合打3NT或有C的满贯兴趣； 4H/4S=想打； 其他新花=高花支持的高限或双套配合，扣叫，看看应叫人是否有满贯兴趣。

--5+D加4张高花：1NT-2C-2D-3H/3S, 即先通过“傀儡叫"接力到2D后再跳叫3阶高花。这个过程的2C也可以认为是一种“条件转移叫”。开叫人的再叫和上面相似。

牌例5-2
      西        东                                      叫牌过程     西       东
S     A J 8 7     K T 9 4                                         1NT     2C（条件转移叫）
H   A 7 6 2     5 4                                                   2D       3S*     *5+D及4S，逼叫
D   K 6           A Q 9 4 2                                        4S**     Pass   ** S配合，低限
C   K 7 5 4     Q 2    


--5-5 以上或5-4双套低花：1NT-2NT-3C-3D, 即先转移到3C，再叫出3D。特别要注意的是：这里C套并不一定保证比D套长，5D+4C或5C+4D均可以！ 应叫人在持有5-4低花结构而使用这样的叫品时，通常在其某门高花上有单张小牌或2门高花上均任何无牌力，对3NT定约不放心。因此，开叫人的再叫首先应 以试探3NT为目标：3NT=2门高花上均有牌力；3H=H有挡但S无挡；3S=S有挡但H无挡；4阶低花=所叫低花4张以上，有满贯兴趣。
牌例5-3
    西       东                                           叫牌过程         西      东
S   A K 3        7                                                          1NT       2NT*     *转移到C
H   9 4 3        Q J 2                                                   3C         3D
D   A J 5 2     K Q 7 4 3                                            3S**     3NT     ** S有挡但H无挡
C   A 7 4         K J 6 5                                                Pass 

六. 1NT-2S及其后续叫牌
1NT-2S也是本体系中的一个特色叫品，其含义为询问1NT开叫人的高低限。开叫人的回答为：
1NT-2S-2NT= 低限，15点或控制较差的16点
1NT-2S-3C= 高限，控制较好的16点或17点
应叫人采用这个叫品时，要么持有邀叫牌力的均型牌（包括5张低花套的均型牌）想试探3NT, 要么就是持有6张以上单花色套有满贯兴趣以上的牌力，通过这一路径作满贯试探。

（1）3NT邀叫
  在 1NT（15-17点）开叫后，当应叫人持8-9点牌的平均牌型且没有4张高花时，一定希望通过某种手段作3NT邀叫。最自然、最简单明了的邀叫当然是 1NT-2NT。但是对约定了4花色转移叫的牌手，2NT为转移到3D的约定叫，那么邀叫3NT要先通过2C的Stayman问高花后再叫2NT来显示 （尽管此时应叫人手上没有4张高花），在此过程中开叫人对Stayman 2C的高花答叫极有可能暴露了有利对方首攻和后续防守的信息。
相比之下，我们的1NT-2S问叫，只要求开叫人回答高低限，其牌型一点也没暴露。因此，其后应叫人的选择也十分简单：
  1NT-2S-2NT- PASS        
    1NT-2S-3C-3NT

牌例6-1
    西                    东                               叫牌过程     西     东
S     A 9 4        K T 5                                               1NT     2S
H     A Q 6 2     8 5                                                  3C     3NT
D     A K 5        Q 8 7 4 2                                      Pass
C     9 6 4        Q J 5        

（2） 6张以上单套花色的满贯试探
在 1NT-2S-2NT或3C后，应叫人的3阶新花(或3C后的4C)再叫均是显示6张以上套并有满贯兴趣，要求开叫人以此花色为将进行罗马关键张的加级答 叫，如常用的14-30-2(没Q)-2(有Q), 或03-14-2（没Q)-2(有Q)，或其他方式，取决于搭档之间的约定。之后，应叫人再叫新花为对该花色的控制问叫，开叫人按4级答叫的方式来回答：
加1级=无第3轮以上控制，即3张以上最多为 J 带头的小牌
加2级=有第3轮控制，或3张以上带Q，或双张小牌
加3级=有第2轮控制但没有第3轮控制，即3张以上带K而无Q（无将开叫一般不存在单张情况）
加4级=有第2轮以及第3轮控制，或KQ皆有，或K小双张
由于Ace（第1控制）已经在前面的罗马关键张问叫中作了回答，因此花色控制问叫中不再考虑第1控制

当然，应叫人在2S问叫时听到开叫人2NT表示低限后，如果认为满贯不太可能，也可以再叫3NT或4高花来止叫，停止满贯试探。

牌例6-2：
    西                     东                          叫牌过程     西          东
S    J 9 8 5          A                                              1NT          2S
H   K Q 5            A J 8 7 6 2                               3C           3H
D   A K 9 7         Q J 5                                         4D           5C
C   K 5               A T 9                                          5NT        6D
                                                                              6NT        7H
                                                                             PASS

七. 1NT后的Splinter应叫
（1）1NT后Splinter应叫的定义
  我们已经讨论了当持双花色套的强牌时，应叫人总可以 先转移到一门花色然后再叫另一套花色（逼叫）来显示，而持6张以上单套强牌时可以通过1NT-2S的途径来进行满贯试探。那么应叫人直接跳到3阶叫出某一 个花色，即1NT-3C/3D/3H/3S 是什么意思呢？标准叫牌手段对此似乎没有统一公认的约定，而在你们的搭档配合中，可能有具体约定。但在本体系中，这一叫品明确规定为splinter应 叫，表示某门花色单缺同时否定持有5张以上高花（有5张以上高花一律先用转移叫），进局逼叫以上牌力。
  特别注意的是，与传统的splinter直接叫出单缺花色的方式不同，本体系跳到3阶所叫出的花色是表示该花色的上一级花色为单缺（3S除外），即用 ：
  1NT-3C= D 单缺
  1NT-3D= H 单缺
  1NT-3H= S 单缺
  1NT-3S= C 单缺
  这种方式的一个显著优点在于可避免敌方下家对应叫人直接叫出的单缺花色作首攻指示性加倍，同时也便于开叫人的后续叫牌。这一点将在下面详细介绍。
  与通常的splinter相同，用splinter表示的单缺花色一般不能为A或K之类的大牌。

（2）应叫人的典型牌型
  根据定义和前面已经讨论过的叫牌手段，Splinter的应叫人有进局逼叫以上的牌力但又不应该有5张以上高花，那么通常可能持有的牌型为：
-- 4-4-4-1，5（低花）-4-4-0 或 5（低花）-4-3-1， 即应叫人持3套或准3套牌，希望找到与开叫人对其中任何一套的配合；
-- 持有一门6张以上低花套类似于6-3-3-1或7-3-2-1的牌型，担心开叫人在自己单缺花色上无牌力而不能打3NT
  开叫人在听到splinter应叫后立即知道应叫人的单缺花色，通常能迅速判断定约的走向而采取适当的再叫。

牌例7-1
      西           东                                              叫牌过程     西         东
S     K 9               A J 6 3                                                1NT       3D*     *   H 单缺
H   A K J             8                                                          3NT**     PASS   ** H 的止张足够，又没有4张S
D   K 9 7 3        A T 6 5
C   K 8 4 3        Q 7 5 2

牌例7-2
      西         东                                           叫牌过程       西             东
S   A 7 5           4                                                          1NT            3H*       * S单缺
H   K J 6 2     A 8 4 3                                                   4H**        PASS    ** 有4张H
D   Q J 7 4     K 9 5 2                  
C   A 9            Q J 8 5    

牌例7-3
    西         东                                          叫牌过程     西              东
S   K Q 7       A 8 5                                                  1NT            3C*        *D 单缺
H A Q 9 2     8 5 3                                                   3H**         3NT ***   ** 有4张H
D J 9 3       5                                                            4C****       5C         ***没有4张H配合
C K J 4       A Q 8 6 3 2                                            PASS                 ****D太差，不能打3NT

（3） 开叫人在同伴splinter后再叫同伴的单缺花色
  如果开叫人持高限1NT开叫牌点并且同时在同伴splinter所显示的单缺花色上无废点（即无K、Q）时，开叫人可以通过再叫同伴单缺花色的手段来显示这一手价值极高的牌，即16-17个有效大牌点（无废点）。其后找到好的将牌花色配合就很有可能叫到满贯。
牌例7-4
    西           东                                         叫牌过程     西       东
S   K Q 2         A J 6 4                                             1NT       3C*         * D 单缺
H   A K Q 4     8 7 2                                                3D[2]     3S[3]     [2] 16-17个有效点，D无废点
D   8 7 3         9                                                       4C[4]     6C       [3] 有4张S但无4张H（越过定）    
C   Q 7 5        A K J 4 2                                             Pass                   [4] 无4张S配合，有3张以上C