Bridge World Standard
Bridge World Standard (BWS) is a system based on the majority
preferences of approximately 125 leading experts and thousands of
Bridge World readers. Its methods were determined by polls: a clear
expert preference determined the treatment; close questions were decided
by the readers' vote. Because it is a consensus system, BWS is rarely
used by regular partnerships. It is, however, very valuable in forming
casual partnerships--if both partners know the system, they need discuss
only those areas in which individual preferences do not conform to
the BWS treatment. BWS is also used as a foundation for voting in
the Master Solvers' Club in The Bridge World.
Opening Bids and Responses
Minimum balanced hand: good 12.
1 NT: good 15 to bad 18. Jacoby transfers (splinter
rebids; game raise is slam try; two diamonds plus two spades forcing
only one round); two spades shows minors; three hearts invitational,
major two-suiter; Texas transfers; Stayman (two-spade rebid invitational;
two-heart rebid weak; minor rebid forcing); Smolen; three of a minor
invitational; Gerber.
2 NT: good 20 to bad 22 (small doubleton acceptable).
Jacoby transfers; three spades shows minors; Texas transfers; Gerber;
High Gerber.
Two clubs artificial, strong: Natural responses (positive
response requires good suit); two diamonds neutral; second negative=cheaper
minor to three diamonds.
Preempts: Weak two-bids (two notrump, which asks for
feature if maximum, and new-suit responses forcing). "Weak gambling"
three-bids. New-suit response to game-level opening asking-bid (step
responses).
3 NT: gambling (little outside strength); four-diamond
response artificial.
Five-card majors in first and second position: one-notrump
response forcing; two-over-one promises rebid; limit jump raises (four
trumps; cheapest rebid asks shortness); two notrump strong raise (asks
shortness); three notrump natural, 16-17; passed-hand responses: one
notrump 6-12, two clubs strong raise, three clubs natural.
Responses to minor-suit openings: Single raise strong,
10 pts. up, denies major; jump raise weak; 1 NT 8-10 after one club,
6-10 after one diamond; two notrump natural, game force; up the line
may be ignored with moderate hand; two-club response to one diamond promises a rebid.
Partnership Bidding
Splinter raises: Double-jump shift after suit opening;
single jump in fourth suit if one level above a reverse; single jump
in third suit if four level, or reverse; double jump in fourth suit;
four of opener's minor after new-suit rebid; jump-shift by two-diamond
responder to two clubs; new-suit jump after single major raise; double
new-suit jump after 1 NT response.
Slam methods: Roman key-card Blackwood with trump-queen
ask; DOPI; five notrump (2 keys) or higher response with void; 5 NT
rebid invites seven, asks king cue-bidding. Cheapest-weakest responses
to grand-slam force. Gerber after one-notrump or two-notrump opening,
or rebid. Picture jumps in forcing situations.
Other methods: Fourth-suit bidding: nonforcing by
passed hand unless reverse; one spade may be weak; promises another
bid at two level; game force if reverse or at three level. Third-suit
bidding: game force if reverse or at three level, otherwise does not
promise rebid. Opener's suit-over-suit reverse promises rebid; responder's
cheaper of 2 NT and fourth suit neutral. All non-jump-shift secondary
jumps by one-over-one responder invitational. Opener's jump rebid
to four of original minor is strong raise. Unbid minor forcing and
artificial after one-notrump rebid, requests support. Three clubs
artificial, may be prelude to signoff, after two-notrump jump by opener.
Reraise to three of major preemptive.
Competitive Bidding
Negative doubles: After suit opening, through three
spades (including opener's suit); after one-notrump opening, at the
three level; unlimited; suggests length in unbid major; of one heart
shows four spades; of one spade after minor opening shows four or
more hearts. Repeat same-suit double by negative doubler for takeout.
Weak jump responses after overcall of minor opening.
Over overcall: jump raise preemptive, cue-bid is at least limit
raise, jump cue-bid is splinter.
Over two-suited overcalls: cheapest cue = raise; next cue = unbid suit; unbid suit nonforcing.
Over minor Michaels: unbid suit nonforcing; major suit shows
stopper.
Over major Michaels: cue-bid in enemy major is limit
raise or better; new suit forcing.
Support doubles and redoubles when raise to two is available, except one club--(pass)--one
diamond--(one spade)--double shows hearts.
Over a double of partner's suit bid: new suit forcing
at the one level only; jump shift nonforcing; two notrump limit raise
or better; double jump in new suit splinter
Lebensohl after two-level overcalls of one notrump (fast denies stop).
Jump cue-bid by opener is splinter raise.
Pass and pull strong in forcing situation.
Defensive Bidding
Michaels cue-bids (in minor: majors; in major: other
major plus unspecified minor) in direct and reopening position over suit one-bids
and over one-notrump response; weak or quite strong.
Direct jump cue-bid natural over minor, asks stopper
over major.
Takeout doubles of preemptive openings through four
hearts; otherwise for penalty.
Maximal overcall double of raised suit.
Reopenings: 1 NT, 10-14; 2 NT, 18-19.
In fourth seat over a response: one notrump and cue-bids natural.
After 1 NT overcall: two clubs Stayman; jumps invitational.
Double of free new-suit bid by responder shows fourth suit plus tolerance.
Cappelletti over one notrump (all situations).
Direct two notrump unusual for lower unbid suits; weak or quite strong.
Takeout doubles: may be light with shape; new-suit rebid very strong.
Preemptive jump overcalls and jump raises of overcalls.
Responsive and extended responsive doubles after takeout doubles,
at the two level after an overcall, after a preempt.
Mixed-raise advances of overcalls.
Cue-bid by advancer forcing until a suit is bid twice, or game.
Lebensohl after double of weak two-bid, either position by unpassed hand, and following one-notrump overcall.
Opening Leads
Against suit contracts: third from even; low from odd. All
other leads old-fashioned.
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