Polish Club (Polish: Wspólny Język, literally "Common Language") is a bridge bidding system which was developed in Poland, where it is the most popular bidding system, and which is also used by players of other countries. It is a type of small club system.
In the Polish Club, a 1♣ opening bid is forcing for one round but does not necessarily show a strong hand; in most versions of this system it shows either a weak balanced hand (about 12-14HCP), a natural 1♣ opening or any strong hand. Consequently, bids of 1♦, 1♥ and 1♠ are limited to about 18HCP, and also 1♦ shows at least four diamonds (five in some versions of the system).
The 2♣ opening is usually reserved to show a limited hand with long clubs and possibly a four-card major, similar to the Precision 2♣ opening.
The following outline of the system is based on that given in System licytacyjny Wspólny Język 2005 - opis skrócony ("Polish Club 2005 - a brief description") by Krzysztof Jassem. The latest version translated into English (Polish Club International, 2010), is available here:
7+HCP, 4+ cards, can have longer minor if less than GF
9–11 HCP, no 4-card major
5+ cards, GF, can have 4-card major
Strong jump shift (semi-solid suit)
12+ HCP, GF no 4-card major
Good 6-card suit, invitational (9–11 HCP)
7-card suit with 2 high honours, nothing outside
4+ cards, 12–17 HCP possible canape: 4 diamonds; 5 clubs are possible if weak (12–14 HCP)
5 cards, 12–17 HCP
Responder's 2NT is forcing after the suit is repeated. 1♥ 1♠/1NT 2♥ 2NT = forces to 3 of a major; opener shows shortage, and 1♠ 1NT 2♠ 2NT = forces to 3 of a major; opener shows shortage Two-over-one response – forces to three of that suit.
Rebidding the suit by Opener shows a minimum and does not show length. 2NT rebid by Opener shows strength (15–17 HCP).
Two types of Splinter bids 1♥ - 3♠ = any shortage, 9–12 HCP (then 3NT asks shortage) 1♠ - 3NT = any shortage, 9–12 HCP (then 4♣ asks shortage) 1♥ - 3NT = spade shortage, 12–16 HCP 1♥/1♠ - 4♣, 4♦, 4♥ (after 1♠) = bid shortage, 12–16 HCP Drury-fit by a passed hand 2 of the bid major is the weakest rebid. Jump shift by a passed hand – invitational (9–11 HCP)
15–17 HCP
Opener's 2♥ does not deny four spades. Responder's subsequent bidding is natural: forcing at the 3-level, non-forcing at the 2-level. Also: 1NT - 2♣; 2♦ - 2♠ = invitational (7–9 HCP), 5 spades, 4 hearts, and 1NT - 2♣; 2♥/2♠ - 3♦/3♥ = transfer, agrees Opener's suit, GF
Transfer to hearts (2♦) does not deny five spades. Responder's new suit at the 3-level forces to game. Also: 1NT - 2♦; 2♥ - 2♠ forces to 3♥ (8+ HCP)
Precision: 5 clubs and a 4−card major, or 6 clubs, 11–14 HCP
Weak two in a major (limited Multi), 6+ cards, 6–11 HCP.
Opener bids: 3♣ = good opening, 3♦ relays and 3♥ shows spades. 3♠ shows hearts. 3♦ = hearts, minimum opening 3♥ = spades, minimum opening
Opener bids 4♣ with hearts and 4♦ with spades if the invitation is accepted.
Polish two−suiters, 6–11 HCP.
5-5 in minor, 6-11HCP.
Gambling (no stopper outside)
Strong, semi−solid suit, slam interest
Invites to game after an initial one-over-one response. Responder may pass in the subsequent bidding but Opener may not. Fourth suit forces to game after a two-over-one response.
If Opener raises the third suit, that promises four cards in the suit and denies a stopper in the unbid suit. 3NT bid by Opener shows four cards in the third suit and promises a stopper in the unbid suit.
Responder's 2NT is forcing after a two-over-one response.
After a 1♣ opening and a response in a major, 2♦ is Odwrotka (a "fit reverse"), that shows an 18+ hand, a fit, and asks responder to describe his hand. Jassem recommends replacing WJ2000's "Odwrotka" with the "Bubrotka" responses above.
Weak with clubs or game invitational, or game forcing Opener's rebids:
Responder's continuations: 3♣ signs off. 2 in the bid major is non-forcing (10–12 HCP). Other bids (including 2NT) are game forcing.
In an uncontested auction, stoppers are shown. In competition, bidding the opponent's suit asks for a stopper. If opponents bid two suits, bidding the higher-level suit promises stopper in the lower-level suit.
5♣ = 1 or 4, 5♦ = 0 or 3, 5♥ = 2 or 5 no trump queen, 5♠ = 2 and a trump queen, etc.
After trump agreement, an unusual jump shift at the 5-level (or 4♠ when hearts are agreed) asks for key cards, exclusive of the ace of the bid suit.
The cheapest bid after key cards are shown asks for kings. The next cheapest bid shows no kings, etc.
Kind of Josephine; asks for the number of high honours (ace, king or queen) in trumps 6♣ = 0, 6♦ = 1, etc.
First− and second−round controls are treated as equals
Weaker and stronger types after 1♥/1♠ openings 1♥ – 3♠ = weaker Splinter (9–12 HCP), any shortage, 3NT asks 1♥ – 3NT = regular Splinter (12–16 HCP), spade shortage 1♠ – 3NT = weaker Splinter, any shortage, 4♣ asks 1♥/1♠ – 4♣/4♦/4♥ = regular Splinters (12–16 HCP)
An unusual shift jump agrees bidder's own suit only if partner has not shown any suit.
Asks partner to bid the grand slam with a void in the splinter-suit.
DOPI. Double = 0, pass = 1, the cheapest bid = 2 keycards, etc.
Opener bids before Responder: this shows a minimum if the bid is cheaper than two in the opening bid, but shows extras otherwise.
2NT promises good support (usually 4 cards) and forces to game. Direct cue bid is game-invitational, or game forcing with flat distribution and defensive values.
Through 4♦ Negative doubles include, apart from standard agreements, forcing hands with a weak 5-card suit and – after 1♥/1♠ opening – invitational no-trump hands.
Second hand's double is for takeout of spades. Pass and then double after 2♥/3♥ in the next round is for takeout of hearts:
Fourth hand's live double is for takeout:
Michaels cue bid – unlimited
Jump cue bid shows either a solid suit and asks for a stopper or shows any game-forcing one-suiter hand.
Double is for takeout. Other bids show the same shape as versus a strong no trump and promise opening values.
Polish Club (Polish: Wspólny Język, literally "Common Language") is a bridge bidding system which was developed in Poland, where it is the most popular bidding system, and which is also used by players of other countries. It is a type of small club system.
In the Polish Club, a 1♣ opening bid is forcing for one round but does not necessarily show a strong hand; in most versions of this system it shows either a weak balanced hand (about 12-14HCP), a natural 1♣ opening or any strong hand. Consequently, bids of 1♦, 1♥ and 1♠ are limited to about 18HCP, and also 1♦ shows at least four diamonds (five in some versions of the system).
The 2♣ opening is usually reserved to show a limited hand with long clubs and possibly a four-card major, similar to the Precision 2♣ opening.
The following outline of the system is based on that given in System licytacyjny Wspólny Język 2005 - opis skrócony ("Polish Club 2005 - a brief description") by Krzysztof Jassem. The latest version translated into English (Polish Club International, 2010), is available here:
7+HCP, 4+ cards, can have longer minor if less than GF
9–11 HCP, no 4-card major
5+ cards, GF, can have 4-card major
Strong jump shift (semi-solid suit)
12+ HCP, GF no 4-card major
Good 6-card suit, invitational (9–11 HCP)
7-card suit with 2 high honours, nothing outside
4+ cards, 12–17 HCP possible canape: 4 diamonds; 5 clubs are possible if weak (12–14 HCP)
5 cards, 12–17 HCP
Responder's 2NT is forcing after the suit is repeated. 1♥ 1♠/1NT 2♥ 2NT = forces to 3 of a major; opener shows shortage, and 1♠ 1NT 2♠ 2NT = forces to 3 of a major; opener shows shortage Two-over-one response – forces to three of that suit.
Rebidding the suit by Opener shows a minimum and does not show length. 2NT rebid by Opener shows strength (15–17 HCP).
Two types of Splinter bids 1♥ - 3♠ = any shortage, 9–12 HCP (then 3NT asks shortage) 1♠ - 3NT = any shortage, 9–12 HCP (then 4♣ asks shortage) 1♥ - 3NT = spade shortage, 12–16 HCP 1♥/1♠ - 4♣, 4♦, 4♥ (after 1♠) = bid shortage, 12–16 HCP Drury-fit by a passed hand 2 of the bid major is the weakest rebid. Jump shift by a passed hand – invitational (9–11 HCP)
15–17 HCP
Opener's 2♥ does not deny four spades. Responder's subsequent bidding is natural: forcing at the 3-level, non-forcing at the 2-level. Also: 1NT - 2♣; 2♦ - 2♠ = invitational (7–9 HCP), 5 spades, 4 hearts, and 1NT - 2♣; 2♥/2♠ - 3♦/3♥ = transfer, agrees Opener's suit, GF
Transfer to hearts (2♦) does not deny five spades. Responder's new suit at the 3-level forces to game. Also: 1NT - 2♦; 2♥ - 2♠ forces to 3♥ (8+ HCP)
Precision: 5 clubs and a 4−card major, or 6 clubs, 11–14 HCP
Weak two in a major (limited Multi), 6+ cards, 6–11 HCP.
Opener bids: 3♣ = good opening, 3♦ relays and 3♥ shows spades. 3♠ shows hearts. 3♦ = hearts, minimum opening 3♥ = spades, minimum opening
Opener bids 4♣ with hearts and 4♦ with spades if the invitation is accepted.
Polish two−suiters, 6–11 HCP.
5-5 in minor, 6-11HCP.
Gambling (no stopper outside)
Strong, semi−solid suit, slam interest
Invites to game after an initial one-over-one response. Responder may pass in the subsequent bidding but Opener may not. Fourth suit forces to game after a two-over-one response.
If Opener raises the third suit, that promises four cards in the suit and denies a stopper in the unbid suit. 3NT bid by Opener shows four cards in the third suit and promises a stopper in the unbid suit.
Responder's 2NT is forcing after a two-over-one response.
After a 1♣ opening and a response in a major, 2♦ is Odwrotka (a "fit reverse"), that shows an 18+ hand, a fit, and asks responder to describe his hand. Jassem recommends replacing WJ2000's "Odwrotka" with the "Bubrotka" responses above.
Weak with clubs or game invitational, or game forcing Opener's rebids:
Responder's continuations: 3♣ signs off. 2 in the bid major is non-forcing (10–12 HCP). Other bids (including 2NT) are game forcing.
In an uncontested auction, stoppers are shown. In competition, bidding the opponent's suit asks for a stopper. If opponents bid two suits, bidding the higher-level suit promises stopper in the lower-level suit.
5♣ = 1 or 4, 5♦ = 0 or 3, 5♥ = 2 or 5 no trump queen, 5♠ = 2 and a trump queen, etc.
After trump agreement, an unusual jump shift at the 5-level (or 4♠ when hearts are agreed) asks for key cards, exclusive of the ace of the bid suit.
The cheapest bid after key cards are shown asks for kings. The next cheapest bid shows no kings, etc.
Kind of Josephine; asks for the number of high honours (ace, king or queen) in trumps 6♣ = 0, 6♦ = 1, etc.
First− and second−round controls are treated as equals
Weaker and stronger types after 1♥/1♠ openings 1♥ – 3♠ = weaker Splinter (9–12 HCP), any shortage, 3NT asks 1♥ – 3NT = regular Splinter (12–16 HCP), spade shortage 1♠ – 3NT = weaker Splinter, any shortage, 4♣ asks 1♥/1♠ – 4♣/4♦/4♥ = regular Splinters (12–16 HCP)
An unusual shift jump agrees bidder's own suit only if partner has not shown any suit.
Asks partner to bid the grand slam with a void in the splinter-suit.
DOPI. Double = 0, pass = 1, the cheapest bid = 2 keycards, etc.
Opener bids before Responder: this shows a minimum if the bid is cheaper than two in the opening bid, but shows extras otherwise.
2NT promises good support (usually 4 cards) and forces to game. Direct cue bid is game-invitational, or game forcing with flat distribution and defensive values.
Through 4♦ Negative doubles include, apart from standard agreements, forcing hands with a weak 5-card suit and – after 1♥/1♠ opening – invitational no-trump hands.
Second hand's double is for takeout of spades. Pass and then double after 2♥/3♥ in the next round is for takeout of hearts:
Fourth hand's live double is for takeout:
Michaels cue bid – unlimited
Jump cue bid shows either a solid suit and asks for a stopper or shows any game-forcing one-suiter hand.
Double is for takeout. Other bids show the same shape as versus a strong no trump and promise opening values.