BIDDING SYSTEM
The origin of the Universal Club is unknown, but has many aspects, which deserve the attention of the bridge player. This bidding system, also known as Uni-Club, employs a forcing 1 Club opening bid for two types of holdings.
1. The holding contains 17 plus high card points and can be various shapes.
2. The holding contains between 13-16 high card points and the longest suit is Clubs.
The opening bids and their meanings are shown in the schematic below.
1 :
13-16 HCPs Long Club suit or: 17+ HCPs Various shapes 1 :
12-16 HCPs 5-card plus Diamond suit 1 :
12-16 HCPs 5-card plus Heart suit 1 :
12-16 HCPs 5-card plus Spade suit 1 NT: 13-16 HCPs Balanced shape 2 12-17 HCPs Distribution: 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0; Diamond shortage 2 16-21 HCPs Distribution: 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0; no Diamond shortage 2 14+ HCPs Distribution: 5-5 in Hearts and a second suit 2 14+ HCPs Distribution: 5-5 in Spades and a second suit 2NT: 20-21 HCPs Balanced shape
The opening of any suit on the two level shows either of the following holdings, which are treated separately below:
1. Two-suited holdings of different point ranges with one known suit and an unspecified second suit.
2. Three suited holdings of different point ranges with/without Diamond shortage.
After a 1 Club opening, if the first response is 1 Diamond, then this first response is considered artificial and conveys the information that the responder has anywhere between 0-6 points. The cornerstone of this bidding system lies in the second bid of the opener, when the opening has been 1 Club followed by a the different possible first responses by the responder. The meanings of these second, clarifying rebids by the opener are shown in the schematic below.
Opener Responder Meaning 1 1 Positive response showing 0-6 points 1 Natural; promises 16/17 plus HCPs; 4-card Spade suit 1 1 Natural responses showing at least a 4-card Heart/Spade suit 2 Natural; minimum 12-14 points and a 5-card plus Club suit 1 1 Positive response showing 0-6 points 1 Two-Way rebid showing either 16+ HCPs and a 5-card plus Heart suit Or: shows a minimum holding of 12-16 HCPs and a 5-card plus Club suit The 1 1 This second response asks opener to clarify the 1 2 Shows a minimum holding of 12-16 HCPs and a 5-card plus Club suit 2 Shows 16+ HCPs and a 5-card plus Heart suit
If the opening bid on the one level is other than 1 Club, then the bidding sequence continues naturally promising at least a 4-card suit and sufficient values to continue bidding. Several auctions are outlined below.
Opener Responder Meaning 1 2 Promises either 10-11 HCPs and a 5-card plus Club suit Or: promises 12+ HCPs and various distributions; one-round forcing 2 3 Shows a minimum holding with a 5-card plus Club suit Important: any other rebid, which does not support the opener's rebid shows 12+ high card points and is game-forcing
The first responses to a 1 Heart opening are different. If the opening is 1 Spade, then the ensuing auction is generally identical in nature.
Opener Responder Meaning 1 2 The first response is artificial and is game-forcing; promises 12+ HCPs 2 An artificial rebid indicating an unspecified second suit 2 Promises a 6-card Heart suit and minimum 2 Promises a 5-card Heart suit, no second suit, and 12-14 HCPs 2 NT Promises a 5-card Heart suit, no second suit, and 15-16 HCPs
After a Major suit opening, the responder, with sufficient values can employ the Limit Raise convention to show a good 3-card, honor-topped support or otherwise a 4-card support with 10-12 points. With 13-16 high card points the responder can jump immediately to 4 Clubs, which promises such values and a 4-card support. After a Major suit opening, the responder can jump to 4 Diamonds, which is the Thomas Convention, or properly designated as the Thomas Four Diamond Convention, which is Ace-asking.
There are additional aspects of the Universal Club bidding system, which are listed below.
Universal Club Two Clubs Opening
In the Universal Club bidding system, origin unknown, the opening bid of 2 Clubs has been assigned a specific meaning, which is that it shows a three-suited holding, generally a distribution of 4-4-1-4, with values between 12 and 17 high card points. A minimum and a maximum point count is known and also the short suit, which is Diamonds.Universal Club Two Diamonds Opening
In the Universal Club bidding system, origin unknown, the opening of 2 Diamonds has been assigned a specific meaning. This opening bid promises a three-suited holding. The required point count is between 16 and 21 high card points. This opening demands that the Diamond suit be one of the three suits as opposed to the 2 Clubs opening bid, which shows Diamond shortage.Universal Club 2 Hearts and 2 Spades Opening
The Universal Club bidding system has relegated special, if not specific, information in the opening bid of either 2 Hearts or 2 Spades. Either of these two openings promise at least a 5-card card, or longer, and a second, unspecified second suit, also a 5-card suit, or longer. The point range is a minimum of 14 high card points and the upper range is unlimited. Therefore, these two opening bids are forcing for one round. They are not considered to be absolutely game-forcing in nature.
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.