I use the acronym "CLAP" to remember Bergen raises: "Constructive, Limit And Preemptive."
A "Constructive" raise, showing 7-10 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example:
Q32 |
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A "Limit" raise, showing 10-12 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example:
KJ4 |
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A "Preemptive" raise, showing 0-6 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example:
A32 |
An "ambiguous splinter" raise. An unbalanced, game-forcing raise promising 12+ points and 4-card trump support, with an undisclosed singleton or void. With a balanced game-forcing raise, use the Jacoby 2NT convention instead. Example:
J32
Partner is expected to bid 3NT as an artificial relay, after which responder will show his singleton/void suit at the 4-level. A |
A "Constructive" raise, showing 7-10 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example:
QJ32 |
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A "Limit" raise, showing 10-12 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example:
AQ54 |
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An "ambiguous splinter" raise. An unbalanced, game-forcing raise promising 12+ points and 4-card trump support, with an undisclosed singleton or void. With a balanced game-forcing raise, use the Jacoby 2NT convention instead. Example:
AQ72 |
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A "Preemptive" raise, showing 0-6 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example:
KT98 |
Bergen raises are based on the Law of Total Tricks, which suggests that the partnership should bid to its number of total trumps. With a nine-card fit, for example, the partnership should bid to the 3-level.
Note that Bergen raises are commonly off by a passed hand. If partner opens 1/ in 3rd or 4th seat, then Drury is often used for conventional responses instead.
This is typically played as a help suit game try, showing game interest with 4+ diamonds and 14-16 points. (Alternatively, it can be played as a short suit game try, showing a diamond singleton or void and interest in game.) Responder is expected to sign off in 3/ with minimum values, or bid 4/ with maximum values.
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If the agreed suit is hearts, then this is a signoff bid. If the agreed suit is spades, then this is typically played a help suit game try, showing game interest with 4+ hearts and 14-16 points. (Refer to the description of 3.)
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If the agreed suit is spades, then this is a signoff bid. If the agreed suit is hearts, then this is typically played as a strong and natural bid, showing 4+ spades and interest in slam. Responder is expected to do something intelligent at his next turn (sign off in 4, cue-bid an ace, etc.).
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If the agreed suit is hearts, then this is a signoff bid. If the agreed suit is spades, then this is typically played a "help suit game try", showing game interest with 4+ hearts and 14-16 points. (Refer to the description of 3.) |
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If the agreed suit is spades, then this is a signoff bid. If the agreed suit is hearts, then this is typically played as a strong and natural bid, showing 4+ spades and interest in slam. |
Pass | Shows less than 18 points. |
4 | Shows 18+ points in an uncontested auction. In competition, however, this may be a sacrifice. |
Opener | Responder | ||||
83 | T52 | ||||
AKQ32 | J654 | ||||
J87 | 5 | ||||
AT9 | Q7654 | ||||
Opener 1 Pass |
Responder 3 (1) |
3 is an unbalanced, game-forcing raise with a singleton or void. Opener can sign off in
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Artificial relay. Responder is expected to bid his singleton or void at the 4-level:
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Opener | Responder | ||||
AK843 | QJ52 | ||||
A5 | KQ42 | ||||
T987 | 5 | ||||
KQ | A965 | ||||
Opener 1 3 (2) |
Responder 3 (1) 4 (3) |
At this point, opener likes his hand because he can envision all his diamond losers getting ruffed in dummy. He can proceed with Blackwood or whatever slam methods the partnership uses.
Pass | Shows less than 18 points. |
4 | Shows 18+ points in an uncontested auction. In competition, however, this may be a sacrifice. |
Opener | Responder | ||||
AKQ843 | T952 | ||||
AK32 | Q5 | ||||
J8 | 9762 | ||||
T | 653 | ||||
Opener 1 4 (2) |
Responder 3 (1) Pass |
3 is an unbalanced, game-forcing raise with a singleton or void. Opener can sign off in
3NT | Artificial relay. Responder is expected to bid his singleton or void at the 4-level:
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Opener | Responder | ||||
A5 | KQ42 | ||||
AK843 | QJ52 | ||||
KJT9 | 5 | ||||
T5 | A983 | ||||
Opener 1 3NT (2) 4(4) |
Responder 3 (1) 4 (3) Pass |
Bergen raises are on over an opposing double, but are otherwise off.
The primary benefits of Bergen raises are that:
Now, for the cons. A few experts have gone on record citing the potential drawbacks of Bergen raises.
Bobby Wolff:1
I would not recommend Bergen Raises for any level players. Deciding whether to bid on is a guess at best, with luck, of course. The disadvantage of Bergen is that it gives lead directing opportunities, both positive and negative to the opponents and also sometimes allows the defense an extra round of bidding to calibrate their assets for bidding themselves. To me it is an established fact that the more partnerships tell each other about their hands, the better good opponents judge what to do.
Mike Lawrence:2
I consider Bergen raises to be a waste of time. They take up way too many bids that have other useful meanings. Also, they give the opponents extra chances to enter the bidding on hands they might not be able to. They can make lead directing doubles of the3 / 3 bids or they can choose to make takeout doubles if they prefer that. In fact, they might be able to make some kind of Michaels bid over the1 –3 sequence, if it shows a limit raise, that would not be available after1 –3.
Eric Rodwell:3
I think Bergen raises have a lot of merit but I am not sure that1, Pass,3 preemptive seems to come up that much or be all that effective. Most of the time that I have 3 high with four spades they don’t pass over the1 opening. I am content to play 1-3 as a four-trump limit raise, or perhaps to play 1-3 as a mixed raise, or constructive raise as he calls it. The thing is, I like 2/1 game forcing but I don’t like 2/1 game forcing except when the suit is rebid. Therefore, every one of these artificial three-level suit jumps... means I can’t make an invitational jump shift, which is what I like to play. I like to play1, Pass,3 as invitational with clubs. So perhaps 1-3 as limit, select one of the other bids to be a mixed raise, and then just bid a forcing notrump or something with a preemptive raise — that way you can have the best of both worlds.
Lastly, a real-world example. Check out my article with an obvious title, A Bergen Disaster.
Bergen raises were created by American expert Marty Bergen. See also my interview with Marty Bergen as well.
What I've written above is just a primer. You can buy Marty's complete booklet on Bergen Raises directly from his website, which I like because he autographs everything. Mention BRIDGEBUM to get a special deal on books: buy 1 hardcover, get 2 softcovers free.
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