MOSCITO
SYSTEM
This bidding system was developed and devised first by Mr. Paul Marston and Mr. Stephen Burgess. If one takes the first four letters, then it builds an acronym for Major Oriented Strong Club. For its foundation, Mr. Paul Marston and Mr. Stephen Burgess used to a considerable extent the Symmetric Relay system and applied their version especially in auctions where the opening side has the balance of power. Originally, the Moscito System was a Strong-Pass system, but was altered in 1992 to the following structured bidding sequence.
Pass: This is the required call if the holding is 0 to 5 high card points by favorable vulnerability. By unfavorable vulnerability, the player may also pass with 6 to 9 high card points if the player does not hold at least a 5-4 distribution in two suits.
1
: This opening bid promises 15 high card points plus
and an undetermined shape.
1 
: This opening bid promises 10-14 high card points and
no 4-card Major suit.
1 
: This opening bid promises 10-14 high card points, a 4-card plus Heart suit, a 3-card or less Spade suit, and the possibility of a longer Minor side suit
1 
: This opening bid promises 10-14 high card points,
a 4-card plus Spade suit, a 3-card or less Heart suit, and the possibility of a longer
Minor side suit.
1 No Trump: This opening bid promises 10-14 high card points, at least a distribution of 4-4 in both Major suits, and the holding may be unbalanced such as a 4-4-4-1 distribution.
2 : This opening bid promises any 6-9 high card points
by favorable vulnerability and none of the above mentioned requirements are fulfilled.
A catch-all opening bid.
Or an opening bid of 2
2 : This opening bid promises 6-9 high card points and shows Diamond and Spades.
2 : This opening bid promises any 6-9 high card points and shows Heart and Spades.
2 : This opening bid promises any 6-9 high card points and shows Clubs and Spades.
2 No Trump: This opening bid promises any 6-9 high card points and shows Clubs and Diamonds.
If the responder has at least game-going values according to the opening bid, the responder generally makes a Relay Response searching for additional information upon which to base the decision for game or a partial contract. This is done by consuming the least amount of bidding space. The various responses of the responder are not given here, since they are generally a matter of partnership agreement and no general standard applies.
In the Third and Fourth position, the high card point ranges are increased since the responder's hand has already been limited by the partner's original pass.
In essence, this is the foundation of the Moscito System devised by Mr. Paul Marston and Mr. Stephen Burgess. Since this Major Oriented Strong Club bidding system originated, there have been several variations of the concept. One variation is called the Moscito Byte Bidding System, and another variation has gained some popularity in Europe, especially Germany, where the original variation had to be altered to meet the standards of the German Bridge Federation. This variation follows, and it must be noted that the similarities are quite common except for certain opening bids, by favorable or unfavorable vulnerability, and the variation focuses on the Major suit openings.
1 : This opening bid promises 15 high card points plus and an undetermined shape.
1 : This opening bid promises 9-14 high card points and no 4-card Major suit.
1 : This opening bid promises 9-14 high card points, a 4-card plus Heart suit, a 3-card or less Spade suit, and the possibility of a longer Minor side suit.
1 : This opening bid promises 9-14 high card points, a 4-card plus Spade suit, a 3-card or less Heart suit, and the possibility of a longer Minor side suit.
1 No Trump: This opening bid promises 11-14 high card points, at least a distribution of 4-4 in both Major suits, possibly a 5-card Spade suit, and the holding may be unbalanced such as a 4-4-4-1 distribution.
2 : This opening bid promises any 9-14 high card points and at least 5-4 distribution in the Major suits.
2 : This opening bid represents a Mini-Multi or a Weak-Two in a Major suit.
2 : This opening bid promises any 9-14 high card points and shows a possible distribution of 5-4-4-0 or a distribution of 4-4-4-1 with exactly a 4-4 split in the Major suits.
2 : This opening bid promises any 0-9 high card points and shows a 5-card Spade suit, and a 4-card plus Minor suit.
2 No Trump: This opening bid promises any 0-9 high card points and shows a 5-card plus Heart suit and a 5-card plus Minor suit or 8 playing tricks in a Major suit, similar to Namyats.
Whichever bidding system is used, whether it be the original version of Mr. Paul Marston and Mr. Stephen Burgess or any variation thereof, the foundation should be accepted by the partnership and included in the Partnership Agreement.
The Moscito System has been adapted to fit the needs of several partnerships. These variations have been accepted in the bridge community and have earned individual names. We present several of the modifications below.
German Moscito
The variation with the name German Moscito was developed by Nikolas Bausback, Jurgen Dueball, Bjorn Janson, and Rene Steiner, and is based on a Moscito version devised by Mr. Martin Buchen of Australia. This variation combines a strong 1 Club with openings that show holdings in the Major suit and complements the bidding structure with Relay responses. The priority is, however, to inform the partnership with the opening the held distribution and strength. Following are the Opening Bids used in the German Moscito variation.
|
Opening |
Strength | Distribution | |
|
1 |
15 HCPs plus | Any shape is possible | |
|
1 |
10-14 HCPs maximum | 3-3 distribution in the Major suits | |
|
1 |
10-14 HCPs | a 4-card plus Heart suit | |
|
1 |
10-14 HCPs | a 4-card plus Spade suit | |
|
1 NT |
10-14 HCPs | balanced with a 4/5-card Spade suit | |
|
2 |
10-14 HCPs | 4-4-card plus distribution in the Major suits and unbalanced | |
|
2 |
6-9 HCPs | a 6-card Heart or Spade suit | |
|
2 |
6-9 HCPs | 5-5-card plus distribution in the Major or Minor suits | |
|
2 |
6-9 HCPs | 5-5-card plus distribution in either the Black or Red suits | |
|
2 NT |
6-9 HCPs | 5-5-card plus distribution either in the Rounded or Pointed suits |
It is important to remember that any or all responses to a 1 Club opening show Major suit holdings and are followed by Relay responses, and that all other opening bids are also followed by Relay responses.
Honeymoon Moscito
The variation of the Moscito Bidding System called Honeymoon Moscito was devised by Mr. Peter Buchen of Australia. This variation is based on the original Moscito System devised by Mr. Paul Marston and Mr. Stephen Burgess. This variation is different in that it combines a strong 1 Club with other openings, mainly showing Major suit holdings and complete but natural Relay responses. Below is a chart for the Opening Bids for Honeymoon Moscito variation only.
|
Opening |
Strength | Distribution | |
|
1 |
15 HCPs plus | Any shape is possible | |
|
1 |
10-14 HCPs maximum | 3-3 distribution in the Major suits | |
|
1 |
10-14 HCPs | a 4-card plus Heart suit | |
|
1 |
10-14 HCPs | a 4-card plus Spade suit | |
|
1 NT |
10-14 HCPs | balanced with a 4-4-card distribution in both Major suits | |
|
2 |
6-9 HCPs | shows a 6-card suit either in Spades or Hearts | |
|
2 |
6-9 HCPs | shows a 5-5 distribution in both Major suits | |
|
2 |
6-9 HCPs | shows a 5-5 distribution in Hearts and an unknown Minor suit | |
|
2 |
6-9 HCPs | shows a 5-5 distribution in Spades and an unknown Minor suit | |
|
2 NT |
6-9 HCPs | 5-5-card plus distribution in both Minor suits |
It is important to remember that any or all responses to a 1 Club opening show Major suit holdings and are followed by Relay responses, and that all other opening bids are also followed by Relay responses.
Moscito-D
This variation of the Moscito System was developed by the German Moscito Team Mr. Nikolas Bausback, Mr. Jurgen Dueball, Mr. Bjorn Janson, and Mr. Rene Steiner. In Germany, the standard form for the most recognized bidding system is called Forum-D, derived from French bidding systems. Moscito-D is an addition to this bidding system. Below are only the Opening Bids for the Moscito-D variation.
|
Opening |
Strength | Distribution | |
|
1 |
15 HCPs plus | Any shape is possible | |
|
1 |
10-14 HCPs maximum | 3-3 distribution in the Major suits | |
|
1 |
10-14 HCPs | a 4-card plus Heart suit and a maximum 3-card Spade suit | |
|
1 |
10-14 HCPs | a 4-card plus Spade suit and a maximum 3-card Heart suit, unbalanced | |
|
1 NT |
10-14 HCPs | balanced with a 4-5-card Spade suit | |
|
2 |
10-14 HCPs | shows a 5-4-card plus distribution in both Major suits, unbalanced | |
|
2 |
10-14 HCPs | shows either a 5-5-4-0 or 4-4-4-1 distribution with 4-4 in the Major suits | |
|
2 |
6-9 HCPs | shows a 5-card plus Heart suit | |
|
2 |
6-9 HCPs | shows a 5-card plus Spade suit | |
|
2 NT |
6-9 HCPs | 5-5-card plus distribution in both Minor suits |
It is important to remember that any or all responses to a 1 Club opening show Major suit holdings and are followed by Relay responses, and that all other opening bids are also followed by Relay responses.
Newlands Moscito
This variation of the Moscito System is called the Newlands Moscito and was developed by Mr. D A. Newlands and Mr. M. Willcox, and is based on the original Moscito System devised by Mr. Paul Marston and Mr. Stephen Burgess. Following are only the Opening Bids for the Newlands Moscito variation.
|
Opening |
Strength | Distribution | |
|
1 |
15 HCPs plus | Any shape is possible | |
|
1 |
10-14 HCPs maximum | 4-4 plus distribution in the Major suits | |
|
1 |
10-14 HCPs | shows a 4-card plus Heart suit | |
|
q |
10-14 HCPs | shows a 4-card plus Spade suit | |
|
1 NT |
10-14 HCPs | promises a distribution of 3-3 in both Major suits | |
|
2 |
10-14 HCPs | shows a 6-card plus Club suit | |
|
2 |
10-14 HCPs | shows a 6-card plus Diamond suit | |
|
2 |
10-14 HCPs | shows a distribution of 5-5 plus either in the Major or Minor suits | |
|
2 |
10-14 HCPs | shows a distribution of 5-5 plus either in the Black or Red suits | |
|
2 NT |
10-14 HCPs | shows a distribution of 5-5 plus either in the Rounded or Pointed suits |
Any responses to and opening of 1 Club show Major suit holdings and the responses are in the form of Relays. All other opening bids are followed by Relays.
General Description of Moscito
The Moscito System was devised to enter and exit the bidding auction and exchange information about the partnership holding, especially in the Major suits, as quickly as possible. The original concept was to determine whether or not a partnership held sufficient values for game, and if this is the case, then to explore game, or even slam possibilities. If it is discovered that game is not possible, then the idea is to find at least a 7-card Major suit and exit the auction quickly. By using such minimal ranges, the concept, and all variations, are designed to maximize the obstruction of the auction of the opponents.
Playing the Moscito System, generalizations can be made, especially with the opening bids.
1. A 1 Club opening promises 15 plus high card points.
2. All other openings are generally between 8 and 14 high card points.
3. A 1 Spade opening promises generally distribution in both Major suits.
4. A 1 Heart opening promise a good Heart suit.
5. A 1 Diamond opening promises a good Spade suit.
6. If the above requirements are not met, then a 1 No Trump opening shows 11 to 14 high card points and a balanced hand.
7. If holding no Major suit and an unbalanced hand, open the longer Minor suit naturally at the Two Level.
Possible Defense
The opponents should consider the 1 Club opening as strong and bid or balance accordingly.
Double:
1. After a 1 Diamond opening, a Takeout Double would normally promise a moderate Spade suit.
2. Another possibility is to regard the Takeout Double as promising both Minor suits.
Bidding 1 Spade shows stronger values than the Takeout Double.
Any other bid besides double and 1 Spade are then considered natural.
The opponents must regard the 1 No Trump opening as weak.
2 Clubs Opening
1. This opening should be regarded as a Precision Two Club opening.
2. A 2 Clubs opening could also be regarded as a Weak Two bid.
An opening of 2 Diamonds should be treated as a Weak Two bid. A 1 Diamond opening shows a specific holding, 8 to 14 high card points and promising a good Spade suit without a good Heart suit, depending on the original version and/or the variations of the Moscito System. The opponents should keep the requirements for a 1 Diamond opening in mind when deciding whether to enter the auction.
The opponents should heed the later bidding since many of the responder's initial actions can be completely artificial. The artificial bids by the responder are normally bid with strong hands, although there is the 1 Diamond - 1 Heart general Waiting Bid, which promotes further action. Therefore,
1. If the responder's bid is natural, then this natural bid should be treated as normal.
2. If the responder's bid is artificial, then the opponents should act as if the bid had not taken place.
3. A double equals a Takeout Double of the opener's known suit, and all other overcalls are then natural bids.
These possible defense understandings are suggestions and recommendations, not guidelines for any partnership agreement.
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.