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Party Game Details

Gaymster Player Rotation System

Our overall goal is to have fun, by playing as much bridge as we can, with many different partners. To that end, the players at the three to five tables we typically have rotate throughout the session so we all play with a variety of partners.

Table 1 sets the pace. After they have finished playing their four hands ("Table 1 is done!"), no new hands may be started at the other tables. If bidding is underway, the hand is thrown in. If the opening lead has been made, the hand may be finished. However, if the best possible outcome would not change the overall winner at that table, the hand should be thrown in. If other tables play faster, and complete four hands before Table 1 does, they may play additional "funsie" hands, which DO NOT count towards the official score.

The pair with the higher score at each table moves up to the next higher ranking table. For example, Table 3 winners move up to Table 2. The winners at Table 1 remain there, and the pair with the lower score go to the bottom (or lowest ranking) table. The players that remain at each table split, and then pair up with those arriving to start a new round of bridge. If an arriving player has already played with one of the remaining players earlier in the afternoon/evening, he or she should partner with the other player, to promote variety.

We use a duplicate variation of Chicago scoring. The score is not carried over between rounds, nor is it recorded. Its only use is for strategy and to decide which players will advance.

Uneven Numbers -- If an uneven number of players is present; that is, a number not divisible by four, the movement varies depending on the number of extra players.

With three extra players, an additional table is played using a “darling”, which is someone who holds the dummy hand at one of the full tables. That person will bid the hand at the empty seat, and once the bidding is completed, will return to his or her home table. One of the remaining players then will move to play the hand bid by the darling, if necessary. It can be a bit frustrating, but one never knows when and where the great hands will appear.

With one or two extra players, the extras sit out one round, and then will cut in at the lowest ranking table in the next rotation. In this variation, the losers from Table 1 move to the sit-out position. New arrivals to the room will take precedence when cutting in to the lowest table, but by then a darling or full table can usually be formed anyway.

We emphasize that this is the standard movement, not a rule.
Hosts are free to suggest a variation.

Conventions Commonly Used by Gaymsters

Stayman: Searches for a 4-4 major fit after a 1NT opening bid. Responder bids 2 asking for a 4-card major. Opener responds 2 if he has neither, 2 if he has four hearts or both four hearts and four spades, or 2 if he has just four spades.

Takeout Double: A bid of “double” after an opponent opens in a suit indicates an opening hand with no legitimate suit to bid. It forces partner to bid his or her longest and strongest suit at the cheapest level, unless the intervening opponent strikes a bid. In that case, partner can choose whether or not to respond to the takeout double, usually on the basis of the number of points he or she holds. It generally shows strength in the other three suits.

Weak Two-Bid: Opening at the 2-level with 6-10 points and exactly a 6-card suit (in diamonds, hearts or spades, not clubs) that has two of the top three cards (A K Q) or three of the top five cards (A K Q J 10). Responder needs at least a good opening hand to even respond, let alone try for game. The bid is pre-emptive, meant to deprive the opponents of bidding space.

Two-Club Opener: An artificial opening bid showing 22 or more points in a balanced hand or a very strong unbalanced hand. Responder usually bids 2 as a "waiting bid", to keep the auction going so opener can bid his best suit or NT. However, if responder has at least 8 points and a good 5-card suit he should bid it. The 2 opener is usually forcing to game.

Blackwood: A slam probing bid. 4NT asks for the number of aces partner has. He or she will respond 5 for all or none, 5 for one, 5 for two, 5 for three. If necessary, 5NT asks for kings and responder will bid them at the 6-level in the same fashion. The trump suit must be agreed upon before Blackwood is employed.

Gerber: Same principle as Blackwood, but generally used when partner’s opening bid is NT. A bid of 4 asks for aces. Partner responds 4 for all or none, 4 for one, 4 for two, 4NT for three. Same for kings at the five level, if necessary. Some players prefer to employ Gerber rather than Blackwood even after a suit is opened, to keep the bidding level as low as possible.

Jacoby Transfers: After partner opens 1NT and the first opponent passes, responder’s
bid of 2 or 2 will show a holding of five or more in the majors: 2 meaning five or more hearts, 2 meaning five or more spades. Opener is forced bid the intended suit even if he or she has a worthless doubleton, thus "transferring" the play to the original NT bidder. This will ultimately hide the better hand during play, should the auction be won.

Michaels: Bidding two of an opponent's one-suit opener to show a hand with at least a 5-5 structure. If the opponent bids 1 or 1, a cue-bid of 2 or 2 (respectively) shows at least 5-5 in the majors. If opponent bids 1 or 1, a cue-bid of 2 or 2 shows at least five in the other major and at least five in one of the minors.

Unusual Two No-Trump: Similar to Michaels, but shows at least 5-5 in the two lowest unbid suits. If a major suit is opened by an opponent, the bid of 2NT shows at least 5-5 in both minors (obviously). If a minor is opened, a 2NT bid shows at least 5-5 in hearts and the other minor.

Negative Double: This convention is used when partner opens and the opponent overcalls, leaving you with no suitable bid, though you have support. For example, responder might have wanted to respond 1 after partner opened 1, but the intervening opponent
overcalled 1. It generally shows support in the two unbid suits.