BETA
In the early stages of developing the game of bridge, a need arose for opening a weak Club, mainly to obstruct the bidding of the opponents. However, the concept grew and evolved to employ other opening bids to reflect a certain distribution of the holding and the strength of the holding. Thus was Beta born, devised by Mr. Pierre Collet of France around 1969. The concept is to inform the partner as quickly as possible the structure of the opening hand. See Weak-Strong 1 Club Opening.
Bid
Strength Shape Other 1
:
10-14 HCPs 5-4 plus -x-x a 5-card Major suit or:
19 HCPs plus any shape 1
:
15-18 HCPs any shape 1
:
10-14 HCPs 4-card plus Heart suit 1
:
10-14 HCPs 4-card plus Spade suit 1 NT:
12-14 HCPs balanced 2
11-13 HCPs 6-card plus Club suit or show both Minor suits 2
10-16 HCPs 6-card plus Diamond suit 2
9-11 HCPs 6-card plus Heart suit or:
11-13 HCPs 5-card Heart suit Distribution: 3-5-3-2 2
9-11 HCPs 6-card plus Spade suit or:
11-13 HCPs 5-card Spade suit Distribution: 5-3-3-2
The responses, if no opponent overcalls, consists of Relay bids and Canape sequences to reach the final contract. In the original concept, if there was a direct overcall, which did not prevent the partnership from employing Relay bids and Canape sequences, then the overcall was not considered. However, if the direct overcall prevented the partnership from employing Relay bids and Canape sequences, then the responses were considered to be natural and systems off.
If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.