The Goren KISS, as rumor has it, was a designation employed by Mr. Charles H. Goren in one of many and various promotional publications during his leadership to promote the game of bridge around the globe. The intent of this outlined partnership agreement was to Keep It Simple Stupid, and It was indeed an outline for the beginning bridge student, bridge novice, and intermediate bridge players, who wanted an established set of opening constructive bids in addition to preemptive opening bids.

The Goren Kiss outline of opening bids with explanations of their definitions between two partnering bridge players in addition to the preemptive opening bids are outlined below:

Opening		Disposition		Length		Description
1		Cconstructive		3+		Longest suit, or better Minor suit
1		Cconstructive		3+		Longest suit, or better Minor suit, or 4-4 in both Minor suits.
1		Cconstructive		3+		Five card plus 5 cards in Hearts.
1		Cconstructive		5+		Five card plus 5 cards in Spades.
1 NT		Cconstructive				15-17 points and balanced distribution.
2		Forcing				23-24 points and balanced distribution, or any game forcing holding.
2		Preemptive		6+		6-11 points, Qxxxxx or better, QJTxxx or better if vulnereable.
2		Preemptive		6+		6-11 points, Qxxxxx or better, QJTxxx or better if vulnereable.
2		Preemptive		6+		6-11 points, Qxxxxx or better, QJTxxx or better if vulnereable.
2 NT						20-22 points and balanced distribution.
3		Control Bid		7+		5-9 points, 7+ Clubs or exceptional strong 6-card suit; (also by favorable vulnerability)
3		Preemptive		7+		5-9 points, 7+ Diamonds or exceptional strong 6-card suit; (also by favorable vulnerability)
3		Preemptive		7+		5-9 points, 7+ Hearts or exceptional strong 6-card suit; (also by favorable vulnerability)
3		Preemptive				5-9 points, 7+ Spades or exceptional strong 6-card suit; (also by favorable vulnerability)
3 NT						25-27 points and balanced distribution.
4				7+		5-9 points and a 7-card plus Club suit.
4				7+		5-9 points and a 7-card plus Diamond suit.
4				7+		5-9 points and a 7-card plus Heart suit.
4				7+		5-9 points and a 7-card plus Spades suit.

 

 

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.