Fantunes
Encyclopedia
In the game of contract bridge
Fantunes is a natural bidding system that was invented and is played by Fulvio Fantoni
and Claudio Nunes
of Italy, players ranked first and second World Grand Masters respectively according to the World Bridge Federation
, as of June 2011.
The Fantunes system differs in approach from other bidding systems used by world class bridge players. Opening bids of one and two of a suit are stronger than in most systems, with one level suit openings natural and forcing one round, and constructive 2-level openings. The one notrump opening denotes a balanced or semi-balanced hand with 12-14 HCP which can include a singleton.
Opening one of a suit is natural but forcing
, unlimited in strength that contains at least 14 high-card points (HCP). An exception is made for opening 1 or 1 with as little as 11 HCP when holding five cards in the bid suit and four cards in the other major. For example of such a "light" opening bid, consider . With this hand, second seat at both vulnerable, Nunes opened 1 and alerted it as 14+ HCP or 11+ with 4+ (he meant 5+ as well). The 14-HCP minimum for an opening one bid is only a guideline; a hand with a lot of "playing strength" can be opened one of suit with fewer HCP. Here are three examples where they opened one of a suit without 14 HCP.
Opening one no trump (1NT) means 12–14 HCP and a (semi-)balanced hand, possibly a singleton with three four-cards suits and can include a 5-card major.
Opening two in a suit is natural, showing a hand with unbalanced distribution and limited in strength. In the first and second seat, two level opening bids denote 10-13 HCP and at least a 5-card suit. Such 2-bids occur with a high frequency, and put a lot of pressure on the opponents. Unlike other 2-level openings in modern systems, which are usually limited to 10 HCP in strength, the 2-level opener can act more than once in a competitive auction either by bidding his other suit(s) or with a takeout double
. In third seat the two level opening bids, particularly in the majors, have a much wider range, and can be as few as 6 HCP. On the Bridge Base Online they are alerting such 3rd seat opening bids as 6-13 HCP.
Other features of the system are Gambling 3NT
, Negative 3NT, TURBO 4NT/5NT and RKCB for slam bidding.
Notes by Daniel Neill – detailed description of the system based on an analysis of played hands
Contract bridge
Contract bridge, usually known simply as bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard deck of 52 playing cards played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a small table...
Fantunes is a natural bidding system that was invented and is played by Fulvio Fantoni
Fulvio Fantoni
Fulvio Fantoni is an Italian international bridge player. He is a six-time world champion, a World Grand Master of the World Bridge Federation , and the WBF first-ranked player as of April 2011...
and Claudio Nunes
Claudio Nunes
Claudio Nunes is an Italian bridge international. He is a five-time world champion, a World Grand Master of the World Bridge Federation , and the WBF second-ranked player as of April 2011...
of Italy, players ranked first and second World Grand Masters respectively according to the World Bridge Federation
World Bridge Federation
The World Bridge Federation is the world governing body of contract bridge. The WBF is responsible for world championship competition, most of which is conducted at a few multi-event meets on a four-year cycle...
, as of June 2011.
The Fantunes system differs in approach from other bidding systems used by world class bridge players. Opening bids of one and two of a suit are stronger than in most systems, with one level suit openings natural and forcing one round, and constructive 2-level openings. The one notrump opening denotes a balanced or semi-balanced hand with 12-14 HCP which can include a singleton.
Opening one of a suit is natural but forcing
Forcing bid
In the card game contract bridge, a forcing bid is any bid that obliges the partner to bid over an intermediate opposing pass. Owing to the partnership's bidding system or a bridge convention, partner must "keep the bidding open", i.e...
, unlimited in strength that contains at least 14 high-card points (HCP). An exception is made for opening 1 or 1 with as little as 11 HCP when holding five cards in the bid suit and four cards in the other major. For example of such a "light" opening bid, consider . With this hand, second seat at both vulnerable, Nunes opened 1 and alerted it as 14+ HCP or 11+ with 4+ (he meant 5+ as well). The 14-HCP minimum for an opening one bid is only a guideline; a hand with a lot of "playing strength" can be opened one of suit with fewer HCP. Here are three examples where they opened one of a suit without 14 HCP.
→ Opened 1
→ Opened 1
→ Opened 1
Opening one no trump (1NT) means 12–14 HCP and a (semi-)balanced hand, possibly a singleton with three four-cards suits and can include a 5-card major.
Opening two in a suit is natural, showing a hand with unbalanced distribution and limited in strength. In the first and second seat, two level opening bids denote 10-13 HCP and at least a 5-card suit. Such 2-bids occur with a high frequency, and put a lot of pressure on the opponents. Unlike other 2-level openings in modern systems, which are usually limited to 10 HCP in strength, the 2-level opener can act more than once in a competitive auction either by bidding his other suit(s) or with a takeout double
Takeout double
In the card game bridge, a takeout double is any call of "double" that shows a desire to compete for the contract by further bidding. Many takeout doubles nearly require partner to bid; partner should pass for penalty with an appropriate hand, but that is uncommon...
. In third seat the two level opening bids, particularly in the majors, have a much wider range, and can be as few as 6 HCP. On the Bridge Base Online they are alerting such 3rd seat opening bids as 6-13 HCP.
Other features of the system are Gambling 3NT
Gambling 3NT
Gambling 3NT is a preemptive opening bid. The bid is used to describe a hand containing a minor suit of at least 7 cards in length and headed by the AKQ at minimum...
, Negative 3NT, TURBO 4NT/5NT and RKCB for slam bidding.
External links
Fantunes system card, 2009 Bermuda BowlNotes by Daniel Neill – detailed description of the system based on an analysis of played hands