Woolsey convention
- This article describes the contract bridge bidding convention.
Devised by Kit Woolsey,[1] the convention is a defense against an opponent's one notrump opening; especially used at matchpoints. Initial bids are as follows:
| Initial Call | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Double | Promises a four-card major and a longer minor. Advancer[2] can bid 2♣ to ask for the minor (pass or correct), 2♦ to ask for the major, or 2♥ or 2♠ to play. |
| 2♣ | Promises both majors. Advancer can bid 2♦ to ask which is better, so the overcaller's 2♣ bid can freely be made with 5-4 shape. |
| 2♦ | Promises one of the major suits. |
| 2♥/2♠ | At least 5–5 in the named major and a minor. 2NT by Advancer asks for the minor. |
| 2NT | Promises both minors. |
| 3 of any suit | Natural. |
The convention has similarities to Multi-Landy.
Abuses
[edit]Common abuses as described by Kit Woolsey include:
- 3-1=4-5 distributional hands in the balancing seat regularly double, even with no 4-card major suit.
- Strong hands, with 19 high card points plus, start with a double and then rebid 2 Notrump (or double) to try to expose a psychic bid.
- Good 4-4=4-1 distributional hands with a stiff minor suit can start with 2♣.
- Single-suited minor hands often start with double, hoping to be able to play at the two-level. These hands will pass a 2♦ asking bid.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Francis, Henry G.; Truscott, Alan F.; Francis, Dorthy A., eds. (2001). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (6th ed.). Memphis, TN: American Contract Bridge League. p. 576. ISBN 0-943855-44-6. OCLC 49606900..
- ↑ In bridge literature, the term Intervenor is used to describe a player who first makes a call after the opposition has opened the bidding; he may also be referred to as the Overcaller if overcalling in a suit or notrump; his partner is referred to as the Advancer.