Devised by Mr. C. H. Fulwiler, born in the year 1886 and died in the year 1980, and of Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. He was President of the Western Division ACBL beginning in the early 1940s and served also on the ACBL Board of Directors.

Note: Any additional information, including photograph, about Mr. C.H. Fulwiler would be greatly appreciated.

Principle of the Concept

The devised concept can be initiated at a very low level of bidding as soon as the trump suit has been established. It is this feature of establishing the trump suit quickly, which allows the partnership to exchange information about controls, singletons, and voids below the level of possibly even game when attempting a possible slam try.

The following example illustrates the effectiveness of such an agreement.

South AQ1075 A AKJ8 KJ2

North K9743 10954 6 A976

South		North		Meaning
1				Shows opening values.
		2		Establishes the trump suit quickly.

As soon as the trump suit has been quickly established the opener can continue, with additional values, inquire about controls, singletons, and voids. The opener executes the Fulwiler conventional method by bidding an asking bid in another suit, in which and for which additional information is necessary to make the more correct decision regarding any continuations.

Thus far, in this particular example, the opener knows that the trump suit, namely Spades, combines for a minimum of 8-9 cards. The opener is neither concerned about the Ace of Hearts nor about the Ace-King of Diamonds. The only problem suit is Clubs. The opener decides to attempt a slam and asks whether or not the responder has any assistance in Clubs.

Continuing the above example, the continuances would be as follows:

South		North		Meaning
1				Shows opening values.
		2		Establishes the trump suit quickly.
3				Fulwiler Asking Bid seeking additional information in Clubs.

Options for the Responder in Steps

First Step of 3 :	Shows no first or second round control in Clubs.
Second Step of 3 :	Shows a singleton in Clubs.
Third Step of 3 :	Shows a void in Clubs.
Fourth Step of 3 NT:	Shows the King of Clubs.
Fifth Step of 4 :	Shows the Ace of Clubs. (Note: for this example, this would be the correct response to the Fulwiler Asking Bid.
Sixth Step of 4 :	Shows both the Ace and the King of Clubs.

Responder Becomes the Fulwiler Asking Bidder

It is completely dependent upon the continuance bid of either the opener or responder as to which suit becomes the continuing bid, after which all responses are then in step bids.

Note: Either the opener or responder can become the Fulwiler Asking Bidder. The following auction shows how the responder triggers the asking bid:

South		North		Meaning
1				Shows opening values.
		1		Up the line bidding to suggest a new suit.
2				The opener establishes the trump suit as Spades. Again the trump suit has been established on a very low level.
		(x)		The responder then becomes the Fulwiler Asking Bidder by bidding any suit, where it is important to communicate either a control, singleton, or void.

 

 

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.