Ekrens Bidding System

This web page is devoted to the Ekrens Bidding System, named after Mr. Bård Olav Ekren, which he devised and developed in Norway. The bidding system has undergone several evolving stages and has been revised since the original concept. The addition of conventional methods, concepts and principles have supplemented the bidding system and they are included below with the particular designations. These files have only been archived and preserved on this site from sources found on the Internet and credit and recognition is given to the person / persons, who have created this material for presentation.

Note: All links are .pdf file formats, which, depending on your browser, may be automatically downloaded to your computer or automatically opened by your browser. In order to find the related concepts and principles mentioned in the presentation of the bidding system, the reader must return to this web page in order to view the particular concept and/or principle. There is no link between the .pdf files.

Ekrens 2 Opening - This is a .pdf file format. The 2 opening shows at least 4-4 in the Majors and 5/6-10 high card points. In Norway this conventional method is called Ekrens, named after Mr. Bård Olav Ekren, who originated the convention (although he used the 2 opening to show this distribution).

The supplemental features are not linked in the .pdf file formats. The student should first exit, return to this web page, and click on the link provided below, which is also a .pdf file format.

Ekrens 2103 Principle - This is a .pdf file format. The 2103 Principle is employed to indicate the scale used when replying to a relay that asks for length in one specific suit.

Ekrens Ceiling Concept - This is a .pdf file format. The Ceiling Concept is defined as the contract, which would be preferred not to pass unless an attempt is initiated for a slam.

Ekrens LoHi / LoHiNo (LoHiBoth) Principle - This is a .pdf file format. LoHi and LoHiNo are acronyms for Lowest/Highest and ../None. It is used when the captain asks for a feature.

Ekrens MaxFirst Principle - This is a .pdf file format. Starting a relay against a hand that is very variable in strength (at least 3 high card points difference from minimum to maximum), the first answer to the relay is often according to the MaxFirst principle. This means that the 1st step in the answer is reserved for all the hands with extra values, whereas all the remaining steps shows minimum values and some particular distribution.

Ekrens RKCB or Ekrens Roman Key Card Blackwood - This is a .pdf file format. The Ekrens bidding system uses Roman Key Card Blackwood, RKCB, as its first and main tool for slam-going purposes.

Ekrens VoSS'N Principle - This is a .pdf file format. This principle called VoSS'N is an acronym for Void/Single/Single/None. It is mainly used when the responder has shown at least 8 cards in two specific suits and we have a known fit (one of the two suits is the suit of the partner). It is also used when we open a Minor on the 1-level and partner preempts.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.
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