OliverC's Precision Parlour        Guest User

When is a Bid Eta?

A bid is Eta in the following situations:

• If Responder has shown an 11+ point 4441-shape hand by jumping at the 3-level in the suit below the singleton over a 1♣ Opening, the first bid in one of their 4-card suits is Eta, but if they make a Beta Ask first and the first bid in one of Responder's 4-card suits is at game level, then this is a sign-off rather than Eta.
  
• If Responder has shown an 8-10 point 4441-shape hand by using the Impossible Negative, then Eta Asks are only ever permitted below game level.
  
• In 2♣ sequences where Opener shows a 4-card Major, then an immediate jump-shift in the other Major is Eta in Opener's Major (See Two Clubs Openings).
  
• Where a 2♦ Opening is made and Responder has shown values, Eta Asks are permitted below game level if a Beta Ask has not been made first. If Beta has already been used first, then any bid in one of Opener's 4-card suits is a sign-off. [In practice this only occurs when Responder has shown a 14+ hand with both minors or Both Majors and where Responder ends up as the Captain of the Hand. Where Opener ends up at the Captain in these circumstances, the Asking Bids are Gamma (min Length 4) rather than Eta].
  

Responses to Eta

The responses to Eta are as follows:

1. : Jxxx or worse
2. : Qxxx (ie: One Top Honour)
3. : QJxx (ie: One Top Honour & the Jack)
4. : KQxx (ie: Two Top Honours)
5. : KQJx (ie: Two Top Honours & the Jack)
6. : AKQx (ie: Three Top Honours)

Notes

• Repeat Etas: These are not permitted and any return to the trump suit is "to play" unless obviously invitational.
• Beta & Epsilons: Once Eta has been used, then any bid of the Singleton Suit is Beta, and any bids in side-suits are Epsilon, with the usual provisos. Repeat Epsilons are not normally required and, if used, relate solely to possession of the Jack.
• Minor Suits: Responder should be aware that Opener may bid No Trumps naturally at the 3-level even if Responder shows a fairly strong/long suit. If Opener has made a low-level Beta Ask, then this sign-off should not be disturbed. If Opener has not, made a low-level Beta, however, Opener is normally simply showing a relatively minimum balanced hand with this sign-off and Responder is free to continue over 3NT if holding an stronger-than normal hand where slam is a decent possibility.