Improving 2/1 Auctions: Part 1

The way that most partnerships play 2/1 creates other problems that are not inherent to the system. The purpose of this article is to discuss some of these and to suggest some solutions.

Improving 2/1 Auctions: Part 2

"Last Train to Clarksville" (LTTC) is a convention I mentioned in my last article. I claimed that it was necessary to make the method of cue-bidding that I recommend effective. LTTC is not an easy convention to understand. It can mean different things depending on exactly how the auction has gone.

Improving 2/1 Auctions: Part 3

This article is the third in a series about improving the effectiveness of 2/1 Game Force bidding. The first two articles appeared in the November 1993 and January 1994 issues of Canadian Master Point.

Serious 3NT

Serious 3NT is a method that is particularly useful when you play a 2/1 system. It enables a partnership both to discover extra values (or the lack of them) below game, whilst also taking advantage of the extra space bidding afforded by 2/1.

Smolen

After a 1NT opening, Smolen allows responder to show 5-4 or 4-5 shape in the majors with game-forcing values. One advantage is that the opening bidder always becomes declarer if a major-suit game is reached.

Checkback Stayman

Checkback is a variation of the Stayman convention after opener rebids 1NT. Irrespective of which two suits have been bid prior to opener’s 1NT rebid, Two Clubs is always an inquiry.

Puppet Stayman

When partner opens a strong 2NT, you need to be able to investigate both 4-4 and 5-3 fits in the majors. The popular solution is to play a variant of Stayman known as Puppet.

Bidding Conventions

SAYC

Famous Bridge Players

Bergen Raises

Jacoby 2NT

Jacoby Transfers

Michaels Cuebid