1/1 Bridge System (01)

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Sun, 15/03/2026 - 14:53

Vil is starting a new series which he's picking will be of interest to only a few players. The concept is simple: 5 card majors, a strong (15-17) 1NT and a GAME FORCING 1NT response to all 1-level opening bids. Anyone interested in following the series can get the articles first hand by registering with him (villyn@xtra.co.nz). His articles will be published on this site while he continues to answer any questions anyone may have and helps juniors as much as possible

This system is based on “Five Card Majors”
We have all gotten used to responding to partner’s opening of one of a suit in time-honoured fashion: bid our suit at the one level, or bid 1NT with “6-9” if we haven’t enough points (usually 10+) to bid at the two level. But how often do we really need to bid 1NT? With ‘five card majors’ that is something that I find can be circumvented, with the 1NT response being far more useful to create a game going scenario, with many, many advantages to off-set the loss of the 6-9 1NT response. Read on if getting more out of your system interests you

Opening Bids:

  • 1C is 11-19 HCP and can be as short as TWO cards: when opener is 4-4-3-2
  • 1D 4+ diamonds, 11-19 HCP
  • 1H 5+ hearts, 11-19 HCP
  • 1S 5+ spades, 11-19 HCP

Responses to these opening bids:

  • 1NT is GAME FORCE
  • All suit bids are as agreed but in general, natural and 8-11 HCP. A suit bid in response to 1H or 1S denies three card support and is generally a 5+ card suit
  • 2NT balanced 10-12 HCP and no more than two in opened suit

1NT Opening 15-17:

  • Normal bidding in response
  • Stayman and transfers
  • Jump to 3 level is Key card ask in that suit: 3NT response to this shows doubleton in that suit

But more on all this in later chapters