JUNIOR & INTERMEDIATE SYSTEMS GUIDE

Guide to Systems permitted at Junior and Intermediate Tournaments- RELEASED 4 JULY 2012

Opening Bids

CALL TREATMENT ALLOWED AT BOTH LEVELS ALLOWED AT INTERMEDIATE BUT NOT JUNIOR
1C Minimum suit1 length 2 cards; Opening strength2
  Simple Precision, with no relay or artificial responses other than the negative 1D response Precision style (Strong3, forcing; any distribution): may include relay or artificial responses.
1D Minimum suit length 3 cards; Opening strength
Precision style (Opening strength, any distribution)
 1H or 1S  Minimum suit length 4 cards; Opening strength
1NT Balanced; lower limit at least 11 HCP
2C Very strong4, forcing, any distribution Multi-style: Weak5 with 6-card major with or without strong option(s)
  Opening strength; Minimum suit length 5 cards (Precision style)
2D Very strong, forcing, any distribution Multi-style: Weak with 6-card major with or without strong option(s)
  Opening strength; Minimum suit length: 5 cards Precision style (Opening strength, 3-suited with shortage in diamonds)
  Weak5; Minimum suit length: 6 cards
 2H or 2S Strong; Minimum suit length: 4 cards Weak with 5+ cards in suit and 4+ cards in another suit (which may be unspecified)
  Weak; Minimum suit length: 6 cards 
2NT Balanced; lower limit at least 18 HCP Weak with length in minor suit(s)
3NT Very strong, or "gambling" (with long minor suit)
suit bid
3 level or higher
Maybe weak, Minimum suit length: 6 cards May specify a suit different to the one named in the bid (ie transfer bid)


Notes:

"Precision" may also include any convention /treatment allowed to be played at this level with a natural system
1
Unless otherwise noted the suit to which the "minimum length" applies must be the suit named in the bid.

For the purposes of these tables the following definitions of strength apply:
2 "Opening strength": At least 11 high-card points (HCP) or equivalent with allowance for distribution (for which the guideline is: Add 1 point for every card after the eighth in the two longest suits)
3 "Strong": At least 15 HCP or equivalent
4 "Very strong": At least 19 HCP or equivalent
5 "Weak": Less than opening strength

Responses to Opening Bids

TREATMENT ALLOWED AT BOTH LEVELS ALLOWED AT INTERMEDIATE BUT NOT JUNIOR
Any artificial negative response to forcing opening including "impossible" 1D response to Precision 1C
Artificial forcing responses promising trump support (eg 2NT, splinter bids)
Stayman or Baron responses to NT bid, including modified forms
Transfer or Range-finder responses to NT bids
2NT enquiry response to weak 2-suit opening Enquiry response to Multi 2-suit opening
2D  enquiry response to Precision 2C   opening Enquiry response to Precision 2D (with diamond shortage) opening


Calls over Opponents natural 1-suit Opening

TREATMENT ALLOWED AT BOTH LEVELS ALLOWED AT INTERMEDIATE BUT NOT JUNIOR
Any suit bid which promises 4+ cards in the suit
Cue-bid showing a very strong hand
Bid (including a Cue bid) showing 2 suits (5+/5+) at least one specified, must be either "weak only" or "strong only" Artificial bid showing 2 suits, at least one specified, strength may be variable
Jump cue-bid asking partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in that suit


Others

TREATMENT ALLOWED AT BOTH LEVELS
Any defence to opponent's 1NT opening
Any defence to opponent's artificial forcing opening
Any meaning of double in any sequence
Any ace-asking bids (including RKCB) and responses
Any treatment for a cue-bid made after the first bid by one's own side


For treatments not listed in these tables please consult the NZ Bridge Systems Policy at D3 of the Manual.

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