playing WOOLSEY

[42]

Hi!

Short explanation about Woolsey = defence over nat. 1NT (here 15-17):

- X = 2-suiter, any 4crd M + 5crd m

- 2♣ = both M

- 2♦ = any long M

- 2♥/♠ = this 5crd M + 4crd m

- 2NT = both m

 

The confusion goes on....

What do the last bids show?

 

1. (1NT) X (pass) 2♥

 

2. (1NT) X (pass) 2♠

 

3. (1NT) X (pass) 3♦

 

4. (1NT) X (pass) 2♥

DBL

 

5. (1NT) X (pass) 2♠

DBL

 

6. (1NT) X (XX)

 

7. (1NT) X (XX) 2♥

 

8. (1NT) X (XX) 2♠

 

9. (1NT) X (XX) 2♥

DBL

 

10. (1NT) X (XX) 2♠

DBL

 

11. 1NT (2-suiter-bid other than DBL) DBL

 

12. 1NT (2-suiter-bid other than DBL) cuebid

 

13. 1NT (2-suiter-bid other than DBL) suit-bid

 

:) THX!!!

Caren

[awm]

1. (1NT) X (pass) 2♥

 

--> Not forcing, independent suit. Usually 6+♥.

 

2. (1NT) X (pass) 2♠

 

--> Not forcing, independent suit. Usually 6+♠.

 

3. (1NT) X (pass) 3♦

 

--> Not forcing, independent suit (2♦ would ask for pd's major). 6+♦, short ♣.

 

4. (1NT) X (pass) 2♥

DBL

 

--> Takeout of hearts, or however you would play 1NT-(Pass)-Pass-(2♥ Nat)-X normally.

 

5. (1NT) X (pass) 2♠

DBL

 

--> Same as 4.

 

6. (1NT) X (XX)

 

--> Values, similar to 1M-(X)-XX. Converts later doubles to penalty (unless you have specific agreements otherwise; some of my partners play takeout doubles even after a business XX).

 

7. (1NT) X (XX) 2♥

 

--> Natural, same as 1. Presumably 2♣ is still pass/correct and 2♦ still asks the major.

 

8. (1NT) X (XX) 2♠

 

--> Natural, same as 2.

 

9. (1NT) X (XX) 2♥

DBL

 

--> Penalty (but see 6).

 

10. (1NT) X (XX) 2♠

DBL

 

--> Penalty (but see 6).

 

11. 1NT (2-suiter-bid other than DBL) DBL

 

--> For 2♥/2♠ overcall, same meaning as if the bid was natural. Standard here is penalty but takeout is increasing in popularity. For 2♣, I recommend same meaning as 1NT-X-XX (in other words, values). This may convert other subsequent doubles to penalty (see 6).

 

12. 1NT (2-suiter-bid other than DBL) cuebid

 

--> For 2♥/2♠ overcall, same as if the bid was natural. If you play lebensohl this is stayman without a stopper. For 2♣ overcall, I recommend playing most systems on since our best fit can still be a major (2♣ bidder often 5-4 in the majors). So I would play 2♥ as transfer to spades, 2♦ transfer to hearts, 2♠ whatever it means for you normally (minor suit stayman or club transfer are most popular). If you want a "stopper-showing/asking" type auction it's often best to double 2♣ and then cue later.

 

13. 1NT (2-suiter-bid other than DBL) suit-bid

 

--> For 2♣, most systems on. For 2M overcall, same as if their bid was natural. If you play lebensohl your suit bids are NF at the two-level and forcing at the three-level.

[Blofeld]

After (1NT) X (XX), it makes sense to have some way of responder naturally running to a minor at the two level. e.g. 2♣, 2♦ natural, pass for opener's minor after which pulling to the next step up asks for opener's major?

 

Otherwise I agree with Adam.

[paulg]

After (1NT) X (XX), it makes sense to have some way of responder naturally running to a minor at the two level. e.g. 2♣, 2♦ natural, pass for opener's minor after which pulling to the next step up asks for opener's major?

 

Otherwise I agree with Adam.

We leave 2♣ as minor ask, 2♦ as major ask, and Pass showing a single suited minor hand.

[42]

Chapter 2 :)

Hi all!

Always those decisions.... :lol:

[hv=d=w&v=b&s=s1097hkq85dk1064ck6]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]You face strong opps and the bidding is:

(1NT = 15-17) 2♦! = any long major (2NT! = Lebensohl) ??? --> p.o.c.??

 

If you decide to pass, it goes on

(3♣!) 3♠ (pass) ???

 

My questions:

1. a.) What does partner promise with 2♦ (HCP, tricks, ...)?

b.) And then with 3♠?

 

2. In general:

a.) What is a minimum 4th hand for bidding a constructive game in such an auction when a 15-17 NT had been opened?

b.) What are the pros and cons for this decision (a pro imo is for example if p can reach my hand for finesses)?

Thx!

Caren

[luis]

Chapter 2 :)

Hi all!

Always those decisions.... :)

[hv=d=w&v=b&s=s1097hkq85dk1064ck6]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]You face strong opps and the bidding is:

(1NT = 15-17) 2♦! = any long major (2NT! = Lebensohl) ??? --> p.o.c.??

 

If you decide to pass, it goes on

(3♣!) 3♠ (pass) ???

 

My questions:

1. a.) What does partner promise with 2♦ (HCP, tricks, ...)?

b.) And then with 3♠?

 

2. In general:

a.) What is a minimum 4th hand for bidding a constructive game in such an auction when a 15-17 NT had been opened?

b.) What are the pros and cons for this decision (a pro imo is for example if p can reach my hand for finesses)?

Thx!

Caren

Seems important to play the hand from your side and make the 1NT opener lead so since spades are weaker than hearts I would bid 3♠ before opener can bid 3♣.

What 2♦ promises is a matter of your partnership I play constructive vulnerable and destructive NV vs VUL with something "logical" when NV vs NV.

 

 

Luis

[joshs]

Note: After you make a card showing x or xx, you no longer need lehbensohl, and 2N becomes natural and non-forcing.

 

Also note: Whenever you play a method over 1N with unknown suits (x in Dont ot woolsey, 2C in capp, etc.) x by advancer at the 2 level is "I want to compete, what do you have". E.G. 1N-x-2D(x-fer)-x this shows interest in playing 2S or 3m as appropriate. With 4 H and 5 in M and a good hand, you can even make a penalty x of 2H if your trumps are good after advancer's x (he will frequently pill this to 2N to get you to bid your minor, but not always).

 

Over Multi 2D bid (in woolsey for instance) there is not universal agreement about what x's are by advancer (I usually play x as pass or correct at the 2 level, but some play penalty and you have to bid a major as pass or correct).

 

At the 3 level there is very little universal agreement, luckily 3 level bids are probably forcing so its not an issue...

[joshs]

After (1NT) X (XX), it makes sense to have some way of responder naturally running to a minor at the two level. e.g. 2♣, 2♦ natural, pass for opener's minor after which pulling to the next step up asks for opener's major?

 

Otherwise I agree with Adam.

Well its more common to play all bids mean the same as without the xx, and pass to get to your own minor. Either way is fine, of course, but the following simple agreement should handle all sequences:

 

After partner makes an ART bid whichs gets xed:

ALL bids mean the same as without the x (including pass to play)

xx says I have my own suit (in many auctions this shows a specific suit): e.g.

1N-2C(majors)-x-xx would be diamonds since you would pass with clubs.

 

After partner makes an ART x which gets xxed:

ALL bids mean the same as without the x, except:

If xx was strong, then pass is a desire to run to your own suit, otherwise pass is to play

 

N.B.: These agreements for pass and xx are not universal, and are just a suggestion. These auctions usually causes confusion in an unpracticed partnership.

 

 

Note some Implications of these agreements. Suppose you are like a few of my partnerships and play (1D)-2D as 4+H and 5+C and the auction goes

(1D)-2D-(x)

P=Diamonds

xx=Spades

2H,3C=to play

2N=Game Try (as before)

2S=Spades

 

Well there are 2 ways to get to spades, so in my regular partnership (John Pendergrass) we play xx is definitive "I want to play in my own suit" while the 2S bid (the other way of getting there) would be offering a choice (logically between spades and clubs).

 

Anyway, its just a suggestion. It does allow you to play in ever suit, including the xed suit.