Dutch & Bulgaria Bidding

                                                                  "The Bridge World"s magazine Bidding Challenge August 2008

  - I think that the Dutch Bidding had the strongest bidding in the world, stronger than the Precision, Polish Club or Blue Club with all their variations. Of course, that's my opinion, and you may think different, and you maybe will make a better and simpler Bidding System than ForcePoint's 1NT/1 natural. Be aware that I had spend 18 years till Fp leaved the teenager age and that had happened 2  months ago :)

ForcePoint's Bidding Developer: Mr.Pawel Boiew

Ton Bakkeren - Huub Bertens general approach:
Strong Notrump, Five-card Majors, Four-card DI suit
Multi-way two-bids: 2CL = weak with DI, a game forcing one-suiter or a balanced hand with 20-21 HCP
                                2DI = weak with HE, a game forcing two-suiter or a balanced hand with 22-23 HCP
                                2HE = weak with SP, a game forcing three-suiter or a balanced hand with 24-25 HCP
                                2SP = weak with SP and a Minor
                                2NT = weak (or very strong) with both Minors

ForcePoint's 1NT/1 natural system general approach:
5+ card suit opening with B(2.5)+, around 12-20 HCP (the same for any other opening not specifically mentioned), 1CL and 1DI may be for 5/5 Minor bi-color depending on the strenght)
1NT = 14-18 HCP, 2NT = 19-23 HCP, both balance (no 5 card suit, no Singleton suit)
2CL = strong artificial, 16+ HCP or B4+ with 5+ Major, B5+ with 5+ Minor or a balanced hand, B(5.5)+ with bi-color, 2DI = B(2.5)+, any 4441
2HE/2SP = B(2.5)+, 5/5 bi-color with the opening suit
3 in suit = B(2.5)+, 6/5 bi-color with opening in the longer suit

ForcePoint's Bidding Mechanism:
1NT/1 = Semi-Forcing with 8+ HCP (B1+) not promising game's values, any other bid is a free bid with max 10 HCP (actually Fp doesn't use HCP but contract tricks)
Game Forcing (GF, if any) asks for the 2 of the side suits by SCOR-SCOR Convention, followed by ask for the 2nd longest suit thus discovering the exact partner's shape
Control Points Asking (CPA) followed by confirmation relay for the partner's contract tricks and possible asking for the Controls suits

Bep Vriend - Carla Arnolds general approach:
The women's general approach is similar to the men's with 1CL opening that might be based on a doubleton in a balanced hand out of range for a 1NT opening.

 The games are grouped by 3 for simple comparisons. The 1st one of each group shows Bakkeren - Bertens bids, the 2nd one shows the ForcePoint's bids, and the 3rd one shows Vriend - Arnolds bids

 Introduction: 2 years ago Valio Kovachev (Valani) told me: "When you make contests comparison you are influenced by the sight of both partners hands". By that time he was 10% right. I was able to discover the exact partner's shape and the exact Controls by kind and number, and their exact places, but I still was unable to discover the exact numbers of the partner's Queens and their places. No such problem now! Now I can project the partner's hand like he is a dummy already, and I do not need to watch his hand to achieve better results on the open hands Bidding Contests. I'm still unable to discover the partner's Jacks (and never will be) except sometimes for the Jack_Ten bundle, but that proved not to be critical at all. The bids explanation bellow will prove that to you soon (you almost can learn the 1NT/1 natural system reading them). For those of you who has the separate Sysnotes program for the visual observation of the 1NT/1 natural system bids a mechanism, these explanation won't be necessary.

Abbreviations: Please, do not be surprised, there is a bunch of all new bridge terminology here although it is quite easy! Everything is new with ForcePoint, the bridge innovations are very simple but effective, just no one though of them  probably or maybe no one want to spend 18 years researching for something that will make an Intermediate player a Bidding Expert of the rank of the World Masters for 3 days! Of course, the player still will be an Intermediate if s/he doesn't to play Expertly. That part is coming usually from God despite the mandatory hard reading about the topic!

Base Number (B#) = contract tricks, B# = all tricks - 2
NOTE: The ForcePoint's Counting provides the value of all Honors directly in tricks!

PL = game's Play Level which is the sum of both partners B# s

Basic suit = the longest opening suit, 

SCOR-SCOR = Convention for simultaneously showing 2 of the side suits then the 2nd longest suit, thus discovering the partner's exact shape usually below 3NT.
1st step answer = "S" which stands for 5 or 7/8 card Basic suit + SHAPE side suits (every other suits) always excluding the Basic suit
2nd step answer "CO" which stands for 5  or 7/8 card Basic suit + COLOR (red or black) side suits always excluding the color of the Basic suit
3rd step answer = "R" which stands for 5 or 7/8 card Basic suit + RANK (Minors or Majors) side suits always excluding the rank of the Basic suit
4th step answer = again "S" which stands for exactly 6 card Basic suit + SHAPE side suits excluding the Basic suit
5th step answer = again "CO" which stands for exactly 6 card Basic suit + COLOR side suits excluding the color of the basic suit
 - From 6th and any step up you do not need to count the steps. You enter in Extended SCOR which is only and always for exactly 6 card basic suit + RANK side suits excluding the rank of the basic suit. The idea here is to JUMP directly in your 2nd longest suit (single JUMP if you have a Singleton, double JUMP if you have a Void) thus showing directly your exact distribution!

REMEMBER: What you see that's what you bid (your 2nd longest suit), but with JUMP, no need to count the steps. Do it always and only when you have exactly 6 card basic suit + RANK side suits !

NOTE:  The SCOR-SCOR Convention is very easy for the answerer but reguires a bit of imagination by the Questioner. The main principle is to mention where is the 2nd longest partner's suit: Is it one of the previously showed side suits or not ? If it is, your partner has a Singleton (Void if s/he Jumped), if it is not, your partner doesn't have any pseudo suit (Singleton or Void) !
 Valio Kovachev (Valani, World Class Established Expert) learned it for less than a half hour, Hristo Ivanchev (World Class Expert) learned it for less than an hour), Kosta Kostov (Established Expert and my programmer) learned it for less than 2 hours, Milen Markov (Established Expert and 2007 Bulgarian Individual Champion) learned it for less than 2 hours, all othet ForcePoint's team player learned it for less than 3 to 4 hours, I made it for 3 years ! No offense, but from the 3 women I have tried to teach on it, only one manage to learn the Convention, simply because they do not had nervous, and partly maybe a logic for it.  

CPA = Control Points Asking, CP = Control Points (A = Void = 6 CP, K = Singleton = 4 CP), although when you answer the pseudo Controls are not included, your partner, who knows your exact shape, will include them if there is no duplication with real Controls. With 32 to 36 CP and PL = 6+ we have a Small Slam (30 CP with 2 FITs), with 40+ CP (36+ CP with 2 FITs) and PL = 7+ we go to a Grand Slam

The innovations: There is strong two-way connections between the B# and the CP, and B# and Queens. ForcePoint uses simple Formulas to discover partner's CP and Queens when we know the B# or vise versa. All bridge players who were interested know the Counting, the Bidding Mechanism, the SCOR-SCOR Convention and the Formulas. All of them are bridge innovations !

Matchpoints scoring with 12 TOP

Game # 1 Awards:   6HE = 10,   7HE = 7,   6DI = 6,   6NT = 5,   7DI or 3SP doubled = 4,   5HE = 3,   5NT = 2
Bakkeren - Bertens = 10 MP = 83.3 %, Total 10 (83.3 %)


Fp = 10 MP = 83.3 %, Total 10, (83.3)

3NT = 4+ contract tricks (B4+) with 20+ CP;    4CL = ask for 4+ suit;    4HE = natural;    6HE with PL = 4 + 1.75 + 0.5 (for 9 Trumps) = 6.25 and 34+ CP

Vriend - Arnolds 10 MP = 83.3 %. Total 10, (83.3)

Game # 10 Awards:    4SP = 10,   5SP = 8,   6SP or 4HE = 4,   5CL or 6CL = 3,    5HE = 2, 6HE = 1
Bekkeren - Bartens = 3 MP (25 %), Total = 13 MP (54.17 %)


Fp = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 20 MP (83.33 %)
1CL = b(2.5)+, 5+ card suit,  1NT = B1+, Semi-Forcing,  3HE = 2416 exact shape by SCOR-SCOR Convention (in this case 6 card Basic suit + RANK side suit, Extended SCOR),  3SP = CPA,  4SP = 20 CP (2 Aces + 2 Kings) and expected B# = 4.0 by the Formula,  Pass with PL = 1 + 4 - 1 (for Singleton opposite Singleton = 4.0 (max 4.5 if East has the 2 Controls in CL suit) and 30 CP, so no Slam at all !

Vried - Arnolds = 4 MP (33.33 %), Total = 14 MP (58.33 %)

Game # 2 Awards:   5SP = 10,   3NT or 6SP = 4
Bakkeren - Bertens = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 23 MP (63.88 %)


Fp = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 30 MP (83.33 %)
2CL = B4+, (16+ HCP), any shape,  2DI = Waiting,  2SP = 5+ card Major suit, so B# >= B4,  3SP = B(-1) to B(-0.5), 3+ card SP suit,  4CL = CPA after direct Fitting,  4DI = Zero CP,  4SP = Absolute Signoff with PL = 6.75 + (-1) + 0.5 (for min 9 Trumps) = 6.25, but only 30 CP, not enough for a Small Slam !

Vierens - Arnolds = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 24 MP (66.66 %)

Game # 3 Awards:   2DI = 10,   3DI = 9,   2SP = 7,   4DI or 1NT = 4,   2NT = 3,   5DI or 3NT = 1
Bekkeren - Bartens = 7 MP (58.33 %), Total = 30 MP (62.5 %)


Fp = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 40 MP (83.33 %)
Pass = B# < 2.5,  1CL = B1+, (10+ HCP) in 3/4 sit, any shape,  1SP = B1 to B2, any 5 card suit,  1NT = RF,  2DI = 5 card suit,  Pass with suit PL = 1.25 + 1.0 (max 2.0) = 2.25 (max 3.25) or NT PL = 3.25 (NT PL = suit PL because of the 5 by 3 FIT) - 1.0 (for the Singleton) = 2.25, so simple part score game. Fp never investigate for a Major FIT in part score zone despite of the Matchpoint scoring !

Vriend -Arnolds = 7 MP (58.33 %), Total = 31 MP (64.58 %)

Game # 4 Awards:   7HE = 10,   6HE = 6,   7NT or 7CL or 6NT = 5,   6CL = 4,   5HE = 3, 5NT = 2
Bekkeren - Bartens = 10 MP, (83.33 %), Total = 40 MP (66.67 %)


Fp = 10 MP (83.33), Total = 50 MP (83.33 %)
1HE = B(2.5)+, 5+ card suit,  1NT = B1+, Semi-Forcing,  2DI = Red or Black side suits (in this case black, because the Basic HE suit is red) = long or short DI suit,  2HE = GF, 3DI = 2542 exact shape,  3HE = CPA,  4CL = 16 CP (2 Aces + 1 King),  4DI = simultaneously ask for the exact B# and the number of the Queens,  5CL = B# = 3.5 and 3 Queens or 2 Quenns + Jack_Ten bundle (upgaraded from 3.25 because of the 2 Queens + Jack_Ten bundle),  5DI = ask for the King's suit,  6CL = King CL,  7HE with PL = 3 + 3.5 + 0.5 (for 9 trumps) + 0.5 (for the "good" DI Singleton) + 0.5 for the CL Misfit with 2 Controls) = 8.0 and 36 CP with 2 FITs (the CL Misfit is strong because of the 2 Controls and is like a FIT) !

Vriend - Arnolds = 10 (83.33 %), Total =  MP (68.33 %)

Game # 5 Awards:   7HE = 10,   7DI = 9,   6HE = 7,   6DI = 6,   5HE = 3,   5DI = 2,   3NT = 1
Bekkeren - Bertens = 7 MP (58.33 %), Totall = 47 MP (65.28 %)


Fp = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 60 MP (83.33 %)
1NT = 14 to18 HCP and B# = 2.5 to 4.0, balance (no 5 card suit, no Singleton),  2CL = Stayman (may not have 4 card Major),  2DI = no 4 card Major, 2HE = RF, 3CL = 3334 exact shape, 3DI = CPA,  3NT = 18 CP (obviously 3 Aces), so the expected B# will be 3.5 by the Formula,  4CL = simultaneously ask for the exact B# and the number of the Queens,  4SP = B# = 4.0 along with 2 Queens and Jack_Ten bundle or 3 Queens because East won't have B# = 4.0 with 3 Aces and only 2 Queens,  4NT = ask for the omit Ace's suit,  5CL = no Ace CL, 5DI = ask for the suits of the Queens,  6CL = 3 Queens, no Queen CL, 7HE with PL = 1.5 + 4.0 + 1.0 (for the 2nd FIT with 3 TOP Honors) + 1.0 (for the "good" Void) = 7.5 and 36 CP including 6 CP for the CL Void and 2 FITs !

Vriend - Arnolds = 10 MP, (83.33 %), Total = 51 MP (70.83 %)

Game # 6 Awards:   4SP = 10,   2DI doubled = 7,   3nt = 6,   5CL = 5,   3SP = 4,   4CL or 1DI doubled = 3,   3HE = 2,   4HE = 1
Bekkeren - Bartens = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 57 MP (67.86 %)


Fp = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 70 MP (83.33 %)
3CL = B(2.5)+, 6+ CL bi-color,  DBL = RF, 3SP = other 5+ card suit,  4CL = ask for the lenghts of the unbid suits,  4SP = 6 card SP suit,  Pass with PL = 2.75 + 2.5 - 1 (for Misfit SP Trump) = 4.25. The partner do not have B# > 3.5 (he would bid 3NT after the DBL to show B# >= 4), so the max PL can be 5.25 which is not enough for a Small Slam !

Vriend - Arnolds = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 61 MP (72.62 %)

Game # 7 Awards:   5DI (W) = 10,   5DI (E) = 8,   4DI (W) = 5,   4DI (E) = 4,   4HE or 3HE or 3NT = 3
Bakkeren - Bertens = 4 MP (33.33 %), Total = 61 MP (63.54 %)


Fp = 8 MP (66.67 %), Total = 78 MP (81.25 %)
1CL = B(2.5)+, 5+ card CL suit,  1NT = Semi-Forcing with B1+,  2HE = 5 card CL suit with Minor or Major side suits (in this case majors because the Basic CL suit is Minor) = short or long DI suit,  2SP = GF,  3HE = 3415 exact shape,  3SP = CPA,  4CL = 14 CP not including 4 CP for the Singleton,  5DI with PL = 2.25 + 2.5 = 5 and 24 to 28 CP (if no King SP), a bit unsure, because for a game 5 in Minor the reguirement is PL = 5 to 5.5 and 28+ CP, but 4DI will be simultaneously ask for the exact B# and the number of the Queens, fortunately compesated by the West's higher B# !

Vriend - Arnolds = 3 MP (25 %), Total = 64 MP (66.66 %)

Game # 8 Awards:   3SP = 10,   2HE = 8,   3HE = 7,   4SP  or 2NT or 3NT = 3,   4HE = 1
Bakkeren - Bertens = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 71 MP (65.74 %)


Fp = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 88 (81.48 %)
1CL = b1+ (10+ HCP) in 3/4 sit, any shape,  2SP = B1+, 6+ SP suit,  3SP with PL = 1.5 + 1 + 0.5 (for 9 Trumps) = 3,  Pass = only 0.5 trick extra which is not enough for raise to 4SP

Vriend - Arnolds = 10 MP (83.33 %), Total = 74 MP (68.52 %)

Game # 9 Awards:   6CL = 10,   7CL = 6,   5CL = 5,   3NT = 3,   4CL = 2,   2NT or 2HE = 1
Bakkeren-Bertens = 10 MP (83.33 %), Final Total = 81 MP (67.5 %)


Fp = 10 MP (83.33 %), Final Total = 98 MP (81.67 %)
1CL = B1+, (10+ HCP) in 3/4 sit, any shape,  3CL = B1+, CL bi-color,  3DI = RF,  3HE = othere bi-color suit,  3SP = GF, 4SP = 3505 exact shape,  4NT = CP asking (CPA),  5HE = 10 CP not including 6 CP for the Void,  6CL with PL = 4 + 1 = 1 (for 10 Trumps) = 6 and 32 CP

Vriend - Arnolds = 10 MP (83.33 %), Final Total = 84 MP (70 %)

Conclusion:  Maybe you got interested, but who knows, even who cares! If you know to play Expertly and want to win bags of money or glory, you will learn Fp. If not now, soon after you approach one Fp pair of Expert players, no doubd about that. The sooner, the better, use it or guard against it, it is your own decision :)