Hodor in detail

Introduction | Responding to 1

| Responding to 1

| Responding to 1NT | Responding to 2

| Jump rebids by opener | Interference | Passed Hand Bidding | Optional

HODOR in detail

Opening	Answer	Else
1: 5+, either 8-11 or 14+ HCP	1 relay, 0-9 or 14+; 10-13 natural	3: fit 6-9; 3: fit 0-5
1: 5+, either 8-11 or 14+ HCP	1 relay, 0-9 or 14+; 10-13 natural	3: fit 6-9; 3: fit 0-5
1: 5+ 14+ HCP or balanced 11-14, 18-19, 22+	1 relay, 0-5 or 10+; 6-9 natural
1: 5+ 14+ HCP	2 relay, 0-5 or 10+; 6-9 natural	2: fit 10+; 3: fit 8-9
1NT: no 5+-suit, 15-17 HCP
2: 5+, 10-13	2 relay 10+
2: 5+, 10-13	2 relay 10+
2: 5+, 10-13	2 relay 10+
2: 5+, 10-13	2NT relay 10+
2NT: no 5+-suit, 20-21 HCP

A. Responding to 1

A 5332 10-11 is opened with 1, but an unbalanced 10-11 with enough playing strenth is opened with 2. With a 5422 you have to have a good look at your cards and vulnerability. Could go both ways.

The responses to Hodor's suit openings at the 1-level follow the same rule: weak and strong bid the next suit (artificial relay), intermediate something else (natural). In this way it is possible to manipulate who will become declarer.

In case of a fit, the general rule is: the weaker we are, the higher we bid!

1-1: relay, either 0-9 (including 3-card fit) or 14+ no fit
- in case of the weak 3-card fit, responder next transfers to opener's suit, for instance: 1-1-1NT-2
- RULE #1: when a weak hand is still possible after a 1 opening, and the opponents did not bid, the suit right below opener's suit is a transfer
1-1: 14+ fit: responder bids opener's suit straight away, forcing, making sure he becomes declarer and indicating his strenth. Opener bids 2 of his suit with 8-11, in this case not promising a 6-card suit. Responder can now make a game try by bidding a new suit without a jump, bid game straight away, or make a slam try by bidding 2NT or a new suit with a jump. If opener does not bid 2 of his suit, he has 14+ GF:
- with 8-11 opener rebids 2; everything else means 14+ GF:
- 1-1(14+)-1: GF! Opener has 4+5+ 14+. Next all kinds of advanced techniques are possible, like symmetric relay, cue asking bid, trump asking bid. For now we keep it simple and mainly natural. Both players describe their hands, but once the discription ends by bidding NT, the other continues by cue bidding:
  - 2-2NT (4522)-3: -cue
  - 2-3-3: 5+
  - 3: splinter (single jump)
  - 4: exclusion Blackwood (double jump), same as regular Blackwood
  - should the opponents double a cue, than pass means no control, redouble 1st control and any other bid 2nd control.
1-2: 10-13 fit
- pass: minimum or medium 8-11
- 2NT: 14+ GF
- 4: maximum 8-11 or 14+ without slam aspirations
- Anything else: maximum 8-11, game try
1-3: 6-9 and a 4-card fit
- 3 artificial invtitation for game. Responder declines by bidding 3
1-3: preemptive, 0-5 and a 4-card fit. If opener next bids his suit at the 3-level, it is to play and means he is 8-11 or around 14-19. Because opener can still be 14-19 and there is a distributional 5-4 fit, it will be no easy penalty double for the opponents. A responder who nevertheless wants to play it safe, could also stay low and just bid 1-1 or 1-1:
- 1-3-3: artificial invtitation for game. Responder declines by bidding 3

In case of no fit, responder bids the relay with a weak or a strong hand, and makes a different natural bid should he be 10-13. So 1-1 means 0-9 or 14+. Doesn't say anything about the .

After the relay, a weak 8-11 opener simply bids his suit at the 1-level. A weak responder can pass now or make a preemptive raise in case of a weak 3-card fit:

1-1-1: 8-11, 5+
- pass or 2: weak 0-9. Opener will pass, but this bid is useful in case the opponents (want to) come into the bidding
a strong responder does not pass of course, but makes a natural bid. By not passing or raising, responder implicitely indicates a 14+ hand. Should responder bid a suit, then it is a five card suit. RULE #2: when responder's first natural bid is a suit, it is a 5+-card suit. With no 5-card suit, or sometimes a really bad 5-card suit, he bids NT:

1-1-1-1/2: 14+ 5+-card suit
1-1-1-1NT: 14+ no 5-card suit. Next, opener bids a 4-card suit should he have one, and a 4-4 fit will not get lost. There is still bidding space enough to raise opener's second suit as an invitation to game. Without a second suit, opener rebids his suit if he has more than 5, otherwise bids 2NT with a minimum, 3NT with a maximum.

After the relay, a strong 14+ opener does not bid his suit at the 1-level, thus implicitely indicating a strong 14+ hand. A 14-17 opener makes a natural bid, with 18+ he bids 2 Gazzilli, a simple and common convention among top players. After opener indicates a 14-17 hand, an 8-9 responder invites to game by transfering first, and a strong 14+ responder usually bids 2NT GF:

1-1-1: 14-17 45
- A weak 0-7 responder may pass as opener is limited now, bid 2 (5+ [rule #2], no ), bid 2 (weak, partner has to pass) or transfer to opener's suit by bidding 2 [rule #1] and pass next.
- A weak 8-9 responder may make a game try by bidding 1NT, or continue bidding after transfering first 1-1-1-2-2:
  - 2: 8-9, inviting to 4 (with values in it could be a good 7 HCP)
  - 3: 8-9, 5+, no
  - 3: 8-9, inviting to 4 (3-card fit, with a 4-card fit responder would have bid 1-3)
- A strong 14+ responder bids 2NT or higher, GF
1-1-1NT: 14-17 5332
- 2: 0-7, 5+ [rule #2], no
- 2: transfer to [rule #1]: with 0-7 responder passes, with 8-9 he bids on:
  - 2: 8-9, 5+
  - 2NT: 8-9, inviting to 3NT
  - 3: 8-9, 5+
- 2: 0-7, 5+, no
- 2NT: 14+ GF
1-1-2: Gazzilli, either 18+ or 14-17 54

2: artificial, indicates a 6-9 hand
2: 0-5 (and becomes declarer unfortunately, there is no room for rule #1; after a 1-opening there is room though, so then this would be a transfer to opener's suit again)
2: 0-5, 5+, no
2NT: 14+ GF RULE #3: when 2NT is not needed to invite to 3NT, 2NT means a 14+ hand and asks a strong unlimited opener to indicate extra values (18+) by bidding 3. When 2NT is not available to indicate a 14+ hand, a strong responder indicates extra values (18+) himself by bidding 3:
- 3: 18+ [rule #3]
- 3NT: natural 14-17 [rule #3]

1-1-2: 14-17 54: when opener's second suit is right below his first suit, as is the case here, there is no room for a transfer. The other case is 1-1-2: 54. This has two consequences: 1. all 8-9 hands without a fit have to invite using 2NT and 2. as 2NT is no longer available, a 18+ responder bids 3 [rule #3] and makes a higher, natural bid with 14-17:
- 2 0-7 (and becomes declarer unfortunately; after a 1-opening this would be a transfer to opener's suit again)
- 2: 0-7, 5+, no
- 2NT: 8-9, inviting to 3NT (there is no room to transfer first, so all 8-9 hands without fit have to bid this)
- 3: 18+ [rule #3]
- 3: 8-9 inv
- 3: 8-9, inviting to 4 (3-card fit, with a 4-card fit responder would have bid 1-3)
- 3: 14-17, 5+
- 3NT: 14-17
- 4: 14-17, 5+, not interested in 3NT
- 4: 14+ fit

In case of a 1 opening, everything is symmetrical, but you may pay extra attention to:

1-1-2-2-2-2NT: 8-9 inv
1-1-2-2NT: 14+
1-1-2-2NT: 8-9 inv
1-1-2-3: 18+ [rule #3]
1-1-2-3: 14-17, 5+

In case of no fit, a 10-13 responder makes a different, natural bid. Should opener have a weak 8-11 hand, there may still be game in case of a fit with responder's suit. All bidding space below 2NT is available to find out the best contract in case of a weak opener. A strong opener bids 2NT GF. A new suit at the 3-level by opener is a 5-card suit.

1-1: 10-13 4+ card suit. This is the only exception to rule #2: otherwise the 4-4 -fit would be missed with a weak 45 opener and an intermediate responder.
- pass: minimum, could be 3-card; 2: 8-11, 4-card (next 3 by responder is inviting to 4)
- 1NT: 2533, probably just 2
- 2: natural, no
- 2NT: 14+ GF
- 3: 14+ GF
1-1NT: 10-13 no 4+, no 5+-card suit and no fit, so probably (responder may ignore a really bad 5-card suit) a 3244. Opener bids natural now to find the best contract. He may pass, rebid his suit if he has more than 5, or bid a second suit. A 14+ opener bids 2NT or higher.
1-2: 10-13, 5+-card suit (rule #2)
- anything below 2NT: natural 8-11
- 2NT: 14+ GF
1-2: 10-13, (good) 6+ card suit. With 8-11 and fit, opener can invite with 3 or bid game with 4. With 14+ and fit he first bids 2NT, and next for instance 4 as cue. Straight away 4 would be a splinter:
- 3: 8-11 inv; 4: 8-11 max
- 4: 14+, splinter

B. Responding to 1

This is the only opening that covers two types of hands: both several balanced hands and the hand. By making use of the in-between-bid 1 (or not) all hands can be described nicely though. Here also, responder bids the next suit with either a weak or a strong hand. Should responder next bid a new suit, then it is a 5-card suit again, according to rule #2.

Initially, both players presume partner has the weaker hand.

1-1: 0-5 or 10+. Next:

1NT: to play opposite 0-5. Opener has 12-14 (11-14 non-vulnerable), 18-19 or 14-19 5+ (probably 2335). With 0-5 responder may pass, or transfer to a major and then pass. With 10+ he continues of course.

Bidding after 1-1-1NT is similar to after the 1NT opening, so see there for all continuations. Here, responder continues as if opener bid a 12-14 1NT. So an inviting hand needs around 10-12 HCP and a GF hand needs around 13+ HCP.

2: to play opposite 0-5. Opener has 14-19 5+. With 0-5 responder passes, with 10+ he continues of course
- 2: natural 5-card suit, 10+ GF [rule #2]
- 2NT: natural no 5-card suit, 10+ GF
23: natural inv, 20-23 5+
2NT: 22-23 balanced (next Stayman, transfers, Texas like after a 2NT opening)
3NT: 24-25 balanced (next Stayman, transfers)
3: GF, 5+4+
4: GF, 5+
- 4: cue, 2+
- 4NT: to play
- 5: to play

With 6-9 HCP responder bids his 5+-card suit (by means of a transfer), 1NT if he has none or just prefers to play 1NT. The answers are such that there can always be invited with every combination of 14-17 opposite 6-9. 2NT or a new suit at the 3-level as second bid by opener is always 18+ GF.

1-1NT: 6-9, no 5-card suit, or just prefers to play 1NT opposite the 12-14 hand. When transfering, it should be a good 5-card suit, as otherwise 1NT will be better opposite a 12-14. Also, opposite a -hand 2 may be better, which is no longer possible after the transfer. Next:

pass: 12-14
2: natural, 14-17 5+
- pass: 6-7
- 2: natural, 6-9, 4-card suit
  - pass/3: 14-15, 5+
  - 2NT/raise: inv, 16-17
- 2NT: inv, 8-9
- 3 (after 2): inv, 8-9
- 3 (after 2): to play, 6-7
2NT: GF, 18-19, 22+ or 18+ 5+: asking responder to describe his hand
3: natural, 18+ 5+, GF
3NT: to play, 18-19 or 18-20 5+ and probably no major
4NT: quantative raise for 6NT
5NT: quantative raise for 7NT
4: RKB

1-2: transfer: 6-9, good 5+ suit. The follow-ups when not completing the transfer are similar to 1-1NT. The answers are such that there can always be invited with every combination of 14-17 opposite 6-9. 2NT or a new suit at the 3-level (except 3) as second bid by opener is always 18+ GF:

23 (completing the transfer): to play, 12-14 or 5+ minimum 14-15
2 (not completing the transfer): natural, 14-17 5+4
2NT: GF, 18-19, 22+ or 18+ 5+: asking responder to describe his hand
3 (not completing the transfer): 16-17, 5+ no fit , inv non-forcing
3 (completing the transfer): inv, fit
3 (not completing the transfer): 18+, 5+4 GF
4: cue for the transferred suit (in case of 1-2: 4 raise inv; 4 cue)
3NT: to play, 18-19 or 18-20 5+ and probably no major
4NT: quantative raise for 6NT
5NT: quantative raise for 7NT

2NT: inv for 3 NT, 10-12, no major. After 1-1 -1NT responder with a balanced hand can only invite by bidding 2 first. So with a balanced hand without majors, do not bid 1 first, but straightaway 2NT.

pass: bad 12-14
3: 14-17, 5+ GF, in doubt of 3NT being the best contract
3: natural, 18+, 5+ (3 can be less than 4)
3NT: good 12-14, 18-19 or 14-17 5+

C. Responding to 1

In case of a -fit:

10+: 1-2: 10+ and fit, GF (could have 4 as well)
8-9: 1-3: 8-9 and fit, no 4+
6-7: 1-1NT and next or pass
0-5: 1-2: the weak or strong relay. Next or pass
Note that 1-3 is natural: 8-9 5+, no 4+

In case of no fit, with a weak or a strong hand, responder again bids the next suit (so not the next step, which would have been 1NT):

1-2: 0-5 or 10+ no fit. Next:

2: to play opposite 0-5, so around 14-19
- pass: 0-5
- 23: 10+ GF, 5+-card suit [rule #2]
- 3 fit, maximum 0-5, inv
- 2NT: no 5+-card suit, 10+ GF
  - 3: 18-19 [rule #3]
  - 3: 14-17 6+
  - 3: 14-17 natural
  - 3NT: 14-17 natural, no major
a suit: natural, 20-23, inv non-forcing
2NT: GF
3: strong, 8 tricks.

With 6-9 and no fit (or 6-7 with fit) responder bids his 5-card suit, or NT if he has none or has a major as well:

1-1NT: 6-9, no 5-card suit (or 6-7 5+). Another reason to bid 1NT is the presence of 4, as 3 denies a major.

pass: 14-15, 2335
2: 14-17 natural or 18+ any hand (Gazzilli)
- 2: 6-7. If opener bids on, it is natural, 18+ GF
- 2: 8-9, 4-card suit
- 3: 6-7 fit, no major
- 2NT: 8-9, 3334
2: 6+ card suit 14-17 (any bid by responder: 8-9 inv), or a 14-15 hand with a major not suited for 1NT
2: 16-17, 4-card suit
2NT: inv for 3NT, 16-17, 2335

1-2/3: 6-9, 5+ suit (3 promises 8-9, no major). If opener bids anything else besides pass or 3, it is GF)

pass: 14-15
raise responder's suit: 16-17, inv
2NT: 16-17, 2335, inv
3: 16-17, 6+ card suit, inv

D. Responding to 1NT

You can of course keep playing this like you used to do. Hodor's answers are designed in such a way though, that you can play it exactly the same after 1--1NT. So if you keep on playing your own schedule, you will probably have to make some changes there.

This is a simplified version of how Fantunes played it. Apart from Stayman, responder does not ask, but describes his own hand. Therefore it can be played the same after 1--1NT: opener just listens and when responder is done describing, he takes over.

1NT-2: Stayman. This is also bid with a one-suited GF hand: a new suit at the 3-level after any response is always GF 5+.

2: no major.
- 2: 5! GF. This looks like Smolen, where responder bids his 4-card suit with a 4-5 major. He does not need the other major though to bid like this. If opener would have bid 2, responder without would have bid 3, 5+ GF. So after 2, responder can choose between 2 and 3, choosing who may become declarer.
- 2: 5! GF
- 2NT: INV
- 3: a new suit at the 3-level is GF 5+. This suit is not yet established as trump though. In case of a minor a next bid at the 3-level is investigating 3NT. After 3 a bid of 3 is a cue for the though.
2: 4
- 2: 4 INV
- 2NT: INV
- 3: 5+, GF
- 3: INV
- 4: cue, ST
2: 4
- 2NT: INV
- 3: 5+, GF
- 4: cue, ST

1NT-2(transfer). There is only a max-superaccept, not a min-superaccept

2-2:
- pass: could be 0 HCP, could be 45
- next a new suit without a jump is a 4-5 INV:
  - 23: 45 INV
- next a new suit with a jump is a GF 55:
  - 3: 55 ST (a 55 not interested in slam bids 1NT-2-2-4). Next 4 is -fit and not minimum, 4 is -fit and not minimum
  - 4: GF 55 (next the first free bid establishes )
2-2:
- next a new suit without a jump is a 4-5 INV:
  - 3: 45 INV
- next a new suit with a jump is a GF 55:
  - 4: GF 55 (4 is to play 4 or 4)

2NT: superaccept: maximum, 4

. Responder can just bid game now, telling the opponents nothing. If he continues to describe his hand as he intended, it is therefore a ST. For instance, 1SA-2

-2NT:

3: 55 ST
3: retransfer
- 3-3NT: 5+, mild ST, invites opener to cue with a maximum maximum
- 3-4: to play. Probably just planned on inviting. Could also have a 45 INV
- 3-34: cue, strong ST, opener must cue
3: 55 ST
3: 55 ST (here slam is almost a certainty, as it was already a ST)
(in case of 1NT-2-2NT, 3 would be the retransfer and 3 indicate 5)
3NT: (without retransfer): proposal to play: for instance 3532 with values in each suit.

The only difference between 1NT and 1-1-1NT is after the superaccept 2-2NT. After 1-1-1NT, opener only superaccepts when he thinks there may be game opposite a maximum 0-5, so 18-19 HCP with a 4-card fit. A 10+ responder takes us therefore into the slam zone after a superaccept.

After the opening of 1NT and a superaccept responder just bids game with a 4-5 inviting hand. But after an 18-19 superaccept it may be slam with a 4-5 INV (10-12) hand -- almost 70% chance of a double fit -- and responder therefore continues to describe his hand.

After the superaccept, a new suit without a retransfer means he transferred because of a 4M-5x, 10-12 HCP. A new suit after a retransfer points to a 5-5 GF 13+, making slam very likely, so after 1-1-1NT:

2-2NT-3: responder has a 45, 10-12 HCP
2-2NT-3NT: proposal to play: for instance 3532 with values in each suit
2-2NT-3(retransfer)-3-34: responder has a 5+5 13+. After cues at the 5-level 5NT is RKCB
2-2NT-3(retransfer)-3-3NT: 4+, any hand, prefers to cue
2-2NT-4: splinter. This may be the way to go with a bad second 5-card suit.

1NT-2(puppet to 2NT)-2NT: a means to bid all inviting adjacent 55's, and GF 55

3: 55 , INV
3: 55 , INV
3: 55 , INV
3: 55 , INV
3NT: 55 , non-forcing!
More is possible, for instance: 1SA-2-2NT-4: 5-5+! Asks opener to choose between 4 and 5

1NT-2NT(puppet to 3)-3: a means to bid weak 6+/ hands, all inviting non-adjacent 5-5's, and ST 55 -

pass: sign-off, weak with 6+
3: sign-off, weak with 6+
3: 55 , INV (next 4 is to play)
3: 55 , INV (next 4 is to play)
3NT: 55 , forcing!
More is possible, for instance: 1NT-3-3-4: 5-5+! Asks opener to choose between 4 and 5

1NT-3: 6+ INV

1NT-3: (13)(45), singleton is bid

1NT-4: South-African Texas, to let opener play 4 (after 1-1-1NT an 18-19 opener bids the next suit 4)

1NT-4: to play

E. Responding to 2

All 2-openings in 1st and 2nd seat have to be somewhat unbalanced and need to have some play, especially vulnerable. So a 5332 is not allowed. In case of a 5332 and 10-11 HCP open 1 with a major, and pass with a minor or bid 1 non-vulnerable. In case of 12-13 and a 5332 open 1. Of course, hands can still be up- or downgraded. A vulnerable 5-4 with not enough playing strength may also open at the 1-level.

In 3rd seat all limits are off: openings are 0-12 and you may open a 2335 as well, especially green against red. Relays are off as well, with one exception: in case partner has a maximum pass and a great fit, he may still invite with 2NT: 10-11 with great fit.

For all 2-openings the same general rules apply:

1. When responder bids opener's suit, any level, it is to play
2. The next step is a relay. The answers to the relays are natural: opener bids a second suit -- where 2NT is the suit of the relay bid -- or rebids his suit if he has 6 or more.

When responder secondly bids opener's suit at the lowest level, it is invitational. A new suit after the relay at the 2- or 3-level is GF, 5+ suit. Should opener next bid his first suit at the 4-level it is still natural, not a cue, for instance:

2-2(relay)-2(natural)-3(5+, GF):
- 3: investigating 3NT, probably no -stopper
- 3NT: to play
- 4: 46
- 4: -fit, non-minimum (last train)
- 4: to play, minimum
- 4: 56

3. 2NT (if not the relay bid) is an invitation to 3NT, with the extra rule that opener declines by passing, rebidding his suit, or bidding a second suit below his first suit. He accepts by bidding 3NT or a second suit above his first suit. So with a 12 count and a 4-card , do not bid the relay, because should opener reply 2NT or higher, you cannot invite to 3NT anymore. By inviting 2NT, you will still find out about any -fit and invite as well should there be no fit. For instance 2-2NT, and next:

3: minimum, 54
3: maximum, 54
3NT: maximum, 54

4. A new suit (without first bidding the relay) at the 2-level is 5+ suit, 8-12 HCP: invitational (in case of a fit)
5. A new suit (without first bidding the relay) at the 3-level is invitational: good 6+ suit (if the 2-level bid was also available), 10-12 HCP
6. A new minor (without first bidding the relay) at the 4-level is a GF for that minor: 2-4, 2-4 or 2-4.
7. Should opener indicate two suits and one of them is a minor, than 4 of that minor is a slam try, forcing. Bidding 4 of the other minor is a slam try for the other suit. Should opener indicate both majors, than 4 is a slam try for , and 4 a slam try for .

F. Jump rebids by opener

These special rebids apply to all 1-openings after the relay bid, so when responder can still have 0 HCP.

Jump rebid opener's suit at the 3-level
A jump rebid of opener's suit at the 3-level after the weak or strong relay indicates a strong one-suited hand, around 8 playing tricks: 1-1-3, 1-1-3 and 1-2-3. Responder may pass, but once he bids something, the auction becomes GF. The exception is 1-1-3 which indicates 5+ , 20-23 HCP. Keep in mind that 1-1-2 and 1-1-2 is 14-17, 6+ card suit.

A jump rebid of opener's suit after the intermediate response indicates a strong one-suited hand, GF, and sets the suit for cue-bidding. For instance 1-2-3.

Jump rebid new suit
A jump rebid with a new suit is natural, GF. For instance:

1-1- 2(4+):
- 2NT: no (proper) 5-card suit, no fit, probably 3244 or 5+
  - 3: 56. Now 4 is ST , 4 ST
- 3: natural, good 5+ suit, potential source of tricks, no 3+4+
- 3: transfer to (rule #1), next 4 is cue for the . Responder is probably 3-9 with a 3-card fit
- 3: 4+, next 4 is cue for the
- 4: splinter for the
- 4: transfer to , 0-2 HCP
1-1-3(GF5+4+):
- 3: natural, 5+ card suit
- 3NT: no (proper) 5-card suit, no fit, probably 4423
- 4 fit, ST

Jump rebid 2NT
A jump rebid to 2NT is a one-suiter, GF. When opener next bids NT it is a 5332, otherwise 6+. For instance:

1-1-2NT:
- 3: natural, good 5+ suit (no point bidding a 4-card suit, as opener does not have a second suit)
  - 3: 6+ / 3NT: 3532 / 4: ST
- 3: transfer to (rule #1): 2+
  - 3NT: 5
  - 34: 6+, cue
- 3: natural, good 5+ suit
  - 3NT: 2533
  - 4: 3, cue
  - 4: 6+, not interested in
- 3NT: none of the above, 0-5 HCP, could be 4144, or 5+

Please note that a Gazzilli 18+ hand is only GF after partner indicates 6-9. So with a GF hand, rebid 2NT or your second suit, not Gazzilli. This applies also to 1-2-2NT (GF), although it is not a jump.

G. Interference

Should RHO double a 1-suit-opening, then both PASS and RDBL become available, so we can split the relay:

1-[DBL]: pass = 0-5, the relay = 6-9, RDBL = 14+. The rest stays the same, including the continuations.
1-[DBL]: pass = 0-5, RDBL is again the strong hand, so 10+. The relay bid itself is no longer needed, so it becomes available as extra bid for a 6-9 hand:
- 1-[DBL]-1: 6-9, 5+
- 1-[DBL]-2: 6-9, 5+

Should RHO bid our relay, then DBL takes over as relay:

1-[1]: pass = 0-5, DBL = 6-9 or 14+. The rest stays the same, but 1NT (10-13) promises a stopper, 2 is now 10-13 without a stopper.
1-[1]: pass = 0-5, DBL = 10+; 1NT=6-9 with or without a stopper. The rest stays the same.
1-[2]: pass=0-5, DBL = 6+ (including 6-9 hands that would have bid 1NT). The rest stays the same.

In case opener bids Gazzilli while responder's range is already known, for instance 6-9, then a positive answer means the upper half (8-9) and a negative answer the lower half (7-8). For instance:

1-[DBL]-1(6-9)-2(Gazzilli)-2: 8-9

Interference after a 1- or a 1-opening: transfers in competition
When RHO bids DBL or the relay, see above. When RHO opponent bids 1NT, DBL is penalty opposite a 14+ hand. With 8-11, opener bids something. The rest stays the same: so also after 1NT by RHO we still play transfers, with the exception of DBL.

Should RHO bid something else after a 1- or a 1-opening, double or a suit below opener's suit at the lowest level is a transfer. 1, 2 and 3NT is always natural. Transfers are needed to cater all possible hands in case of a fit. In general, bidding opener's suit is to play: opener passes with the 8-11 hand or a minimum 14+. Bidding one suit below, even at a higher level, is a constructive raise. For instance:

1-[1]-2: asks opener to bid 2 with 8-11, 3 with a minimum 14+, something else with a better 14+
1-[1]-2/3/4: preemptive, asks opener to pass with 8-11 or a minimum 14+
1-[1]-3: asks opener to bid 3 with 8-11, 4 with a minimum 14+, something else with a better 14+ (jumping here is useful, because after 2-[3] opener with a minimum 14+ may pass, leaving you with a problem).

1-[2]-3: asks opener to bid 3 with 8-11, 4 with a minimum 14+, something else with a better 14+
1-[2]-3: asks opener to pass with 8-11 or a minimum 14+

1-[3]-DBL: asks opener to bid 3 with 8-11, 4 with a minimum 14+, something else with a better 14+
1-[3]-3: asks opener to pass with 8-11 or a minimum 14+

1-[1]-DBL: a transfer to NT or ; with 8-11 opener has to bid 1NT. In this way responder can force LHO to lead against a NT contract:

1-[1]-DBL-1NT-2: to play; opener can still correct to 2 with 6+ and no
1-[1]-DBL-1NT-2: responder promises 5+ and 4+, GF
1-[1]-DBL-1NT-2: asks for a stopper
1-[1]-DBL-1NT-3NT: much better this way if responder has for instance AQx opposite 10x or Axx opposite Qx

So bidding one suit below at the 3-level is fit and GF opposite any 14+ hand. Bidding the cue at the 3-level is even stronger: fit and GF opposite any 8-11 hand:

1-[1]-3-[4]-pass: forcing!, because 3 was fit and GF opposite any 8-11 hand or better.
1-[1]-DBL-1NT-2: asks for a stopper
1-[1]-3: both one-below and a cue at the 3-level! One-below takes precedence, so this is GF opposite 14+ only
1-[1]-2-any bid, but not 2NT-3: asks for a stopper

1-[1]-2: transfer to ; an 8-11 opener chooses between 2 and 2

1-[1]-2: not a transfer, as this is above opener's suit. It is a cue, asking opener for more information

In case the transfer-zone is above 3NT, we follow these rules:

we do not transfer to a new suit anymore, so DBL is penalty, unless it is a transfer to partner's suit (for instance after 1-[4])
4 or 4 is always to play, meaning the transfer to partner's suit could be 2 steps lower in stead of 1
4NT (provided it is within the transfer-zone) is the constructive raise of partner's suit:
For example after 1-[4]:
- DBL: penalty
- 4: transfer to , constructive raise
- 4: to play
For example after 1-[4]:
- DBL: penalty
- 4: to play
- 4NT: constructive raise of partner's suit
- 5: to play
For example 1-[2]:
- 4: constructive raise of partner's suit, therefore a SI; next 4 by opener is last train
- 4: to play!
- 4: to play

Should partner pass or RHO bid, then opener is not obliged to pass with the weak hand. A rebid at the lowest level, but not higher than the 2-level, and not a reverse, can still mean an 8-11 distributional hand. Such a bid does not promise an 8-11 hand though, it could also be bid with a minimum 14+ hand, just wanting to play it safe or keeping the opponents in the dark. For instance after 1-[2]-pass-[pass]:

DBL: the standard bid with a 14+ hand
- pass or 2/3NT: to play. 2NT may be weak.
- 3: weak, 6+ or 5+ without
- 3: weak. This is the standard weak response, does not promise a fit
2NT: natural, strong and balanced: non-forcing
3: natural, and distributional, 55, non-forcing. Next 3 by responder is to play
DBL and next : GF 55: 1-[2]-pass-[pass]-DBL-3 (does not promise a fit)-4: 5+ GF
3: GF, making sure partner does not pass after your double.

Should LHO make a (weak jump) overcall, pass by responder is semi-forcing: opener passes with 8-11, but with 14+ he has to bid, except when he has considerable values in LHO's suit but is not strong enough to bid NT.

In case the interference is after our relay, we play that:

DBL is ignored, system-on, with the exception that RDBL is bid in stead of 1NT:
- 1-1-[DBL]-RDBL: 14-17, 5332
- 1-1-[DBL]-1NT: 18-19, 5332
opener bids his suit with a 8-9 6+ card suit, or a minimum 14-15 hand and doubles or bids a new suit with a good 14+ hand
- 1-1-[1]-1NT: 18-19, 5332
- 1-1-[1]-2: 8-9 good 6+ card suit, or a minimum 14-15 (a 0-9 hand passes)
- 1-1-[1]-DBL/2: good 14+

Interference after a 1 opening
See above should LHO opponent double or bid our relay 1-[1]. In addition, after 1-[DBL]-RDBL-[1] everything is system on, so 1NT is still 11-19 balanced. Does NOT promise a -stopper!

Should RHO bid something else, we again presume partner has the weak 11-14 NT and bid accordingly. So when the intrusion is 2 or higher, you can play whatever you are playing now after 1NT-[2] like (transfer-)Lebensohl.

After 1-[1NT]: if natural, DBL is penalty and all bids at the 2-level are natural and to play. If artificial, bids are like after 1NT-[2].

In case the opponents want to punish our 11-14 NT, the rescue mechanism is as follows:

responder transfers to a 5+ card suit, where RDBL means 5+:
- 1-[DBL]-pass (0-5)-[pass]-1NT-[DBL]: RDBL=5+, 2=5+ et cetera
responder passes without a 5-card suit: 1-[DBL]-pass-[pass]-1NT-[DBL]-pass-[pass]:
- pass: opener may have a 3334, or a balanced -hand and thinks 1NT is best
- RDBL: asks responder to bid his lowest 4-card suit, opener passes with 3 or 4, otherwise bids his next 4-card suit
- 2: 5-card suit, responder passes
After 1-[DBL]-pass-[pass]-1NT-[pass]-pass-[DBL]-pass-[pass] responder has to pass without a 5-card suit. So again RDBL=5+, 2=5+ et cetera.

Interference after a 1-opening
1-[DBL] and 1-[2]: see above
1-[1NT]: pass=0-5; 2: to play; DBL=penalty; 2= still the relay, forcing, probably 6-7. Opener with 14-17 bids 2.

Should the opponents interfere with a suit (but not our relay bid), than Hodor plays transfers again up to the first raise of partner's suit, like after 1:

1-[2]: pass=0-7; DBL=5+; 2=NT or ; 2NT=natural; 3 constructive -support; 3=to play

Interference after a 2-opening
The 2-openings are considered to be constructive, and Hodor therefore plays negative doubles up to 4. A double is ignored, so the relays are still on, and the rest is natural: so redouble means constructive support for the suit opened, and 2NT is still inviting to 3NT, with a stopper in case of a suit overcall. A new suit at the 3-level is still invitational: in case of an overcall a GF major is bid after doubling first. A new minor at the 4-level still means a GF for that minor. We indicate GF support of partner's suit by cuebidding first:

2-[2]-3-4-4: Slam try . A GF is indicated by bidding 4 straight away.

Should responder first pass after RHO bids, but double later on, then it is always for penalty.

H. Passed Hand Bidding

After an opening of 1 in 3rd or 4th seat, partner cannot be 14+ anymore. So this makes the answer of 1 available for a 10-13 3-card fit-hand. The old 2 now promises a 10-13 4-card fit. And of course not 10-13 but 10-11 as partner passed. Next an 8-11 opener passes or bids 2 of his suit as preemptive action. If he bids something else, he is 14+, making it GF. So:

1-1(10-11, 3-card fit)-2: weak, preemptive
1-1-1: 4+, GF! Opener wants to know more about responder's distribution
1-2(10-11, 4-card fit)-3: GF! Opener knows enough, he wants to cue.

After an opening of 1 in 3rd and 4th seat, a relay bid by responder, and the weak rebid by opener, a new suit by responder would mean the strong hand. As this is no longer possible, it is simply scrambling for a better contract.

After an opening of 1 in 4th seat, a relay bid by responder, opener cannot be weak. If he rebids his suit, he just wants to play this. So responder passes or bids a new suit with for instance a void and a long suit of his own. All other bids by opener remain the same, except that he cannot have a minimum 14-15 anymore.

In 3rd seat, to enable more preemptive and tactical actions, the 2-openings start at 0 HCP. As a result, partner should be able to pass, even with an 11 count. So, to make sure of not missing game, the upper limit of the 2-opening is reduced to 12 HCP, and relays are off, everything is natural with one exception: in case partner has a maximum pass and a great fit, he may still invite with 2NT: 10-11 with great fit. This means that the strong 1-opening in 3rd and 4th seat starts at 13 HCP.

I. Optional Additions

In order to create a complete system, more needs to be added. For instance a defense against the multi, how to play when partner opens a preemptive 3 et cetera. You can of course keep on playing these like you used to, but here is how my partner Jeroen Wieland and I play these.