This page provides links to the various bridge bidding systems that Mark plays/botches up with various people. There is a serious bias towards artificial and/or transfer-based symmetric relay systems on this page. Feel free to contact Mark on
. Last updated 24 May, 2007.
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(as played with Daniel Geromboux and Griff Ware)
Last updated May 24, 2007
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(as played with Michael Cullen)
Last updated October 7, 2005
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This strong club system is the latest in the SCRAPE family. It features a strong club with variable-captaincy relays for positive responses that ensure an unbalanced hand shows shape opposite a balanced hand whenever this occurs. The 1D and 1H opening are transfer-style, eaching show the next higher-ranking suit. Both of these deny the other major (a sound tactical idea) and the 1S opening caters for those hands that have both majors. The 1NT opening is approximately a weak notrump, but includes the 54 minor two-suited hands. Long-minor hands are opened with 2C and 2D. Enhanced relay structures are found throughout, improving right-siding of contracts. Relayer has the option to ask for AKQ, AK or A controls after full shape resolution, and after an AKQ-showing response, the new "king parity" technique developed by David Morgan is used to improve denial cue-bidding effectiveness. Competitive bidding agreements are treated in detail.
Last updated February 23, 2005.
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This system is a major advance within the SCRAPE framework (see below). It features a strong pass with variable-captaincy relays for positive responses that ensure an unbalanced hand shows shape opposite a balanced hand whenever this occurs. The 1C and 1D openings are double-under transfers with immediate differentiation of game-forcing relay, invitational probe and non-forcing auctions. Two "fert" openings of 1H and 1S are used - the former with all very weak hands and those with hearts, and the latter with "maximum" non-opening hands that do not hold a heart suit. 1NT is weak with no major and the minor one-suiters and two-suiters are treated with 2C and 2D openings. Enhanced relay structures are found throughout, improving right-siding of contracts. Relayer has the option to ask for AKQ, AK or A controls after full shape resolution, and after an AKQ-showing response, the new "king parity" technique developed by David Morgan is used to improve denial cue-bidding effectiveness. Competitive bidding agreements are treated in detail.
Last updated February 23, 2005.
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Last updated May 2004.
This system features a strong-ish 1C, limited transfer-style one-level openings and a weak notrump denying a major. Various game-forcing and invitational or better symmetric relay structures are described. Competitive auctions are dealt with in detail, and example auctions provided.
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The notes are courtesy of Michael Ware.
This system scares me witless and they don't come much tougher than me where system esoterica is concerned! Most opening bids are highly multi-way with many different relay structures. Notwithstanding, it has been used at world championship level by Michael Ware and Andy Braithwaite in Maastricht in 2000 and Andy and Ian Turner still play it around the Australiasian circuit. Further note for the unwary - even playing against this system is not for the faint-hearted!
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These notes are also courtesy of Michael Ware.
This overcalling style features canape overcalls of 1C and 1D openings, two levels of takeout bids and a multi 2D. Hence the name CAnape-Take-Out-MULTi!
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One version of the Polish Forcing Pass family
here (off-site)
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(affectionately known as TOSseR)
(last updated 12/7/99 - now deprecated)
This system features a strong club and limited transfer-style one-level openings with a normal weak notrump. Various game-forcing and invitational or better relay structures are described.
Reputedly this system was first invented in New Zealand and was known as "Submarine", but I'm sure we've warped it beyond recognition. We have based our structure and notes on those of Bruce Williams of Tasmania. The current versions incorporate John Fout's Overcall Structure (I'll document our version eventually) for added psychosis in the auction.
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This system features full natural relays after a strong 1C opening, five-card majors with 1NT GF relay, a weak 1NT opening, and the usual catch-alls to take care of the rest. Version December 2003, courtesy of Richard Hills.
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Mark's thoughts on using Good/Bad 2NT bids in competition.
- The Defence against Suspensor Forcing Pass used by Paul and I.
- Numerical Relay System that somebody on OKbridge told me about.
- For some strange reason I'm interested in computers being able to play bridge. Matt Ginsberg's G.I.B. is currently the best we have. Some technical papers can be found here