Manchester Standard System
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This page details
a basic Manchester Standard System formed by a consensus of leading Manchester
players polled by e-mail in Dec 2002 to Jan 2003. The idea is to
provide a system base for casual partnerships or for use in individual
events.
The first set of questions was on opening bids and no trump
rebids. The consensus view was as follows.
Acol 4 card majors
1) Strength of 1NT opener. 12-14
2) Strength of 1NT rebid. 15-16
3) Strength of 2NT rebid with jump. 17-18
4) Strength of 3NT rebid after 1 level response. 19
5) Strength of 2NT rebid after 2 level response in
new suit and how forcing. 15-16 game forcing
6) Strength of 3NT rebid after 2 level response in
new suit. 17-19
7) Meaning of opening 2C. Game force or 23-24
8) Meaning of opening 2D. Weak 2 in Diamonds
9) Meaning of opening 2H/S. Weak 2.
10) Meaning of opening 2NT. 20-22 balanced
11) Any special meanings for opening bids of 3C and above.
3N = solid suit (gambling), 4N = direct Ace ask.
The second set of questions was sent out to those who responded
to the first set. Here are the results.
Response to 1N
1) 2C
Stayman
2) 2D/H
Major suit transfer
3) 2S
Transfer to Clubs
4) 2N
Transfer to Diamonds
5) 3 of minor Game
force
6) 3 of major Game
force
Response to 2N. Define how you play
7) 3C
5 card stayman
8) 3D/H
Major suit transfer
9) 3S
Minor suit slam try
10) 4C/D
Natural
11) 4H/S
Slam try 2/3 top honours and 6 card suit
Responses to weak 2s. Define how you play
12) New suit at 2 level
Constructive non-forcing
13) 2N (and what kind of response) Relay with Blue
Club responses (points and quality)
14) new suit at 3 level
Constructive, non-forcing
Responses to 1 level opening bids. Define how you play
15) 1C/D 2N
Baron
16) 1H/S 2N
Baron
17) Double jumps e.g. 1S 4C
Splinters
Overcalls. Define how you play
18) Jump overcalls
Weak
non vul, Intermediate vulnerable.
19) Direct cue bid
Michaels
20) 2N overcall
UNT in second, natural in 4th
21) Defence to 1NT
Asptro
(2C = H + other, 2D = S + other, anchor to stronger suit with both majors)
22) 1N overcall direct
15-18
23) 1N overcall protective.
11-14
Here are the responses to the third set of questions
1) To what level do you play Sputniks
4S
2) To what level do you play responsive doubles
4S
3) To what level do you play competitive doubles
4S
4) What is jump in new suit after opponents double (e.g.
1D X 2S) Fit Jump
5) What kind of Blackwood do you play RKCB 3041
responses
6) Primary signal on partner's lead
High shows even number
7) Primary signal on declarer's lead
High shows even number
8) Discarding method
Natural i.e. discard unwanted cards (with distributional overtones)
9) Describe leads from length
2nd and 4th
10) Describe honour leads
Top
of touching honours
