CAB System
CAB is an acronym for Clubs, Aces, Blackwood, and although the system is no longer used, the system did have some popularity in England during the decade of the Fifties. The CAB system was the result of a mixture of popular conventions as the name strongly suggests, and the main promoter of this system was Mr. Leslie William Dodds.
The CAB system incorporates many elements of the Standard American system and is not completely dissimilar. Below is a list of the main openings and their meanings.
Opening
Point Range
Card Length 1
12 to 21 HCPs
4+ Club Suit 1
12 to 21 HCPs
4+ Diamond Suit 1
12 to 21 HCPs
4+ Heart Suit 1
12 to 21 HCPs
4+ Spade Suit 1 NT
16 to 18 HCPs
Balanced Hand 2
22 plus HCPs
Shape may vary 2
18 plus HCPs
5+ Diamond Suit 2
18 plus HCPs
5+ Heart Suit 2
18 plus HCPs
5+ Spade Suit 2 NT
21 to 23 HCPs
Balanced Hand 3
Solid Suit 3
Solid Suit
From the Point Range, it is obvious that the No Trump opening is strong, and the responses to the No Trump opening are those used in Gladiator, which became popular in New Zealand, however, with variations.
A response of 2 Clubs by the Responder to an opening of 1 No Trump is a Relay bid and the opener is forced to rebid 2 Diamonds. Any minimum suit rebid, for example 2 Hearts or 2 Spades, by the responder then shows weakness, and the opener generally passes.
A response of 2 Diamonds is considered a Stayman-style bid asking the opener if he has a 4-card Major suit, and is generally perceived to be a forcing-to-game bid.
A response of 2 Hearts or 2 Spades is considered absolutely forcing to game, and any and all other responses on the Three Level are considered forcing to game, but also the exploration of a possible slam. This is where the Blackwood convention is initiated.
After opening a suit, as in the Standard American system, any bid by the responder on the Two Level shows 10 plus high card points and is a forcing bid. If the responder bids 2 No Trump or jumps in any suit, then the opener is forced to go to game, and possibly slam.
If the responder jumps in the suit of his partner, then the rebid by the opener shows a first round control, such as an Ace or void.
As the name implies, CAB incorporated the Ace Showing Responses method and were usually activated after a strong Two Clubs opening. If the responder bids 2 Diamonds, the responder would be showing zero Aces. If the bid were 2 No Trump, the responder would be showing zero Aces, but 2 Kings and 8 plus high card points. If the bid were 3 No Trump, then the responder would be showing 2 Aces. The response of 2 Hearts would show only 1 Ace in Hearts, the response of 2 Spades would show only 1 Ace in Spades, the response of 3 Clubs would show only 1 Ace of Clubs, and the response of 3 Diamonds would show only 1 Ace in Diamonds.
Any opening on the Three Level in the Minor suits shows a solid or almost solid suit and no void in the other suits, and is considered to be an invitation to the partner to bid 3 No Trump if he has stoppers in the unbid suits and an entry to the suit of the opener.
The bridge community was eager at that time to experiment with new conventions, systems and bidding methods. CAB enjoyed some popularity, but other conventions were devised which made the auctions more accurate, and in time CAB was used less and less.
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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