These opening bids were developed by Mr. Jon Baldursson of Iceland. World Bridge Federation code: WBF Code: ISL&500011. The visitor can also review the Convention Card (.pdf file) of Mr. Jon Baldursson and Mr. Thorlakur Jonsson, which they employed for the 2008 European Championships. Their General Approach and Style is listed as Ice Relay Precision.

Note: Mr. Jon Baldursson of Reykjavik is Iceland's most successful and well-known player. In 1991 the structure of the Bermuda Bowl was altered and for the first time Europe was to be represented by four countries rather than the previous two countries. The country of Iceland was awarded a final qualifying spot and beginning with this event proved that they were a team of destiny as they went on to become one of the most popular Bermuda Bowl winners in the history of the game.

It was the first time that any players from the country of Iceland had won a World Championship in any discipline and they became immediate national heroes. Indeed, Icelandair, (the flag carrier airline of Iceland), diverted a plane that was scheduled from Honolulu, United States, to Tokyo, Japan, to stop off at Yokohama, Tokyo, to pay tribute to the new World Champions.

In 1994 Jon Baldursson further made his mark on the winning the Second Generali World Individual in Paris, France. This event was the Generali Masters Individual with Mr. christian Mari of France placing second, Mr. Jean-Marc Roudinesco of France tying with Mr. Jan Westerhof of The Netherlands for third place.

In 1996 the Icelandic team lost in the finals of the World Team Olympiad. Burying their sorrows in the bar, four of the group, including Jon Baldursson, joined forces with two players from Britain, Heather Dhondy and Liz McGowan, in the Transnational World Mixed Teams. They won the qualifying Swiss tournament by a substantial margin and then went on to take the gold medal despite none of the pairs having played a board together before the event.

Opening Bids Only

Bid		Strength		Meaning
1 :		16+ high card points		Shows any shape.
1 :		10-15 high card points		Distribution: 4-4-4-1 or a 5-card plus Minor suit.
1 :		10-15 high card points		Shows a 5-card plus Heart suit.
1 :		10-15 high card points		Shows a 5-card plus Spade suit.
1 NT:		13-15 high card points		Shows balanced shape.
2 :		5-10 high card points		Shows a 6-card Diamond suit, or
		5-10 high card points		Distribution: 5-4 plus in both Major suits, or
		23-24 high card points		Shows balanced shape.
2 :		5-10 high card points		Shows 6 Hearts or Spades, or
		25+ high card points		Shows balanced shape.
2 :		5-11 high card points		Distribution: 5-4 plus in Hearts and a Minor suit.
2 :		5-11 high card points		Distribution: 5-4 plus in Spades and a Minor suit.
2NT:				Preempt in an unspecified Minor suit.

The ensuing bidding sequence makes use of Relays. Any first response in a Major suit after a 1 Club opening are followed by Relays and Steps. If the opening is 1 Diamond, a first response of 1 No Trump is considered game-forcing.

A second or updated version of this bidding system, also known and designated as the Gauksrelay, is posted on the site of Mr. Daniel Neill. This version contains additional information and many opening bids are described in length and detail. These notes are translated from the native language of Iceland, but some of the passages are not. These translated notes are only archived on this site in .pdf file format for future reference.

Source: Mr. Daniell Neill via Mr. Bjorgvin Runar Leifsson.

 

 

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.