These opening bids were devised and developed by Mr. Max Odlund, (Mr. Max Ödlund), from Stockholm, Sweden, in the late 1970s. He is a World Bridge Federation member with WBF Code: SWE&500049. He is a member of the winning team for the 4th European Youth Team Championship conducted in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the year 1974. His team mates were Alvar Stenberg (npc), Peter Billgren, Kent Karlsson, Jim Nielsen, Svante Ryman, Bjorn Sanzen.
After an opening of 1 Club, a first response of 1 Diamond is considered to be negative, whereas a Major suit response shows at least a 5-card suit. A first response of 2 Clubs is game-forcing if the opening is weak, and slam-forcing if the opening is strong, which the opener must decide and direct to the correct contract. The use of opening a 4-card Major suit corresponded with the Acol bidding system.
Opening Bids Only
| Bid |
|
Point Count |
|
Meaning |
1  : |
|
8-10 high card points |
|
Shows a balanced shape, or |
| |
|
17+ high card points |
|
Shows various shapes. |
1  : |
|
11-16 high card points |
|
Shows a 4-card plus Diamond suit. |
1  : |
|
11-16 high card points |
|
Shows a 4-card plus Heart suit. |
1  : |
|
11-16 high card points |
|
Shows a 4-card plus Spade suit. |
| 1 NT: |
|
15-17 high card points |
|
Shows a balanced shape. |
| 2 : |
|
11-16 high card points |
|
Shows a 5-card plus Club suit. |
| 2 : |
|
7-10 high card points |
|
Shows 6 Hearts or Spades. |
| or: |
|
20-21 high card points |
|
Shows a balanced shape. |
| 2 : |
|
13-16 high card points |
|
Shows 5+ Hearts, 4+ Clubs. |
| 2 : |
|
13-16 high card points |
|
Shows 5+ Spades, 4+ Clubs. |
| 2NT: |
|
13-16 high card points |
|
Shows 5+ Diamonds, 4+ Clubs. |
If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.