Standard American Yellow Card

The ACBL wrote SAYC, the Standard American Yellow Card, as the required system for Standard Yellow Card events. It has since become the common language of two players who have never met. In North America it is usually the default for online pickup partnerships, and it is the starting point for most club players learning standard American bridge bidding. The card is deliberately simple, with natural bids, a short list of conventions and no gadgets that need long discussion. This page covers the whole card, one section at a time.

One-level openings show about 12 or 13 to 21 points. Majors promise five cards in every seat. With two five-card or six-card suits, open the higher-ranking. Between the minors, open 1♦ with 4-4 and 1♣ with 3-3.

Balanced hands are shown by range: 12 to 14 opens one of a suit and rebids 1NT, 15 to 17 opens 1NT, 18 to 19 opens one of a suit and jumps to 2NT, 20 to 21 opens 2NT, 22 to 24 opens 2♣ and rebids 2NT. If you are unsure whether to open a shapely 11 or 12 count, the rule of 20 is the usual guide.

Over 2NT the same structure moves up a level: 3♣ is Stayman, 3♦ and 3♥ are transfers, and 4♣ is Gerber. If the opponents double 1NT, all these conventions stay on. If they overcall, the conventions are off. Bids become natural, a cuebid of their suit replaces Stayman, and double is negative or penalty by agreement.

Over a minor opening, responder bids four-card suits up the line at the one level. 1NT shows 6 to 10 without a four-card major, 2NT shows 13 to 15 and forces to game, and 3NT shows 16 to 18. A single raise of the minor is 6 to 10 and a jump raise is a limit raise. SAYC does not use inverted minors. After the opponents overcall, responder uses the negative double, which applies through 2♠.

Opener's rebids

Opener's second bid shows which of three ranges the hand falls in. The ranges are counted in total points, including distribution once a fit is found.

A new suit by responder is forcing for one round, so opener with a minimum still bids again. A reverse shows a medium or better hand and forces one round. When responder has limited the hand with a raise or 1NT, opener is the captain and can pass, invite or bid game.

After 2♣, responder bids 2♦ as a waiting bid with most hands. A positive response shows 8 or more points. A five-card suit is bid naturally, and 2NT shows a balanced 8. Opener's 2NT rebid after 2♦ shows 22 to 24 balanced, and the same Stayman and transfer structure applies.

Over a weak two, a new suit is forcing for one round, a raise is to play and may be preemptive, and 2NT is the only strong inquiry. Opener rebids the suit with a minimum. Holding a maximum, opener shows a feature (an ace or king) in a side suit, or bids 3NT when there is no feature.

Slam bidding uses Blackwood 4NT with simple ace responses, 5NT for kings, and Gerber over notrump. Leads are fourth best from long suits and top of touching honors; signals are standard, with high encouraging and high-low showing an even number.

The biggest difference between SAYC and two over one is that a two-level new-suit response in SAYC promises 10 points and forces one round only, while in 2/1 it forces to game. That single change brings the forcing 1NT response and a different style of slow, descriptive bidding. Many partnerships learn SAYC first and add 2/1 later. For a one-page summary, see the bridge bidding cheat sheet.

What is the SAYC yellow card?

SAYC stands for Standard American Yellow Card, the bidding system the ACBL published so that partnerships could play together with little discussion. The name comes from the color of the original ACBL card.

Is there a SAYC convention card?

Yes. The ACBL publishes the SAYC booklet with a filled-in convention card, and many pickup partnerships simply agree to play it as printed. If you change anything, such as adding inverted minors, mark it on your own card.

What is the 1NT range in SAYC?

15 to 17 high-card points, balanced. It may include a five-card major or minor.

Is a two-level response forcing to game in SAYC?

No. A two-level new suit shows 10 or more points and is forcing for one round. In two over one game force it would force to game.

Which conventions are part of SAYC?

Stayman, Jacoby transfers, the 2♠ minor relay, Gerber, Blackwood, Jacoby 2NT, strong 2♣, weak twos with a 2NT feature ask, negative doubles, Michaels and the unusual 2NT.

Is SAYC still played?

Yes. It remains the default for pickup partnerships online and at ACBL clubs, even though most regular partnerships now play two over one.

Where can I practice SAYC bidding?

The full yellow card is in the Bidding Architect as a bidding tree. Copy it into your own systems and drill the auctions in practice mode.