JUNIOR & INTERMEDIATE SYSTEMS GUIDE
Guide to Systems permitted at Junior and Intermediate Tournaments- RELEASED 4 JULY 2012
Opening Bids
| CALL | TREATMENT ALLOWED AT BOTH LEVELS | ALLOWED AT INTERMEDIATE BUT NOT JUNIOR |
| 1C | Minimum suit1 length 2 cards; Opening strength2 | |
| Simple Precision, with no relay or artificial responses other than the negative 1D response | Precision style (Strong3, forcing; any distribution): may include relay or artificial responses. | |
| 1D | Minimum suit length 3 cards; Opening strength Precision style (Opening strength, any distribution) |
|
| 1H or 1S | Minimum suit length 4 cards; Opening strength | |
| 1NT | Balanced; lower limit at least 11 HCP | |
| 2C | Very strong4, forcing, any distribution | Multi-style: Weak5 with 6-card major with or without strong option(s) |
| Opening strength; Minimum suit length 5 cards (Precision style) | ||
| 2D | Very strong, forcing, any distribution | Multi-style: Weak with 6-card major with or without strong option(s) |
| Opening strength; Minimum suit length: 5 cards | Precision style (Opening strength, 3-suited with shortage in diamonds) | |
| Weak5; Minimum suit length: 6 cards | ||
| 2H or 2S | Strong; Minimum suit length: 4 cards | Weak with 5+ cards in suit and 4+ cards in another suit (which may be unspecified) |
| Weak; Minimum suit length: 6 cards | ||
| 2NT | Balanced; lower limit at least 18 HCP | Weak with length in minor suit(s) |
| 3NT | Very strong, or "gambling" (with long minor suit) | |
| suit bid 3 level or higher |
Maybe weak, Minimum suit length: 6 cards | May specify a suit different to the one named in the bid (ie transfer bid) |
Notes:
"Precision" may also include any convention /treatment allowed to be played at this level with a natural system
1 Unless otherwise noted the suit to which the "minimum length" applies must be the suit named in the bid.
For the purposes of these tables the following definitions of strength apply:
2 "Opening strength": At least 11 high-card points (HCP) or equivalent with allowance for distribution (for which the guideline is: Add 1 point for every card after the eighth in the two longest suits)
3 "Strong": At least 15 HCP or equivalent
4 "Very strong": At least 19 HCP or equivalent
5 "Weak": Less than opening strength
Responses to Opening Bids
| TREATMENT ALLOWED AT BOTH LEVELS | ALLOWED AT INTERMEDIATE BUT NOT JUNIOR |
| Any artificial negative response to forcing opening including "impossible" 1D response to Precision 1C | |
| Artificial forcing responses promising trump support (eg 2NT, splinter bids) | |
| Stayman or Baron responses to NT bid, including modified forms | |
| Transfer or Range-finder responses to NT bids | |
| 2NT enquiry response to weak 2-suit opening | Enquiry response to Multi 2-suit opening |
| 2D enquiry response to Precision 2C opening | Enquiry response to Precision 2D (with diamond shortage) opening |
Calls over Opponents natural 1-suit Opening
| TREATMENT ALLOWED AT BOTH LEVELS | ALLOWED AT INTERMEDIATE BUT NOT JUNIOR |
| Any suit bid which promises 4+ cards in the suit | |
| Cue-bid showing a very strong hand | |
| Bid (including a Cue bid) showing 2 suits (5+/5+) at least one specified, must be either "weak only" or "strong only" | Artificial bid showing 2 suits, at least one specified, strength may be variable |
| Jump cue-bid asking partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in that suit | |
Others
| TREATMENT ALLOWED AT BOTH LEVELS |
| Any defence to opponent's 1NT opening |
| Any defence to opponent's artificial forcing opening |
| Any meaning of double in any sequence |
| Any ace-asking bids (including RKCB) and responses |
| Any treatment for a cue-bid made after the first bid by one's own side |
For treatments not listed in these tables please consult the NZ Bridge Systems Policy at D3 of the Manual.
