Häxan


Game-forcing auctions after 1M - 1S/NT;2C - 2D
----------------------------------------------

NGF - "Natural Goes First" employed for all responses.

1H - 1S; 2C - 2D is different because opener is limited to 3S and can show 6H-3S.

5-4-3-1s start by showing highest part first because the first opportunity occurs at 2S/2H (other major after 1H/1S respectively); 2NT always diamond fragment, denying 3+ other-major.

Without special distribution (5 hearts, 3-card raise) responder normally continues with cheapest call. With a 5-card support for a potential 3-card suit responder can bid 3-other-major or raise to 4-level (slam suitable).

After a fragment (2OM/2NT) opener's 3H and 3S show particular 5-4-4-0s

After an opening 1S the extra step after 2H allows opener to show 4 hearts (2NT) - except for all 5-4-4-0s above, others show 3H.

- 2-other-major shows 3/4 implies 5-4-2-2 or shortage in minor
- 2NT shows 3/4 diamonds, implies 5-4-2-2 or shortage in other major
- 3C is "wild or boring' - exactly 5M-4C-2-2 or 5-5/6-4 - never 3-suited
- 3D is 5-5
- 3H after 1S is 5-5
- 3M is 6+ cards, not 6-4
- 3NT is always natural (other paths allow responder to show 5H or opener 3S)
- 4m is single-suited, void SPL

After a fragment (2OM/2NT) opener's 3M shows particular 5-4-3-1 or 5-4-4-0

After 3C opener's 3M shows min/max 5-5 because responder doesn't get an chance to support until ambiguity is resolved.

5-4-2-2:
    - with 4H; 2H->2NT->3NT
    - with 4D; 2NT->3NT
    - with 4C; 3C->3NT

Balanced hands:
    - after 1H - 1NT;... 3NT
    - after 1S - 1NT;... 2H = any bal, with/out 3H
    - after 1H - 1S;...  with 3S bid 2S, otherwise 3NT

6-4s:
    - with 4m; indicate minor (2NT/3C) bid 4m (indicating shortage)/4M max/min
    - with 6S-4H; 2H (3+ hearts) -> 2NT [4H] -> 4m [SPL, max]/4S
    - with 6H-4S; 2S (3+ spades) -> 4m [SPL, max]/4H

5-4-4-0:
    - 0=5=4=4: 2NT->3S
    - 4=5=0=4: 2S-> 3H
    - 4=5=4=0: 2S-> 3S

    - 5=0=4=4: 2NT->3S
    - 5=4=0=4: 2H-> 3H
    - 5=4=4=0: 2H-> 3S

Hearts 5-4-3-1:
    - 4=5=3=1: 2S->3D->3S       ~ "3/4S..3/4D..4S"
    - 4=5=1=3: 2S->3C->3S       ~ "3/4S..3/4C..4S"
    - 3=5=4=1: 2S->3D->3N/4C    ~ "3/4S..3/4D..4D min/max"
    - 3=5=1=4: 2S->3C->3H       ~ "3/4S..3/4C..4C"
    - 1=5=4=3: 2NT->3D          ~ "3/4D..4D"
    - 1=5=3=4: 2NT->3H          ~ "3/4D..4C"

Spades 5-4-3-1:
    - 5=4=3=1: 2H->2NT->3D      ~ "3/4H..4H..3D"
    - 5=4=1=3: 2H->2NT->3H      ~ "3/4H..4H..3C"
    - 5=3=1=4: 2H->3C           ~ "3/4H..4C"
    - 5=3=4=1: 2H->3D           ~ "3/4H..4D"
    - 5=1=4=3: 2NT->3D          ~ "3/4D..4D"
    - 5=1=3=4: 2NT->3H          ~ "3/4D..4C"


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1H - 1NT
--------

1H - 1NT
2C          16+ or 6+ hearts 11+ - "long or strong"
2D          11-15, 4+D
2H          11-15, 4+C (if 5C, 11-13)
2S          13-15, 6H+4S
2NT         13-15, 6H/4-minor
3m          13-15, 5-5
3H          13-15, 6+M

1H - 1NT
2C - 2D     8+, FG opposite strong-type
     2H     <8, to play opposite 6H and 16-17
     2S     11-12, minors, short heart (## TODO ##)
     2NT    <8, 5-5 minors, short hearts
     3m     <8, 6+ minor, short hearts
     3H     <8, Natural, possible game


Responder is weak
-----------------

1H - 1NT
2C - 2M
2S          18+ 5+H-4+S
2NT         18/19 Bal, good cards (3m Nat NF)
3L          18+ Nat, FG
3H          17/18 NF
3S          5=6 suitable values
3NT         Solid major, choice of games

1H - 1NT ~ Responder is strong (8+)
-----------------------------------

1H - 1NT
2C - 2D
2H          11-13, NF all other FG, 6+H,  (2S/2NT/3L tries with 2+H [maybe sing. honour?])

Others 16+

2S          3/4 spades and/or shortage in minor
2NT         3/4 diamonds NOT 3+S
3C          Clubs, "wild or boring' 5-5/6-4 or 5H-4C-2-2
3D          NAT Diamonds, 5-5 (3=5=5=0 possible)
3H          Nat 6+H
3S          Nat 5=6 (maybe light)
3NT         BAL 17-19
4m          Void SPL

Opener shows 3+ spades
----------------------

1H - 1NT
2C - 2D
2S - 2NT    Normal without 5+ suit
     3C     Nat, 5+ clubs
     3D     Nat, 5+ diamonds
     3H     Nat, 3CR, COG
     3S     5-5 minors
     3NT    Enough

1H - 1NT
2C - 2D
2S - 2NT
3C          3/4C short diamond {3=5=1=4 / 4=5=1=3} (3S implies clubs; 3D? 3H = 4C, 3S = 4S)
3D          3/4D short club {3=5=4=1 / 4=5=3=1} (3S implies diamonds; 3H? 3S = 4S, 3N = 4D min, 4C = 4D max)
3H          4=5=0=4 
3S          4=5=4=0
3NT         4=5=2=2
4C          6H-4S short club, slam INV
4D          6H-4S short diamond, slam INV
4H          6H-4S MIN


Opener shows 3+ diamonds
------------------------
     
1H - 1NT
2C - 2D
2NT - 3C    Normal without 5+ suit
      3D    Nat, 4+ diamonds
      3H    Nat, 3CR, COG
      3S    5+ clubs
      3NT   Enough


1H - 1NT
2C - 2D
2NT - 3C
3D          Nat 4D {1=5=4=3}
3H          NGF 4C {1=5=3=4}
3S          0=5=4=4
3NT         2=5=4=2
4C          6H-4D short club, slam INV
4D          6H-4D short spade, slam INV
4H          6H-4D MIN

Opener shows clubs "Wild or Boring"
-----------------------------------

1H - 1NT
2C - 2D
3C - 3D    Normal
     3H    Nat, 3CR, COG
     3S    Clubs (strong slam INV)
     3NT   Enough


1H - 1NT
2C - 2D
3C - 3D
3H          MIN 5-5 clubs
3S          MAX 5-5 clubs
3NT         2=5=4=2
4C          6H-4C short spade, slam INV
4D          6H-4C short diamond, slam INV
4H          6H-4C MIN


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1S - 1NT
--------

1S - 1NT
2C - 2D     8+, FG opposite strong-type
     2H     5-7, catering for min 5S-4H which might pass 2S
     2S     <8, to play opposite 6S and most < 18 HCP
     2NT    <8, 5-5 minors, short spade
     3L     <8, 6+ C/D/H, short spade
     3S     <8, Natural, possible game


1S - 1NT ~ Responder is strong (8+)
-----------------------------------

1S - 1NT
2C - 2D
2S          11-13, NF all other FG, 6+S (2NT/3L tries with 2+S [maybe sing. honour?])

Others 16+

2H          BAL OR 3/4H
2NT         3/4 diamonds NOT 3+H
3C          Clubs, "wild or boring' 5-5/6-4 or 5H-4C-2-2
3D          NAT diamonds, 5-5 (5=3=5=0 possible)
3H          NAT hearts, 5-5
3S          6+S
3NT         BAL 17-19 'Forget allowed' but no chance of playing 3-5 heart fit
4m          6H-4m


Opener shows 3+ hearts
----------------------

1S - 1NT
2C - 2D
2H - 2S     Normal
     2NT    5-5 minors
     3m     5+ minor single-suited and location of values
     3H     5+ hearts
     3S     3CR, balanced, COG(3NT)

1S - 1NT
2C - 2D
2H - 2S
2NT         4 Hearts, {5=4=2=2 / 5=4=3=1 / 5=4=1=3}
3C          4 Clubs, 5=3=1=4
3D          4 diamonds, 5=3=4=1
3H          5=4=0=4
3S          5=4=4=0
3NT         BAL (responder denied 5 hearts with 2S relay)

Opener shows 4 hearts
----------------------

1S - 1NT
2C - 2D
2H - 2S
2NT - 3C    Clubs ro relay
      3D    Diamonds as above
      3H    Normal with 4H
      3S    3CR
      3NT   Nat

1S - 1NT
2C - 2D
2H - 2S
2NT - 3C    
3D          NGF 5=4=3=1
3H          NGF 5=4=1=3
3S          5=4=2=2 MAx (only this sequence for MAX/MIN 5-4-2-2)
3NT         5=4=2=2
4C          6=4=2=1 MAX
4D          6=4=1=2 MAX
4S          MIN, either shape as above


Opener shows 3+ diamonds
------------------------
     
1S - 1NT
2C - 2D
2NT - 3C    Normal without 5+ suit
      3D    Nat, 4+ diamonds
      3H    Nat, 3CR, COG
      3S    5+ clubs
      3NT   Enough


1S - 1NT
2C - 2D
2NT - 3C
3D          NGF 4D {5=1=4=3}
3H          NGF 4C {5=1=3=4}
3S          5=0=4=4
3NT         2=5=4=2
4C          6S-4D short club, slam INV
4D          6S-4D short heart, slam INV
4S          6S-4D MIN



Opener shows clubs "Wild or Boring"
-----------------------------------

1S - 1NT
2C - 2D
3C - 3D    Normal
     3H    Nat, 3CR, COG
     3S    Clubs (strong slam INV)
     3NT   Enough


1S - 1NT
2C - 2D
3C - 3D
3H          MIN 5-5 clubs
3S          MAX 5-5 clubs
3NT         2=5=2=4
4C          6S-4C short heart, slam INV
4D          6S-4C short diamond, slam INV
4S          6S-4C MIN


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1H - 1S
-------

1H - 1S
2C          16+ or 6+ Hearts 11+ "long or strong" or 14-15 3CR
2D          11-15, 4+D
2H          11-15, 4+C (if 5C, 11-13)
2S          11-15, 3/4S
2NT         13-15, 6H/3S 'mini nightmare'
3m          13-15, 5-5
3H          13-15, 6+ hearts
3S


Responder is weak
-----------------

1H - 1S
2C - 2H
2S          17-18, NF Nat 3S maybe 3=5=1=4 or 3=5=4=1, now 2NT = try/scramble to minor
2NT         18-19, good cards
3L          18+ Nat, FG
3H          17/18 NF
3S          18+ 6H/3S 'maxi nightmare'
3NT         Solid hearts, choice of games


Responder is strong (8+)
------------------------

1H - 1S
2C - 2D
2H          11-13, NF all other FG, 6+H, 3m NAT others 2S/2NT/3H tries with 2+H

Others 16+

2S          All hands with 3S
2NT         3/4 diamonds NOT 3+S
3C          Clubs, "wild or boring' 5-5/6-4 or 5H-4C-2-2
3D          NAT Diamonds, 5-5 (3=5=5=0 possible)
3H          Nat 6+H
3S          ???
3NT         BAL 17-19, not usually 3S
4m          6H-4m


Opener shows 3 spades
----------------------

Opener has one of three hand-types:

a) Balanced 17-19 with 3S
b) 5-4-3-1 with 3S
c) 6H-3S

After responder initially shows his spade length, opener clarifies NGF (so H = 6H)

1H - 1S
2C - 2D
2S - 2NT    5+ spades, others look to alternative strains
     3C     waiting, usually only 4 spades, 
     3D     Nat, 5+ diamonds
     3H     Nat, 3CR
     3S     6+ spades
     3NT    5S, short hearts

1H - 1S
2C - 2D
2S - 2NT
3C          NAT, (hence short diamond)
3D          NAT, (hence short club)
3H          NAT, 3=6=2=2
3S          BAL, good spades
3NT         BAL, NT orientation
4m          SPL, shortage in 6-3-3-1

1H - 1S
2C - 2D
2S - 3C
3D          NAT, (hence short club)
3H          NAT, 6H+3S
3S          Clubs, (hence short diamond)
3NT         BAL

1H - 1S
2C - 2D
2S - 3D
3H          NAT, 6H+3S
3S          Agrees diamonds
3NT         BAL / short diamond


1H - 1S
2C - 2D
2S - 3H
3S          Slam INV
3NT         BAL, COG
4m          shortage
4H          Enough

Opener shows 3+ diamonds
------------------------

These are the same as the sequences after 1H - 1NT as there, showing 0-2 spades.
     
1H - 1S
2C - 2D
2NT - 3C    Normal
      3D    Nat, 4+ diamonds
      3H    Nat, 3CR, COG
      3S    6+ spades
      3NT   Enough


1H - 1NT
2C - 2D
2NT - 3C
3D          Nat 4D {1=5=4=3}
3H          NGF 4C {1=5=3=4}
3S          0=5=4=4
3NT         2=5=4=2
4C          6H-4D short club, slam INV
4D          6H-4D short spade, slam INV
4H          6H-4D MIN


Opener shows clubs "Wild or Boring"
-----------------------------------

These are the same as the sequences after 1H - 1NT again, showing 0-2 spades
     
1H - 1S
2C - 2D
3C - 3D    Normal
     3H    Nat, 3CR, COG
     3S    6+ spades
     3NT   Enough


1H - 1NT
2C - 2D
3C - 3D
3H          MIN 5-5 clubs
3S          MAX 5-5 clubs
3NT         2=5=2=4
4C          6H-4C short spade, slam INV
4D          6H-4C short diamond, slam INV
4H          6H-4C MIN

Opener is weak, responder is stronger still (11+) 
-------------------------------------------------

1H - 1S
2C - 2D
2H - 2S     Nat, INV NF, usually 6 spades
     2NT    Forcing; only die below game if responder passes opener's 3H rebid
     3m     Nat FG, 5S+5m
     3H     INV
     3S     "These are trumps"
     3NT    Natural
     4m     SPL