WesternBridge, a nice, an easy and efficient natural bidding system for bridge card game
English explanation
©Benoit ROUSSEAU – January 9th, 2012
Western bridge is a very exciting bidding system for bridge card game. Its difference with all traditional systems, reside in the table decision. Place to make the count with 40 HCP, Western Bridge use a decision table based on 8 keys. Keys are the Aces and Kings. That's all ! WB (western bridge) stay a natural system in which you can practice with your favorite conventions like STAYMAN, TRANSFERT and much more... except BLACKWOOD. This last convention become obsolete with the new decision table. (see below)
The french statistician, Etienne TURPIN, had highlighted through billion deals these following relations that became a magical decision table. To play game or slam, you must have the two added hands, holds it and that of your partner the following number keys force:
|
Contract levels (Games, Slams) |
Minimum keys number (Aces and King) with both hands |
|
Partial starting |
2/3 keys at Trump, 4 keys at NoTrump |
|
3 NT |
6 keys |
|
4 Major |
5 keys, with a distributional hand (regular hand is not recommanded) |
|
5 Minor |
6 keys |
|
Slam |
7 keys + serious plus-values |
|
Great slam |
8 keys |
I know , it seems very simply, but it is very serious. You have 4% not to have queens or jack around the keys in both hands (partner and you).
Of course, plus-values are very important to increase or decrease your hand value. These plus-values are named « virtual keys » :
A Void in opponent's color if you have a fit with your partner. Considere this void like a KEY.
A sequence of 3 top honours like KQJx is a very important if you want play at NT. Considere this like a KEY.
A long color with 2 honours can be considered like a KEY.
The 9th, 10th trump in a fit can be too considered like a KEY.
A Single can be counted like a ½ KEY.
The possession of the 3 Queens not in single or doubleton can be considered like a KEY
The BLACKWOOD convention can be trashed because if you are 7 keys to play a slam, you have logically at minimum : 3 aces and 4 kings.
Example of a bidding sequence :
East : ♠ Axxx, ♥ QTx, ⋄ KQxxx, ♣ A (dealer)
West : ♠ KQxxxx, ♥ A, ⋄ xxxx, ♣ Kxx
Bidding will be like this : E 1⋄, W 1♠, E 2♠, W 6♠ ! Nice challenge !
Decoding : East open with 3 keys (♠K, ⋄ K and ♣A). West bid 1♠ (one over one forcing until 1NT), East bid the fit in ♠, West can reevalute its hand. He has 4 ½ keys composed by the 9th trump, ♠K,♥A, ♣K and the single at ♥. East has a minimum 3 keys. West make the addition : 3+4 ½ = 7 ½ key. West checks the table decision and choose to bid the slam in ♠.
Enjoy !
Contact me : benoit.rousseau@numericable.fr
Skype : nrubicon
BBO (Bridge Base On line) : brousseau