December 1, 2005
This report describes auctions that proceed from our 1D, 1H and 1S openings (and 1C openings where the response is 1H or 1S and opener rebids 1S or 1NT.) The requirements for these openings are:
The Polish Club is amenable to many styles after the natural 1D, 1H and 1S openings, and continuations after 1C-1M,1NT and 1C-1H,1S. This paper presents one possible approach that we have successfully played. It is a companion to my discussion of the Polish system and 1C, 2C and 1NT, 2NT and 1C-1D-xNT auctions. Note that an asterisk, "*", indicates an advanced systemic bid whose learning can be deferred. The remainder of this report is divided into these sections:
Much of our approach is based on Lawrence style 2/1. 1D-2C is NOT game forcing. We include variations designed to accomodate the slightly wider 1NT rebid range (12-15) and to make the structure more uniform and easier (for me anyway) to remember.
If opener rebids at the two level after a one level response (without reversing) our auctions proceed along fairly traditional 2/1 lines:
When opener rebids at the one level (1S or 1NT, except NOT 1C-1D, 1M) responder rebids in accordance with the XYZ convention. This convention deals with opener's broader 1NT rebid range much better than other approaches. Here are the guidelines for responder's rebid:
Although the Polish Club can accomodate a variety of methods after 1x-1y,1NT (except 1C-1D,1NT) and 1x-1H,1S, we suggest a recently devised method to assist with the relatively wide (12-15) 1NT rebid range, allowing many borderline invitational (22-23 point) hands to play in two of responder's major on a 5-2 fit instead of a marginal 2NT. Responder develops these auctions with the XYZ convention, where,
The XYZ 2C rebid is responder's first move on most invitational hands. It requests opener rebid 2D (although there are exceptions, see below.) Here is how the auction proceeds after 1m-1H, 1NT-2C, 2D:
Note that this technique must be modified slightly for auctions where opener rebids 1S instead of 1NT. In these auctions opener's strength is less defined, and may, in the 1C case, be very strong. When opener rebids 1S it is generally prudent for responder with invitational or better values to continue with 2C or 2D (rather than leaping to 2NT or 3NT) to give opener room to articulate extras. So, when responder makes the XYZ 2C bid and opener has concealed strength it is important that he not just rebid 2D. Instead he must find some other (natural) bid that describes his hand. Here are some possibilities after 1m-1H, 1S-2C:
In general, auctions after the 1D opening operate along standard lines. The only unusual area concerns the case when opener has four diamonds and longer clubs, and a good hand. (With a weak hand treat the clubs and diamonds as if they were equal length.) Here is the recommended rebid structure after 1D-1S with the various strong (16-18) hands:
Any structure can be adopted after the Polish 12-21 four+ card 1D opening. The following sections discuss raises, dealing with minor two suiters, and the often confusing auctions that begin with 1D-2C.
The raise structure after the 1D opening utilizes all possible responses from 2D through 3D except 2NT. Note that four cards is sufficient support to raise. (Five for the preemptive 3D.) Here is the raise schedule:
The 1D opening promises four diamonds, but on minimum hands opener usually chooses to open 1D when holding longer clubs. Showing this is a problem for standard bidders and we cannot be disambiguate this either. With 16-18 and longer clubs we suggest opening 1C. Here are some of opener's rebid possibilities after responder shows a major, 1D-1H or 1D-1S:
The 2/1 game force philosophy does not reasonably extend to the 1D-2C auction. We require 11+ points and, in the MAFIA style, no four card major. The 2C response also tends to deny four diamonds, except for hands with slam interest. Holding four diamonds and less than slam interest one of the immediate diamond raises is preferred. As we don't have to worry about the 19-21 point balanced hand or sorting out a possible 4-4 major suit fit the main task becomes clarifying just what is and isn't forcing, allowing both players to adequately develop strong hands.
Opener often moves toward notrump after 1D-2C by rebidding 2NT or 3NT, or a major suit stopper with only one major stopped. These major suit rebids can also be the first move on a some strong hands. If responder next rebids 3D (1D-2C,2major-3D) he is promising extra values (which can be inferred by responder's failure to raise diamonds immediately instead of bidding 2C.)
Here is an outline of opener's rebids and the development of the auction:
This always shows a bare minimum (12-13 point) opening with either a five+ card suit or a (necessarily) strong four card suit without a stopper in either major. It is not forcing. With club support but no major suit stopper opener generally prefers to raise clubs (which is forcing to 3NT or 4C) unless the hand is truly pathetic. E.g., it is probably better to rebid 2D with Jx Jxx AKQx Jxxx than commit this hand to 3NT or 4C by raising to 3C.
After opener's 2D rebid, responder, with only invitational strength, passes with diamond tolerance, rebids 2NT with major suit values, or rebids 3C with a long suit. With something like xxx AQx x AJxxx responder might try 2H, hoping opener is able to rebid 2NT holding somthing like KQxx xxx AQJxx x.
With a strong hand and diamond support responder can raise to three diamonds, forcing, e.g. 1D-2C,2D-3D, on something like AQ xx KQxx AQJxx. This bid denies a major suit singleton or void, because 3H and 3S are available as splinters for this type of hand. Note that with an invitational raise responder would have started with a 2H limit raise.
Opener is normally showing a stopper in the suit bid and denying a stopper in the other major, but this could be the first move (a cue bid) on a decent or better hand with long diamonds. Note that with an unbalanced minimum opener would have rebid 2D, so when opener later shows extra diamond length he should have at least 14 points.
After opener's 2H or 2S rebid responder rebids 2NT, 3C or 3NT to play, 3D shows four diamonds and at least game going strength (otherwise responder would have initially made a limit raise of 2H), and 3H and 3S are advance cue bids showing the strong club hand. Responder can also rebid 2S over 2H to show a partial spade stopper.
Opener can show the unbalanced, better than minimum diamond hand after responder's rebid with 3D.
Opener's 2NT rebid shows a balanced minimum with the majors stopped, or possibly 4441, or even 4450! Responder can raise this to 3NT to play, or rebid a natural (and forcing) 3C or 3D.
Opener's raise of responder's clubs is a better than minimum opening and is forcing, the auction must get to 3NT or 4C. Responder rebids 3NT to play, or 3H or 3S, nominally a notrump try but also with a slammy hand, which is shown by bidding again. (An exception being 1D-2C,3C-3H,3S-4C is to play, the 3S bid showing only a partial stopper.) Responder's 3D rebid is always a slam try.
1D-2C,3D is forcing to game, and shows a long diamond suit and 16+ points. Responder can rebid a major suit stopper or 3NT, just as after 1D-2C,3C. If opener cannot rebid 3NT after 1D-2C,3D-3M then his first choice should be 4C with three card support.
1D-2C,3M is a splinter bid in support of clubs, forcing to game so must have a bit extra in high cards, or a void.
1D-2C,3N is to play with a singleton or void in clubs. With a more balanced hand opener should rebid a stopper first so that responder can better assess the club fit.
Little has been written about responder's continuations after opener has reversed. Extended Lebensohl allows responder to express three strength ranges by giving some bids double duty. After 1D-1S,2H responder rebids:
The following list lists our raise structure in order of increasing strength. Note that the 1NT response is a semi-force -- opener can pass with a balanced 12 or poor 13 count.
1H-1S, 2NT shows a balanced 18 points.