Here is where the opening of 1N with 4441 and a singleton A or K comes into play. We never have a singleton A or K when we open 2. Why is this important? Because it helps the responder evaluate his hand.

The 2 opening shows 2 kinds of hands:

• 11 - 16 HCP 4441 or 5440 where the short suit is a minor and the five-card suit (if any) is a minor
• 11 - 16 HCP 4441 where the singleton is a major
• 12+ - 16 HCP 4441 where the short suit is a major

The responses are:

• 2 - relay
• 2 - sign-off
• 2N - Asks for the short suit to be bid
• 2N game force (artificial)
• 3-suit - force unless the opener's singleton (then it is a sign-off)

Opener's rebids after 2 - 2

The opener passes unless he is short in s; in that case, he bids 2N.

Opener's rebids after 2 - 2N

Opener bids his short suit. Responder now sets the trump suit.

Opener's rebids after 2 - 3 suit

Opener bids his short suit with a fit; passes with a singleton or void.

Development after 2 - 2 (relay)

2 shows a singleton major
	2N asks which major is short
		3 Short Now 3 gets two step answer showing strength — John Kinn 2021/04/07 11:21 With maximum strength, zoom into control showing rebid.
		3 Short and a minimum
		3 Short and a maximum
	3/3 signoff
	3/3 not defined
	3N to play
2N shows short
	3 Asks size. Step 1 & 2 = min, Step 3 & 4 = max. Steps 2 & 4 show a void
	3/3 signoff
	3 mildly encouraging (didn't bid 2 first)
3 shows short
	3 Asks size. Step 1 & 2 = min, Step 3 &4 = max. Steps 2 & 4 show a void
	3 Signoff
	3 mildly encouraging (didn't bid 2 first)

Further development of 3 suited hands

After the opener has shown shape and size, the only forcing bids by the responder are bids in the short suit:

The first “cue” bid gets controls by steps

• step 1 = 3 controls
• step 2 = 4 controls
• step 3 = 5 controls
• step 4 = 6 controls
• step 5 = 7 controls
• step 6 = 8 controls

The second “cue” bid gets queens by steps like Blackwood (singleton Q does not count)

• step 1 = 0 queens
• step 2 = 1 queen
• step 3 = 2 queens
• step 4 = 3 queens

The third “cue” bid is to play.

The enemy overcalls 2 directly

• They double
  • Pass = poor hand with Diamond tolerance
  • Redouble = good hand with Diamond tolerance
    • Over either the pass or the redouble, the opener is expected to rescue himself by bidding 2 if his short suit is .
  • Other calls retain their meaning
• Overcalls of 3 or 3
  • Double = conditional penalty i.e. opener passes unless that is his short suit
  • 3 major is forcing. As a response opener
    • bids next step (3 over 3, 3N over 3) w/ no fit
    • raises with a fit and no extras
    • All other bids show fit, extras, and shows short suit (3N over 3 shows shortness)
  • 3N = to play
• Overcalls of 2 or 2
  • Double = conditional penalty i.e. opener passes unless that is his short suit
  • 2N asks for the short suit
• Overcall of 2N. Double is for penalty, other calls are not defined

The enemy overcalls the 2 or 2N relay

• They double
  • Re-double = penalty
  • Pass is undefined
  • Other calls retain meaning
• 3 minor
  • Double is penalty
    • After this a new suit by the responder is forcing (raise with a fit, next step with shortness)
  • Suit - 5 cards, void in enemy's suit
  • Pass = 4441 singleton in enemy's suit

Over other calls, just do the best you can