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 thats 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-Ss 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 opponents 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 3×3. 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 3×3 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/ Thats why it was named 3×3.
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! Thats why if responders hand is enough for game even with 1-st zone of Openers 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 Openers strength he should bid 2NT forcing to game with at least 2-nd zone of Openers strength.
The most probable Responders 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 Openers 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 Openers strength (in his suit or Responders 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 Openers distribution and his zone of strength. Note, that suit bids with jump have rather preemptive intention, reply 1NT (after suit opening calls at 1st level, Pass included) is balance with 2-nd zone of Openers strength and stopper in suit of Openers 1-st step.
2.1.2. Following bidding
a) After Responders bid game at once Opener bases his actions on position that Responders bid was made in assumption that Openers 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 Openers strength the Grand is almost sure, but with 2-nd zone of Openers 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 Openers 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 Openers hand also shows to Responder type of distribution Openers hand; then in accordance with logic;
Notes: unfortunaly 4-4-3-2 distribution is described as suit so Openers 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 Openers bid at major shows at least 5 cards suit; if after 2NT question and Openers 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 Openers hand is the suit of the first-step-reply; then Opener should pass;
– 2-nd zone, main suit of Openers 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 Openers 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 Responders 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 Responders 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 Responders sixth-step-reply Opener has the following possibilities:
– Pass final contract;
– any bids at Responders 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 Responders 1NT reply (after suit openings at 1-st level) Opener bids almost final contract.
f) After Responders 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 Responders suit 2-nd zone, 4+ cards (rare but may be 1-st zone with extremely good distribution); then in accordance with logic;
– support Responders 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 Openers 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 responders 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 Openers 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 itll 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 Openers 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 Openers 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 Openers 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 Openers 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 Openers reply that showed 2-nd zone, the bidding is natural, but Responders 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 Openers 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 Responders 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) thats why it is recommended in critical position (when one has doubts to continue bidding or to pass) to chose rather Pass
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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.
