Bridge

• ▶PassPass≤12 HCP

  Pass

  • • fewer than 13 HCP
  • • no preempt shape

  Not enough strength to open (typically <13 HCP; 12 HCP with a 6-card suit or shape may open). Pass and see what partner and the opponents do — you may still get a chance to act in a lower seat.

• ▶1♣1♣13–21 HCP, C:3+, H:≤4, S:≤4, C≥D, anyOf(3)

  1♣

  • • 13-21 HCP
  • • clubs ≥ diamonds (or 3-3 in the minors)
  • • no 5-card major
  • • NT-ladder ranges (15-17 balanced, 20-21 balanced, 22+) open the corresponding NT bid instead

  1♣ opens 13-14 balanced or unbalanced, 15-19 unbalanced, or 18-19 balanced (which plans a 2NT jump rebid). Balanced 15-17 opens 1NT, 20-21 opens 2NT, 22+ opens 2♣. With 3-3 in the minors SAYC prefers 1♣: partner is likelier to respond in a major when bidding starts lower, keeping space to find a fit.

  Partner bids a 4-card major up-the-line, 1NT with 6–10 balanced, or raises clubs with 5+.

• ▶1♦1♦13–21 HCP, D:3+, H:≤4, S:≤4, D>C, anyOf(3)

  1♦

  • • 13-21 HCP
  • • diamonds longer than clubs (or 4-4 in the minors)
  • • no 5-card major
  • • NT-ladder ranges (15-17 balanced, 20-21 balanced, 22+) open the corresponding NT bid instead

  1♦ opens 13-14 balanced or unbalanced, 15-19 unbalanced, or 18-19 balanced (which plans a 2NT jump rebid). Balanced 15-17 opens 1NT, 20-21 opens 2NT, 22+ opens 2♣. With 4-4 in the minors 1♦ preserves the 1-level so partner can show a major cheaply.

  Partner bids a 4-card major up-the-line, 1NT with 6-10 balanced, or raises diamonds with 4+.

• ▶1♥1♥13+ HCP, H:5+, H>S

  1♥

  • • 13+ HCP
  • • 5+ hearts
  • • hearts longer than spades

  SAYC uses 5-card majors, so 1♥ promises a real 5-card heart suit. With equal majors, always open the higher (1♠) so you can rebid cheaply.

  Partner raises with 3+ hearts, bids 1♠ or 1NT without a fit, or makes a 2-level new-suit response with 10+.

• ▶1♠1♠13+ HCP, S:5+, S≥H

  1♠

  • • 13+ HCP
  • • 5+ spades
  • • spades ≥ hearts (open 1♠ with 5-5 majors)

  With 5-5 in the majors, always open 1♠ first — you can rebid hearts cheaply at the 2-level but not spades, so show the more expensive suit first.

  Partner raises with 3+ spades, bids 1NT without a fit, or makes a 2-level new-suit response with 10+.

• ▶1NT1NT15–17 HCP, H:≤4, S:≤4, short:2–13

  1NT

  • • 15–17 HCP
  • • balanced
  • • no 5-card major

  1NT pins down strength and shape in a single descriptive bid. The 15–17 range is wide enough to be frequent but narrow enough for partner to place the contract precisely over Stayman or transfers.

  Partner passes with 0–7, uses Stayman (2♣) or transfers (2♦/2♥), or jumps to game.

• ▶2♣2♣22+ HCP, notes(1)

  2♣

  • • 22+ HCP balanced, OR any hand with 9+ playing tricks

  2♣ is the only forcing opening in SAYC. It creates a guaranteed second round of bidding so the strongest hands can describe themselves without being passed out below game.

  Partner's default response is 2♦ (waiting). You then rebid your suit, or jump in NT (2NT = 22-24 balanced, 3NT = 25-27).

• ▶2♦2♦5–10 HCP, D:6–6

  2♦

  • • 6-card diamond suit
  • • 5-10 HCP

  A weak two takes up a level of bidding before opponents can describe their hands — cheap for you, expensive for them.

  Partner passes with no game interest, raises to preempt further, bids 2NT as a feature ask, or bids a new suit forcing.

• ▶2♥2♥5–10 HCP, H:6–6

  2♥

  • • 6-card heart suit
  • • 5-10 HCP

  Weak two preempt in hearts — same logic as 2♦ but with trump advantage in a major.

  Partner can pass, raise preemptively, ask with 2NT, or bid a new suit forcing.

• ▶2♠2♠5–10 HCP, S:6–6

  2♠

  • • 6-card spade suit
  • • 5-10 HCP

  Weak two preempt in spades — hardest for opponents to compete over because 2NT and 3-level bids are already occupied.

  Partner passes, raises, asks with 2NT, or bids a new suit forcing.

• ▶2NT2NT20–21 HCP, H:≤4, S:≤4, short:2–13

  2NT

  • • 20-21 HCP
  • • balanced

  2NT is descriptive like 1NT but for a stronger range — partner can use Stayman/transfers just like over 1NT, and game is already in reach.

  Partner uses 3♣ Stayman, 3♦/3♥ transfers, or passes with a truly hopeless hand.

• ▶3♣3♣≤11 HCP, C:7+

  3♣

  • • 7-card club suit
  • • weak hand

  Three-level preempts cost opponents two levels of bidding space compared to passing — more pressure the longer your suit.

• ▶3♦3♦≤11 HCP, D:7+

  3♦

  • • 7-card diamond suit
  • • weak hand

  Same preemptive pressure as 3♣, but in diamonds.

• ▶3♥3♥≤11 HCP, H:7+

  3♥

  • • 7-card heart suit
  • • weak hand

  Preemptive pressure in hearts.

• ▶3♠3♠≤11 HCP, S:7+

  3♠

  • • 7-card spade suit
  • • weak hand

  Preemptive pressure in spades — hardest for opponents to compete over because 3NT is the only bid below their game.

• ▶4♥4♥≤11 HCP, H:8+

  4♥

  • • 8-card heart suit
  • • weak hand

  With 8 trumps and a weak hand, bid game directly — opponents have almost no room to find their fit.

• ▶4♠4♠≤11 HCP, S:8+

  4♠

  • • 8-card spade suit
  • • weak hand

  Maximum preemption — go straight to game.

• ▶5♣5♣≤11 HCP, C:8+

  5♣

  • • 8-card club suit
  • • weak hand

  Minor-suit game is a long way off — 5♣ is an all-in preempt when you have huge length but limited values.

• ▶5♦5♦≤11 HCP, D:8+

  5♦

  • • 8-card diamond suit
  • • weak hand

  Same logic as 5♣ — all-in preempt in diamonds.

Everything currently mapped for sayc. Click a chevron to expand a branch, click a bid to see its full detail, or hover for a quick preview. Dimmed dashes are opponent-pass turn-boundary layers.