Precision Eric Rodwell

Precision
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by Eric Rodwell
Copyright OKbridge, Inc. 2001
System Summary:
Bid
Rule
16+, any shape
11-15, 2+
1 , 1
11-15, 5+ cards
1NT
13-15
11-15, 5+
11-15, 4-4-1-4 or 4-4-0-5
2NT
20-21
other
normal preempts
System in Detail:
I. Why Play Precision?
The key is bids have limits -- it is much easier to focus on what

you can make (game, slam, etc) if partner's bid is limited. In
precision, openings show 11-15 instead of 11-21 in Standard.
II. Some General Points:
1) Use hand evaluation in any situation. Points in aces and kings are
good, as are good distribution and points in long suits. Open 1
with A-Q-J-10-x-x
A-x-x
A-x-x
x, in spite of only
15 points.
2) The two main "variables" in Precision are your 1NT opening range
and whether you require 6+ clubs to open 2 . I will take the
standard Precision 1NT of 13-15 and 2 shows 5+ first, but I
recommend a 1NT range of 14-16 and that a 2

clubs.
opening promises 6+
3) In response to a 1NT or 2NT opening, use your normal response

methods. Precision has nothing to add to this subject. Similarly, in
response to 1 or 1 , or preempts use your normal methods. The
"Precision" openings are 1 , 1 , 2 , and 2 .
III. Responses to 1
(16+, any shape).
1 -1 : 0-7, artificial negative. All other responses are game

forcing.
1 , 1 , 2 , 2 : 8+, 5+ cards in suit. Bid longest suit first.
With 5-5, bid the higher-ranking suit first.
1NT : 8-10 balanced, can contain 4-card Major(s).
This leaves two hand-types that aren't described: 4-4-4-1 shapes with
8+ HCP, and 16+ balanced. With 16+ balanced, respond 1NT and after
looking for a fit, take over with Blackwood and put the hand in a
slam. With 4-4-4-1, jump in your short suit starting with 2 :
1
2
3
3
:
:
:
2 : 4-1-4-4, 8+.
1-4-4-4, 8+.
4-4-4-1, 8+.
4-4-1-4, 8+.
Opener sets the trump suit over these 4-4-4-1 responses. With a
minimum, Responder bids game; with extra strength Cue-bid, with a
strong hand bid Blackwood.
If Responder responds in NT, Opener's cheapest bid in clubs is
Stayman. No transfers are used, since we want opener to declare the
hand if possible (ie other bids are natural). Opener can show a club
suit by bidding Stayman and rebidding clubs over the reply.
If Responder bids 1 , 1 , 2 , or 2 , Opener can raise with a fit
(especially a Major), or bid his own 5+-card suit. With a balanced
hand, or 4-4-4-1 short in Responder's suit opener bids NT, over which
all bids are natural. The bidding continues naturally.
If Responder bids 1 , opener's rebids are:
1
- 1
1NT
16-19 (or whatever your 1NT opening range would

dictate).
2NT
22-23. Use the 1NT opening or 2NT opening

structure in response.
3NT
To play, but use Stayman and transfers in

response.
1 , 1 , 2 , 16-20, non-forcing. The simple way is to play

2
that 5+ cards are promised. The most effective
way, however, is to allow a 1 or 1 rebid with
a 4-card suit and a 5-card side minor.
2 , 2 , 3 , Forcing. Shows a hand that is worth opening 2
3
with in Standard. Respond to these bids as if
partner had opened 2 and you had responded 2 ,
waiting.
IV. Responses to 1
(2+
, 11-15).
Responses to 1 are "normal bridge." Responder must remember that

Opener could have 2 or 3 and 4 or 5 , and not raise diamonds
without 5-card support.
1
1
- 1 ,
4+ cards in the suit. You can choose to respond

with less than 6 HCP, or to Pass 1 with up to 8
HCP since opener is limited.
1NT
7-10 (6-10 if you prefer), no 4-card Major.
2NT
11-12, invite, no Major.
3NT
To play.
Forcing, either to game or one round depending on

preference.
Inverted, forcing one round (or weak standard

raise if you prefer).
2 , 2 , 3 Whatever you play jump shifts to show (strong,

weak, other).
3
Preemptive (unless you don't play a 2

inverted).
raise as
Bidding continues as if you opened a Standard 1 . If Opener rebids

clubs on the 2nd round that should show both diamonds and dlubs, as
in Standard:
1 -1
2 :at least 5-4 or 4-5 in the minors. With 5C and no 4D, rebid 1NT
(or open 2 or 1NT).
V. Responses to a 2
Opening.
In "Standard Precision" 2
Major.
promises 6+
, or 5+
and a 4-card
Responses:
2
- 2
Artificial, asking. Opener bids a Major if he has

one. Lacking a Major opener rebids 3 to show a
minimum and 2NT to show a maximum. If Responder
raises later that is non-forcing; if Responder
bids a new suit that is GF.
2 , 2
5+ cards, non-forcing, up to invitational strength.

Opener raises with 3+ card fit, and should try to
"run" from the Major with a singleton or void in the
suit.
2NT
Invitational, no Major.
Preemptive raise. With values, bid 2

time (still non-forcing).
3 , 3 ,
3
Game forcing, 6+ cards in the bid suit.
Distributional raise, invites a 5

as a save.
VI. Responses to a 2
Opening.
then 3
next
bid to make or
In "Standard Precision," = 11-15 with short

4-0-5.
, either 4-4-1-4 or 4-
Responses:
2 - Pass, 2 , 2
, 3
To play. With maximum and 4-4-0-5 opener

can raise.
3 , 3 , 3 , 4
Invitational.
2NT
Asks for distribution. No reason it

shouldn't be GF.
Responses:
3 :4-4-1-4 minimum.
3 :4-4-1-4 maximum.
3 :4-4-0-5 minimum.
3 :4-4-0-5 maximum.
VII. Competition over Precision Openings.
Over 1 , I prefer that Pass shows 0-5 HCP (or a Penalty X of the
overcall, shown by leaving in a reopening X or Cue-bidding later).
Bids show 8+ and are GF in the same style as responding to 1 . A
Cue-bid shows a balanced hand looking for a stopper. Double shows 6-7
HCP with any shape.
1 - 1 - X : 6-7 with any shape. Opener's 1NT rebid can be Passed
(system on over NT rebids if Responder Passed to show 0-5, or X'd to
show 6-7). Opener's Jump is Game-forcing; opener's non-jump new suit
bids are forcing for one round.
For Opener, if Responder could have no points (1 - P - 1 , or 1 overcall - Pass), Opener's X is for takeout, new suit bids are nonforcing, and jumps are forcing. If Responder has promised points,
then Pass and bids are forcing, and X is Penalty.
Over 1
Opening, use normal methods as if 1
was Standard.
Over a 2 Opening, Negative X's are used (through 3 is my

preference). Bids of 2 , 2 , and 2 are the same, if available. New
suit bids at the 3-level are forcing. Over a 2 opening, no Negative

X's. Bids retain the same meaning if available.
VIII. Some parting thoughts on 1NT range, 2
and 2
opening style.
I prefer a 1NT opening to show 14-16. This makes for nice 3-point
ranges: 1 followed by 1NT = 11-13, 1NT opening = 14-16, and 1
followed by 1NT = 17-19.
I prefer a 2 opening show 6+ clubs. When the hand is 5-4-2-2, I
consider it balanced and plan to rebid 1NT (of course I raise a Major
with 4 trump, and rebid 1 over 1 with 4 ). With 4-1-3-5, or 1-43-5, I rebid 1 over 1 , or 1NT over 1 .
I prefer a 2 opening can contain 3-4-1-5, or 4-3-1-5. This
complicates the responses so this is not for new Precision users. The
2NT response is still game forcing but the responses are different:
2 - 2NT
3 : 4-3-1-5. Responder sets trumps and opener shows his range by
raising or Cueing.
3 : 4-3-1-5. Ditto.
3 : 4-4-1-4 minimum.
3 : 4-4-1-4 maximum.
3NT : 4-4-0-5 minimum.
4 : 4-4-0-5 maximum. Responder might have to use 4NT as an ace ask,
since he doesn't have room to set trumps.
Comment on: Precision by Rodwell!
Subject: canape
By: MrPsyche
Date: 2004-11-27 19:59

what openings would you recommend if playing
canape?
Subject: Prefer 6+C for 2C?
By: adholmes
Date: 2004-07-17 03:52

If 2C= 6+ Clubs what do you do with 4-1-3-5 or 1-4-3-5
open 1D also??
I have much better methods
Subject:
Subject: 2C continuation
By:
A dd C om m ent
suggestion.
Date: 2003-01-09 16:01
Click here to see more
I have played Precision variants for a long time and

have the following suggestions over a 2C opening.
Trouble with the way the comments

are displaying? Contact the
2D: Relay
webmaster!
2H: F1 round; 5+ in suit

2S: F1 round; 5+ in suit
2N: Bad raise of clubs
3C: Good raise of clubs
After 2C - 2D:
2H/2S: 4 cards in suit
2N: Single suited in clubs (strong)
3C: Single suited in clubs (weak)
3D: Strong two suited in clubs and diamonds
Subject: Printer Version
By: GB1
Date: 2002-10-04 13:53

How come the Printer 'Friendly' version doesn't
work ??
Geoff Barrett
Subject: printing
By: valis
Date: 2002-05-23 14:59

Of course it will print. If you see it on your screen, you
can see it on your printer, if you handle it correctly. It
may take more than just a alt-F-P.
If it won't print as text try printing it from a graphics app
like Corel or Adobe, etc. Even MS Paint in a pinch.
Subject: 1NT opener
Date: 2002-02-14 10:13
comments about this page.
By:
When I open 1nt, I have 14-16 HCP vul and 11-15 not
vul. This is just a bit different but I think it works great.
Subject: Printer friendly version
By:
Date: 2001-12-31 21:59

It looks good, but it wont print.
I have Internet Explorer.
Many thanks, Eric. I wish there were a book of hands.
Subject: please post a Precision
By:
convention card
Date: 2001-10-21 11:17
It would be nice to have an OKBridge standard for
those of us who like Precision as well as those who
encounter Precision opponents. Maybe the same for
Acol. Don't see much Roman or Polish Club or
anything like that, but the first two do have players.
Subject: Precision, which version?
By:
Date: 2001-10-13 07:38

There are many modifications of precision system.
version 1, 2, 3----etc.Is there any standardized, most
popular one?
Subject: More modern?
By:
Date: 2001-09-16 01:04

Can someone point to a more modern reference
online? Thanks...
Subject: System Summary
By:
Date: 2001-09-03 15:20

Very poor ( bad ) description. Missing basic ideas and
explains. For example: can add word 'good' for clubs
for opening 2c.
Bambam Precision is created 1965-1970 ( not 1940 )
Subject: precision
Date: 2001-08-07 11:39
By:
these notes are from 1940

bambam
Subject: 4315/3415 2D-2NT rebids
By:
typo
Date: 2001-07-30 00:08
In the section on 3415 2D openings, the 3C and 3D
rebids after 2NT ask are identical. Is one intended to
be 4315 and one 3415?
Subject: precision by Rodwell
By:
Date: 2001-07-26 20:25

It seems many people's response to precision being
my favorite system to bid is "I DON'T PLAY
PRECISION. I think viewing this summary will
convince more partners to use precision. The major
advantage being the limited openers.
Subject: 2d-2nt
By:
Date: 2001-07-25 15:26

3c = 3-4-1-5
3d = 4-3-1-5
Subject: interference
By: ocr
Date: 2001-07-25 04:54

It might be interestng how to handle best 1- and 2suited interference over a strong c opening.
A subject Eric has surely given much attention.
otto "ocr"
Subject: Typo
By:
Date: 2001-06-13 10:51

Thanks "sly," it's been fixed! -- Webmaster
Subject: mistake
By: sly
Date: 2001-06-12 20:12

Hi all!
I think was a misprint after 2D responsese. Probably
CTRL+V was used after 3H/S:-)) Logically 3H/S is INV,
isn't it?
Gyorgy Szalay, "sly"
Subject: Great summary
By:
Date: 2001-06-12 09:03

Thanks for the summary of "simple" precision. This
should make pick-up precision partnerships LOTS
easier.

Precision Eric Rodwell

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Precision

Want a printer-friendly version? Click here.

16+, any shape

11-15, 4-4-1-4 or 4-4-0-5

The key is bids have limits -- it is much easier to focus on what

recommend a 1NT range of 14-16 and that a 2

3) In response to a 1NT or 2NT opening, use your normal response

(16+, any shape).

1 -1 : 0-7, artificial negative. All other responses are game

16-19 (or whatever your 1NT opening range would

22-23. Use the 1NT opening or 2NT opening

To play, but use Stayman and transfers in

1 , 1 , 2 , 16-20, non-forcing. The simple way is to play

Responses to 1 are "normal bridge." Responder must remember that

4+ cards in the suit. You can choose to respond

7-10 (6-10 if you prefer), no 4-card Major.

11-12, invite, no Major.

Forcing, either to game or one round depending on

Inverted, forcing one round (or weak standard

2 , 2 , 3 Whatever you play jump shifts to show (strong,

Preemptive (unless you don't play a 2

Bidding continues as if you opened a Standard 1 . If Opener rebids

Artificial, asking. Opener bids a Major if he has

5+ cards, non-forcing, up to invitational strength.

Preemptive raise. With values, bid 2

Game forcing, 6+ cards in the bid suit.

Distributional raise, invites a 5

In "Standard Precision," = 11-15 with short

To play. With maximum and 4-4-0-5 opener

Asks for distribution. No reason it

VII. Competition over Precision Openings.

Opening, use normal methods as if 1

Over a 2 Opening, Negative X's are used (through 3 is my

suit bids at the 3-level are forcing. Over a 2 opening, no Negative

Date: 2004-11-27 19:59

Date: 2004-07-17 03:52

Click here to see more

I have played Precision variants for a long time and

Trouble with the way the comments

2H: F1 round; 5+ in suit

Date: 2002-10-04 13:53

Date: 2002-05-23 14:59

comments about this page.

Date: 2001-12-31 21:59

Date: 2001-10-13 07:38

Date: 2001-09-16 01:04

Date: 2001-09-03 15:20

these notes are from 1940

Date: 2001-07-26 20:25

Date: 2001-07-25 15:26

Date: 2001-07-25 04:54

Date: 2001-06-13 10:51

Date: 2001-06-12 20:12

Date: 2001-06-12 09:03

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