The Complete Guide to Bridge Conventions

Bridge conventions turn vague hands into precise conversations. Your partner opens 1NT and you’re holding a weak hand with a five-card major. Without conventions, you’re stuck. With Jacoby Transfers, you can find your fit and play in the right contract every time.

This guide covers the essential conventions every bridge player should know, from basic Stayman to advanced responses. Each section includes when to use the convention, how to respond, and common mistakes to avoid.

Stayman: Finding Your 4-4 Major Fit

Stayman is your first convention after learning basic bidding. Partner opens 1NT (15-17 HCP), and you want to know if they have a four-card major. Bid 2♣ and partner tells you what they’ve got.

When to Use Stayman

You need at least one four-card major and enough points to want to be in game (8+ HCP) or at least invite (7 HCP). Here’s a textbook Stayman hand:

♠ KJ65 ♥ A842 ♦ Q73 ♣ 92

You have 10 HCP and both majors. Partner opens 1NT, you bid 2♣. If partner shows four spades or four hearts, you’ve found your 4-4 fit and bid game. If partner bids 2♦ (no major), you bid 3NT.

Partner’s Responses

  • 2♦ = No four-card major
  • 2♥ = Four hearts (might also have four spades)
  • 2♠ = Four spades (denies four hearts)

After Stayman

If partner shows your major, raise to game with 8+ HCP. If partner shows the wrong major or denies a major, bid your five-card major if you have one, or retreat to 3NT.

Garbage Stayman

Some players use Stayman with weak hands just to escape 1NT. You hold:

♠ J8742 ♥ K9653 ♦ 84 ♣ 7

That’s only 4 HCP. Bid 2♣ anyway. When partner responds, pass if they show a major, or bid 2♥ if they bid 2♦. You’re better off in any major part-score than 1NT.

Garbage Stayman is controversial. If your partnership hasn’t discussed it, don’t try it.

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Using Stayman with only one major

If you only have four spades and partner shows hearts, you’re stuck. Don’t use Stayman unless you can handle any response.

Mistake #2: Bidding Stayman with a five-card major

Just use a transfer instead. Stayman is for four-card majors only.

Mistake #3: Forgetting to follow up

Partner opens 1NT, you bid 2♣, partner bids 2♦. Now what? Have a plan before you bid Stayman.

Jacoby Transfers: Getting Partner to Declare

Transfers solve a simple problem: when you have a weak hand with a long major, you want the strong hand (opener) to declare so the opening lead comes up to their honors.

The Basic Mechanism

After partner opens 1NT:

  • 2♦ = Transfer to hearts (shows 5+ hearts)
  • 2♥ = Transfer to spades (shows 5+ spades)

Partner must bid the next suit up. That’s the “transfer.” Now the strong hand is declarer.

Example Hand

♠ KJ8742 ♥ 95 ♦ Q83 ♣ 76

Partner opens 1NT. Bid 2♥ (transfer to spades). Partner bids 2♠. Now you pass with 6 HCP, invite with 7-8, or bid game with 9+.

Super-Acceptance

When opener has four-card support and a maximum (17 HCP), they can “super-accept” by jumping to 3 of the major instead of 2. This helps responder decide whether to go to game.

You hold the same hand:

♠ KJ8742 ♥ 95 ♦ Q83 ♣ 76

Partner opens 1NT, you transfer with 2♥, partner super-accepts by jumping to 3♠. Now you know partner has great spade support and 17 HCP. Bid 4♠.

After the Transfer

You can:

  • Pass with a weak hand (6-7 HCP)
  • Invite by bidding 2NT (8-9 HCP, five-card suit) or 3 of the major (8-9 HCP, six-card suit)
  • Bid game with 10+ HCP
  • Show a second suit by bidding it at the three-level (game-forcing)

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Accepting the transfer with a void

If partner transfers to hearts and you have no hearts, you still must bid 2♥. Don’t break the transfer. Responder will sort it out.

Mistake #2: Transferring with four cards

Transfers require five cards. With four, use Stayman instead.

Mistake #3: Forgetting you’re the captain

After the transfer, responder knows opener’s range and shape. Responder decides the final contract.

Blackwood: Asking for Aces

Once you know you’re headed to slam, you need to make sure you’re not missing two aces. That’s where Blackwood comes in.

The Simple Version

Bid 4NT to ask partner how many aces they hold:

  • 5♣ = 0 or 4 aces
  • 5♦ = 1 ace
  • 5♥ = 2 aces
  • 5♠ = 3 aces

After hearing the response, bid 6 of your suit if you have enough aces for slam (usually need all four), or sign off in 5 of your suit if you’re missing two.

When to Use Blackwood

Use Blackwood when:

  • You’ve agreed on a suit
  • You have enough points for slam (33+ combined)
  • You just need to check on aces

Don’t use Blackwood when:

  • You have a void (aces aren’t the issue)
  • You haven’t agreed on a trump suit
  • You’re missing a first-round control in a side suit

Example Auction

You hold:

♠ AKJ842 ♥ A5 ♦ KQ7 ♣ K9

Partner opens 1♠, you jump to 3♠ (limit raise). Partner bids 4♠. You have 20 HCP and great spades. Bid 4NT (Blackwood). If partner shows two aces, bid 6♠. If partner shows one or zero, sign off in 5♠.

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Using Blackwood with a void

If you have a void, you might be missing two aces but still have first-round control. Use cue-bidding instead.

Mistake #2: Forgetting what trump is

Partner bids 4NT and you forget what suit you agreed on. Review the auction before responding.

Mistake #3: Bidding past 5NT by mistake

If you’re missing two aces and you’ve already committed to the six-level by responding to Blackwood, you’re in trouble. Only bid Blackwood when you can afford any answer.

Roman Key Card Blackwood (RKC)

Standard Blackwood treats the king of trump as an afterthought. Roman Key Card Blackwood fixes this by counting the trump king as a fifth “ace.”

The Five Key Cards

  • Four aces
  • King of trump

RKC Responses (1430)

After 4NT:

  • 5♣ = 1 or 4 key cards
  • 5♦ = 0 or 3 key cards
  • 5♥ = 2 key cards without the trump queen
  • 5♠ = 2 key cards with the trump queen

The “1430” name comes from the 1-4 and 3-0 responses at the five-club and five-diamond level.

Asking for the Queen

After the key card response, bid 5NT to ask for the queen of trump. Partner bids 6 of the trump suit without it, or shows a side king if they have it.

When RKC Beats Standard Blackwood

You hold:

♠ AKJ842 ♥ A5 ♦ AQ7 ♣ 92

Partner opens 1♠. You have 17 HCP and six spades. If partner has the king of spades, you want to be in slam. Standard Blackwood doesn’t help because partner might have four aces but no spade king.

Use RKC instead. Bid 2♣ (game-forcing), partner bids 2♠, you bid 4NT (RKC). If partner shows 2 key cards with the queen (5♠), bid 6♠. You have all five key cards and the trump queen.

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Forgetting which variation you’re using

Some partnerships play “0314” (switching the zero and one responses). Know which version your partner plays.

Mistake #2: Using RKC when you need to stay low

If 5♦ is too high and you discover you’re missing key cards, you’re in trouble. Only use RKC when you can handle any response.

Mistake #3: Not knowing trump

RKC counts the king of trump as a key card. If you haven’t agreed on trump, you can’t use RKC.

Gerber: Asking for Aces Over Notrump

Gerber does the same job as Blackwood but uses 4♣ instead of 4NT. You use it when 4NT would be quantitative (inviting 6NT) instead of asking for aces.

When to Use Gerber

After a 1NT or 2NT opening, bid 4♣ to ask for aces:

  • 4♦ = 0 or 4 aces
  • 4♥ = 1 ace
  • 4♠ = 2 aces
  • 4NT = 3 aces

Example

Partner opens 2NT (20-21 HCP). You hold:

♠ KQJ842 ♥ K7 ♦ A95 ♣ 83

You have 13 HCP and six spades. Slam is possible if partner has the right aces. Bid 4♣ (Gerber). If partner shows two aces (4♠), bid 6♠. You’ll transfer to spades first at the six-level.

Actually, the modern approach is to transfer first, then use RKC. Gerber is falling out of favor.

Gerber interferes with club responses and natural 4♣ bids. Most expert partnerships don’t play Gerber at all anymore. They use RKC even over notrump openings.

Michaels Cue Bid: Showing Two-Suiters

When opponents open and you have a two-suited hand, Michaels lets you show both suits at once.

The Basic Bids

After an opponent opens:

  • Cue bid their minor to show both majors (5-5 or better)
  • Cue bid their major to show the other major and an unspecified minor (5-5 or better)

Strength Requirements

You need either:

  • A weak hand (6-10 HCP) with great distribution, or
  • A strong hand (17+ HCP) with good suits

Don’t use Michaels with 11-16 HCP. You’re too strong for a weak bid but not strong enough for a strong bid.

Example Weak Michaels

RHO opens 1♦. You hold:

♠ KJ974 ♥ AQ865 ♦ 8 ♣ 72

You have 9 HCP and 5-5 in the majors. Bid 2♦ (Michaels). Partner will pick their better major. You’re hoping to outbid the opponents or at least push them higher.

Example Strong Michaels

RHO opens 1♣. You hold:

♠ AQJ84 ♥ KQ1075 ♦ A5 ♣ 3

You have 17 HCP and 5-5 in the majors. Bid 2♣ (Michaels). When partner responds, you’ll bid again to show your strength.

Responding to Michaels

With a weak hand, pick your better suit at the cheapest level. With a good hand (10+ HCP), bid game or cue-bid to show slam interest.

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Using Michaels with 4-4

You need 5-5 or better. The whole point is to show massive distribution.

Mistake #2: Using Michaels with the wrong strength

11-16 HCP is the danger zone. Either make a different call or pass.

Mistake #3: Forgetting partner’s range

Partner assumes you’re weak unless you bid again. If you have a strong hand, make sure partner knows it.

Unusual 2NT: Showing the Minors

The flip side of Michaels. When opponents open and you have both minors, bid 2NT to show clubs and diamonds.

Requirements

Same as Michaels:

  • 5-5 or better in the minors
  • Either weak (6-10 HCP) or strong (17+ HCP)
  • Don’t use it with 11-16 HCP

Example

RHO opens 1♠. You hold:

♠ 7 ♥ 84 ♦ KJ975 ♣ AQ1063

You have 10 HCP and 5-5 in the minors. Bid 2NT (Unusual). Partner will pick their better minor. You’re disrupting the opponent’s major-suit auction.

When Not to Use Unusual 2NT

If RHO opens 1NT, your 2NT bid is natural (showing a strong balanced hand). Unusual 2NT only applies after suit openings.

Negative Doubles: Showing Unbid Major(s)

Partner opens, opponent overcalls, and you want to show the unbid major(s) without promising a ton of points. That’s a negative double.

The Setup

Partner opens 1♦, RHO overcalls 1♠. You hold:

♠ 84 ♥ KJ95 ♦ A73 ♣ Q1082

You have 10 HCP and four hearts. You can’t bid 1♥ because RHO already bid 1♠, and you’re not strong enough for 2♥. Double. Partner will know you have hearts.

Point Requirements

You need 6+ HCP at the one-level, 8+ HCP at the two-level, and 10+ HCP at the three-level. The higher you force partner to bid, the more points you need.

Shape Requirements

Typically you’re showing four cards in the unbid major(s). If both majors are unbid, you’re showing both of them.

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Making a negative double with a good five-card suit

If you have a good five-card suit and enough points, just bid it. Negative doubles show four-card suits.

Mistake #2: Doubling with poor support for unbid suits

If partner opens 1♦, RHO bids 1♠, and you double, partner expects you to have hearts. Don’t double without support for the unbid major.

Mistake #3: Forgetting it’s not for penalties

Negative doubles aren’t penalty doubles. Partner must bid. If you want to penalize the overcall, pass and hope partner can reopen with a double.

Takeout Doubles: Asking Partner to Pick a Suit

When opponent opens and you have opening-hand strength with support for the unbid suits, double for takeout.

Requirements

  • 12+ HCP (or 10-11 with great shape)
  • Support for all unbid suits (or at least the unbid major)
  • No five-card major strong enough to overcall

Example

RHO opens 1♥. You hold:

♠ KJ84 ♥ 7 ♦ AQ95 ♣ KJ73

You have 14 HCP, a singleton heart, and support for all three unbid suits. Double. Partner will bid their best suit.

Responding to Takeout Doubles

With 0-8 HCP, bid your best suit at the cheapest level. With 9-11 HCP, jump in your suit. With 12+ HCP, cue-bid the opponent’s suit or jump to game.

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Doubling with a long suit in opponent’s suit

If RHO opens 1♥ and you have five hearts, don’t double. Pass or overcall in another suit.

Mistake #2: Doubling without support for majors

If you’re going to double 1♣, you better have support for both majors. Partner will pick one.

Mistake #3: Confusing takeout and penalty doubles

After an opening bid, a double is for takeout. After they’ve bid multiple suits, it’s more likely penalty.

Weak Two Bids: Preempting with Six-Card Suits

When you have a weak hand with a six-card suit, open at the two-level to describe your hand and make life difficult for opponents.

Requirements

  • 6-10 HCP
  • Good six-card suit (usually two of the top three honors)
  • Not vulnerable: can be lighter (5-9 HCP)

Example

You hold:

♠ KQJ974 ♥ 85 ♦ J73 ♣ 92

You have 7 HCP and six solid spades. Open 2♠. You’ve described your hand in one bid, and you’ve taken away bidding space from opponents.

Responding to Weak Twos

With 15+ HCP, raise to game. With 18+ HCP and a fit, consider slam. With a weak hand, pass.

Use 2NT to ask for a feature (an outside ace or king). If opener has one, they bid the suit. If not, they rebid their suit.

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Opening a weak two with 11+ HCP

You’re too strong. Open at the one-level instead.

Mistake #2: Opening a weak two with a four-card major on the side

Weak twos promise exactly six cards. Don’t have a second four-card major.

Mistake #3: Opening a weak two in first or second seat with garbage

In first or second seat, your suit should be decent. In third seat, you can bend the rules.

Fourth Suit Forcing: When Nothing Else Fits

Sometimes you and partner bid three suits and you still don’t know where you belong. Fourth Suit Forcing (FSF) gives you a way to ask for more information.

The Setup

Partner opens 1♦, you respond 1♠, partner rebids 2♣. Three suits are now known: diamonds, spades, clubs. The fourth suit is hearts.

You hold:

♠ AJ842 ♥ 74 ♦ K95 ♣ AJ3

You have 13 HCP and want to be in game, but where? You don’t have five spades (can’t rebid them), you don’t have club support (only three), and you don’t know if partner has three spades. Bid 2♥ (Fourth Suit Forcing).

What FSF Means

Bidding the fourth suit is artificial and forcing (typically to game). It asks opener to clarify their hand:

  • Show three-card support for responder’s major
  • Show a stopper in the fourth suit (for notrump)
  • Rebid a six-card suit
  • Show extra length in the second suit

After FSF

Partner responds to your 2♥ FSF bid. If they bid 2♠ (showing three spades), you bid 4♠. If they bid 2NT (showing a heart stopper), you can bid 3NT.

When to Use FSF

Use Fourth Suit Forcing when:

  • You have game values but no clear bid
  • You haven’t found a fit yet
  • You need more information about partner’s shape

Don’t use it as a bluff. It’s forcing to game, so you better have the points.

New Minor Forcing: Finding Fits After 1NT Rebid

New Minor Forcing (NMF) solves a similar problem to FSF but after opener rebids 1NT.

The Setup

You open 1♥, partner responds 1♠, you rebid 1NT (showing 12-14 HCP, no four spades). Partner holds:

♠ KJ842 ♥ K75 ♦ A94 ♣ 83

Partner has 11 HCP and wants to invite game, but they also want to know if you have three spades (for a 5-3 fit). They bid 2♣ (New Minor Forcing).

What NMF Shows

Bidding the unbid minor (2♣ if clubs weren’t bid, 2♦ if diamonds weren’t bid) is artificial and forcing for one round. It asks:

  • Do you have three-card support for my major?
  • Do you have four cards in the other major?
  • What’s your strength (minimum or maximum 1NT)?

Responses to NMF

As opener, you show:

  • Three-card support for partner’s major (priority)
  • Four cards in the other major
  • A minimum or maximum 1NT rebid

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Using NMF with no game interest

NMF is invitational or better. Don’t use it with 6-7 HCP.

Mistake #2: Bidding the wrong minor

Bid the unbid minor. If you opened 1♦ and partner bid 1♠, NMF is 2♣ (the unbid minor).

Splinter Bids: Showing Shortness and Support

Splinters are one of the most powerful slam tools. They show strong support for partner’s suit plus shortness in the splinter suit.

The Basic Splinter

Partner opens 1♠. You hold:

♠ KJ84 ♥ AQ95 ♦ 3 ♣ A1074

You have 13 HCP, four-card spade support, and a singleton diamond. Jump to 4♦ (splinter). This shows:

  • Game-forcing values (13+ HCP)
  • Four-card support for spades
  • Singleton or void in diamonds

Why Splinters Work

Partner can now evaluate their hand based on your shortness. If they have:

♠ AQ752 ♥ K7 ♦ AKJ5 ♣ 93

They have wasted values in diamonds (your short suit). They’ll sign off in 4♠.

But if they have:

♠ AQ752 ♥ K7 ♦ 954 ♣ AK3

They have no wasted values in diamonds. Your diamond shortness means their diamond losers can be ruffed. They’ll explore slam.

Common Splinter Sequences

  • 1♠ - 4♣/4♦/4♥ = Splinter (shortness shown, spade support)
  • 1♥ - 3♠/4♣/4♦ = Splinter (shortness shown, heart support)

When to Splinter

Splinter when:

  • You have four-card support
  • You have 13+ HCP (or 10+ with great shape)
  • You have a singleton or void
  • Slam is possible if partner has the right cards

Don’t splinter with:

  • Poor trump quality (Jxxx isn’t great support)
  • Wasted honors in your short suit (singleton king is wasted)
  • Doubleton (splinters show singleton or void)

Landy: Competing Over 1NT

When opponents open 1NT, you need ways to compete. Landy is one of the simplest overcalls.

The Bid

After opponent opens 1NT, 2♣ shows both majors (at least 5-4).

You hold:

♠ KJ974 ♥ AQ865 ♦ 7 ♣ 83

RHO opens 1NT. Bid 2♣ (Landy). Partner will choose their better major.

Why Not Just Use Michaels?

Michaels applies after suit openings. Over 1NT, you need different tools. Landy is simple and effective.

Alternatives to Landy

Many partnerships prefer DONT (Disturbing Opponent’s NoTrump) or Cappelletti instead of Landy. These show different two-suited hands more precisely.

Cue-Bidding Controls: The Slam Conversation

When you’re exploring slam, Blackwood tells you about aces. But what about first-round controls in specific suits? That’s where cue-bidding comes in.

What Is a Cue Bid?

After you’ve agreed on a trump suit and you’re in a game-forcing auction, bidding a new suit shows first-round control (ace or void) in that suit.

Partner opens 1♠, you bid 2♥ (game force), partner bids 3♠ (six spades). You hold:

♠ K84 ♥ AKJ95 ♦ A73 ♣ 92

You want to explore slam but you’re worried about clubs. Bid 4♦ (showing the ace of diamonds). If partner cue-bids 4♥ (showing heart control) or 4NT (Blackwood), you’re heading to slam. If partner signs off in 4♠, they don’t have club control.

Rules for Cue-Bidding

  • Cue-bids show first-round controls (ace or void)
  • Cue-bid your cheapest control first (up-the-line)
  • Skipping a suit denies first-round control there
  • You can cue-bid in trumps (showing great trump quality)

When Cue-Bidding Works Better Than Blackwood

If you have a void, Blackwood is useless. Partner showing two aces doesn’t tell you if one of them is in your void suit. Cue-bidding lets you show and find controls in specific suits.

Lebensohl: Responding to Weak Two Overcalls

When partner opens 1NT and opponent overcalls at the two-level, you need agreements. Lebensohl handles this.

The Convention

After 1NT - (2♠) to you, holding:

♠ 74 ♥ KJ9742 ♦ 83 ♣ 952

You have a weak hand with hearts. Bid 2NT (Lebensohl). Partner is forced to bid 3♣, then you bid 3♥ (sign-off).

Direct vs Lebensohl

  • Direct 3♥ = Invitational values (8-9 HCP)
  • 2NT then 3♥ = Weak hand (wanting to play 3♥)

Lebensohl creates more bidding space and lets you distinguish weak from invitational hands.

Putting It All Together

These conventions work together to create a complete bidding system:

After 1NT openings:

  • Stayman (four-card majors)
  • Jacoby Transfers (five-card majors)
  • Lebensohl (after interference)

In competitive auctions:

  • Takeout doubles and negative doubles
  • Michaels and Unusual 2NT
  • Weak two-bids
  • Balancing

Looking for fits and controls:

  • Fourth Suit Forcing
  • New Minor Forcing
  • Splinter bids
  • Cue-bidding

Heading to slam:

  • Blackwood
  • Roman Key Card Blackwood
  • Gerber
  • Cue-bidding controls

The key is knowing when each convention applies. Stayman with four-card majors, transfers with five. Michaels with both majors, Unusual 2NT with both minors. Blackwood when you just need to count aces, RKC when the trump king matters, cue-bidding when you need specific controls.

Master the basics first (Stayman, Transfers, Blackwood). Add the intermediate conventions (Negative Doubles, Michaels, Weak Twos) once you’re comfortable. Then layer in advanced tools (Fourth Suit Forcing, Splinters, RKC) as your partnership matures.

Get comfortable with these conventions and you’ll have the tools to handle almost any auction. The rest is judgment.

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