Bridge SAYC (Standard American Yellow Card)

Opening Bids

Bid Description Related Conventions
1 2+ clubs, 12-21 points Limit Raises
1 4+ diamonds, 12-21 points Limit Raises
1 5+ hearts, 12-21 points Limit Raises  |  Jacoby 2NT  |  Jordan 2NT
1 5+ spades, 12-21 points Limit Raises  |  Jacoby 2NT  |  Jordan 2NT
1NT Balanced, 15-17 HCP, no single tone Gerber  |  Jacoby Transfers  |  Stayman
2 22+ HCP or 8+ tricks —
2// 6-card suit, 6-9 HCP, with honors RONF
2NT Balanced, 18-20 HCP Gerber  |  Jacoby Transfers  |  Stayman
3 6-card suit, 6-9 HCP —
3// ? —
3NT Balanced, 25-27 HCP Jacoby Transfers  |  Stayman
4/ 8-card suit, 5-11 HCP —
4/ 7+ card suit, 7 tricks not vulnerable or 8 tricks vulnerable —

Limit Raises

Limit Raises are used after partner opens the bidding with 1-of-a-suit. A jump raise (e.g. 1->3 or 1->3) shows 10-12 points and 4-card support. 5-card support is possible opposite a minor-suit opening. Opener can pass a limit raise with minimum values, or bid on with more.

Back in the old, old days, this sequence showed a strong game-forcing hand. Over time, players gradually realized that this approach was too uncommon and impractical. Hence the birth of the limit raise.

There is expert debate about 3-card limit raises opposite a 1H/S opening bid. When playing 5-card majors, some partnerships make limit raises with 3-card support and unbalanced shape.

Jacoby 2NT

The Jacoby 2NT convention is an artificial, game-forcing response to a 1H or 1S opening bid. The 2NT response shows 4+ trump support with 13+ points. The bid asks partner to describe her hand further so that slam prospects can be judged accordingly.

In his 1970 book "Win at Bridge with Jacoby Modern", Oswald Jacoby listed a couple caveats for bidding 2NT:

  • Responder's 13+ points should include at least 11 HCP.
  • Strong 3-card support is acceptable, e.g. 2 of the top 3 trump honors

Jacoby 2NT is intended for 5-card major systems that employ limit raises for game invitations. Thus, it fills the need for a game-forcing raise with unlimited strength. The convention doesn't come up often, but is precious in its role.

In ACBL games, Jacoby 2NT is alertable.