General
Various weak openings are used in SPREAD. Two of these identify hands too weak for other opening calls, and the others include various weak actions at moderate levels. The two very weak openings ("fert" or fertiliser bids) are 1H showing 0-7/8 HCP unbalanced/balanced with hearts, or 0-5/6 HCP unbalanced/balanced/ without hearts and 1S showing 7-9 HCP balanced without hearts or 10 HCP balanced with no major or 6-8 HCP unbalanced without hearts. Over these openings, methods based on Aspro are used, together with one strong forcing action. Apart from one relay structure, continuations in uncontested and contested auctions are all natural, with all doubles for takeout and redoubles for rescue.
After 1H
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1S |
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Invitational or better relay, with Step 1 0-4HCP and higher bids level-adjusted symmetric relays
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1NT |
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To play, approximately 14-17 HCP (could be based on a minor suit) |
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2C |
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Hearts and another suit 12-17 HCP |
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2D |
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Spades and a minor suit 12-17 HCP |
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2H |
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Natural, non-forcing (5)6+H 10-17 HCP |
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2S/3C/3D |
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Own suit |
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2NT |
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Good heart raise |
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3H |
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Courtesy heart raise |
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4H |
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Shapely heart raise |
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2S |
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Natural, non-forcing (5)6+S 10-17 HCP |
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2NT |
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Good spade raise |
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3C/3D/3H |
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Own suit |
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3S |
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Courtesy spade raise |
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4S |
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Shapely spade raise |
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2NT |
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Both minors 7-17 HCP |
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3C |
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Natural, non-forcing 6+C 7-17 HCP |
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3D |
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Natural, non-forcing 6+D 7-17 HCP |
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3H/3S |
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?? |
| Games |
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To play |
After 1S
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1NT |
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To play, approximately 10-15 HCP (could be based on a minor suit) |
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2C |
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Hearts and another suit 11-19 HCP or 20-22 HCP balanced |
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2D |
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Spades and a minor suit 11-19 HCP or 23-24 HCP balanced |
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2H |
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Natural, non-forcing (5)6+H 11-19 HCP |
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2S/3C/3D |
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Own suit |
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2NT |
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Good heart raise |
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3H |
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Courtesy heart raise |
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4H |
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Shapely heart raise |
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2S |
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Natural, non-forcing (5)6+S 11-19 HCP |
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2NT |
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Good spade raise |
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3C/3D/3H |
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Own suit |
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3S |
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Courtesy spade raise |
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4S |
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Shapely spade raise |
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2NT |
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Artificial and forcing with natural continuations (responder bids 3C with a balanced hand lacking a five card major) |
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3C |
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Natural, non-forcing 6+C 11-19 HCP |
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3D |
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Natural, non-forcing 6+D 11-19 HCP |
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3H/3S |
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?? |
| Games |
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To play |
When the opponents compete before a relay auction has begun, then if the relay bid or the double of it is available, then that call is for relay. A redouble of any opening bid shows tolerance to play in the current contract and interest in penalising the opponents. All doubles by both hands are takeout until three suits have been shown or a penalty action has been taken. All redoubles by both hands are for rescue.
After a double of a 1H or 1S, normal system is on (i.e. Aspro), but that the relay ask after 1H is not used. Instead 2NT is used in the same way it is used after 1S. Now 1S is available as a natural scramble. Passing the double shows at least three card length in the suit doubled and tolerance to play this contract. It does not imply strength or weakness.
Jump bids in new suits are fit-showing when that is possible, and preemptive when that is not possible. Non-jump suit bids are natural.
2NT bids in competition normally show two places to play, particularly in smouldering 2-level auctions when double would be for penalties. In any case, 2NT is never natural in competition.
Except where already defined above, 4NT in a competitive auction is RKCB whenever that is possible, and suggesting two possible strains at the five level whenever RKCB is not a possible interpretation. An unnecessary jump to five of opener's suit asks for control of their suit (partner cuebids holding first-round control, and raises holding second-round control).
When the opponents compete after a relay auction has begun, then the agreements used are identical to those used after interference during Pass auction. In particular all doubles by relayer (and opener if relays have been broken) are for penalties.