ETM TOPS
Everything That Matters (ETM) TOPS
A Super Pairs System
© 2001, 2008 Glen Ashton BridgeMatters
Release 2.1
Welcome to the bridge bidding system that drives like a sport car. There is quick acceleration to the best spot, nimble handling in tight situations, fast braking to stop getting too high, good cornering for the obstacles, and, of course, lots of fun. Why drive one of those big old standard sedans loaded with useless options when you can drive a system built for excitement and winning.
Everything That Matters TOPS is a bridge bidding system primarily developed for pairs, matchpoint, and board-a-match scoring (events where every trick is important, not just games or slams). It is a mostly natural system with many common sense arrangements. However due to the unusual methods of the system, it is not appropriate for the inexperienced bridge player.
The system is essentially almost as natural as standard – however it varies the ranges of bids so much from standard that it seems like a totally new bidding system. The natural base of the system allows for fits to be found quickly, while the design of the ranges allow for the partnership to quickly reach the appropriate level of bidding. ETM TOPS represents many years of development consolidated into a simple yet highly effective system for pairs.
Release 2.1 Notes
- First Internet release.
For further information on these notes please contact:
Glen Ashton
BridgeMatters
128 Summerwalk Place
Nepean, Ontario, Canada
K2G 5Y5
(613)-277-1721
High card points are given in ranges, such as 10-12. The ranges are not absolutes that must be followed - the bidder is expected to make any adjustments due to hand characteristics – see Over-Active Evaluation below.
Some ranges are given in the format nn/yy-zz or nn/xx/yy-zz. In this case it means that yy-zz is the normal range, but some hands of nn or xx points are included as well. For example 8/9/10-13 means the normal range is 10-13, but some 8 or 9 point hands are included depending on hand type.
Useful: ETM defines the “useful” range as decent constructive to game invitational (limit) values. It is a range just a bit wider and stronger than “constructive”. It is usually made with a bid that gives room for partner to make a game try opposite it to find out whether it is good “useful” or not so good “useful”.
ETM TOPS is designed to be ACBL GCC (General Convention Chart) legal. For most bidding, when a director questions whether it is legal or not, point out while the range is different than expected for standard, the bidding is natural (ACBL defines natural as 3+ for a minor suit, 4+ for a major suit).
While ETM TOPS is ACBL legal, most calls in ETM TOPS must be alerted and explained properly when asked, since the range and/or suit lengths expected will vary from what is expected from standard. For example opening 2H, which is natural, must be alerted, since the range is 8/9/10-13, not the expected weak two range – for this example describe 2H as being 6+Hs, 10-13 points normally, but may have 8-9 with good or great suit. However you will have to pre-alert that very light 1D, 1H and 1S openings are played – pre-alert means you let the opponents know about this before you start to play them.
Outside of the ACBL some adjustments may be necessary to play ETM TOPS. In particular, openings on just 8 HCP may not be permitted. However if Multi is allowed, it is possible to use 2D Multi to handle weak twos in a major – see ETM TOPS enhancements at the end of the document.
© 2001, 2008 Glen Ashton BridgeMatters
|
Code |
Meaning |
|
C |
Constructive |
|
F |
Forcing |
|
GF |
Game Forcing |
|
GI |
Game Invitational |
|
HCP |
High Card Points |
|
L |
Limit (L+ = limit or better) |
|
M |
Major |
|
m |
Minor |
|
NF |
Not forcing |
|
NT |
Notrump |
|
OM and om |
OM is Other Major, om is other minor |
|
ph |
Passed Hand |
|
R |
Reverse |
|
uph |
Unpassed Hand |
|
U |
Useful – see definitions |
|
W |
Weak |
|
X, Y, Z |
Any Strain |
|
[text] |
Name of Conventional Call, Treatment, or Sub-Section Title |
When bidding sequences are given, the end of a round of bidding is shown by a semi-colon, not the usual hypen. For example if two people were bidding (the opponents passing), it looks like this:
bid-bid;bid-bid;bid-bid.
If the calls of all four people were shown, it looks like this:
call-call-call-call;call-call-call-call;call-call-call-call
For hand shapes, normally the format is N-N-N-N, where N is the length of each suit. If the lengths are not in descending order, that it is an exact shape. For example 3-4-3-3 is an exactly hand shape, since the lengths are not in descending order. When the lengths are in descending order, the word ‘exactly’ will be included when the shape is exact (so 4-3-3-3 means any suit could be the four card suit, while ‘4-3-3-3 exactly’ means four spades), or the equal sign will be used instead of the hyphen (so 4=3=3=3 is an exact shape).
ETM TOPS varies the requirements for some actions based on whether it is an appropriate situation to be more aggressive or not. The two situations are:
Aware – appropriate to be more cautious.
Brave – appropriate to be more aggressive.
Aware is abbreviated as @A which means “At Aware”.
Brave is abbreviated as @B which means “At Brave”.
One can assume for reading purposes that Brave is not vulnerable and Aware is vulnerable, but in actual play a partnership can decide what conditions are Aware and Brave before a particular session. For example if you want to rock and roll you may decide to just be Brave all the time!
ETM TOPS offers a substantial degree of flexibility over the choice of opening actions. To decide on which choice to make, ETM highly recommends using “Over-Active Evaluation”, where many factors are considered in making the decision (the opposite of this method is just using the point count and suit distribution to determine the action). Over-Active Evaluation would not be as important in a system where structure would dictate the bid, but in ETM TOPS the flexibility provided gives many chances for evaluation to play a key role. Factors to be evaluated include high card points, shape, controls (aces and kings), spot cards, lead directional features, rebid strategy, problems for the opponents, defensive values, source of tricks potential, and major suit holdings.
ETM bidding is based on arriving at the probable par spot as fast as possible. The par spot is the contract that, assuming one is playing the contact, would be strain and level expected based on the points, distribution and vulnerability of both sides. For example say one side can make a four spade contract their way for +620; the par contract the other way may be four hearts doubled, for –500, so bidding five hearts would be –800, too much of a loss.
On any deal, the par spot for the opponents may be significantly less than or greater than your par spot. If one can bid to the par spot as fast as possible the opponents have less time to exchange information to determine their place to play. Returning to the par spot example, assume first one is playing in the direction that has the spade fit. If one can bid the contract quickly, the opponents with limited information may be induced into sacrificing in five hears for –800. This would be a top board (or tied for top). Likewise if one is playing in the other direction, one may bid the four hearts contract very quickly, perhaps resulting in the opponents doubling instead of bidding four spades. Again this would be a very good board, only –500 instead of –620.
Many systems employ some methods to get to the par spot quickly, such as preemptive raises. However ETM TOPS provides a profligacy of these methods covering a whole spectrum of situations. In addition to getting to the par spot quickly, ETM TOPS include many methods and tactics that make it harder for the opponents to find their par spot. The preeminent example is the mini-notrump at Brave conditions. One notrump is often the par contract (if undoubled or not vulnerable) when holding 10 to 12 HCP in first or second seat, so bidding it immediately reaches the par contract. As well by taking away the one level from the opponents it makes it harder for them to find their par contract.
ETM TOPS is designed with probability in mind. First it doesn’t concern itself that much with very strong unbalanced hands – these have a relatively low probability of occurring. Compared to standard, ETM TOPS gives up some bidding accuracy when holding a pure game force unbalanced hand, but realizes that losses in this area are rare. Next ETM TOPS does not recommend highly scientific bidding to try to reach very unlikely but possible slam or games. The information revealed by these auctions might occasionally help reach a hard-to-get-to slam or game, but in return it will give the opponents key information to defend against many contracts. In addition, games or slams that are hard to reach are usually not certain to make, so even if a partnership gets there, the hard-to-get-to slams or games will go down a fair amount of the time. In this regard don’t judge ETM TOPS on how it can bid the extreme difficult hands found in bidding competitions such as the Bridge World’s Challenge the Champs. Instead judge ETM TOPS on how it handles the bread-and-butter hands that deliver victories. Finally ETM TOPS is based on frequency, seeking to provide bids for those hands the come up a lot of the time.
Before bidding begins the average strength expected for each player is 10 HCP (there is a total of 40 HCP in the deck, divided by the 4 players). Probability is such for each a hand a player is more likely to have a HCP holding closer to 10 HCP than farther away. Thus it is more likely a player has 7 HCP than 1 HCP, and is more likely to have 22 HCP instead of 24 HCP.
When opener shows a strong hand, say 15+ or more HCP, opener is more likely to a minimum than a maximum. Thus responder should assume, at first, that opener has a minimum hand for the bidding and then bid according. For example say the opening is 2NT in first or second seat, showing 20-21 balanced. Responder with 4 HCP should pass, not bid, knowing that opener is more likely to have 20 HCP, making game unlikely, than 21 points, making game possible.
When opener shows a hand in the 8-16 range, opener is most likely to have 10-11, and responder should bid according. Likewise if a player passes in first or second seat, showing usually less than 10, the player is still likely to have a few points than be completely bust.
In first or second seat, some of ETM opening bids limit opener’s hand so that responder can often make an immediate determination on where and how high to place the contract. After a first or second seat pass, the strategy is different. Here, after a third or fourth seat opening, responder will be limited by the pass, usually having less than 10 HCP and if unbalanced often less than 8 HCP. So third and fourth seat opening bids are wide-ranging, with responder instead describing the hand held to opener. To make sure that no game is missed, responder must reply to a one diamond, one heart, or one spade opener with a fit in opener’s suit (even if no points!), or if no fit must reply if holding a king or an ace or the queen of opener’s suit.
ETM TOPS provides many opportunities for a hand to make an immediate bid with less values than what would be required in standard. However once a bid is made on minimum values, it is important to be able to pass if possible at the next time to bid, so that partner knows your hand can be weak. Take for example holding 3-1-5-4 exactly (5Ds, 4Cs & 3Ss) and 8-9, say you open 1D, partner responds 1S and next hand bids 2H. After this the best call is pass, for if partner has anything there will be a subsequent bidding. If you do pass and partner passes too, you may have missed your 5-3 spade fit, but the opponents have likely missed their 4H game.
1C is a hybrid opening and it shows either a natural club opening or a balanced hand with at least 2Cs. If balanced can be 22+, or 13-14 with exactly 2Ds, or 15-17 @Brave, or 10-12 @Aware (but only with 3+Cs). It is unlimited so forcing. After 1C, 1D is natural or negative, other responses natural, inverted minor, useful jump shifts. Notrump replies: 1NT: 11-13, 2NT: 13+/14, 3NT: 15-17.
1D opening is a natural limited opening, 8-16, frequently a balanced 13 to 14, but can have a balanced 10 to 12 with exactly two clubs. After 1D, natural responses with inverted minor, useful jump shifts. Notrump replies: 1NT: 6-10, 2NT: 11-12, 3NT: to play.
1H or 1S openings are natural limited openings with 8-16, usually exactly five in the major if 10-13. Semi-forcing wide ranging 1NT. Semi-natural 2C response used to keep balanced hands low. 2D natural or limit raise with 3+Ds. Other natural non-jump suit responses. Useful jumps in suits. Game bids to play.
1NT opening is 14/15-17 @Aware, 10-12 @Brave. ETM Notrump systems are in a separate document.
2C opening is either 18-19 balanced, 16/17+ with a five or longer major, or almost GF+ with diamonds,or GF+ with 4-4-4-1 exactly. After 2C, 2D waiting, 2M to play opposite 18-19 balanced, transfer responses starting at 2NT.
2D opening is a natural, 17-22 with 5+Ds or exactly 4-4-4-1, or 15/16 with good 6+Ds. After 2D, 2H is a negative relay – forcing but looking for a place to play. 2NT asks with a GF hand. Other bids are natural.
2H or 2S openings are 8/9/10-13 with 6 or longer suit. Structure described in separate document.
2NT is 20-21 balanced. Structure described in separate document.
1C hybrid forcing opening, either Cs or a balanced hand. If balanced 19+, or 10-15 with 3+Cs. After 1C, 1D artificial 0-9 with no other good bid. Other responses natural, 1M shows five or longer, 0-9.
1D opening is a natural, 4+Ds, 10 or close to GF values. If balanced has 10-15. Natural responses but responder strives to respond, and 2D response shows 0-6 with 4+Ds.
1H or 1S openings 10 to close to GF values. Often five or longer but can have 4 card suit if balanced 10-15. 2D is Drury. 1NT semi-natural.
1NT opening is 14-18 in 3rd or 4th seat, 14 only with 6 card minor, 15 usually no four card major.
2C, 2D, 2H and 2S openings are natural and preemptive. In 4th seat the suit opened is always 6 or longer with minimum opening values (9/10-13). In 3rd seat it is anything goes, 5+ length in the suit opened, can have longer second suit, a wide range is possible, from 0 up to minimum opening values (12/13).
2NT opening shows an absolute game force in Ds, Hs, or Ss. It can be a 4-4-4-1 exactly with 24+ HCP. It asks about responder’s aces and kings.
General Approach: Hybrid 1C, featherweight and limited 1D, 1H and 1S openings, mini notrump @B, strong notrump @A, 2C for good hands, 2D natural and good, intermediate 2H and 2S openings.
|
Opening |
Style |
Description |
|
1C |
Hybrid |
Clubs or balanced, 10+ no upper limit. If balanced can be 22+ or one of the following: 1) 13-14 with 2Ds exactly 2) @B 15-17 3) @A 10-12 with 3+Cs (then can have longer Ds). If balanced can have five card major if 15-17 or 22+. |
|
1D |
Light Limited |
Diamonds, 8-16. If balanced, no five card major, and 13-14 with 3+Ds (can have longer Cs), or 10-12 with exactly 2Cs. |
|
1H |
Light Limited |
Hearts, 8-16 HCP. 5+Hs and usually exactly 5Hs if 10-13. |
|
1S |
Light Limited |
Spades, 8-16 HCP. 5+Ss and usually exactly 5Ss if 10-13. |
|
1NT |
Strong/Mini |
@A 15-17, @B 10-12 often 3+Cs. @A 3-3-2-5 & 14 opens 1NT too. |
|
2C |
Artificial, Good |
Several good hand types: 1) 18-19 balanced (can have five card major), 2) Five+ major, 16-22, if 16 must have six or longer in suit, 3) Almost GF with long diamonds, 4) Absolute GF, unbalanced and clubs not longest suit. |
|
2D |
Natural, Good |
Diamonds, 15/16-22, not forcing. 5+Ds or 4-4-4-1 exactly. |
|
2H |
Intermediate |
8/9/10-13, 6+Hs, usually exactly 6. Great or long suit if just 8/9 HCP. |
|
2S |
Intermediate |
8/9/10-13, 6+Ss, usually exactly 6. Great or long suit if just 8/9 HCP. |
|
2NT |
Natural |
20-21 Balanced. Can have five card major. |
|
3C, 3D |
Preemptive |
6 or longer or suit, less than 10 HCP if 3C, less than 8 HCP if 3D. |
|
3H, 3S |
Preemptive |
6 or longer suit, less than 8 HCP. |
|
3NT |
Gambling |
Gambling, seven card or longer minor headed by AKQ or AKJ, no outside ace or king. |
|
4X |
Preemptive |
Standard preempt. |
|
4NT |
Asking |
Ace asking |
A pass in first or second seat does not deny an opening bid as above; the pass may be chosen as the best tactical choice with a hand that has a comfortable bidding plan if partner bids or passes.
General Approach: Hybrid 1C, standard 3rd & 4th seat openings but almost forcing, strong notrump, anything goes two level and higher suit openings in 3rd seat, game forcing artificial 2NT opening.
|
Opening |
Style |
Description |
|
1C |
Hybrid |
Clubs or 19+ balanced. If 19+ balanced can have five card major. Unlimited opening so forcing. |
|
1D |
Natural |
Diamonds, 10+, if balanced maximum of 15. Can have close to game forcing values so responder strives to respond. |
|
1H |
Natural |
4+Hs, 10+ HCP to a near GF. If balanced or 4Hs maximum of 15. Can have close to game forcing values so responder strives to respond. |
|
1S |
Natural |
4+Ss, 10+ HCP to a near GF. If balanced or 4Ss maximum of 15. Can have close to game forcing values so responder strives to respond. |
|
1NT |
Strong |
14-18 balanced, can have a five card major. If 14 only with a six card minor, and if 15 usually no four card major. |
|
2X |
Preemptive |
Natural, in 4th seat 6 or longer suit with minimum opening values (9/10-13). In 3rd seat anything goes preemptive bid, 5+ length and can have equal or longer second suit, wide range possible, from 0 up to minimum opening values. |
|
2NT |
Artificial, GF |
Asks for aces/kings. Absolute game force in diamonds, hearts, or spades. |
|
3X |
Preemptive |
Wide ranging preempt in 3rd seat, about 11-13 HCP in 4th seat. |
|
3NT |
To play |
To play, “Gambling” but any type of hand. |
|
4X |
Preemptive |
Preemptive, in 4th seat with values so contract is possible make. |
|
4NT |
Asking |
Ace asking. |
|
Range |
Opening |
Notes |
|
0-9 |
Pass |
Have to pass sometime. |
|
10-12, 3+Cs |
1C@A, 1NT@B |
Mini-notrump when Brave, open 1C when Aware. |
|
10-12, 2Cs |
1D or 1NT@B |
Opening 1D helps find a major fit, and with 2Cs opener at least 3-3 in the majors. @B prefer to open 1D instead of 1NT(10-12) with two clubs but if the hand looks notrump then bid it. |
|
13-14, 3+Ds |
1D |
Can have longer clubs. Having 3Ds allows responder to compete with 5+Ds. |
|
13-14, 2Ds. |
1C |
Opener has 4 or 5Cs and 3 or 4 in each major, or 4-4-2-3 exactly. However with 3-3-2-5 and 14 open 1NT when Aware. |
|
15-17 |
1NT@A, 1C@B |
Strong notrump when Aware, open 1C and rebid 1NT when Brave. Can have five card major, even if opening is 1C. |
|
18-19 |
2C |
Common system sequence: 2C-2D-2NT. Can have five card major. |
|
20-21 |
2NT |
Can have five card major. |
|
22-24 |
1C |
1C-1D-2NT the most common sequence. |
|
25-27 |
1C |
1C-1D-3NT the most common sequence. |
|
28-30 |
1C |
1C-1D-4NT. |
|
31-32 |
1C |
1C-1D-5NT. |
|
Range |
Opening |
Notes |
|
0-9/10 |
Pass |
To preempt open a suit at the two level. |
|
9/10-15 |
1X |
Natural one level suit opening. If 1C opened, will pass one level response or rebid a major. 1H or 1S can be opened with good four card suit, intending on passing 1NT response. |
|
14-18 |
1NT |
Can have a five card major. Usually no four card or longer major if 14-15 and usually a six card minor for 14. |
|
19-21 |
1C |
1C-1X-1NT 19-21, keeps bidding low opposite possible very weak hand. |
|
22-24 |
1C |
1C-1D-2NT the most common sequence. |
|
25-27 |
1C |
1C-1D-3NT. |
|
28-30 |
1C |
1C-1D-4NT. |
|
31-32 |
1C |
1C-1D-5NT. |
|
Range |
Clubs |
Diamonds |