04 / 1C OPEN [07.26.2007] COMMENT: Several bidding systems "group” all stronger hands [16+ HC] into a single opening bid [1C]. All other opening bids have a restricted range of less than 16 HC [except Strong Notrump]. OMEGA principles believe that many hands with 16-19 HC should NOT use 1C as a forcing bid. Many of these hands lose timing and bidding space by opening 1C. Opening bids of other 1Suit will have broader range of 12-19 HC. OMEGA's inclusion of "Inverted minor" and pre-emptive minor raises offers the same accuracy with minor suit bidding as that which is available for MAJOR suit bidding. REQUIREMENTS 12-19 HC ALWAYS 3+ C NO OTHER 5-Card SUIT COMMENT: Because of the ambiguous nature of 1C opening, always anticipate partner's response and have a PLANNED rebid that best clarifies the nature of the 1C Open. 1st RESPONSE (UPH) P [USUALLY 4+ C] 1D [4+ HC; NO 5-Card MAJOR; Less than 4 H] 1H [4+ HC; 4+ H] 1S [4+ HC; 5+ S] 1NT = 8-10 HC 2C = GAME FORCING; Inverted minor [Limit Raise PH] 2D = Limit Raise for C [Weak Jump Shift PH -or- over TOX] 2M = Weak Jump Shift; 6-Cards; 0-5 HC 2NT = Invitational; 11-12 HC; NO 4-Card MAJOR; Preemptive C Raise over TO-X 3C = Preemptive; 4-7 HC; 5+ C; Limit Raise over TO-X 3NewSuit = SPLINTER; C Support 3NT = FINAL; 13-15 HC; NO 4-Card MAJOR 4C = "minorWood"; 14-30; C = Key Suit 4D NOT USED 4M = FINAL 4NT = Blackwood; 14-30; NO Key Suit OPENER'S REBIDS AFTER 1-SUIT RESPONSE 1M = 12-19 HC; SEMI-FORCING; Responder must rebid with 6+ HC 1NT = 12-14 HC 2D After 1MAJOR 1st Response = New minor 1-Round Force 2H after 1S 1st Response = NATURAL; NOT Invitational 2Same Suit = Constructive; 7-10 HC REVERSE = Game Forcing 3Same MAJOR = Invitational; 11-12 HC 3D after 1M 1st Response = WEAK; 6+ D 3ANY Suit after 1D 1st Response [See 1NT Responses 2C = 12-16 HC; 6-Cards 2New Suit (Including 2D RAISE) = 17-19 HC; REVERSE 2Same MAJOR Raise = 12-16 HC [ALWAYS 4 H -or- 3-4 S] 2NT = 18-19 HC 3C = 17-19 HC 3Same MAJOR Raise = 17-18 HC; 4 Trumps; NO SPLINTER 4Same MAJOR Raise = 19 HC; 4 Trumps; NO SPLINTER Double J / S Rebid Over 1MAJOR = SPLINTER; 4 Trumps; Support;18-19 HC 4NT Over 1MAJOR [RARE] = Blackwood; 14-30; MAJOR = Key Suit Rebids after 1C - 1Suit - 2NT Rebid [18-19 HC] 3C Rebid (1D 1st Response) [Stayman = ONLY 4 S] 3C Rebid (1H 1st Response) [Stayman = 4-4 MAJORS -OR- (5 H; MAY have 4 S)] 3C Rebid (1S 1st Response) [Stayman = 5 S; MAY have 4 H] 3D Rebid (1D 1st Response) [Constructive, 7+ HC] 3Lower Red Suit (1MAJOR 1st Response) [Natural; WEAK; NOT Invitational] 3Same MAJOR Rebid [6-Cards; Forcing] "REVERSE" [Natural; Game Forcing] 4C Rebid ["GERBER" - Key = MAJOR -or- NONE OPENER'S REBIDS AFTER 1NT RESPONSE 2C = 12-16 HC; 6-Cards 2NEW Suit = 17-19 HC; REVERSE; 4+ Cards 2NT NOT Used 3C = 17-19 HC; 6+ Cards 3NT = FINAL OPENER'S REBIDS AFTER 2C (INVERTED) 2D = 17-19 HC; 4+ D; REVERSE 2M = Stopper; NO Stopper other MAJOR 2NT = Both MAJORS Stopped; 12-15 HC -or- min HC 3C = 5+ C; NO SPLINTER; NO MAJOR Stopper 3New Suit = SPLINTER 3NT = Both MAJORS Stopped; 16-17 HC -or- MAXIMUM HC 4C = "Gerber"; 14-30; C = Key Suit 4NT = Both MAJORS Stopped; 18-19 HC - RARE SEQUENCES AFTER WEAK JUMP SHIFT DESCRIBED IN 13 / OTHER CONVENTIONAL BIDS OPENER'S REBIDS AFTER 2NT RESPONSE 3C = Invitational 3NEW Suit = 17-19 HC; 4+ Cards; REVERSE 3NT = FINAL SEQUENCES AFTER SUIT INTERFERENCE X Through 3S = Negative X; Appropriate HC 1M (UPH) = Natural; Forcing; 4+ Cards 1NT = Standard 2C = Standard; 6-10 HC 2New Suit (NON-Jump) = Forcing 1-Round 2Q-Bid = Limit Raise of C -or- Better 2M Jump Shift = 0-5 HC; 6-Cards 2NT = 11-12 HC; Invitational; GOOD Stoppe 3C (JUMP) = Preemptive; 4-7 HC; 5+ C 3C (NON-JUMP) = Competitive; 8-11 HC; 5+ C 3M (NON-JUMP) = Game Forcing 3Q-Bid = Invites 3NT -or- Forcing C 3NT = 13-16 HC: GOOD Stopper REBID SEQUENCES AFTER NEGATIVE X Responsive X After RHO Competition ["Requested" Suit w / o Top HONORS] 1M = Standard 1NT = 12-14 HC 2C = 12-16 HC 2D (Over 1MAJOR) = REVERSE; 17-19 HC 2H (Over 1S) = 12-16 HC 2M (Jump Shift) = 16-17 HC 2Q-Bid = 18-19 HC; At Least ONE 4-Card MAJOR 3C (Jump) = 17-19 HC 3H (Over 1S) = 16-17 HC 3NT = FINAL; Tricks PASSED HAND RESPONSES P [USUALLY 4+ C] 1D [4+ HC; NO 5-Card MAJOR; Less than 4 H] 1H [4+ HC; 4+ H] 1S [4+ HC; 5+ S] 1NT = 8-10 HC 2C = LIMIT RAISE ONLY; Inverted minor 2NT Rebid = minimum 3NT Rebid = Maximum Other Rebids = Standard Inverted minor Sequences 2New Suit (Including 2D) = Weak Jump Shift; 6-Cards; 0-5 HC 2NT = Invitational; 11-12 HC; NO 4-Card MAJOR; Preemptive Raise over TO-X 3C = Preemptive; 4-7 HC; 5+ Cards; Invitational Limit Raise over TO-X SEQUENCES AFTER NATURAL 1NT OVERCALL==> See 21 SEQUENCES AFTER "UNUSUAL" 1NT OVERCALL X = PENALTY 2C = Stayman 2D = NO 4-Card MAJOR P = FINAL 2H = 4-5 Cards each MAJOR; NOT FORCING 2S = 4 H + 5 S; Invitational 2NT = At least ONE 4-Card MAJOR; Invitational 3M (Smolen) = 4 Bid MAJOR + 5 Other MAJOR; FORCING 2M = 4-Card MAJOR; Standard Rebid 2D = H Transfer; 2S Rebid = 5-5 MAJORS; Invitational 2H = S Transfer; 3H Rebid = 5-5 MAJORS; FORCING 2S NOT USED