Bid Explanation

To strike a balance between too many or too few bid explanations, here are some guidelines. The following SAYC bids need not be explained UNLESS opponents ask. These guidelines are different from ACBL’s or BBO’s but they are what we require.

Opening Bids

1NT=15-17 pts, balanced

2NT=20-21 pts, balanced

1♠️/1❤️=Approx 12+ pts, 5+ cards

1♣️ /1♦️=Approx 12+ pts, 3+ cards

2♣️=Approx 22+ pts or playing equivalent

2♠️/2❤️/2♦️=5-11 pts, normally 6 cards

3♠️/3❤️/3♦️/3♣️=5-11 pts, normally 7 cards

Responses to Opening Bids

1NT=6-9 pts

Single raise of partner=approx 6-9 pts

Double raise of partner=approx 10-12 pts

1NT Open: 2♣️=Stayman, 2♦️/2❤️=transfer

2NT Open: 3♣️=Stayman, 3♦️/3❤️=transfer

Other Bids

Suit Overcall= 8-16 pts, 5+ card suit

1NT overcall=15-18 pts, balanced

4NT=Blackwood ace ask

4♣️=Gerber ace ask

Suit bid showing length in suit (natural)

Takeout/negative double

Must Explain - Any bid not in line with above must be explained WITHOUT being asked. You may explain your system, if very different from above, at the start of the round in table chat instead of at every bid; you can also put in your profile any exceptions to the above opening bids. In any case, whenever opponents ask, you must explain. Use BBO’s bid explanation dialog to explain your bid.  BBO hides that information from your partner – only opponents see your explanation. Never explain your bid in the table chat. Note that your opponents are entitled to know your bidding system fully.

Explain Fully - Bid explanations should describe the meaning of the bid, not the name of the convention. For example, if you play the steps convention after 2♣️ open, a response of 2❤️ should not be explained as “steps”; the proper explanation is “4-6 hcp”. Another example, if you cue bid an opponent’s minor suit (1♦️-2♦️), explain your bid as “5-5 or longer in both majors” not “Michaels”.

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