These opening bids were devised and developed by Mr. Ian Wilson of Irvine, California, United States. The concept is that the opening bids constitute a bidding system based entirely on limit bidding only with no bid being a forcing bid, neither one round forcing nor game forcing. The designation remains an unknown factor.
The above picture is that of a typical instrument called a bludgeon, which is a thick stick with a heavy end, used as a weapon. Also referred to as a cudgel.
Note: The word bludgeon was first introduced into the English language in the year 1730. The word describes a short heavy stick, usually consisting of wood, that usually has one thicker or loaded end and is used as a weapon, or something used to attack or bully. In German the word is Knüppel or Keule. In Spanish the word is la cachiporra. In French the word is either masculine le gourdin or feminine la trique.
Note: The employment of the word bludgeon, as a designation, has been explained by the developer as hindering, impeding, or hampering the opponents in their goal of entering any competitive bidding auction with full communication of the opposing bids.
Opening Bids Only
| Bid |
Strength |
|
Meaning |
1  : |
11-14 high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Club suit. |
1  : |
11-14 high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Diamond suit. |
1  : |
11-14 high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Heart suit. |
1  : |
11-14 high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Spade suit. |
| 1 NT: |
11-14 high card points |
|
Shows balanced shape. |
| 2 : |
15-18 high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Club suit or 8 winning tricks. |
| 2 : |
15-18 high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Diamond suit or 8 winning tricks. |
| 2 : |
15-18 high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Heart suit or 8 winning tricks. |
| 2 : |
15-18 high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Spade suit or 8 winning tricks. |
| 2NT: |
15-bad high card points |
|
Shows balanced shape. |
| 3 : |
19+ high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Club suit or 9 winning tricks. |
| 3 : |
19+ high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Diamond suit or 9 winning tricks. |
| 3 : |
19+ high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Heart suit or 9 winning tricks. |
| 3 : |
19+ high card points |
|
Promises a 4-card plus Spade suit or 9 winning tricks. |
| 3 NT: |
good 18-22 high card points |
|
Shows balanced shape. |
As mentioned, these opening bids are not forcing, neither one round forcing nor game forcing. All continuances are to be considered the establishment of the final contract and also the final level of possible competition, unless the partnership wishes to sacrifice for a possible better score.
Note: Mr. Ian Wilson has approved the correctness of these opening bids with an email message dated November 19, 2012. We appreciate, as other bridge students, greatly his personal contribution.
Unique for the complete bidding system is the elimination of all conventional methods except for the Stayman convention and the Blackwood convention, both as originally devised. Source.
MACE, very much similar to Bludgeon, and developed and presented by Mr. Tony Melucci and developed in association with Mr. Neill Currie in his description of the Currified Precision system (archived reference).
This is an alternative defense method after a strong Club opening by the opponents as presented by Mr. Tony Melucci and developed in association with Mr. Neill Currie in his description of the Currified Precision system (archived reference). The method is shown as follows:
Opening Bids Only
| Bid |
Meaning |
| Double: |
Promises at least 4-4 distribution in both Minor suits. |
| 1 : |
Promises 3-3 or 4-3 in both Major suits. |
| 1 : |
Natural, showing a 5 plus (or good 4-card) Heart suit. |
| 1 : |
Natural, showing a 5 plus (or good 4-card) Spade suit. |
| 1 NT: |
Promises Clubs and Hearts or Diamonds and Spades with at least 4-4 distribution. |
| 2 NT |
Promises both Major suit or both Minor suits with at least a 5-5 distribution. |
Note: Bids at the two level, three level, and above are natural.
It is important to note that this method tends to have more of a destructive nature than other forcing club systems.
The picture above is a representation of the Short Flanged Mace, which is a blunt weapon, a type of club or virge (Latin: virga, a type of rod, made of wood) that uses a heavy head on the end of a handle to deliver powerful blows. A mace typically consists of a strong, heavy, wooden or metal shaft, often reinforced with metal, featuring a head made of stone, copper, bronze, iron, or steel. The head of a military mace can be shaped with flanges or knobs to allow greater penetration of plate armour.
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.