V. Brushtunov
Bidding System
"Three-times-three"
A most of used natural and
semi-natural systems have almost the same Class of Difficult Deals (CDD) – that
means deals, when inside the system one can hardly declare optimal contract.
Increasing players’ level provided that leading pairs use almost full
possibilities of natural systems and that’s why struggle in sport bridge
between such pairs consists on card-play.
At 60-ties years of previous
century Polish theoretic Lukash Slawinsky concluded that for fighting against
leading pairs weaker pair should use system with CDD that does not has common
regions with CDD of natural systems. This conclusion provided him to invention
of group of systems with strong pass and weak opening bids (HUM-Systems in
modern terminology). Weak opening bids should either transfer to partner not
only specific information about strength and distribution but also carry at
preemptive function m ore frequently than natural systems. And then it became
clear that all HUM-S’s have rather low average level of opening bid: between
1Club and 1Diamond. So the aim of throwing opponents to intervention these
systems did not manage. Moreover, “strong pass” itself
Became the weakest part of these systems because even not too high
opponent’s preemptive bid after such a pass destroyed constructive bidding of
the system.
At the middle of 70-ties bridge-players from Kharkov
(Ukraine)Vladimir Korop and his son Alexey Korop formulated ideology and
spectrum of opening bids of absolutely unusual, extremely aggressive and
destructive system, called “3x3”. This system even nowadays is still maximal
destructive and have average level of opening bids between 1Spades and 1NT
because opening calls from Pass till 2Hearts have in practice almost the same
probability.
1. Spectrum of
opening calls
1.1. Suits openings
System “3x3” has following
so-called “suit openings” at 1-st and 2-nd levels:
At the 1-st level: at the 2-nd level:
Pass 1 NT
1 Club 2 Clubs
1 Diamond 2 Diamonds
1 Heart 2 Hearts
Every suit-opening call is
made with one from three zone of strength:
at the 1-st level: 0-2 or
7-9 or 16-18,
at the 2-nd level: 3-5 or
10-12 or 18-20.
Moreover, every
suit-opening-call describes one from three types of distribution:
- 4-3-3-3, 4-cards suit is
bid natural (Pass and 1 NT – for 4 cards in Spade);
- at most one short (two
or less cards in it) and at least three cards in all other suits – the short
suit is shown via texas;
- at least two short suits
(at most two cards in them) – main suit of the hand is shown via texas.
So: every suit opening call has 9 meanings – three types
of distribution and three zones of strength/ That’s why it was named “3x3”.
Notes: a priory
probabilities of these calls are:
- texas in short suit –
about 0.6,
-
middle zone of strength – about 0.75.
And these probabilities should be informed to
opponents in advance
1.2.
Other opening bids
1 Spade
– two zones of strength (5-7 or 13-15), any distribution;
2 Spades
- 21 and more, suit distribution or 23 and more, NT distribution (in practice –
forcing game);
2 NT - 21-22, regular distribution;
3 Clubs
and higher – classical bids.
2. Development of the bidding (non-contested)
2.1.
After suit opening bids
2.1.1.
First replies:
No reply
forces Opener! That’s why if responder’s hand is enough for game even with 1-st
zone of Opener’s strength Responder should bid the game that is more probable
(or slam or bid 4NT as Blackwood) Then – in accordance with logics. Opener
knows that Responder has power hand!
If for game Responder needs in at least 2-nd
zone of Opener’s strength he should bid 2NT – forcing to game with at least
2-nd zone of Opener’s strength.
The most
probable Responder’s first reply is bid to the first step (from the opening call),
examples: Pass – 1Club or 2Diamonds – 2Hearts. It means that Responder has at
least 2 cards in that suit (possibility to play contract in that suit if the
suit is the main Opener’s suit), absence of game intention if Opener has 1-st
or 2-nd zone of strength.
With
sharp hand (at least 4 cards in the suit of the first step, at least 5 cards in
some side suit and usually with singleton) Responder should bid 6-th step (suit
of the 1-st step with jump), examples: 1Diamonds – 2Hearts or 1NT – 3Clubs.
Intention of that bid is:
-
game in attack with 3-rd zone of Opener’s strength (in his suit or
Responder’s side suit or NT),
-
suit game with common weak hand but sharp distribution,
-
maximal high preempt when opponents have power hand.
Other bids are natural and non-forcing. One may think
that Responder guessed type of Opener’s distribution and his zone of strength.
Note, that suit bids with jump have rather preemptive intention, reply 1NT
(after suit opening calls at 1–st level, Pass included) is balance with 2-nd
zone of Opener’s strength and stopper in suit of Opener’s 1-st step.
2.1.2. Following bidding
a) After Responder’s bid game
at once Opener bases his actions on position that Responder’s bid was made in
assumption that Opener’s hand contained 1-st zone of strength and one short
suit with at least tripletons in other suits.
It
is obvious that with 3-rd zone of Opener’s strength the Grand is almost sure,
but with 2-nd zone of Opener’s strength small Slam may be impossible. So – logics
of the following bidding is: every bids are natural and invites to small Slam
(at least while Opener demonstrates only 2-nd zone). With 3-rd zone Opener bids
small or grand Slam (by the way – to bid small Slam in one call is final
because it may be done with nice hand and 2-nd zone), or after Responder
refuses Opener’s invite – Opener continues bidding.
b) After 2NT reply Opener
should describe his hand. With 1-st zone of strength he passes and bidding is
over (unless opponent re-open it – then in accordance with logic). Two bids
will show 4-3-3-3 distribution: 3NT – 2-nd zone and 4NT – 3-rd zone, then – in
accordance with logic. As exception 4NT may be made with 4-4-3-2 (or even
5-3-3-2, 5 cards in minor) and dubleton with high honor. Other bids describe
suit hand:
- suit at 3-rd level –
main suit of the hand, at least 2-nd zone (Opener may hide his 3-rd zone for aim of
better description his hand, especially with tqo-suit hands with two short
suits); information about main suit of Opener’s hand also shows to Responder
type of distribution Opener’s hand; then – in accordance with logic;
Notes: unfortunaly 4-4-3-2 distribution is described as “suit” so
Opener’s bid at minor should be treated as 4+ cards (sometimes – 3+ cards)
unless such a bid describes distribution with 2 and more short suits, direct
Opener’s bid at major shows at least 5 cards suit; if after 2NT question and
Opener’s re-bid that showed hand with 1 short suit Responder bids major suit –
it shows 4+ cards in it.
- suit at 4-th level –
natural, 3-rd zone of strength, sufficiently one-suit-hand; then – in
accordance with logic.
c) After first-step-reply
Opener should Pass with following three cases:
- 1-st zone, 4-3-3-3; if
opponents re-open the bidding – in accordance with logic; usually Opener should
call RDBL-SOS over opponents DBL (or make nearest bid);
- 1-st zone, main suit of
Opener’s hand is the suit of the first-step-reply; then Opener should pass;
- 2-nd zone, main suit of
Opener’s hand is the suit of the first-step-reply; then Opener may bid in
accordance with logic (including free bid in his second suit – but not nearest
bid).
Another Opener’s bids:
- nearest NT – 2-nd zone,
4-3-3-3; then – in accordance with logic;
- NT with jump
– 3-rd zone, 4-3-3-3 (or 4-4-3-2, even 5-3-3-2 5 cards in minor, dubleton with
high honor; then – in accordance with logic;
- new suit without jump – main
suit of the hand, distribution with 1 short suit, 1-st or 2-nd zone; then – in
accordance with logic;
Note: here and then
“new” means any but “first-step-reply” suit.
- repeat Responder’s bid
without jump – 3-rd zone, distribution with at least two short suits and
already fitted main suit of the hand; then – in accordance with logic;
- repeat
Responder’s bid with jump – as above but sufficient one-suit-hand;
- new suit with jump –
3-rd zone, distribution with one short suit, jump is made in main (5+ cards)
suit of the hand; then – in accordance with logic;
- new suit with double
jump – as above but 6-3-3-1 or 7-3-3-0, usually one should not bid higher than
3NT; then – in accordance with logic.
d) After Responder’s
“sixth-step-reply” Opener has the following possibilities:
- Pass – final contract;
- any bids at Responder’s
suit – final contract and only Opener knows the aim: preemptive or attack;
- nearest NT (except 3NT)
– 2-nd zone, 4-3-3-3; then Responder bids final contract;
- NT with jump or 3NT –
3-rd zone, 4-3-3-3 or 4-4-3-2 (5-3-3-2, 5+ cards in minor), dubleton with high
honor; then – in accordance with logic;
- new suit without jump –
1-st or 2-nd zone, distribution with one short suit, the main suit of the hand
was shown; then – in accordance with logic;
- new suit with jump –
3-rd zone, distribution with one short suit, the main suit of the hand was
shown; then – in accordance with logic;
e) After Responder’s 1NT
reply (after suit openings at 1-st level) Opener bids almost final contract.
f) After Responder’s
new-suit-without-jump (not the suit of the 1-st step after opening bid) reply
Opener has the following possibilities:
- nearest NT (not 3NT) –
2-nd zone, 4-3-3-3 (or 4-4-3-2 and high honor in dubleton); then – in
accordance with logic;
- NT with jump (or 3NT) –
3-rd zone, 4-3-3-3 (or 4-4-3-2, 5-3-3-2 and high honor in dubleton), then – in
accordance with logic;
- support Responder’s suit
– 2-nd zone, 4+ cards (rare – but may be 1-st zone with extremely good
distribution); then – in accordance with logic;
- support Responder’s suit
with jump – 3-rd zone, 4+ cards (rare – but may be 2-nd zone with extremely
good distribution); then – in accordance with logic;
- new minor (not suit of
the 1-st step from opening bid) without jump – 4+ cards, distribution with two
short suits, 2-nd zone; then – in accordance with logic;
- new minor (not suit of
the 1-st step from opening bid) with jump – 4+ cards, distribution with two
short suits, 3-rd zone; then – in accordance with logic;
- new major (not suit of
the 1-st step from opening bid) without jump – 2-nd zone, distribution with one
short suit, this major is main suit of the hand; then – in accordance with
logic;
- new major (not suit of
the 1-st step from opening bid) with jump – 3-rd zone, distribution with one
short suit, this major is main suit of the hand; then – in accordance with logic;
- new suit (suit of the
1-st step from opening bid) without jump – 5+ cards, 3-rd zone, the Opener’s
hand contain 4 cards in unbid major suit; then – in accordance with logic;
- new suit (suit of the 1-st
step from opening bid) with jump – 6+ cards, 3-rd zone, sufficiently
one-suit-hand; then – in accordance with logic.
g) After other replies
bidding continues in accordance with logic, one should take into account that with fit in
responder’s suit Opener may make his bid with any zone, but without fit – only
with 3-rd zone. And absence of fit will describe type of distribution of
Opener’s hand.
2.2. After other openings
2.2.1. First replies
2.2.1.1. After 1 Spade
opening Responder has the following possibilities:
- 1 NT – one-round-forcing
(and if Opener shows 2-nd zone it’ll become forcing game);
- other bids – natural,
non-forcing, 2 in major – 5+ cards, 2 in minor – 3+ cards (better minor).
2.2.1.2. After 2 NT
opening Responder has the following possibilities:
- 3 Clubs – forcing game,
puppet-Stayman (Responder may have no 4-card major); then Opener bids 3 NT
without 4-card major, 3 in major – 5-3-3-2, natural, and 3 Diamonds – with at
least one 4-card major, after that Responder bids 3 NT without 4-card major or
bids 3 in major where he has NOT 4 cards (he has 4 cards in another major),
with 4 cards in both majors Responder bids 4 in better minor; then – in
accordance with logic;
- 3 NT – final contract;
- 4 NT –
Boland-Miller (invite to Slam, described below);
- 3 in suit – Texas (3
Spades – Texas to 6+ cards in minor);
- 4 in minor – double
Texas to major;
- 4 in major – for play.
Boland-Miller 2 NT
(21-23) – 4 NT:
Pass – minimal hand (21),
suit at 5 level – 22, nearest
4+ cards suit,
5 NT – 23, no 5 card suit,
suit at 6 level – 23,
5-3-3-2, natural.
After Opener’s suit-bid at 5
level Responder decides the level of final contract (5 or 6) and continues at
that level (Pass included). Then partners bid their 4-card suit up-the-line
till they find fit 4-4 (and pass at the level that was decided by Responder) or
bid NT at the same level.
After Opener’s bid 5 NT Responder
bids his nearest 4-card suit at 6 level (or direct bids 6 NT as final contract)
and partners’ bidding is similar to one that is described above.
After Opener’s suit-bid at 6
level Responder takes final decision.
2.2.1.3. After 2 Spades
opening Responder has the following possibilities:
- 3 Clubs - negative (less
than 5 PC);
- other bids – natural, 5+
PC.
Then – in accordance with logic.
2.2.1.4. After 3 Clubs and
higher openings – partners should agree the bidding logic. Recommended is
classic style.
2.2.2. Bidding after 1
Spade – 1NT
Opener should describe his
hand. With 1-st zone (5-7 pC) he makes suit bids at 2 level, other bids will
show 2-nd zone (13-15):
- 2 in minor – 3+ cards,
better minor, 5-7;
- 2 in major – 5+ cards,
5-7;
- 2 NT – approximately NT
distribution, 13-15;
- 3 in suit – 5+ cards,
13-15.
After Opener’s suit reply at 2 level Responder has only one bid that
forses game – 2 NT. All other bids are natural and non-forcing. After forcing 2
NT Opener should transfer more information about his hand (show 4-card major,
5-card minor, repeat major as 6+ card suit or bid 3 NT otherwise). After
Opener’s reply that showed 2-nd zone, the bidding is natural, but Responder’s
bid in minor may be constructive and pointing to 4-card major because direct
major bid will show 5+ cards in it.
3. When opponents
overcall
Intervention of opponents
usually helps Responder better to estimate Opener’s hand and to take decision
about optimal contracts for both sides. Usually Responder bids almost final
contract. Opener may continue rather with better shape than with more strength
because his strength is known almost precise but distribution may have great
improvements… Beside that Responder still has artificial bid 2 NT after
suit-openings and 1 NT – after 1 Spade opening. All Responder’s Doubles and
Redoubles – natural, for penalty.
Afterwords:
The system is too aggressive in nature (usually it will wind you 1 level
higher than you planned) that’s why it is recommended in critical position
(when one has doubts to continue bidding or to pass) to chose rather PassJ
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From Bridgeguys WEB-sites(http://www.bridgeguys.com/BGlossary/GlossB.html):
Boland or Boland Slam Try
The origin of this bidding method is unknown, but is most likely the
conclusions of Mr. V.F. Boland and
Mr. John H. Law, two bridge
experts and authors, who published their studies 1931 in the book: Accurate
Contract Bridge. This is a method of slam exploration after one partner opens
especially with a 1 No Trump, but which can also be applied with a 2 No Trump
opening, and the responder jump raises to 4 No Trump. After the bidding
sequence: 1 No Trump - Pass - 4 No Trump, the opener declines the invitation by
passing if he has a minimum. The Boland Slam Try can be employed with various
No Trump ranges: 15-17 high card points, 16-18 high card points; 15-18 high
card points; and 20-22 high card points for a 2 No Trump opening. With an
average hand in terms of point count, or a good 17 points using a strong No
Trump range of 16 -18 high card points, the opener bids five of his lowest
ranking biddable suit. The responder bids accordingly, and may jump to the six
level in another suit without excluding other contracts. A 5 No Trump rebid
would deny a biddable suit. With a minimum hand, the opener jumps to the six
level in his lowest ranking biddable suit in similar fashion. The Boland Slam
Try can be employed in the same manner after any natural jump from 2 No Trump
to 4 No Trump. For the purpose of finding an appropriate trump suit in which to
play the slam, a biddable suit is defined as one containing no less than 4
cards headed by at least the Queen-Jack -x-x, which insures the partnership
against playing in a trump suit, in which the probability of losing more than
one trick is greater.