This bidding system was developed by Mr. Fred R. Thomas, born in the year 1925, and was published in the year 1980 by the Uniclub Press, located in Los Angeles, California, United States, ASIN: B000Q5K7D4. The title of his publication is Universal: The System For Everyone, and in the words of the author, is so named because it is the one system that is natural and also universally suitable for everyone, average players as well as the experts.

Note: Any additional information as to the person of Mr. Fred R. Thomas, especially photographic material, would be greatly appreciated.

This bidding system, also known as Uni-Club, employs a forcing 1 Club opening bid for two types of holdings.

1.	The holding contains 17 plus high card points and can be various shapes.
2.	The holding contains between 13-16 high card points and the longest suit is Clubs.

Opening Bids

1 :		12-15 high card points		Shows a 5-card plus Club suit, or
		17 plus high card points		shows various shapes, which cannot be opened with any other opening bid.
1 :		12-15 high card points		Shows a 4-card plus Diamond suit.
1 :		12-15 high card points		Shows a 5-card plus Heart suit.
1 :		12-15 high card points		Shows a 5-card plus Spade suit.
1 NT:		13-16 high card points		Shows balanced shape.
2 :		12-17 high card points		Distribution: 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0; Diamond shortage. Non-forcing,
2 :		16-21 high card points		Distribution: 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0; no Diamond shortage. Non-forcing.
2 :		14 plus high card points		Distribution: 5-5 in Hearts and a second suit. Forcing for one round.
2 :		14 plus high card points		Distribution: 5-5 in Spades and a second suit. Forcing for one round.
2NT:		23-24 high card points		Shows 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.