| after the count | a bid in a fit auction after a keycard ask |
| before the count | a bid in a fit auction before any keycard ask |
| cue bid | our bid of an a suit they have shown |
| empty suit | one with no top honour |
| fit bid | a bid opposite a suit-showing bid that agrees (one of) the suits(s) shown |
| game bid | specifically 3NT, 4 , 4 , 5 or 5 |
| impossible suit bid | a bid at the three-level or higher of a suit previously denied by the bidder and not shown by partner |
| invitational | a response that shows a nominal 2-point range above a minimum response |
| invitational-plus | anything invitational or better |
| minimum | a response with a nominal 3-point range starting at that required to make a total of 20 points opposite partner's nominal minimum count |
| minimum-plus | anything minimum or better |
| minor relay | an artificial bid of 2 invitational or 2 game-forcing |
| natural suit bid | a bid that shows its own suit, possibly amongst others |
| negative | anything less than minimum |
| neutral window | all neutral bids from 2 to 3 inclusive |
| opposite a bid | refers to partner's last bid |
| over a bid | refers to RHO's last bid |
| rule of 15 | a method of hand valuation used in fourth hand: add high-card points to the length of the spade suit; if the answer is 15 or more, the hand meets the rule of 15 |
| rule of 20 | a method of hand valuation: add high-card points to the lengths of the two longest suits; if the answer is 20 or more, the hand meets the rule of 20. For example, a 12-point 5431 hand adds up to 21 |
| rule of 25 | as for the rule of 20, but stronger |
| shunt | a bid of a suit at the three-level in a disturbed auction which has yet to reach 2NT |
| splinter | a singleton or void, or a bid showing such a suit |
| strength-neutral | a bid that says nothing about a hand's strength |
| suit-setter | a bid that unilaterally sets a suit (sometimes known as self-agreement) |
| suit-showing bid | a bid that guarantees at least three cards in at least one specific suit |
| top honour | an ace, a king or a queen |
© 1997-2009 Alan Williams and Ralentango™