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07TWOSUT.CMA
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1995-09-17
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DEFENSE VS TWO-SUIT CONVENTIONS
Two-suited conventions are of five types:
1) A call that shows two specific suits, neither of which is named
2) A bid that shows the suit named, plus another specified suit
3) A bid that shows the suit named, plus an unspecified suit
4) A call that shows a suit not named, plus an unspecified suit
5) A call that shows two unspecified suits
Type 1 Defense - Unusual Over Unusual
One of the most popular conventions for showing a two-suited hand
is the Unusual Notrump, wherein a notrump bid that could not be
"usual" asks partner to choose between the minor suits (or two
lower unbid suits). The defense shown here may be used against any
other artificial call that shows two specific suits, neither of
which has been named, such as:
-- Michaels cue bid over a minor opening, showing both majors
-- Top-and-bottom cue bid over any opening, showing the highest
and lowest-ranking unbid suits
-- Conventional doubles that show two specific suits, such as a
double of an opening notrump to show both majors
Unusual Over Unusual is applied a bit differently to the Flannery
2D opening, which shows five hearts and four spades. See MARVIN VS
FLANNERY.
Here's the defense:
-- A double of an artificial notrump bid shows "cards," enough
strength to suggest that the hand belongs to the opening side, but
with no suitable bid. Opener can count on at least 8 HCP.
-- A double of a suit bid (usually partner's suit) shows moderate
values for a bid of that suit at that level:
South West North
1D 2D Dbl - weakish diamond raise
The 2D bid was Michaels, showing both majors. North's double denies
the strength for a 3D bid.
-- A bid in the higher ranking of the two suits indicated by the
opponent shows: a) if partner has bid a suit, full values (or
better) for a raise of partner's suit, or b) if partner has not bid
a suit, full values for a bid in the higher ranking of the other
two suits. For instance, after an "unusual" 2NT:
South West North
1S 2NT 3D - limit raise or better
3S - competitive spade raise
South West North
1NT 2NT 3D - good spade response
3S - not invitational
In either auction, North may pass if South bids 3S over 3. The
"good spade response" promises invitational values only; it is not
forcing to game.
A 2NT overcall of a minor suit opening changes the strength
implications of a natural or conventional raise:
South West North
1C 2NT 3H - forcing club raise
3C - limit raise
The 2NT bid showed hearts and diamonds. North's bid of the higher
suit, hearts, is equivalent to a strong club raise (game-forcing,
at this level). The 3C bid implies full values for a limit raise,
since there is no other way to show such a hand. With less, North
can only double to show "cards."
-- A bid in the lower ranking of the two suits indicated by the
opponent shows a) if partner has bid a suit, full values for a
game-forcing bid in the fourth suit, or b) if partner has not bid
a suit, full values for a bid in the lower ranking of the two
"unbid" suits.
South West North
1H 2NT 3C - forcing spade bid
3S - not forcing
The 3C response shows full values for a forcing 3S bid, while 3S
shows a limited hand, something like S-AJ10932 S-K2 D-852 C-65.
South can therefore pass a 3S response. The 3S bid is somewhat
invitational, however, so don't make the call with a weaker hand.
The 3C bid is forcing to game; North will not pass a 3H or 3S rebid
by South.With neither spade support nor a good heart suit, South
bids 3D (artificially), the "other" opposing suit, if he has
nothing better to say. If North then bids either 3H or 3, that is
forcing.
South West North
1NT 2NT 3C - good heart response
3H - not invitational
Since South has not bid a suit, the 3C bid is not forcing to game
(North may pass a 3H bid by South) and 3H is a sign-off.
-- A notrump bid is natural, not forcing.
A bid in an opposing suit is conventional only when made directly
over the opponent's conventional call. A later bid in one of the
suits is natural, showing strength in the suit:
South West North East
1D 2D 2H Pass
3C Pass 3
The 2D bid was Michaels, showing length in both majors. North's 2H
bid is therefore Unusual Over Unusual, showing full values for a
forcing 3C bid. If she had bid 3C instead, that would not be
forcing. Her 3S bid shows spade strength and implies heart
weakness, suggesting that South bid 3NT with a heart stopper.
South's 3C (a raise of North's known clubs) is forcing, in view of
North's announced strong hand.
When a player passes the conventional call and acts later, he
denies good hand:
South West North East
1S 2NT Pass 3
Pass Pass Dbl
North has enough to beat 3, but cannot support any further action
by South.
Unusual Over Unusual leaves no way to use Stayman when partner's
1NT opening is overcalled with 2NT, but it is probably better to
avoid a 4-4 major suit fit in this situation anyway. There is too
much likelihood of a bad trump split or a defensive cross ruff.
As you know by now, a 3C or 3D response would show a forcing bid
in hearts or spades, while a 3H or 3S response would be invita-
tional only. To be sure of stopping, pass and then bid 3H or 3.
Type 2 Defense
This defense applies to a bid that shows the suit named, plus
another specified suit. Examples:
-- A 2H opening that shows five hearts and four spades
-- An overcall that shows the suit bid plus another specified suit
There are four cases of type 2 conventions:
1) Partner has not bid or doubled.
2) Partner has opened in notrump.
3) Partner has doubled 1NT for business.
4) Partner has opened with a suit bid.
Type 3 Defense
The type 3 two-suit convention shows the suit named, plus an
unspecified suit. The second suit may be described as being a
major, a minor, or red, or black, etc., but is not specifically
identified. Examples:
-- A 2S overcall of a 1NT opening, showing spades plus a minor suit
-- A 1S opening that shows spades plus a minor suit
-- A Pender 2H or 2S opening, showing the suit bid plus a minor
Type 4 Defense
A type 4 two-suit convention shows a specific suit other than the
one named, plus an unspecified suit. That is, the conventional bid
does not name one of the suits held, and only one suit is specifi-
cally identified. Examples:
-- Astro overcalls of a 1NT opening (2D shows spades and another
suit, 2C shows hearts plus a minor)
-- Michaels cue bid over a major opening, showing the other major
plus a minor suit
Type 5 Defense
The type 5 two-suit convention shows an unspecified two-suiter.
Examples: Cansino double of 1NT, showing both minors or both
majors; 2C overcall of 1NT, showing an unspecified two-suiter.
The complete text of DEFENSE VS TWO-SUITED CONVENTIONS comprises
ten single-spaced pages. Besides adding more detail to the Type 1
Defense, including defenses against top-and-bottom cue bids and
doubles that show two specific suits, it includes defenses for all
cases of Type 2 through Type 5 two-suited conventions.
DEFENSE VS TWO-SUITED CONVENTIONS was published in The Bridge World
magazine, April 1977, with the title "Countering the Two-Suiters."
It was also published in Popular Bridge magazine, October 1978.