The concept of the MamiC Opening Bid system was devised by Mr. Richard Lighton, born in the year 1944 and died in the year 1999, of New Jersey, United States, around 1990. Mr. Richard Lighton was the Newsletter Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors of Unit 106, which is also the North Jersey Bridge Association.

As of the year 1982 Unit 106 presents the Richard Lighton Literary Award (link) in his honor to the person, who has contributed much in the Newsletter for the enjoyment of the members of Unit 106.

Note: The Richard Lighton Literary Award is in honor of Mr. Richard Lighton, who was Newsletter Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors of Unit 106. Each year, prior to the Annual Dinner, the current Newsletter Editor selects the recipient of the award. Source. The first Richard Lighton Literary Award was presented in the year 1982.

Note: The following photograph of Mr. Richard Lighton was contributed by and is courtesy of Mr. Rodney Lighton, the brother of Mr. Richard Lighton. We are very grateful for his contribution and for his addition of the photograph. Mr. Rodney Lighton is an active bridge contributor and author such as the article Astrolite published by The Bridge World, in the October 1997 issue, page 18.

Concept

The concept is based on the Major-Minor-Canapé opening bidding system. This means that a 4-card Major suit is opened first before a 5-card Minor suit, and that a 4-card Minor suit is opened first before a 5-card Major suit.

Note: Mr. Richard Lighton was also the developer of the MamiC system. The designation can be written in various forms such as Mamic, MamiC, MaMic, MaMiC. The son of Mr. Richard Lighton provides insight into the development of this bidding system. His son, Mr. Julian Lighton, also a bridge player, posted on the Internet his description of the development of the MamiC system by his father. (Source). This article has been preserved and archived on this site in .pdf file format for future reference.

The opening bids, when the partnership agrees to employ the MamiC system, are as follows. Source.

Opening Bids Only

Bid		Strength		Meaning
1 :		12-21 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Club suit.
1 :		12-21 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Diamond suit.
1 :		12-21 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Heart suit.
1 :		12-21 high card points		Promises a 4-card plus Spade suit.
1 NT:		20 high card points		Shows a balanced and/or forcing holding.
2 :		10-14 high card points		Distribution: 5-card plus Heart suit and a 4-card plus Club suit.
2 :		10-14 high card points		Distribution: 5-card plus Spade suit and a 4-card plus Diamond suit.
2 :		10-14 high card points		Distribution: 5-card plus Heart suit and a 4-card plus Diamond suit.
2 :		10-14 high card points		Distribution: 5-card plus Spade suit and a 4-card plus Club suit.
2 NT:		23-24 high card points		Shows a balanced shape.

 

 

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.