Things to agree with a new partner before you start to play

Basic

1. Strength of opening NT. 15-17 (standard American); 16-18 (standard French), 12-14 (Acol), 14-16, 10-12 (Mini), or a mixture (variable) are all common.
2. Use of 5 card Majors? If so, with a short club (min 2) or better minor (min 3)
3. What is the lead style (4^th and 2^nd is common but so is 3^rd and 5^th; Top of nothing; and attitude (the lower the card the more I like the suit and vice versa).
4. What signals do you play? Attitude; Count; Suit preference or a combination of these.
5. What discards do you play? Attitude; Count; Suit preference or a combination of these.
6. What do the 2 level openings show?
7. Do you follow the law of total trumps and raise an overcall one level with almost any weak hand (0-9 pts) with 3 cards and jump raise with 4 card support (0-9 pts)?
8. What is the preferred defence to 1NT (and 2NT)?
9. Do you play transfers over 1NT and 2NT openings (and 2NT rebid after 2♣ opening)? Is this ‘transfers just to the Majors (i.e. Jacoby)’ or in 4 suits?
10. What slam conventions do you play?
11. Do you play negative doubles?

Other questions if you have time and are more advanced.

12. What other conventions do you play? New minor forcing? Fourth suit forcing (to game); Jacoby 2NT; Bergen raises; Unassuming cue bids; Cue bids; Directional asking bids, Michael’s cue bid; Unusual no trump; Drury….

13. What do you doubles mean? Take out to what level (suggest 4♥ if no agreement). Support doubles and redoubles? Penalty double of 1NT? Responsive to what level? Also game try and lightener?

14. Do you like fish?