Sayc

ACBL SAYC SYSTEM BOOKLET

Revised January 2006 OVERVIEW The ACBL Standard American Yellow Card (SAYC) was created to be the required system to be used in a Standard Yellow Card event. The object was to provide a simple, modern method that will lead to a good, solid understanding in a partnership when both players have read this booklet. Because this system was to be used by each pair, the game was free of a wide variety of possibly complex systems. There was no necessity to Alert or ask questions since everyone was playing the same method. When play began on the Internet, players needing a quick way to establish the method to be used in a relatively casual partnership adopted the SAYC. It is also used by players who meet at the partnership desk a few minutes before the game starts. Players may still exercise bridge judgment, such as opening a four-card major in third seat. SAYC “normally five-card majors” approach can withstand an occasional deviation. CHOICES While there are no choices in the present day SAYC, except for an SAYC event in which everyone must play the method as written, a pair could use the SAYC as a base and make one or two modifications. If you do make a modification or two in an open game, you should announce that fact to the opponents – if they think you are playing straight SAYC and they know SAYC, they would not know about your modifications. GENERAL APPROACH Normally open five-card majors in all seats. Open the higher of long suits of equal length: 5–5 or 6–6. Normally open 1 with 4–4 in the minors. Normally open 1 with 3–3 in the minors. Notrump openings show a balanced hand and may be made with a five-card major suit or a five-card minor suit. 1NT = 15–17 2NT = 20–21 3NT = 25–27 Strong conventional 2 opening. Weak two-bids in diamonds, hearts and spades. RESPONSES AND LATER BIDDING AFTER A 15–17 1NT OPENING 2 is “non-forcing” Stayman, meaning that the bidding may stop in two of a suit. Opener rebids 2 with 4–4 in the majors. If...