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The coloured entries (red or blue on the download version, or bold on this web page) are the ones that usually need to be agreed before you play.

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Acol Convention card - bidding preferences

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My bidding preferences
It's a good idea to check most particularly the left side bold items before starting to play with a new partner.
me you bid meaning
  1NT openings
yes       12-14 = 1NT 15-16: bid a suit. Rebid 1NT, or 2NT only after a 2-ov-1 response
yes   15+ suit choice: lowest, prefer ♥ 17-18: bid a suit. Rebid 2NT, or 3NT only after a 2-ov-1 response
  1NT responses
both   2C (a) Stayman and (b) weak takeout into a 6-card minor  
yes   2D, 2H Transfer to ♥♠.  Rebid: pass=<11, NT=5-card, suit=6-card
1). bal 11p 2S 1)Bal 11HCP or 2)Xfer to ♣♦/bal.11HCP (openr:2NT,3♣ if strong)
1). bal 12p 2NT 1)Bal 12HCP or 2)Balanced 11-12 HCP
  1 suit opening
4   Major promises 4 or 5 cards? Rebid: reverse (break barrier if >15HCP)
  2 openings
yes   weak twos ♥♠: 6-10, 6-card, min 4+HCP in suit, or QJT. 
yes   . . .reply:2NT=game interest (16p) Hand HCP:3♣♦=weak,♥♠=strong. Trump HCP:♦♠=best.3NT=AKQ
yes   2C Unbalanced, 8-playing tricks + rule-of-25 or 16HCP. (Relay 2♦)
yes   2D (Game force unless 2NT rebid) 23+ & 9 tricks (10 for a minor). Reply 2♥: =deny if <8HCP
yes   2NT Balanced 20-22 HCP
  Overcalls
yes   Standard, direct Good 5-card suit: cards+honours=bid limit. 8/10-15 HCP
1). inter   Jump = Intermediate or weak ? 1). Inter="6-6". 6-card suit, 6 losers (~11-15HCP), or
    2 Weak=similar to weak 2: 6-10 HCP, 6-card (or 7 at the 3 level)
yes   Double jump Pre-emptive, 6-10, 7-card (or 8 at the 4 level)
yes   Cue bid over suit Michaels, two 5-card suits (2 or 1 Majors). 8+HCP
yes   2NT over suit Unusual 2NT, two 5-card suits (2 or 1 minors). 8+HCP
yes   1NT, direct Strong NT 15-18, with standard responses (but 8HCP, not 11)
yes   1NT, protective (4th seat) Weak NT 12-14, with standard responses (borrow a king)
yes   Cue bid after partner overcall Unassuming cue bid, opening hand (10+), 3-card support
yes   Landy (2C over 1NT, ask for ♥♠) 7/6 loser. REPLY unless 7♣. ♦=clarify/10-12, 2NT=13+no♥♠ 
  Slam
4NT   RKCB 0314 (ask= 4NT or Tr+1 ?) 0314: ♣0/3,♦1/4,♥2/5-Q,♠2/5+Q (not 1430)
which/how many ..RKC, 5NT asking for Kings: asks which King. Return to trumps=-ve, after Tr+1 asking for Q
yes   Cuebids for 1st and 2nd round controls. NT = trump stopper
yes   Splinters 11-13 double Jump-Shift after ♥♠ open=game+shortage.(Or strange JS)
yes   Jacoby 2NT 2NT after ♥♠ =game +no shortage, but asking for yours
yes   Namyats 4♣♦ (Strong Maj preempt) 8-card 5- losers, open 2 steps lower. Reply in Major if no interest.
no   Grand Slam Force 5NT: reply 6 of suit with 1/3 of top honours, reply 7 with 2/3
  Doubles
yes   suit bid up to 2S Take out, forcing unless intervention. (For penalties at 3-level +)
yes   Protective (or balancing) double 4th seat after 2 passes. 8+HCP (borrow a K). Pass for penalties.
yes   Weak 2 Take out, forcing. To double for penalty, wait one round
yes   Weak 3 Take out, forcing.  To double for penalty, wait one round
yes   1NT 16-18. For penalties, and all subsequent doubles
yes   RHO's overcall, "Negative double" 4-cards in unbid Major(s), or 2 minors. Equiv. responding HCP
  Game seeking
yes   4th suit forcing (for one round+) To game if any 3-level bid. "Deny 4th suit", opener describe hand
yes   Game try / long suit trial asking for (long?) side suit help (0/1 losers) to get to Major game
    Suit bidding order
yes   Balanced two 4-card suits: lowest first, but prefer ♥ to any other if opening
yes   Unbalanced hands two 4-card suits: lowest first. 5-card suits: highest first.  
1).   4441: where to bid vs singleton Never ♠.  Either 1). one below it, bid ♥ if "Single"=♣, or 2). RB-BM
  Showing suit length with bid order  (L=Long,  S=Short)
yes   6-5  =  L-S-S 5-5  bid higher denomination first
yes   6-4  =  L-S-L 5-4  =  L-S
yes   6-3  =  L-L 5-3  =  L-L (declarer), L-Support/NT (responder)
    Responders strong bids
yes   2 level after 1 open (non-jump) Rule of 14: HCP+long suit length=14. Long:Major=5+, minor=4+
yes   Jump-shift 6-card, 16+, not denying support. (Opener's Jump-Shift=19HCP)
yes   Responder's barrier 12+ points. Don't use if 3 suits already bid
  Bids after opponents double
    redouble:   9+HCP new suit / jump new suit:  forcing
    jump raise:  preemptive 2NT:   good raise
    Discards and signals
yes   after defender's lead Attitude(Low=disc.)/suit pref. when obvious/COUNT after K (Slam)
yes   after declarer's lead Count (HL = even, LH = odd)
    Doubling a convention Lead directing (equivalent to strength).
     
no   1C responses (SAYC: Balanced, not 15-7, 3-3 in minors)
no   1D responses (SAYC: Balanced, not 15-7, 4-4 in minors, or shape=4432)


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