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.