BIDDING BASICS

HIGH CARD POINT TOTALS

Each Ace = 4 points
Each King = 3 points
Each Queen = 2 points
Each Jack = 1 point


UNBALANCED DISTRIBUTION POINT TOTALS  
(Only applies when bidding in a suit).

Void (none of a suit) = 3 points
Singleton (one of a suit) = 2 points
Doubleton (two of a suit) = 1 point


OPENING BIDS

0-12 points  = pass
13+ points = 1 of a suit
16-18 points with balanced distribution = 1 No Trump
22-24 points with balanced distribution = 2 No Trump
25-27 points with balanced distribution = 3 No Trump
25+ points with a very strong suit = 2 of suit


RESPONSES TO BIDS OF ONE IN A SUIT

Distributional points change to:

Void = 5 points
Singleton = 3 points
Doubleton = 1 point

0-5 points without "trump support" (at least 3 cards in trump suit) = pass
3-9 points with trump support = raise by one in the same suit
11-13 points with trump support = raise by two in the same suit
6-10 points and a balanced hand = 1 No Trump
14-15 points and a balanced hand = 2 No Trump
16-17 points and a balanced hand = 3 No Trump
6-9 points and a wide range = new suit at Level 1
10-17 points and a wide range = new suit at Level 2


RESPONDING TO ONE NO TRUMP

0-6 points without a "long suit" (5 or more cards in the same suit) = pass
0-6 points and a long suit = 2 of a suit
7-9 points and a long suit = 3 of a suit
See if partner has a major suit = 2 clubs -
[See Stayman Convention under BIDDING CONVENTIONS]
7-8 points and a balanced hand = 2 No Trump
9-14 points and a balanced hand = 3 No Trump
15+ points and a balanced hand = 4 No Trump
