Opening Bids Only

The Aces Club opening bidding system was played by Mr. Bob Hamman and Mr. Bobby Wolff in the American Aces Team. The similarity to the bidding system of Blue Team Club is evident and the differences are only slight. The opening bids are included in the schematic below.

1 :		17+ high card points		Shows any shape.
1 :		11-16 high card points		Promises a 3-card plus Diamond suit.
1 :		11-16 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Heart suit.
1 :		11-16 high card points		Promises 4-card plus Spade suit.
1 NT:		13-15 high card points		Distribution: 3-3-2-5 or 3-3-3-4; non-vulnerable, or
		16-17 high card points		Shows balanced shape by non-favorable vulnerability.
2 :		11-16 high card points		Promises a 6-card plus Club suit.
2 :		17-24 high card points		Distribution: 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0.
2 :		11-16 high card points		Promises 5+ Hearts and 4+ Spades.
2 :		6-10 high card points		Promises 6 Spades.
2NT:		22-23 high card points		Shows balanced shape.

If the opening bid is 1 Club, then a first response of 1 Diamond is semi-positive showing 6 plus point and 0 to 2 top controls. A first response of 1 Heart is considered as negative and indicates values between 0 and 5 point. A first response of 2 Diamonds show a 6-card Major suit, yet to be determined, and a range of 4-7 high card points. A first response of 2 Hearts shows an exact distribution of 4-4-4-1 and 9 plus high card points. The resulting bidding process is generally considered to be natural. Following a 1 Diamond or 1 of a Major suit opening, if the opener rebids another suit, then this new suit is considered canapé. Any opening on the three level, especially 3 Clubs, is a constructive bid showing a strong suit with at least a 6-card suit, again especially Clubs.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.