This is the designation assigned to a bridge relay system, which was devised and developed by Mr. Giorgio Rivara. Source.

Original: Mr. Giorgio Rivara, genovese, istruttore di bridge, si è dedicato all'elaborazione ed alla stesura dell'Octopus Club prendendo spunto dal sistema Ultimate Club pubblicato per la prima volta negli Stati Uniti nel 1981.

Translation: Mr. Giorgio Rivara, Genoese bridge instructor, was dedicated to establishing and developing dell'Octopus Club inspired by the Ultimate Club published for the first time in the United States in the year 1981.

Note: Genoa is a city of northwest Italy on the Gulf of Genoa, an arm of the Ligurian Sea. The city is an ancient settlement, and as such Genoa flourished under the Romans and also enjoyed great prosperity during the Crusades. Today, it is a chief port and a major commercial and industrial center of the country of Italy.

Note: The original version in Italian has only been archived and preserved on this site in .pdf file format for future reference.

Opening Bids Only

The opening bids are described below and have been provided by courtesy of Mr. Giorgio Rivara, to whom we are very thankful for sending them to us and for contributing them for the benefit of other bridge players.

Bid		Meaning
1 :		Promises 17 plus points.
1 :		A holding worth between 11 and 16 points; a catch-all opening.
1 :		A holding worth between 11 and 16 points and a 5 plus Heart suit.
1 :		A holding worth between 11 and 16 points and a 5 plus Spade suit.
1 NT:		Promises a range of 15-17 points and balanced distribution.
2 :		A holding worth between 11 and 16 points and a 5 plus Club suit.
2 :		Shows 14-16 points and either a 6 plus Diamond suit, or a 5 plus Diamond suit and a 4 plus Club suit.
2 :		Promises 8-13 points and a 6-card Heart suit.
2 :		Promises 8-13 points and a 6-card Spade suit.
2 NT:		Shows 11-13 points and a distribution of 5-5 in the Minor suits.

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.