TLDR
This cheat sheet covers the core bidding sequences every intermediate partnership needs in one scannable reference: opening bids, responses, notrump conventions, major-suit raises, slam conventions, and competitive bidding. Use it to review before a session or settle a partnership dispute at the table.
In this post, you’ll find every standard bidding sequence laid out as tables, with point ranges, shape requirements, and meanings for each bid.
Most bridge players do not need to memorise the full bidding system. They need a reliable reference they can scan in 30 seconds before a club session, or consult when a partnership disagreement arises. This is that reference.
The sequences below are for Standard American / 2-over-1 partnerships using the most widely played conventions: Stayman, Jacoby Transfers, Jacoby 2NT, Negative Doubles, Takeout Doubles, Blackwood (RKC 1430), Gerber, Drury, Bergen Raises, and Lebensohl. Any partnership playing these will find their agreements in the tables below.
Opening bids (Standard American / 2/1)
| Opening | HCP | Shape | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♣ | 12+ | 3+ clubs, could be 3-3-3-4 short club | Most common opening with weak shapes |
| 1♦ | 12+ | 3+ diamonds, usually 4+ | Often 4+ diamonds by agreement |
| 1♥ / 1♠ | 12+ | 5+ major | Five-card majors standard |
| 1NT | 15-17 | Balanced (no singleton, no void) | May hold 5-3-3-2 with minor suit length |
| 2♣ | 22+ balanced or equivalent | Any | Strong, artificial, game-forcing |
| 2♦ / 2♥ / 2♠ | 5-11 | 6-card suit | Weak two: preemptive |
| 2NT | 20-21 | Balanced | Invitational-strong notrump |
| 3 of a suit | 5-10 | 7-card suit | Preemptive opening |
| 3NT | Long solid minor, stops on the side | Gambling 3NT, partnership agreement |
Responses to 1NT opening
| Response | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pass | 0-7 HCP, balanced |
| 2♣ | Stayman, 8+ HCP with a 4-card major |
| 2♦ | Jacoby Transfer to hearts, 5+ hearts, any strength |
| 2♥ | Jacoby Transfer to spades, 5+ spades, any strength |
| 2♠ | Partnership agreement: minor transfer / minor Stayman / range ask |
| 2NT | 8-9 HCP, balanced, invitational |
| 3♣ / 3♦ | 6+ minor, game-forcing (partnership agreement) |
| 3♥ / 3♠ | Natural game force, 5+ in the major with slam interest |
| 3NT | 10-15 HCP, balanced, to play |
| 4♣ | Gerber, asking for aces |
| 4♦ / 4♥ | Texas Transfer, 6+ in the major with game values |
| 4NT | 16-17 HCP, quantitative invite to 6NT |
Responses to 1♠ / 1♥ opening
| Response | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1NT | 6-12 HCP, not enough for 2/1, denies 3-card support in 2/1 systems (semi-forcing) |
| 2 of new suit (2/1) | 13+ HCP, game-forcing, 5+ in suit |
| 2 of major (simple raise) | 6-10 HCP, 3-card support (Bergen systems) |
| 2NT (Jacoby 2NT) | 13+ HCP, 4+ support, game-forcing major raise |
| 3♣ (Bergen) | 7-9 HCP, 4-card support, constructive |
| 3♦ (Bergen) | 10-12 HCP, 4-card support, limit raise |
| 3 of major | 0-6 HCP, 4-card support, preemptive (Bergen) OR limit raise (Standard) |
| 4 of major | 0-9 HCP, 5+ support, preemptive advance save |
| 2♣ (passed hand, 3rd/4th seat opening) | Drury: 10-12 HCP with 3+ support |
Responses to 1♣ / 1♦ opening
| Response | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1♦ / 1♥ / 1♠ | 4+ suit, 6+ HCP, forcing for one round |
| 1NT | 6-10 HCP, balanced, denies a 4-card major |
| 2 of same minor | 6-9 HCP, 5+ in minor (Inverted: 10+ game force) |
| 2NT | 13-15 HCP, balanced, game-forcing |
| 3 of same minor | Preemptive, 6+ in minor with 0-6 HCP (Inverted: 10-12 limit raise) |
| 3NT | 13-15 HCP, balanced, to play |
| Jump shift (e.g., 1♣-2♥) | 17+ HCP, strong jump shift (partnership agreement) |
Slam conventions
Roman Keycard Blackwood (1430)
| 4NT asking, response | Keycards |
|---|---|
| 5♣ | 1 or 4 |
| 5♦ | 0 or 3 |
| 5♥ | 2 or 5 without trump queen |
| 5♠ | 2 or 5 with trump queen |
After the keycard response, 5NT asks for kings (excluding trump king). Step responses: 6♣ = 0/4, 6♦ = 1, 6♥ = 2, 6♠ = 3.
Gerber
| 4♣ asking, response | Aces |
|---|---|
| 4♦ | 0 or 4 |
| 4♥ | 1 |
| 4♠ | 2 |
| 4NT | 3 |
5♣ follow-up asks for kings using the same step structure.
Competitive bidding
Takeout doubles
Over opponent’s 1-of-a-suit opening, double shows 12+ HCP, 3+ cards in each unbid suit, and typically 0-2 cards in the opener’s suit. Responder must bid unless RHO bids first.
| Partner’s response to takeout double | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Minimum bid in unbid suit | 0-8 HCP |
| Jump in unbid suit | 9-11 HCP, invitational |
| Cue-bid of opener’s suit | 12+ HCP, game-forcing |
| Notrump bid | Shows stopper in opener’s suit |
Overcalls
| Call | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1-level overcall | 8-16 HCP, 5+ card suit |
| 2-level overcall | 10-16 HCP, 6+ card suit or good 5 |
| Jump overcall (e.g., 1♣ – 2♠) | 6-10 HCP, 6-card suit, preemptive |
| 1NT overcall | 15-18 HCP, balanced, stopper in opener’s suit |
| 2NT overcall (Unusual) | 5-5 in the two lowest unbid suits |
| Cue-bid (e.g., 1♠ – 2♠) | Michaels: 5-5 in hearts + a minor (partnership agreement) |
Negative doubles
After partner opens and RHO overcalls, responder’s double shows 6+ HCP and typically 4-4 or better in the unbid majors. Specific rules by overcall level:
- Through 3♠: 6+ HCP, 4 cards in the unbid major(s)
- Through 4♦: 8+ HCP, shows card-play strength
- Above 4♦: Partnership agreement; some pairs play doubles as penalty at higher levels
Lebensohl (after 1NT + overcall)
| After 1NT (2♠), responder bids: | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Double | Penalty (classic) or negative (modern) |
| 2NT | Lebensohl relay, forces 3♣ |
| 3 of a new suit (direct) | Natural, game-forcing |
| 3♠ (direct cue-bid) | Stayman without stopper |
| 3NT (direct) | Shows stopper (Fast Shows style) |
| 2NT then 3NT | Denies stopper (Fast Shows style) |
| 2NT then 3♠ | Stayman with stopper |
Point count conversions
High-Card Points (Milton Work)
| Card | HCP |
|---|---|
| Ace | 4 |
| King | 3 |
| Queen | 2 |
| Jack | 1 |
Distribution Points (for suit contracts)
| Shortness | Length points |
|---|---|
| Void | 5 (dummy points) |
| Singleton | 3 |
| Doubleton | 1 |
Distribution points are added to HCP only when supporting partner’s suit. Add 1 extra point for each card over 4 in a suit you open (e.g., a 6-card major = 2 length points).
Rule of 20 for opening light
Add HCP to the length of the two longest suits. If the total is 20 or more, open. Example: 11 HCP with 5-5 shape = 11 + 5 + 5 = 21. Open 1 of the higher-ranking suit.
Game and partscore thresholds
| Contract | HCP Needed (combined) |
|---|---|
| 3NT | 25-26 |
| 4♥ / 4♠ (with 8-card fit) | 25 |
| 5♣ / 5♦ (with 8-card fit) | 28-29 |
| 6 of a suit / 6NT | 33 |
| 7 of a suit / 7NT | 37 |
The Law of Total Tricks (quick version)
Safe competing level equals total trumps. 8 trumps = 2-level, 9 trumps = 3-level, 10 trumps = 4-level, 11 trumps = 5-level. Adjust down for poor shape (four-three-three-three) and up for extra shortness.
Using this cheat sheet
Print this page (or save to your phone) and review it before each club session. When a partnership disagreement arises, these are the defaults. If you and your partner deviate on any specific convention, note the deviation on your card so opponents can disclose.
This sheet covers the standard modern intermediate agreements. Partnerships playing Precision, Polish Club, or other systems will have different openings and responses. For system-specific cheat sheets, consult your system’s reference directly.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bidding cheat sheet?
A bidding cheat sheet is a compact reference listing the standard bids, responses, and convention summaries for a bridge system. Players use it to review sequences before a session, to resolve partnership disagreements, and as a teaching tool for newer players. The best cheat sheets fit on one page and use tables rather than prose.
Is this cheat sheet for Standard American or 2/1?
The sequences above work for either, with a couple of differences noted in the tables. The core openings and conventions are shared. The main divergence is in responder’s 1NT and 2-level responses, where 2/1 treats 1NT as semi-forcing and two-of-a-new-suit as game-forcing.
How do I know whether to bid 3NT or 4♠?
With an eight-card major fit, bid 4 of the major. Ruffing and length tricks usually make the suit contract safer and more profitable. With no fit (either partner has a doubleton or worse), 3NT is the right target. The standard threshold is 25 combined HCP for either game.
When do I open 1♣ vs 1♦?
Open 1♦ when you have four or more diamonds. Open 1♣ when clubs are longer, or when holding a 3-3 minor shape and needing a “short club” opening. Partnership agreement settles the exact rule. Many pairs play “better minor” (open the longer minor, higher-ranking in a tie) and others play “short club” (always 1♣ with 3-3 minors).
What is the rule for opening a weak two?
Weak two openings (2♦, 2♥, 2♠) show 5-11 HCP, a six-card suit, and reasonable suit quality. Most partnerships require two of the top three honours in the suit or three of the top five. The quality rule matters more non-vulnerable than vulnerable, where the penalty for getting doubled climbs fast.
Why is 4NT sometimes Blackwood and sometimes natural?
The meaning depends on context. After a suit auction where trumps are agreed, 4NT is Blackwood (or RKC). After a notrump opening or 3NT sign-off, 4NT is quantitative (inviting 6NT). If there is no clear trump agreement, 4NT is usually natural. Partnerships need to agree on the boundary cases, and using Gerber over notrump removes much of the ambiguity.
Can I print this cheat sheet?
Yes, the page is designed to print cleanly on a single sheet when set to the default browser print margins. If you want a portable version, print and fold it into your convention card for easy reference between sessions.