The Retropoet

When the opener bids 2C, responder can bid:

2D

Zero or one control, and no special suits as below.

2H

Two (2) controls, and no special suits as below.

2S

Three (3) controls, and no special suits as below.

2NT

Any 6-card or longer suit with an expected one loser opposite a void. This includes any 6-card suit with four of the top 5 honors except AKQTxx is not included.

3/suit

Three-level suit bids are transfers, spades transferring to clubs. They show a 6-card or longer suit that would have an expected no losers opposite an honor, but could have more than one loser opposite a void. This includes any 6-card suit with three of the top 4 honors except AKQxxx is not included.

3NT

Shows an undisclosed solid suit. A solid suit is defined as AKQJxx or AKQTxxx, or better. The Retropoet recommends that a 4NT rebid by opener in this sequence asks the length of responder's suit, although it makes sense also to play that bidding responder's MINOR suit at the four level could also be length asking. Opener should be able to tell what suit responder has.

4/suit

Four-level suit bids are transfers, spades transferring to clubs. They show a broken 8-card (or longer) suit.

2S

90% of the time. A waiting bid. Denies the hands below.

2NT

Transfers to CLUBS. A long suit headed by the jack or ten, NO outside ace, king, or queen.

3C, or 3D, or 3H.

Transfers to the next higher suit. Shows a weak hand like the 2NT transfer to clubs, above.

3S

Artificial, showing at least 3 queens AND 3 jacks, NO kings, and a balanced hand.

3NT

Conventional. Shows specifically 5-0-4-4 shape with a king or two queens, with, perhaps, an extra jack. Caters to either hand opener may have.

Special note; opener's rebids above 3NT have been fabricated by the Retropoet, and are open to discussion. Opener may show a solid heart suit via an immediate leap to 3H over the 2D response. This sets the trump.

2NT

Opener has a balanced 25+ HCP. Game force. Responder uses the usual tools to continue.

3C

Opener has 5(+) hearts and an expected 4-card club suit, forcing.

3D

Opener has 5(+) hearts and an expected 4-card diamond suit, forcing.

3H

Opener usually has 6 or more hearts, but the suit is not solid. Forcing. Opener could have a balanced hand with 5 hearts, lacking a stopper for notrumps.

3S

Opener has 5(+) hearts and and expected 4-card spade suit, forcing.

3NT

Opener has a 6-card heart suit with stoppers, the heart suit is not solid.

4C

Opener has a 3-card fragment with 2/top 3 honors in clubs with a long heart suit playable opposite a void (4 of top 5 honors, but not including AKQJxx)

4D

Opener has a 3-card fragment with 2/top 3 honors in diamonds and a long heart suit playable opposite a void (4 of top 5 honors, but not including solid suits.

4H

Opener has a 3-card fragment in spades with 2/top 3 honors, and a long heart suit playable opposite a void (4 of top 5 honors, but not including solid suits.

4S

Transfers to 4NT. Opener has a heart suit, and the ability to run the top 11 tricks at notrump. Invites a slam. Responder's Kx will be good. Responder's KQx will be worth a grand.

4NT

Roman Keycard Blackwood, hearts is trumps. Responder answers as if the four kings and the queen of hearts were the keycards. For example:

• 5C = one king or the heart queen
• 5D = NO keycards
• 5H = one king, and the heart queen, but not the heart jack
• 5S = one king, and the heart queen and jack

OPENER: 2C (artificial, strong, forcing)
RESPONDER: 2D (artificial, negative)
OPENER: 2H (forcing, two-way bid)
RESPONDER: 2S (waiting, no special hand)
OPENER: 3H (Real hearts, no side 4-card suit)
RESPONDER: ?

3S

No good 5-card suit, and no support.

3NT

Spades. At least QTxxx, no support.

4C

Clubs. Up to QTxxx, if heart support is included. Don't have to transfer because opener already bid clubs.

4D

Diamonds. Up to QTxxx, if heart support is included. Don't have to transfer because responder already bid diamonds.

4H

True heart support, but weak. (Qx or better)

4S

Four card support with an undisclosed singleton. Opener may inquire the singleton via a 4NT relay.

5C

Flower bid, a 5-card or longer club suit headed by the king, with 3-card heart support to the 98x or better.

5D

Flower bid, a 5-card or longer diamond suit headed by the king, with 3-card heart support to the 98x or better.

5H

Flower bid, a 5-card or longer spade suit headed by the king, with 3-card heart support to the 98x or better.