Bridge Base Basic

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The Bridgebase basic bidding system is used commonly in internet bridge play.
The Bridgebase basic bidding system is used commonly in internet bridge play.

Bridge base basic, also known as BBO basic, is a bidding system for the game of bridge based on Standard American Yellow Card. It is simplified, suitable for beginners, and widely used in internet bridge particularly on Bridge Base Online.[1] It is taught in Fred Gitelman's educational software called Learn to Play Bridge that is available for free download from the American Contract Bridge League's website.[2]

Contents

[edit] Key points of BBO Basic Bidding

Like SAYC, BBO basic depends upon hand evaluation using the high card point method. Hand shape adjustments are made for long suits (1 point additional for every card longer than 4 in a suit) when bidding a new suit, and for short suits when showing support for partners bid (5 for a void, 3 for a singleton, and 1 for a doubleton).[2] Other similarities to SAYC include:

  • Five-card majors: opening a major suit promises a five-card suit.
  • Weak two bids: Two diamond, heart or spade openers are made with a six-card suit and 6 to 10 high-card points. Two of the top 3 honors are promised in that suit.
  • Strong two clubs: An artificial 2♣ call promising 22 points or more.
  • Pre-emptive openers: including weak three bids (all suits except no-trump) and Weak four bids (minor suits only) similar to the weak two bids but showing additional length.
  • Notrump openers show a balanced hand (no void, no singleton, at most one doubleton, and may include a 5 card major) with the following point ranges:
    • 1 NT = 15 to 17 points
    • 2 NT = 20 to 21 points
    • 3 NT = 25 to 27 points
  • Stayman and Jacoby transfers conventions for no-trump openers
  • Blackwood or Gerber for slam bidding.

[edit] Opener approximate hand strengths

For unbalanced hands:

  • 0 - 12 points: Pass unless the hand is suitable for a preemptive opening bid.
  • 13 - 21 points: Hands of 13 points or more are strong enough to open with natural bidding.
    • includes minimum opening hands with 13-15 points
    • includes medium opening hands with 16-18 points
    • includes maximum opening hands with 19-21 points
  • 22+ points: A hand in this range is shown to be very strong by using the strong 2♣ convention.

For balanced hands, open with a no-trump bid when you can limit your hand to the following point ranges:

  • 1NT = 15-17 HCP
  • 2NT = 20-21 HCP
  • 3NT = 25-27 HCP

For other balanced hands, you can still limit your points by opening in your longest suit and then using the no-trump bid on your second bid:

  • 13 - 14 HCP: bid 1 of a suit and then rebid in NT (usually 1NT)
  • 18 - 19 HCP: bid 1 of a suit and then jump rebid in NT (usually 2NT)
  • 22 - 24 HCP: bid 2♣ and then rebid in NT (usually 2NT)
  • 28 - 30 HCP: bid 2♣ and then jump rebid in NT (usually 3NT)[2]
  • 31 - 32 HCP: bid 2♣ and then double jump rebid in NT (usually 4NT)

[edit] Responder approximate hand strengths

  • 0-5 points: A hand in this range normally should not bid (should pass) unless partner opens with the strong 2♣ convention.
  • 6-9 points: This is a minimum response hand. You can show support for partners bid with a simple raise to the 2-level, or rebid a new suit at the one-level, and respond 1NT when no other bids are possible.
  • 10+ points: a new suit bid at the 2-level promises opening partner at least 10 points.

Responding with a minimum hand:

  1. First priority is to show 3 card support for a partner's 5 card major, respond 2 of the major with 6-9 points. Bidding 4 of the major immediately is preemptive and shows 6-9 points with 5 card support and at least 1 singleton or void in a side suit.
  2. Next priority is to bid your longest suit at the 1-level, promising at least 4 cards in that suit. Do not go to the 2-level with less than 10 points.
  3. Show support for partners minor suit opening if you have 5 card support (4 card support is acceptable but not preferred) by responding 2 of the minor. Bidding 4 or 5 of the major is preemptive and shows 6-9 points with 6 card support and at least 1 singleton or void in a side suit.
  4. When you cannot support your partners bid, then your response is 1 NT, to show a bad fit and no more than 9 points (i.e. you deny ability to raise or bid a new suit). This gives partner the choice of passing and playing in 1 NT or changing to a partial game in another preferred trump suit (partner knows you are going to pass because you previously said you have 6-9 points).[2]

Responding with a medium hand:

  1. First priority is to show 3 card support for a partners 5 card major, so rebid partners suit at the 3 level. This limit raise is skipping the possible bid at the two level and jumping to the 3 level specifically to indicate that you have 10 or 11 points, an 8 card fit in partners major trump suit, and you are inviting your partner to a game bid if he has more than minimum opening strength. (opening bid promised a minimum of 13, and you have 10 or 11 for a sum or 23 or 24 points, very close to the game level of 25 points)
  2. Next priority is to bid your longest suit.
  3. Show support for partners minor suit opening with 5 card support (4 card support is acceptable but not preferred) by responding 3 of the minor.
  4. When you have 12 points or more (think 13 for partner to open plus 12 for you to respond is 25, game level for sure), then you have too many points for a single raise or a limit raise: you should bid a new suit first, and then come back and show support for partners previous bid at the next opportunity.
  5. Use your new suit bid to show your longest suit to your partner. Even if partner supports your long suit bid, remember to rebid your partners major suit bid on your second bidding opportunity.

Some special cases:

  • a no-trump response to partners opening bid gives limited point information:
    • response of 1NT means you have 6-9 points and no support for partners suit and no possible 4 card bid to make;
    • response of 2NT means you have 13-15 points and no support for partners suit and no possible 4 card bid to make;
    • response of 3NT means you have 16-18 points and no support for partners’ suit and no possible 4 card bid to make.[2]

[edit] Opener's response to partners search for a fit

Often after opening with a natural bid in the 13-21 point range, the responder will suggest a new suit at the one level. While this promises 6 points or more, if leaves a gap in the information to make the optimum contract. If opener has 4 card support for responders new suit, then opener should show support but also therefore has the burden of showing his hand strength to parter so that responder can choose the best contract:

  • minimum opener (13 to 15 points): respond at the 2 level
  • medium opener (16 to 18 points): respond at the 3 level, inviting game
  • maximum opener (19 to 21 points): respond at the 4 level

Examples (showing only partnership bids with no interference):

  • 1♣-->1♥-->2♥-->pass (both partners had minimum hands but found the fit)
  • 1♣-->1♥-->3♥-->pass (opener had extra points and invited game, but responder had only a minimum hand)
  • 1♣-->1♥-->4♥-->pass (opener had game values)
  • 1♣-->1♥-->2♥-->4♥ (opener had minimum hands but responser had game going points)
  • 1♣-->1♥-->3♥-->4♥ (opener had extra points and invited game, and responder had extra points and accepted)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bridge Base Online
  2. ^ a b c d e "Learn to Play Bridge" Software from the ACBL