Burgay Strong Diamond
by Leandro Burgay, 1973
notes by Daniel J. Neill

Summary of Openings:
1C = 12-14 NT, or any unbalanced 15-17
1D = 18+, artificial
1H = 12-14, 4+ cards, 4H-5+m, 4H-(441), 5332, 6H-3S, 6322, 5H-4/5S
1S = 12-14, 4+ cards, 4S-5+m, 4144, 5332, 6S-3H, 6322, 5+S-4H, 6S-5+H
1N = 15-17, no 5M
2C = 12-14, 6C or 5C-4D, but not 6-4
2D = 12-14, 6D or 5D-4+C, but not 6-4
2M = 12-14, 5M-4+m unbal, or 6M-1oM-3-3
2N = 12-14, any 7-crd suit
3m = 12-14, 6m-4om
3M = preempt, 7 crds (in 1/2 seat 2/top 3 honors and little else, 6 tricks NV, 7 V)
3N = 12-14, 7m-4om
4y = preempt

**********
1C
**********
Responses:
1D = any 0-7, or 8-10 with a long minor
(enemy bid)
X = 15-17 takeout
Pass = rare but true
1H = 12-17, 4(3)+H
1S = nat
3m = 5-5, NF
1N = nat
3m = 5-5, NF
2C = NNF
2D = canape, 15-17
2D = NNF
2N = 5-5 minors, 6-7 HCP
JS = 7+ crds, 2/top 3
1S = 12-17, 4(3)+S
1N = nat
3lower = 5-5 NF
3H = 6S-4H
2m = NNF
2N = 5-5 minors, 6-7 HCP
JS = 7+crds, 2/top 3
1N = 12-14, 4-4 minors
2N = 5-5 minors, 6-7 HCP
2M = 17, good 6+ suit

1H = 4+H, 8+ HCP, may have longer minor, even longer spades if strong
(enemy bid)
X = penalty
1S = 12-17, 4+S, may have longer minor
1N = natural
2m = canape, 15-17
2S = 5+S, 15-17
JS = 5-5
2C = semi-natural, F1
2D = semi-natural, F1
2S = 5+S, 15-17
2H = NNF
2S = 4S, 8-11 (now 3S = 14, not 15-17)
3H = invit
3S = invit
1N = 12-14 bal, denies 4S
2D = semi-natural, F1
2H = 3-crds
2N = nat
3D = 4-crds
2H = NNF
2S = 5+S, 4+H, F
2N = nat
3H = 5-5
2N = invit
3m = 4H-6m, F
3H = invit
3S = 4H-6S, F
2C = 15-17, 5+C, F2N
2D = 15-17, 5+D, F2N
2N = nat
4C = 5-5
2H = normal raise, 12-14
2N = 15+, 4+H, GF
3C = 0-2 ctrls
3D = 3 ctrls
3H = 4 ctrls
3S = 5 ctrls
etc.
relay = demands cues
else = cue
3m = 8-crds, AQ or AK, 15-17
3H = 15 HCP, 4-crd supp, unbal, NF

1S = 4+S, 8+ HCP, may have longer minor
(enemy bid)
X = penalty
1N = 12-14
2C = semi-natural, F1
2D = semi-natural, F1
2S = 3-crds
2N = nat
3D = 4-crds
2H = NNF, 5+S, 4+H
2S = NNF
2N = invit
3m/3H = 4S-6other, F
3S = invit
2C = 15-17, 5+C (or 1444), F2N
2D = 15-17, 5+D, F2N
2H = 15-17, 5+H, F2N
2N = nat
4m = 5-5
2S = normal raise, 12-14
2N = 15+, 4+S, GF
3C = 0-2 ctrls
3D = 3 ctrls
3H = 4 ctrls
3S = 5 ctrls
etc.
relay = demands cues
else = cue
3m = 8-crds, AQ or AK, 15-17
3S = 15 HCP, 4-crd supp, unbal, NF

1N = 8-10, bal, no major
2C = 11+ HCP, 4+C, denies M
2M = 5+M, 15-17
2N = 12-13
3C = NF
else = F
3C = 15-17, later cues
3N = 14
2D = 11+ HCP, 4+D, denies M
2M = 5+M, 15-17
2N = 12-13
3D = NF
else = F
3D = 15-17, later cues
3N = 14

2H = 6+ good H, 12+ HCP
2N = 13-14 bal, even with 4H
NS = 15-17 natural
3H = 15-17, primary H, cues
4H = 12 bal, 4-crds

2S = 6+ good S, 12+ HCP
2N = 13-14 bal, even with 4S
NS = 15-17 natural
3S = 15-17, primary S, cues
4S = 12 bal, 4-crds

2N = 8-10(-), 5+ 5+ minors
3C = 8-10(-), 6C-5D
3D = 8-10(-), 6D-5C
3H = 7H, 2 of top 3, nothing else, NF
3S = 7S, 2 of top 3, nothing else, NF

Handling Interference:
1C
(X)
Pass = 0-7
XX = 10+
1D/H/S = natural, 8+
else = normal
(1D)
X = multi-way
(a) 6-10 lower unbiddable suit (here, clubs)
(b) 8-10 NT, but no stopper
(c) psyche-revealer: 12+ HCP, 5+D (later cue,
and opener must bid NT with a stopper)
(d) over (1S) overcall, 4+ hearts
opener assumes such, and with a fit
(i) bids 2H with a minimum
(ii) bids 3H with a reverse (cue or raise)
(iii) 2N jump = 4H-5+minor, reverse
1M = natural, 8+
1N = 8-10
2C = 11+, F1
2D = GF takeout
2M = ?
(1H)
X = multi-way (see above)
1S = 4+ cards, 8+
1N = 8-10
2m = 11+, F1
2H = GF takeout
2S+ = ?
(1S)
X = multi-way (see above, includes hands with 4 hearts)
2C/D/H = 11+, F1
2S = GF takeout
else = ?
(1N)
X = penalty, else weak
(2D/H/S)
X = penalty (75%)
bids = NF
JS = nat, force
cue = general force

**********
1D
**********
Responses:
1H = 0-6 HCP, artif.
1S = relay, spades or any 20+ unbal, or 23+ bal
1N = 5-6, bal or 5C-4other
2C = 0-4, 2nd negative
2D = 20+, 4+ cards, F to 2N (later 3N = 4-crds 25+ NT)
2S = 4+ cards
2N = 1S-444
3C = canape
3D = NF
3S = good raise
2H = 20+, 4+ cards, F to 2N (later 3N = 4-crds 25+ NT)
2S = natural
3m = canape
3H = NF
2S = 5+S, 18-19, NF
2N = 23+ bal, may have 4-crd major
3C = prepares some signoff
3D = Stayman
3M = GF (NS = cue raise, 4M = bad raise)
2D/H/S = 5+ crds, 5-6 HCP
2M = 4+ cards
bids = nat, NF
2N = 5C-332 5-6 HCP
3C = 6+C, 5-6 HCP
3D/H/S = 7 crds, 5-6 HCP
1N = 18-20 bal
2M = asking-bid in M
step 1 = ?
step 2 = ?
step 3 = Hxxx
step 4 = HHx
step 5 = HHxx
2C = nat, 18-19, occ. 4 cards (all bids NF now)
2D = nat, 18-19, occ. 4 cards (all bids NF now)
2H = nat, 18-19
2N = 21-22 bal
3C = prepares some signoff, forces 3D
3D = Stayman
3M = GF (NS = cue raise, 4M = bad raise)
1S = 7+ HCP, 0-2 ctrls, GF
1N = 18-20
2C = natural
JS = 6 cards, 2/top 3
DJS = 7 cards, 2/top 3
2M = 5+ crds
2S = 5+ cards
2N = 21-22
3C/D/H = support-ask (see later)
1N = 3 ctrls, GF
2m = natural 4+ crds
JS = 6 cards, 2/top 3
DJS = 7 cards, 2/top 3
2N = 18-20, everything stopped, no 5-crd suit
3C = extended stayman
3D = 18-19, then bid up the line
3M/3N = 20, natural
3C/D/H/S = support-ask
2C = 4 ctrls
2D = 4+ cards (if 4, then reason for not bidding NT)
2N = 18+ bal, everything stopped
2D = 5 ctrls
2M = 6+ suit, 0-4 HCP
2N = 6 ctrls
3C = 7 ctrls
3D = 8 ctrls

Vs. Interference:
(up to 2D)
Pass = 0-6
X = 7+, 0-2 ctrls
step 1 = 3 ctrls
step 2 = 4 ctrls
etc...

(X)
Pass = 0-6
XX = 7+, 0-2 ctrls
1H = 3 ctrls
etc...

(2H+)
Pass = negative
suit = nat, GF
2N = stopper, GF
cue = very strong hand
X = 7+ HCP, penalty-oriented

*********************************
Support-ask:
1D-bid[GF]-jump-shift = asks # cards in suit
step 1 = 0-1 crds
step 2 = 2 crds
step 3 = 3 crds
etc.

A new suit is then the same sort of ask for that suit.

If a support-ask is immediately followed by a NT bid, that is asking for top honors in the
previously-asked suit.
step 1 = 0 of top 3
step 2 = 1 of top 3
step 3 = 2 of top 3

A second support-ask in a different suit may be followed by a trump-asking NT bid for that
suit.

**********************************

**********
1H/1S
**********
Responses:
1S = natural
2S = 4S
2N = 5S-5H
3m = 6H-4m
3H = 6H-3S-(3-1)
4m = 6H-5+m
4S = 6-5/5-6 majors
1N = natural, 8-10
Pass = any hand that wants to pass
2m = 5+ cards, 4M
2M = 5+ cards, may be 5M-4m-2-2
2H (after 1S) = 5S-4H
2S (after 1H) = 5-5 majors (2N asks bid longer suit or minor frag)
3-lower = 6M-4other
3M = 6M-3-3-1m
4-lower = 6M-5+other (1S...4H = 6-6)
2C = 11+ HCP, 4(3)+ cards
2D = 4M-5D
2M = minimum, NF
2H (after 1S) = 5S-4H
2S (after 1H) = 5-5 majors (2N asks bid longer suit or minor frag)
2N = max, 5M
3C = 5+ cards, 4M
jump-shift 3-level = 6M-4other
3M = 6M-3-3-1m
jump-shift 4-level = 6M-5+other (1S...4H = 6-6)
2D = 11+ HCP, 4(3)+ cards
2M = minimum, NF
2N = max, 5M
3D = 5+ cards, 4M
3H (over 1S) = 6S-4H
3M = 6M-3-3-1m
4C = 6M-5+m (1S...4H = 6-6)
2M = 8-10, 4+ support
2H (over 1S) = 11+ HCP, 5+ cards
2S (over 1H) = GF, 5+ cards
2N = 4+ supp, slammish (responder continues to cue-bid or relay [waiting or cue])
suit = natural
3N = 5332, horrible
3M = 10-11, 4-crd support
3-level JS = 7-crds, 2/top 3, nothing else

Handling Interference:
(X)
Pass = any weak, or a good raise
XX = 10+
NS = NF
JS = F
(suit)
X = doesn't promise suits (if followed by cue then asks stop or reveals psyche)
NS = NF (except 1H-[1S]-2m = F1)
2N = good GF, 4+crd support (cont's as 1M-2N)
JS = F
**********
1NT
**********
Responses:
2C = any sign-off in a suit, or good 6-crd suit with nothing else
2D = forced
Pass/2H/2S/3C = weak, to play
2N(C)/3D/3H/3S = 6 crds, 2/top 3, nothing else
2D = Burgay extended Stayman, 8+ HCP
2H = 15-16, 4H (2S = F1, 2N/3H = NF)
2S = 15-16, 4S, denies 4H (2N/3H[5-6 crds]/3S = NF)
2N = 15-16, no major (3M[5-6 crds] = NF)
3C = 17, 4C-4D
3D = 17, 4H-4S
3H = 17, 4H, denies 4S
3S = 17, 4S, denies 4H
3N = 17, 4m333 [where is 5m332? - Dan]
over all these, a minor rebid is natural 5+ slamtry, asking 5-step support
(negative/Hxx/HHx/Hxxx/HHxx)
2H/2S/3C/3D = 10+ HCP, 5+ suit, asks support (3m tends to be slammish)
step 1 = at best xxx(x) support
rebidding the suit asks further
3N = xx
4m = Hx, natural 4+ suit
raise = xxx(x)
new suit = support-ask in this suit, as before
2N (over 1N-2H-2S) = waiting (3H = Ax/Kx)
3N = to play (opener corrects always with xxx[x])
step 2/3/4/5 = Hxx/HHx/Hxxx/HHxx support
rebidding suit = requests cue-bids
new suit = support-ask in this suit, as before
every new suit is a support-ask, 4N is BW
2N = GF, asks opener to bid a suit he does not have stopped
3y = no stop (now 4m = NF)
3M = 6+ cards, invite
3N = to play
4m = "Alaska" transfer to 4M signoff (4C = H, 4D = S)
4M = to play

Handling Inteference:
(X)
XX = 8+ HCP (later cue denies stop, 2N shows stop[forcing])
bids = to play
(2y)
Pass = 0-8
X = penalty
JS = natural GF, asks 5-step support
cue = GF, no stopper (specifically 3S cue promises 4 hearts)
2N = GF, with at least half-stopper (bid suits up the line)
responder can cue later to show a half-stopper and likely minor fit
if no stopper found, 4m is NF

**********
2C/2D
**********
Responses:
2M = NF constructive, 5+crds, raisable (NS = max, no fit, stopper
raises = preemptive
3-level JS = 6+ crds, invite
other minor = artif limit raise (return to 3m = minimum, else bid suits NOT stopped up the line)
2N = art GF
(over interference, Pass = lower bid, X = stolen, else normal)
3C = 5-4 minors (3D asks hi/lo/no short)
3D = 6322
3H = 6-3H-(3-1)
3S = 6-3S-3om-1H
3N = 5-5 minors
4C = 6-5 minors
4D = 6-6 minors
4H = 7-5 minors
4S = 7-6 minors
natural cont's

Handling Interference:
(X)
XX = invit. values
NS = nat, NF
2N = normal GF as above

(suit)
NS = nat, NF
cue = slammish raise

**********
2H/2S
**********
Responses:
2S = to play
3lower = 6+ cards, 0-1 support, invit. (new suit = max)
2N = artif., constr+ raise, or any good hand
(over interference, Pass = lower bid, X = stolen, else normal)
3m/3H = 5M-4m with sing m/oM
3S/N = 5M-5C/D
4m = 5M-6m
4H = 6M-1oM-3-3
responder can always sign off, or bid a suit not shown by opener as a cue
raises = preemptive/to play

Handling Interference:
(X)
XX = interest in penalizing
else = as normal

(suit)
systems on (as much as possible)
cue = slammish raise

**********
2N
**********
Responses:
3C = p/c
3D = strong ask
4M = 7crds
3H/S/N = 7-crd minor, cheapest 3-crd fragment
3M = nat, F1 BUPH, can raise with 2 cards

Handling Interference:
(X)
XX = interest in penalizing
bid = p/c
(bid)
bids = natural

**********
3C/3D
**********
Responses:
minors = natural, to play
3M = forcing ask (BPH = nat NF)
step 1/2/3/4/5 = 0-1/xx/xxx/Hx/Hxx
now bids to play

Handling Interference:
(X)
Pass = neg, or later bid major naturally
3M = forcing ask as above, even BPH
XX = penalty interest

**********
3H/3S
**********
Responses:
3S = F1
raise/3N/4oM = to play
4m = cue for M

**********
3N
**********
Responses:
4C = p/c for longer minor
4D = forcing ask
5C = 7-crds
4H = 7D, void
4S = 7D, void
4N = 7D, no void
4M = to play

**********
4H/4S
**********
Responses:
NS = cue for M