Understanding SAYC for ACOL Players
A Summary of how to Convert from ACOL to SAYC
An SAYC-ised ACOL convention sheet would look something like this:
- Basic system
- ACOL with 5 card majors
- Opening 1NT
- Strong (15-17) (5 card majors allowed)
- Opening 2NT
- 20-21 (5 card majors allowed)
- Opening 3NT
- 25-27 (5 card majors allowed)
- Opening 2 bids
- Weak majors and weak diamonds 5-11 6 cards no void
- Opening 3 bids
- Pre-emptive
- 1NT overcall
- 15-18 HCP
- Jump Overcalls
- Pre-emptive equal to weak 2 opening
- Defense to 1NT
- Natural
- Defense to Pre-empts
- Double for takeout, suit or NT natural, cuebid is Michael's
- Slam Conventions
- Blackwood & Gerber (after NT)
- Leads
- Standard
- Signals
- High/Low
- Discards
- Standard
Other Conventions
- Stayman and Jacoby Transfers over all NT openings
- Michael's Cue Bids
- Jacoby 2NT response to a major
- Unusual 2NT overcall
- Negative X's up to 2S
- SOS RX up to 3S
Main changes from ACOL weak 1NT & weak 2's system (UK) are
- To show a weak NT hand you have to rebid NT instead of open NT
- 5 card majors
- 2NT response to a major is NOT 12-14 points balanced (see Jacoby 2NT)
- 2D is a weak 2
General Notes
1) Opening 1 of a suit - 5 card majors
if you have a weak balanced hand (12-14 points) then rebid 1NT
if you have 4-4 in the minors then bid 1D first
if you have 3-3 in the minors then bid 1C first
eg:
1D pass 1S pass 1NT shows balanced hand probably 4-4 in minors
1D pass 1H pass 1NT shows balanced hand probably 4-4 in minors
1C pass 1S pass 1NT shows balanced hand probably 3-3 in minors
1C pass 1H pass 1NT shows balanced hand 3-3-4-3 or 3-3-3-4 or 3-3-2-5
2) Opening 1NT - Strong NT 15-17 - Stayman and Transfers are standard
3) Opening 2NT - 20-21
4) Opening 3NT - 25-27
5) Opening 2C - 23+ or 4 losers and 9 1/2 playing tricks
6) Opening 2D, 2H, 2S - weak 2's 6-10 points 6 carder no 4 card major no 2 singletons no void
7) Responding to 1C - need 5 cards + 1D not forcing + 2NT is 13-15
8) Responding to 1D - need 4 cards + 2NT is 13-15
9) Responding to 1H or 1S - need 3 cards + Jackoby 2NT with 13+
After Jackoby 2NT, opener shows a short suit to help responder evaluate
slam prospects: eg: After 1H (Pass) 2NT (Pass)
3C, 3D, 3S = singleton or void
4H = minimum hand
3NT = medium hand
3H = maximum hand
10) Responding to 1NT - Gerber + Stayman + Jacoby Transfers
Stayman is forcing to the 2 level
Transfer 2D asks opener to bid 2H
2H 2S
2S 3C - responders chooses Pass (C) or 3D
1NT (Pass) 3 of a minor invites 3NT - responder has a 6 card suit
1NT (Pass) 3 of a major invites slam
11) Responding to 2NT - Gerber + Stayman + Jacoby Transfers
12) Responding to 3NT - Stayman + Jacoby Transfers to H's or S's
13) Responding to 2C - 2D might be 'artificial' denial & expects a rebid from opener
14) Responding to weak 2's
2NT - opener then shows hand as follows:
Rebid Suit - Minimum 5-8
A suit with features - Maximum
3NT with no features - Maximum
3NT - To play
Raise opener's suit - To Play
New Suit - RONF (Raise only, non force) - a one round force
RONF: Forcing 1 round - Opener raises a major with 3 card fit or good 2 carder
15) Blackwood - normal
16) Openers Rebids - normal but see response to Jackoby 2NT in section 9)
17) Overcalling: normal
cuebid of enemy suit after an overcall from partner is asking about quality and is forcing:
eg: after (1D) 1S (Pass) 2D which is bidding the enemy suit
then 2S rebid of overcalled suit (weak)
or other 11-12 points minimum
also Michaels Cuebid is used: Direct Overcall of the Enemy Suit shows a 5-5 two suiter
Minor Cuebid = shows the majors
Major Cuebid = shows the other major & unspecified minor
eg: (1D) 2D 5-5 majors, 8+ points
(1S) 2S 5-5 hearts, 10+ points
The responder to the overcall can ask which suit the minor is by 2NT
18) Responding to a Takeout Double: normal, including bidding opponents suit as a force to game
19) Cuebidding RHO's suit (Right Hand Overcaller's Suit): often game forcing.
20) Negative Doubles: promises 4+ cards in unbid major(s)
1C (1D) Double = 4-4 or better in majors
1D (1H) Double = exactly 4 spades (with 5 spades, bid 1S)
1D (1S) Double = 4 hearts & 6+ points (or 5 hearts and 5-10 points)
21) Responder's jump shift after a double is to play
eg: 1D double 2H,2S,3C = 6 card suit, like a weak 2 or pre-emptive 3
22) Redoubles:
a) To play is your side at 4 level or better
b) Penalty if over an artificial bid
eg: 1NT (Pass) 2D (double) Redouble for penalties
c) We can make it partner
eg: 1S (Double) Redouble
23) SOS redouble: if doubled for penalties at the 3 level or lower
eg: 1D (Pass) Pass (Double) Pass (Pass) Redouble = SOS, can support at least 2 of the unbid suits
Author: Phil Allen Last revised: April 1996