Handbook for Intermediate/Newcomer (I/N) Coordinators

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

The Role of the Intermediate/Newcomer Coordinator 3

The ACBL I/N Program 4

I/N Tournament or an I/N Program at a Tournament 5

I/N Program for Unit and/or Club Games 6

Getting Started 7-11 Checklist..................................................7

Teachers..................................................8

Clubs.......................................................9-11

NewPlayerServicesProgram............... 11

MentoringProgram................................ 11

Resources for I/N Coordinators 12

1

Introduction

Congratulationsonyourappointmentastheunit’sIntermediate/Newcomer

(I/N)Coordinator.

YourjobisanextremelyimportantonebecauseyouwillbeworkingwiththelargestsegmentofACBL’smembers.Didyouknowthatmorethan65%ofACBLmembershavefewerthan500masterpoints?

WhenACBLdevelopedthepositionofI/NCoordinator,theintentionwastodesignatesomeoneintheunitwhowouldfocusonintegratingstudentsandnewplayersintothelocalbridgefamily.

Theprimarytoolfordoingthisistheavailabilityofgamesthatareappropriatefornewerplayers.UnitsareencouragedtorunI/Nsectionals(ortoworkwithclubmanagerswhentheunitdelegatesthisprivilegetoaclub)andtodevelopI/Nprogramsforallunitsectionals.Thisiswhatyouwillbedoingforyourunit.

Tohelpinyournewposition,theACBLhascompiledthishandbookofsuggestionsandideas.PleasegiveusacallintheMarketingDepartment(662-253-3112)orcontactusbyemail(marketing@acbl.org)ifyouhavequestionsorifwecanbeofassistancetoyou.

3

The Role of the Intermediate/Newcomer Coordinator

Theunit’sIntermediate/Newcomer(I/N)CoordinatorpositionwascreatedbytheACBLBoardofDirectorstoassistunitsinmakingnewplayersapartofthelocalbridgefamilyandtoincreasetheparticipationofthesenewplayersbyprovidingnewcomergamesandactivities.TheI/NCoordinatorreportsdirectlytotheunitboard.

TheI/NCoordinatorshouldbeavailabletoassistclubsthatwanttoestablishanI/Nprogram.ThecoordinatorshouldserveasTournamentChairfortheunit’sI/Nsectionals,workwithclubsrunningI/Nsectionalsthathavebeendelegatedtothembytheunitandworkwiththeunit’sTournamentChairtoofferI/Nprogramsatalloftheunit’ssectionaltournaments(andregionaltournamentswithintheunit’sjurisdiction).

IftheunithasaUnitEducationalLiaison(UEL),anEducationCommittee,bridgeteachersofferinglessons,aNewPlayerServicesprogram,amentoringprogram,etc.,theI/NCoordinatorwillfinditmucheasiertoofferI/Nsectionalsandprogramsandforthemtobesuccessful.IfthesepiecesofthepuzzleareNOTinplace,oriftheI/NCoordinatorandtheUELarethesameperson,thejoboftheI/NCoordinatorcanbemoredifficult.However,theI/NCoordinatorshouldalwaysbeamemberoftheunit’sEducationCommittee.

TheI/NCoordinator’smainfocusisoncreatingandexpandingtheunit’sI/Nprogram.TheUEL’smainroleistomaketheunitawareofprogramsthattheACBLhasmadeavailabletoencourageparticipationandmembership.TheUELworkswiththeunittoestablishsomeorallofthoseprograms(e.g.,TAP,mentoring,NewPlayerServices,etc.).

Inasmallunit,theI/NCoordinatorcandomostoftheorganizationalworkalone.IfyouaretheI/NCoordinatorforalargeunit,youwillneedacommitteetoworkwithyou.Appointsomeonetorepresenteachmajorcityorareawiththeunit’sjurisdiction.

Teachers,directors,clubmanagersandnewplayersarethebestcandidatesforyourteam.Remember,nooneperson,nomatterhowcommittedandtalented,couldexpecttoeffectivelyhandleeitherthejobofI/NCoordinatororthejobofUELwithouthelp.

4

The ACBL I/N Program

TheI/Nprogramisthenamegiventoselectedbridgeactivitiesorganizedandrunbyagroup(unit,district,club)thatwantstoencouragenewerbridgeplayerstoparticipate.I/Nactivitiescanberestrictedtoanygroup(s)ofnon-LifeMasterplayers(<500).

Elements of the I/N program are:

1. Games for 299er, 199er, 99er, 49er, 0-20 and 0-5 players each sessionOfferalloftheseevents.Anotation,“maybestratifiedatthedirector’sdiscretion,”shouldappearonalladvertising.Thisallowsthedirectortosetupstratsthatwillbestbalancetheplayersinattendanceandwillawardthemostmasterpointspossible.(Agamemaybestratified,butanygroupofthreeormorenewcomertablesshouldberunasaseparateevent.)

2. Directors who are experienced in working with newcomersRunninggamesfornewplayersrequiresacombinationofpublicrelationsanddirectingskills.ACBLhastrainedanumberoftournamentdirectorstoworkwithnewplayers.TheyarereferredtoasI/Nspecialists.ACBLwillassignoneofthesedirectorstoyourtournamentonrequest.AnyclubdirectorcangainmoreexperienceinworkingwithnewplayersbyspendingoneormoresessionswiththedirectorsoftheI/NprogramatanyNABC.

3. A special area or room for I/N gamesAspecialroomisdesirablebutoftennotavailable.I/NCoordinatorscanmakeacorneroftheroomthespecialareafornewplayers.ThisallowstheplayerstomaximizethebenefitsofparticipatinginanI/Nprogram.Ifaseparateroomisused,thegamesshouldbeclosetotherestofthetournamentsothenewplayerswillfeellikeapartofthewhole.

4. Celebrity speakers to give bridge tips before the gamesStarteachsessionwithaspecialspeakerlecturingfor20to30minutes.Speakerswhocanentertainandgivebridgetipsonthelevelofthenewplayersarebestforthisprogram.Ifthetopicistooadvanced,thespeakerwilldomoreharmthangood.

5. Social eventsSocialeventsgivetheplayersabetterchancetointeractwithothernewcomers.BridgeBingo,juke-boxdancing,awineandcheeseparty,abetween-sessionsdinnerbuffet,ahospitalityroomwherenewplayerscanmeetthelocalstarsandbridgeofficials,apanelshowandapizzapartyarepopularsocialevents.

6. Fliers to invite the players and guarantee partnersMailflierstotheeligibleplayersintheareaandinvitethemtoattend.Advertisethatpartnersareguaranteedforanyonewhoarrivesonehourbeforegametime.Arrangeforastandbypair.Mailinglabelscanbeorderedfromlistlabel@acbl.orgorproducedfromyourunit’sowndatabasebytheUnitElectronicContact.(SeetheACBLPrivacyPolicyandTermsofUse).

7. New Players Services (NPS)HaveavolunteersitattheHospitalityDesktoassistthenewplayersasneededwithquestionsandinformation.HavecommitteememberswalkaroundtheI/Nareatovisitwiththeplayers,passoutcandyandgofromtabletotablewishingtheplayersgoodluckinthegametofollow.Havevolunteersavailableaftereachsessiontohelptheplayersinterpretthescores.TheseareservicesthatwouldbeperformedbythecommitteemembersofaunitNPSprogram.

5

The ACBL I/N ProgramCont.

I/N Tournament or I/N Program at a Tournament

8. Trophies for overall winsNewplayerslovetowintrophies.Thetrophiescanberegulartrophies,glasses,mugs,etc.Newplayerslikeprizesthatsay“FirstPlaceWinner.”

9. Pictures of the winnersTakephotosofthewinnersanddisplaythem.Playerslovetoseewhohaswoninthe“Winner’sCircle.”

♣ I/Nsectionals,I/NregionalsandI/Nprogramsareplannedforplayerswhoareeithernewtoduplicateornewtobridge.I/NsectionalsandI/Nregionalsstandalone;I/Nprogramsarerunaspartofaregularsectionalorregionaltournament.

♣ I/Nsectionals,I/NregionalsandI/Nprogramsareheldasameansofcreatinganewplayerprogramorexpandingonethatisalreadyinplace.Theyareunlikelytobesuccessfulunlessthehostunit,localclubsandsurroundingunitshavealreadymadeanefforttodevelopanactivegroupofbridgestudentsandnewplayers.

♣ I/Ntournamentsandprogramsofferapoolofcongenialpartners,asuitableplacetoplay,eventsineverysessionthatintermediateandnewcomerplayerscanwinandalotoffun.Theformatofeachcontainsalloftheelementspreviouslylisted.

♣ AunitcanrunitsownI/Ntournaments,oritcangiveoneormoreI/Nsectionalsanctionstoaclubunderitsjurisdiction.AnI/Nsectionalsponsoredbyaunitshouldbeorganizedtoattractplayersfromalargerarea,whereasonerunbyaclubmayattractonlylocalplayersandshouldbeorganizedaccordingly.

♣ I/Nsectionalsmustbeatleastonedayandnomorethanfivedaysinduration.AnI/Nsectionalisdefinedasasectionalwithamasterpointlimitofnomorethan500.ThereisnolimittothenumberofI/Nsectionalsaunitmayhold;however,aunitmaynotschedulemorethanthreeone-dayI/Nsectionalsinanycalendaryear.

♣ Eachdistrictisentitledtoconductone0-199erregional,one0-299erregional,onenon-LifeMasterregionaloronenon-LifeMasterregionalwithanupperlimitof500masterpointsthatrunsfromtwotosixdaysinlengtheachcalendaryear.Theseregionalscanbeheldconcurrentlywithanopensectionaloraseniorregional.AdistrictmayallowaunittoconductitsI/Nregional.

♣ AunitcanrunitsownI/Ntournaments,oritcangiveoneormoreI/Nsectionalsanctionstoaclubunderitsjurisdiction.AnI/Nsectionalsponsoredbyaunitshouldbeorganizedtoattractplayersfromalargerarea,whereasonerunbyaclubmayattractonlylocalplayersandshouldbeorganizedaccordingly.

6

I/N Tournament or I/N Program at a TournamentCont.

I/N Program for Unit and/or Club Games

♣ AnI/Nprogramcanbeheldinconjunctionwithanysectionalorregionaltournamentanddoesnotrequireaseparatesanction.TheI/Nprogramschedulewouldbeadvertisedalongwiththeeventsforthesectionalorregionaltournament.

♣ PlanningandrunningI/Ntournamentsandprogramstendstoinfuseunitmemberswithnewvitalitybygivingthemanexcitingprojecttoworkonasateam.

ManyoftheI/Nactivitiescanbeofferedinconjunctionwithalocalunitorclubgame.

♠ Schedule and promote games–It’smostimportanttoadvertisethegameaslimitedtoacertainnumberofmasterpoints(0to5,0to20,0to49,0to99,0to199),sothenewcomerswillfeelwelcomeandknowthereisagameforthem.Newerplayerswon’tcomeifyoudon’tinvitethem.Advertisealloftheselevelsandstratifyifnecessary.

♠ Encourage learning –Arrangeforlocalbridge“stars”andteacherstogiveabridgetipbeforethestartofallgames.

♠ Give prizes–Ifthegamesaresmall,offeranopportunitytocollectpoints(orcreditsorBridgeBucks)thatcanberedeemedforprizeswhenacertainnumberhavebeenearned.Theawardsdon’thavetobefancy.Theyhavetobesomethingthatshowstheplayerisa“winner.”

♠ Guarantee partners–Inordertoguaranteepartnersforanyonewhoarrivesanhourbeforegametime,giveafreeplaytoanyplayerwhostandsbyanddoesn’tgettoplay.OrganizeaPartnershipCommitteetocalltheregularnewcomersandarrangepartnerships.

♠ Help your players get to know each other–Yoursocialactivitiesdon’thavetobefancy,justfun.Anythingthatwillhelptheplayersgettoknoweachotherbetterwillresultintheirmakingpartnershipsandhavingagoodtime.

♠ Help your players bond–Holdingthenewcomergameonanightwhenthereisn’tanopengamewillgivetheplayersabetterchancetobondandgettoknowoneanother.

7

Getting Started

NowthatyouknowtheelementsoftheI/Nprogram,itisagoodideatofindoutwhatyourunitalreadyhasinplace.

Checklist

Youshouldmeetwiththeunit’spreviousI/NCoordinatortodiscusswhathasbeendoneandwhathasbeentriedpriortoyourtakingoverthejob.HereisachecklisttousetodeterminewhatI/Nactivitiesareinplacewithintheunit.Ifyourunitincludesanumberofdifferentareasormajorcities,usethechecklistforeach.

□DoestheunithaveaUnitEducationLiaison?

□Arethereteachersregularlyofferingbridgeclasses?

□Aretheregamesfornewerplayersbeingofferedbyteachers?

□Aretheregamesfornewerplayersbeingofferedbyclubs?

□BridgePlus+

□Supervisedplay

□Easybridge!

□0-5newcomergames

□Otherlimitedmasterpointgames

□DoestheunitsponsoroneormoreI/Nsectionals?(I/Nsectionalsanctionscanbegiventoaclub.)

□AretherenewcomergamesandI/Nactivitiesatlocalsectionals?

□HastheunitestablishedaNewPlayerServicesprogram?

□DoestheunithaveanEducationCommittee?

□Isthereamentoringprograminplace?

Iftheunithaslittleinplace,belowaresomesuggestions,ideasandwaystoreachouttothebridgecommunitytogetanI/Nprogramstartedorreinvigorated.

8

Getting StartedCont.

Bridge Classes/Teachers

Iftherearen’tteachersregularlyofferingbridgeclasses,talkwiththeUELaboutaskingtheunittosponsoraTeacherAccreditationProgram(TAP).Inasmallunit,itmightbemorepracticaltosubsidizeoneormorepeopletoattendaTAPatanearbylocation.Teachersarethemainsourceofnewplayers,andyourunitcan’tberegularlyinfusedwithnewmemberswithoutthisresource.

Ifthereareteachersofferinglessonsregularlyinyourarea.Scheduleameetingwiththemtofindouthowyoucanhelpthemgettheirstudentsplayinginlocalgames.Theteacherknowsthatstudentswhoplayandpracticewhattheyhavelearnedaremorelikelytowantmorelessons,andtheyshouldbehappytomeetwithyou.

Here are a few topics to cover when you meet with the teachers:

1.WouldoneormoreoftheteachersbeinterestedinrunningaBridgePlus+game?Ifso,dotheyneedaninexpensivesitetodothis,orisalocalclubsiteavailable?

2.Wouldtheteachersbereceptivetosomeofthewaystheunitcanhelp?

Some things the unit can do are:

♥SendstudentsacongratulatoryletterandcertificateaftercompletingacoursetointroducetheunitandtheACBL.

♥Establishalimitedmasterpointgametorunconcurrentlywiththeunitgame.

♥Givegraduatesafreeplaytoalimitedmasterpointgame.

♥Hostapartyonceayeartowelcomenewplayers.

♥Developamentoringprogram.

♥RunanI/Nsectionaltointroducenewplayerstothespecialactivitiesforpeoplewhoarenewtoduplicatebridge.

♥OfferanI/Nprogramataregularunitsectionaltournament.

3.Askforotherideasonhowtheunitcanworkwithandhelptheteachers.

Note:TheI/NCoordinatorwouldberesponsibleforI/Nsectionals,anI/Nprogramatasectionalorregionalandnewcomergameswiththeunitgame.Otheritemslistedabovewouldbehandledprimarilybytheunit’sUEL.

9

Clubs

Althoughyouworkfortheunit,clubsmaybehappytohaveyouhelpthemsetupanI/Nprogramandtoworkwiththemtogetteacherstobringtheirstudentsintoplay.Itisprobablybesttomeetindividuallywitheachpersonwhorunsaclubgametoseehowtheunitcanhelpexpandeachclubmanager’sbusiness.

Clubsrunthegamutfromfulltime(gameseveryafternoonandeveningduringtheweek)tosinglesessionsruninrentedroomsinavarietyoffacilities.ManyfeaturesofanI/Nprogramcanbeofferedinconjunctionwithlocalclubgamestoencourageparticipation.

Ifyourareahasafull-timecluboraclubhousewhereanumberofdifferentclubmanagersruntheirgames,youshouldprobablyfocusyourattentionthere.

Here are a few selected tips from ACBL’s Club Managers’ Handbook that you can consider discussing with your local club managers:

♦Remember to get the word out.Theworld’sgreatestclubisworthlessifprospectiveplayersdon’tknowaboutit.Consequently,promotionmakesthingshappenandproducesfastresults.

♦Create a new players’ welcome packet.Oncenewplayersstartgoingtoclubgames,makethemexcitedabouttheclubandeagertoreturn.Createawelcomepacketfornewcomers.Itcouldincludethefollowinginformation:

□Awelcomeletterfromtheclubownerordirector,

□Unitcalendarofeventsand/orclubcalendarofevents,

□Informationonyourmentoringprogram,

□Anupcomingtournamentflier,

□AfreeplayandanACBLduplicateinstantscorer,

□Aninvitationtoawelcomeparty(specialbridgegameandluncheon),

□FlierforanupcomingNABC,

□Pamphletsonbidding,defenseorbridgeetiquette,

□Listofplayersatyourclub(orcluborunitdirectory),

□Abrochureonthebasicsofduplicatebridge(“WelcometotheWorldofDuplicate”).

♦Provide free plays for teachers to give to graduating students.Askteacherstobringtheirstudentswiththemtotheclubandprovidefreeplaysforthestudents.Duringthegame,publiclythanktheteachersforbringingthenewplayers.Thestudentswillappreciatehearingtheirteachergetpraise.

♦Run Bridge Plus+ with a teacher.Offerasupervisedplaysessiontohelpgetstudentsusedtocomingtotheclubtoplay.

Getting StartedCont.

10

♦Offer limited masterpoint games.Recognizethattheareaneedsnewcomergamestoprosper.About60%ofallACBLmembershavefewerthan300masterpoints;40%haveunder100points.Tosuccessfullyservethebridge-playingpopulationinyourarea,youneedtooffergamesfornewplayersandplayerswhoarenewtoduplicate.

♦Give a 15-minute pre-game bridge tip.Startyourbeginnergameswithatip.Thiswillwarmthestudentsupandbeanincentivetocomeouttoplay.Organizeagroupofteachersandlocalbridgecelebritiestoofferabridgetippriortoanylimitedmasterpointgame.

♦Offer a variety of newcomer games.NewplayersandplayersnewtoduplicateneedvenuestoplayinthatareNOTtheopengame.Provideasmanyavenuesforgrowth,or“steppingstones,”asyoucan.Eachgameoffersagreaterchallengeforthenewplayer.

Advertisegamesfor199ers,99ers,49ers,0-20and0-5players.Anewcomergamecanbestratifiedwhentherearen’tenoughplayers,butthenewerplayerswon’tcometoplayiftheydon’tfeelthereisaplaceforthem.

♦Start an Easybridge! game. Easybridge!isanoutstandingmarketingdevicedesignedtoattractnewplayerstotheclubandtogetthemplayinginagamethatcarriesthemthroughthelearningstagesinto“real”duplicatebridge.Formoreinformation,gotowww.Easybridge.com.

♦Offer lessons at the same time as a newcomer game.Inviteateachertogiveaseriesoflessonsattheclub.Ifyouofferanewcomergameatthesametime,thestudentscanmovetothegametheweekfollowingtheendoftheclasses.Theywillalreadybeusedtocomingtotheclubatthistime.Getthemstartedwithafreeplayfortheirfirstsessionandthenmakecertaintheyhaveagoodtime.

♦Call new players.Onceanewplayerhascometotheclub,organizeacommitteetocontactthemandmakepartnershipsforfuturegames.Aphonecallwillletthecallerknowiftheplayingexperiencewasagoodoneorifaproblemcouldberesolved.

♦Guarantee partners.Guaranteepartnersforyourplayers,especiallythenewcomers.Setupaprogramwhereyouhaveaclubmemberstandbyateachgameincaseyoupairupallbutoneperson.Rewardtheclubmemberwhenthatpersondoesn’tgettoplaywitha“freeplay”foranothergame.Newplayersaremorelikelytocometoyourgamesiftheyarecertaintheywillgetapartnerandgettoplay.

♦Have a volunteer host.Haveagamehostess(perhapstheteacherofsomeoftheparticipatingnewcomers)tohelpwelcometheplayersandtoanswerquestions.IftheunithasaNewPlayerServicesprogram,amemberofthiscommitteewouldwelcometheopportunity.Asktheclubmanagertorewardthevolunteerhostwithafreeplay.

♦Host a party for unit recognition of newcomer achievements.Havetheunitrecognizetheachievementofnewplayerswhentheycompletetheirfirstbridgecourse.Becausethesestudentsarepotentialnewunitmembers,theunitprovidesacongratulatoryletterandacopyof“WelcometotheWorldofDuplicate”(whichcanbeorderedfreeofchargefromtheACBLResourceCenter).Ifyourunitadoptsthisprogram(checkwithyourunit’sMembershipChair),youcaninviteaunitofficialtomakethesepresentationsatalocalclub.Followthefestivitieswithaspecialintroductorygameformasterpoints.Includerefreshmentsandbesuretogiveoutmasterpointreceiptstoallofthewinners.Thistypeofeventwillbringnewplayersintoaclub.Iftheyaremadetofeelwelcomeandcomfortable,theywillreturn.

Getting StartedCont.

11

♦Make the simplified convention card available.AsimplifiedversionoftheregularACBLconventioncardisnowavailable.Thiscardissimilartotheregularcardbutlessclutteredandeasiertofillout.Makecertainitisonhandfornewerplayers(andunitmemberswhoplaylesscomplicatedsystems).Thesimplifiedconventioncardisaffectionatelyknownasthe“FatFree”card.Youcandownloadithere.

♦Give trophies.Newcomersliketowintrophies.Ifthegamesaresmallanditisn’tcosteffectivetogiveatrophyforeachgame,apointsystemcanbeestablishedwhereatrophycanbewonbyaccumulatingpoints,orgivesmallprizeslikesdecksofcards.(Theunitmightcontributeprizesorsolicitprizesfromlocalbusinesses.)

♦Provide social activities for the new players.Haveasocialactivityalongwithagametoallowthenewerplayerstogettoknoweachother.(TryBridgeBingo,apotlucksupper,awineandcheeseparty,etc.)

♦Print masterpoint receipts for non-members.Besureyougiveeverynon-memberwhowinsmasterpointsareceipt.Mostnewplayerswhowinapieceofamasterpointwillwanttostartcollectingthem.ThisisaperfectopportunitytocapitalizeonthelureofthemasterpointandgetthemtojoinACBLand/ortheclub.PlayersjoiningtheACBLforthefirsttimecanclaimuptoamaximumof20masterpointsearnedduringtheyearpriortojoining.MasterpointreceiptscanbeprintedonACBLscore.

♦Host an I/N sectional,withthepermissionoftheunit.Tohelpwiththisproject,theACBLhasprovidedabookletcalledtheI/NTournamentPlanningGuideonlineat

New Player Services Program

OneoftheelementsofasuccessfulnewcomerprogramistoestablishaNewPlayerServices(NPS)

program.NPSisapublicrelationsprogramdesignedtopromotehospitalityandtomakethenewplayers

feelwelcomeatalllevelsofplay.Itisaprogramthatcaninfuseyourestablishedunitmemberswith

enthusiasmaboutworkingwithnewplayers.

Formoreinformationandafullimplementationguide,goto

http://web2.acbl.org/documentlibrary/units/NPS.pdf.

Mentoring Program

Ifyourunithasteachers,newcomergamesandastartonanI/Nprogram,thenextlogicalstepistoprovideamentoringprogram.

AmentoringprogramcanbeimplementedinconjunctionwiththeUEL.Mentoringprogramscanhelpnewplayersandstudentsdiscoverhowmuchfunduplicatebridgecanbe.Theseprogramsalsohelpclub/unitmembersbondtogetherinaprojectdesignedtobenefiteveryone.

Mentorswillrememberwhatitwasliketobeabeginner;thementeeswillbemademorecomfortableandwelcome.Ingeneral,thegoodwillcreatedbytheseprogramswillmakethegamesatlocalclubsmorepleasant.Onetypeofmentorprogramhasthreetiers(expert,intermediate,new).Youmustmentorthelevelbelowyoutobeeligibletobementoredbytheuppergroup.SeetheBridgeMentoringProgramGuide.

Getting StartedCont.

12

Resources for I/N Coordinators

ACBL’sResourceCenterhasmanymaterialsavailableforI/NCoordinators.Theseincludeguides,handouts,advertisingtemplates,logos,clipartandotherpromotionalitems.Allitemsontheresourcecenterarefreefordownloadorshipping.Clickhereorvisitwww.acbl.org/resourcecentertoseewhat’savailable.

Welcome to the World of Duplicate Bridge

What to Expect at Your First Club Game

1NT_______ to _______

_______ to _______

2 Stayman

2 Transfer to

2 Transfer to

2NT Inv.

3 _____________

3_____________

3 _____________

3 _____________

___________________

Other ______________

NOTRUMP OVERCALLS

Direct: _____to_____Systems on*

* Use same as over opening 1NT

Jump to 2NT: Minors 2 Lowest

DEFENSE VS NOTRUMP

vs: ___________ ____________

2 ___________ ____________

2 ___________ ____________

2 ___________ ____________

2 ___________ ____________

OVER OPP'S T/O DOUBLE

New Suit Forcing: 1 level 2 level

Jump Shift: Forcing Inv. Weak

VS Opening Preempts Double Is

Takeout thru _____ Penalty

SPECIAL DOUBLES

Negative : thru_____

SIMPLE OVERCALL

1 level_____to_____HCP (usually)

often 4 cards very light style

Responses

New Suit: Forcing Non-Forcing

JUMP OVERCALL

Strong Intermediate Weak

_________________________________

OPENING PREEMPTS

Sound Light Very Light

3/4-bids

NAMES ______________________________________________________

GENERAL APPROACH

FORCING OPENING: 2 Other ____________

MAJOR OPENING

Expected Min. Length 4 5

1st/2nd

3rd/4th

RESPONSES

Double Raise: Force Inv. Weak

After Overcall: Force Inv. Weak

1NT _________to_________

2NT _________to_________

3NT _________to_________

Other ________________________

____________________________

MINOR OPENING

Expected Min. Length 4 3 0-2 Conv

1

1

RESPONSES

Double Raise: Force Inv. Weak

After Overcall: Force Inv. Weak

1NT/1 _________to_________

2NT _________to_________

3NT _________to_________

Other ___________________________

DESCRIBE RESPONSES/REBIDS

______to______ HCP

Strong

______to______ HCP

Weak Strong

______to______ HCP

Weak Strong

______to______ HCP

Weak Strong

OTHER CONVENTIONAL CALLS:

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

2

2

2

2

LEADS (circle card led, if not in bold)

versus Suits versus Notrump

x x x x x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

A K x T 9 x A K J x A Q J x

K Q x K J T x A J T 9 A T 9 x

Q J x K T 9 x K Q J x K Q T 9

J T 9 Q T 9 x Q J T x Q T 9 x

K Q T 9 J T 9 x T 9 x x

LENGTH LEADS:

4th Best vs SUITS vs NT

Primary signal to partner's leads

Attitude Count

2NT Force

SLAM CONVENTIONS Gerber : 4NT: Blackwood

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

____________________________

2NT Force

2NT Force

NOTRUMP OPENING BIDS 2NT ______ to_______*

3NT ______ to________

DEFENSIVE CARDING

vs SUITS vs NT

Standard:

Standard is defined as:

ATTITUDE is generally used when

following to partner’s lead or dis-

carding. Playing a high card says

you like the suit; playing a low card

says you don’t.

COUNT is usually applied when fol-

lowing to declarer’s lead. Playing a

high card first and then a low card

(high/low) shows an even number of

cards in the suit and playing a low

card first then a high card (low/high)

shows an odd number of cards in

the suit.

SPECIAL CARDING PLEASE ASK

___________________

* Use same as over

opening 1NT N A T U R A L

15 17

X

6 up

X

XX

X

X

X X

XSTANDARD AMERICAN

F O R C I N G

15 17

20 21

25 27

X

XX

X

6 10

X

2D WAITINGX

5 10

5 10

5 10

XXXXXX

XX

X

X

XX

XXX

6 1011 12

11 1213 15

22 +

13 15

LEADS (circle card led, if not in bold)

versus Suits versus NotrumpStandard:

Standard is defined as:

is generally used when

following to partner’s lead or dis

carding. Playing a high card says

you like the suit; playing a low card

says you don’t.

is usually applied when fol

lowing to declarer’s lead. Playing a

high card first and then a low card

(high/low) shows an even number of

cards in the suit and playing a low

card first then a high card (low/high)

shows an odd number of cards in

____________________________

PLEASE ASK

ACBL

6575WindchaseBlvd.

HornLakeMS38637

662-253-3100

Revised12/15