These opening bids are versions of the Carrot Club and were developed by Mr. Anders Morath of Stockholm, Sweden. The original version of the Carrot Club was not acceptable to all sponsoring organizations of bridge events and other, acceptable versions had to be developed. This version was accepted by the sponsoring organizations.

Note: The word svan is the Swedish designation for swan. Swans are the largest members of the waterfowl family Anatidae, and are among the largest flying birds. The largest species, including the mute swan, trumpeter swan, and whooper swan, can reach length of over 1.5 meters (60 inches) and weigh over 15 kg (33 pounds). Their wingspans can be almost 3 meters (10 feet).

Additional Explanations of Designation

The origin of the designation remains unknown. Svan is the word to describe the language and/or people of Caucasian Georgia, who reside on the upper course of the Ingur river. Svan is also a term used in the Karvelian or Proto-Kartvelian language, which is more or less regarded by linguists to be the reconstructed ancestor of all Kartvelian languages, and which is considered by the experts to be a hypothetical language.

Note: The Caucasus Mountains are a mountain system in Eurasia between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea in the Caucasus region.

In the geographical region of Caucasian Georgia the peoples are subdivided, like the Caucasian languages, into two northern branches and a southern branch.

The southerners, comprising the Georgians, the closely related Mingrelians, and Laz, and the Svan, make up the Republic of Georgia and live in western Transcaucasia (the Laz live in Turkish territory).

Svan is not a written language. Still today a few children speak the language of Svan. However, proficiency is limited among young people. Surrounding clans, tribes, and townships remain neutral toward Svan. Reports indicate that speakers want to remain separate from Georgian. Georgian and Russian are used as literary languages.

Any assistance in clarifying the origin of the designation would be greatly appreciated.

This version has gained some popularity with the Swedish Junior Elite and is known by the designation of Skrot, which roughly translated means metal junk or scrap.

Only the opening bids are shown in the schematic below. The majority of the first responses to a 1 Club opening bid are considered to be natural. Major suit openings always promises a 5-card suit, and this is the reason the Club canapés may not be opened with these opening bids.

Opening Bids Only

Bid		Strength		Meaning
1 :		11-13 high card points		Shows balanced shape, or
		17+ high card points		shows various shapes.
1 :		11-16 high card points		Promises a 5-card plus Diamond suit; 4-4-4-1; or Club canapé.
1 :		11-16 high card points		Promises a 5-card plus Heart suit.
1 :		11-16 high card points		Promises a 5-card Spade suit.
1 NT:		14-16 high card points		Shows balanced shape.
2 :		11-16 high card points		Promises a 6-card Club suit or distribution 5-4 in Clubs and unspecified Major.
2 :		11-16 high card points		Distribution: 4-4-1-4 or 4-4-0-5.
2 :		6-10 high card points		Promises a 6-card Heart suit.
2 :		6-10 high card points		Promises a 6-card Spade suit.
2NT:		6-10 high card points		Distribution: 5-5 plus in both Minor suits.

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.