- PRINCIPLE 27: Simplex is designed so that, as far as possible, responses follow the same guidelines as openings and overcalls. For example, the requirements of a suit-change response at the 1-level are identical to those of an opening bid of one of a suit. And a Simplex 2NT rebid by opener has the same requirements as a Simplex 2NT bid by responder.
- PRINCIPLE 19: Responder's first-round responses to an opening of one or two of a suit should be:
- Show support for partner's major.
- If you are weak (0-9 HCP), show support for partner's minor.
- Make the bid you would have made, had you been opener.
- If you are strong (10+ HCP), show support for partner's minor.
- Show support for partner's minor.
- Double the opposition's bid if it has taken away your opening bid.
- Bid 1NT with 8-16 HCP and no biddable suit.
- PRINCIPLE 10: Responding hands with trump support but less than 10 HCP bid immediately to their total trump level. (For example, after a 1♥ opening by partner, a hand containing 6 HCP and four cards in the heart suit would immediately raise to 3♥. Partner is known to have at least five hearts. Add those five to the four that responder has makes nine. Take six from nine means a raise to the 3-level.) Equally if opener has less than 10 HCP but support for responder's suit, he will bid to the total trump level on the second round.
- PRINCIPLE 16: In response to an opening of One or Two of a Suit, responder shows a hand worth a good raise to at least Three of the Suit — i.e. 10+ HCP and 9+ trumps between them — by bidding the Simplex 2NT. If Responder bids a suit on the 1st round, a rebid by opener of 2NT shows that opener has 10+ HCP and that the pair have at least nine cards in responder's suit. And if Opener changes suit on the second round, Responder can bid the Simplex 2NT in reply, showing 10-16 HCP and 4+ card support for Opener's second suit — e.g. 1♥:1♠, 2♣:2NT.
- PRINCIPLE 9: Simplex is a fundamentally natural bidding system. The only gadgets used are 2♣ Redshift, 4NT Blackwood, and the Simplex 2NT.
- PRINCIPLE 12: After a suit-raise by partner — e.g. 1♦:2♦ or 1♥:3♥ or 1♠:4♠ or 1♣:5♣ — do not bid on. That is, unless the opponents are trying to steal your contract and you have extra suit length beyond the five cards your initial bid promised.
- PRINCIPLE 29: When should you stop bidding? You should probably pass when your point count is minimum for the range you have already announced, and you have described all the features of your hand (i.e. 4+ card suits, support for partner, stoppers and controls) that you can, and your partner's last bid was not forcing.
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