Neutral auctions are here and now – we don't know where we are going but for the moment we have some time and space to find out about life, the universe and everything.
This is the heart of Chilli, and neutral auctions differ in principle in several ways from most other bidding systems.
In neutral auctions, Chilli gives absolute priority to the majors
A major suit fit is more valuable than one in a minor suit: you need one less trick for game, contracts score more, you have the edge in a competitive auction, and minor-suited hands often play and score better in no-trumps. So why, holding both a major and a minor suit, should you bid the minor first? Indeed, why mention it at all until the possibility of a major suit contract has been well researched?
Chilli neutral jump bids show distribution, not strength
Modern bidding theory stresses that hand type is at least as important as strength. We need all the bidding space we can get to explore for the best colour, so Chilli manages strength economically using just two conventional bids.
Forcing rules in Chilli neutral auctions are simple and universal
The most difficult part of any bidding system – particularly in the area of neutral auctions – is working out whether a bid is forcing, and if so, how far. The Chilli rules are simple, not least because, unlike most bidding systems whose rules are based on sequences of bids, Chilli rules are based on individual bids.