Publication

The Bissell System: The Distributional Method Of Contract Bidding, November 1936, Publisher: Columbia University Press, New York, New York, United States, LC: 36033702

Note: The author also published a Summary of the Bissell System of Contract Bidding, which he personally described as being prepared solely for pre-publication testing purposes. This pre-publication was published privately by the author by his printing company called the Bissell Shorthand Company, Inc., through which he also published his work titled Bissell Shorthand.

Opening Bids of Bissell Conventional System

As early as the year 1936 Harold Winthrop Bissell of New York, United States, had a developed bidding system based on his Bissell Points, which he brought to publication. This bidding system was based on an original method for showing distribution. The following outline presents the opening bids.

Opener	Meaning
1 :	This opening bid is an artificial, forcing bid based mainly on a two-suited holding.
1 :	This opening bid is an artificial, forcing bid based either on a three-suited holding or a strong, balanced holding. Continuations clarify the opening bid.
1 :	Promises at least a 5-card Heart suit with a range between 12-16 high card points.
1 :	Promises at least a 5-card Spade suit with a range between 12-16 high card points.
1 NT:	Promises a balanced distribution with a range between 13-17 high card points.
2 :	Promises a strong opening in Clubs, more than normal values. Considered to be non-forcing.
2 :	Promises a strong opening in Diamonds, more than normal values. Considered to be non-forcing.
2 :	Promises a strong opening in Hearts, more than normal values. Considered to be non-forcing.
2 :	Promises a strong opening in Spades, more than normal values. Considered to be non-forcing.

 

 

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.