THE NEW OLD-FASHIONED BIDDING WHEEL

Count your 4-3-2-1 points and your long-suit points.
But then, IF YOU ALREADY KNOW OF AN 8+ CARD TRUMP FIT, add short suit points.
Add 1 for a doubleton, 2 for a singleton, 3 for a void.
If you have at least 6 points you should make a Response.

    SUPPORT OPENER'S MAJOR SUIT (with at least 3 cards in the suit)
  • 6-10 points : raise to the 2-level (Weak Raise)
  • 11-12 points : jump to the 3-level (Limit Raise)
  • 13-16 points : bid a new suit; jump to game in Opener's Major suit at your next bid
  • 0-10 points, 5+ trumps : jump to game at the 4-level to shut opponents out of the bidding
    BID NOTRUMP OVER OPENER'S MAJOR SUIT (fewer than 3 cards in Opener's suit)
  • 6-10 points : bid 1NT (unless Opener bid 1 ♥ and you have a 4+ card ♠ suit)
  • 13-15 points : jump to 2NT (unless you have a 4+ card ♠ suit)
  • 16-18 points : jump to 3NT (unless you have a 4+ card ♠ suit)
    BID A NEW SUIT OVER OPENER'S MAJOR SUIT
  • 6-10 points : bid a suit at the 1-level. This can only be 1♠ over 1♥.
  • 11-16 points : bid a new suit (without jumping) at the 2-level.
  • 17+ points : jump in a new suit. This is a jump-shift, forcing both partners to reach game.
    BID A NEW SUIT OVER OPENER'S MINOR SUIT
  • 6-10 points : bid a suit at the 1-level. In particular bid a Major suit if you have one.
    With more than one 4-card suit, bid them up-the-line.
  • 11-16 points : bid a new suit (without jumping) at the 2-level. This could only be 2♣ over 1♦.
  • 17+ points : jump in a new suit. This is a jump-shift, forcing both partners to reach game.
    BID NOTRUMP OVER OPENER'S MINOR SUIT
  • 6-10 points : bid 1NT (this absolutely denies holding a 4+card Major suit)
  • 13-15 points : jump to 2NT (this absolutely denies holding a 4+card Major suit)
  • 16-18 points : jump to 3NT (this absolutely denies holding a 4+card Major suit)
    SUPPORT OPENER'S MINOR SUIT (this is a last choice)
  • 6-10 points : raise to the 2-level with at least 4-card support, preferably 5
  • 13-16 points : jump to the 3-level with at least 4-card support, preferably 5
    BID A MAJOR OVER OPENER'S 1NT
  • 0-8 points : bid 2♠ or 2♥ with a 6-card or longer suit. Opener is required to pass this "Drop-Dead" bid
  • 9-15 points : jump to 4♠ or 4♥ with a 6-card or longer suit. Opener is required to pass.
  • 9-15 points : jump to 3♠ or 3♥ with a 5-card suit. Opener must choose between game in that Major or 3NT.
  • 9-16 points : Use Stayman* convention with one or more 4-card Majors.
    RAISE OPENER'S 1NT
  • 9-10 points : raise to 2NT, inviting Opener to bid game. (This denies a 4-card Major suit.)
  • 10-15 points : jump to 3NT. (This denies a 4-card Major suit).
  • 16-17 points : jump to 4NT, inviting Opener to bid slam. (This denies a 4-card Major suit).
  • 18-20 points : jump to 6NT. (This denies a 4-card Major suit).
    RAISE OPENER'S 2NT
  • 5-11 points : raise to 3NT. (This denies a 4-card Major suit.)
  • 12 points : jump to 4NT, inviting Opener to bid slam. (This denies a 4-card Major suit).
  • 13-15 points : jump to 6NT. (This denies a 4-card Major suit).
    BID A MINOR OVER OPENER'S 1NT
    it is rare to look for a Minor suit game after a 1NT opening
    since 2♣ is Stayman and 2♦ is either a Transfer bid or a Drop-Dead bid
  • 16+ points : jump to 3♣ or 3♦ with a 5+ card suit. This is a slam try.