Polish Club (Polish: Wspólny Język, literally "Common Language") is a bridgebidding 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 Precision2♣ 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:
12–14 HCP, no 5-card major, no 4-card diamond suit. Five clubs are possible if the hand is balanced. Opener should not bid clubs on the next round – even in competition.
15–17 HCP, five clubs, unbalanced distribution. Opener bids clubs in the next round.
negative: 0–8 HCP. In the 7–8 HCP range, Responder should not have a 4-card major (the response of one of a major is 7+ HCP, the 1NT response is 9–11 HCP).
9–11 unbalanced; either both minors (5-4), or one poor minor. (The hand does not qualify for any of the responses: 1NT, 2 in a minor, 3 in a minor).
12–16 HCP balanced without a 4-card major. The hand is not suitable for declaring no trumps.
1♣ - 1♦
?
1♥/1♠ = better major (3 cards is possible)
1NT = 18–19 HCP, balanced
2♣ = 15+ HCP, natural
2♦ = artificial GF, exclusive of 2-suiter hands
2♥, 2♠, 3♣, 3♦ = 5+ in the bid suit, semi-forcing
2NT = 22–24 HCP, balanced
3♥/3♠/4♣ = GF, 2-suiter (5-5):
3♥ – with hearts, then Responder’s 3♠ shows preference over hearts, 3NT asks for a minor, 4♣, 4♦ are cue bids with agreed hearts, 3♠ – spades and a minor, then 3NT asks for a minor, 4♣, 4♦ are cue bids, 4♣ – minors.
4+ cards, 12–17 HCP possible canape: 4 diamonds; 5 clubs are possible if weak (12–14 HCP)
2♣ response – natural, promises 5 clubs, one-round force. Rebidding diamonds by Opener shows length (5 diamonds) and does not specify strength. The other 2-level bids show 4-card openings in the range of 12–14 HCP.
2♦ response – inverted minor, 10+ HCP, 4 diamonds
3♦ response – preemptive
NT responses: 1NT = 7–10 HCP, 2NT = 11–12 HCP; both deny a 4-card major.
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.
2♣ response is semi-natural.
Rebidding the suit by Opener shows a minimum and does not show length.
2NT rebid by Opener shows strength (15–17 HCP).
2NT response – limit raise with support
Jump raise – preemptive
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)
Precision: 5 clubs and a 4−card major, or 6 clubs, 11–14 HCP
2♦ response – relay, forcing to 3♣. Opener shows a 4-card suit (3♦ shows extras) or makes a choice between 2NT and 3♣ with long clubs.
2♥/2♠ response – not forcing, good 5-card suit (7–11 HCP)
2NT response – weak support in clubs or GF two-suiter. Puppet to 3♣. Opener must bid 3♣. Responder either passes or shows his suits: 3♦ = diamonds and hearts, 3♥ = hearts and spades 3♠ = spades and diamonds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Takeout doubles and strong doubles (17+HCP). Takeout doubles promise three cards in unbid majors and two cards in unbid minors. Equal level conversion shows extras.
After partner has doubled 1♣, a 1♦ bid is negative, other 1-level suit bids are forcing.
Leads are 2nd best from bad suits (low from two); 4th best from good suits; top of honours; ace from ace-king, king from king- -queen, etc., except 9 from 109x(x).
Signals are upside down throughout. In partner's led suit, count is preferred in suit contracts, attitude is preferred in no trump contracts.
Echo against no trump contracts – a small card in declarer's first-played suit (from either hand) accepts the lead. Lavinthal – standard way (discouraging in the suit discarded, suit preference for the other 2 suits).
