Flannery 2D

An opening Flannery 2 bid shows 11-15 HCP with exactly four spades and five hearts. The purpose of Flannery is to avoid rebid problems with this hand type; a 1 opening sometimes leads to trouble when opener cannot bid 2 (a reverse) at his next turn.

Some examples of hands suitable for a Flannery 2 opening:

AKQ2 A9854 6 -732

J862 KQT75 93 AQ

KJ75 QJ963 AJ42 --

The responses to the Flannery 2 opening are:

Response	Meaning
Pass	6+ diamonds, signoff
2	Natural, signoff
2	Natural, signoff
2NT	Strong, artificial and forcing, asking opener to further describe his hand (see below)
3	6+ (7+) clubs, signoff
3	6+ (7+) diamonds, invitational
3	3+ hearts, 10-12 points, invitational
3	4+ spades, 10-12 points, invitational
3NT	Natural, signoff
4	Transfer to 4
4	Transfer to 4
4	4+ hearts, signoff
4	4+ spades, signoff

After hearing an artificial 2NT response, opener must clarify his minor-suit distribution. This helps responder decide whether his own minor-suit values are suitable for game or slam. Opener's conventional rebids are:

Rebid	Meaning
3	4-5-1-3 shape
3	4-5-3-1 shape
3	4-5-2-2 shape, minimum
3	4-5-2-2 shape, maximum
3NT	4-5-2-2 shape, both minor suits stopped
4	4-5-0-4 shape
4	4-5-4-0 shape

		Opener			Responder
		AT98			KQ74
		K5432			87
		KQ			T76
		J9			Q642
		Opener 2 (1) Pass			Responder 2 (2)

1. Flannery
2. Taking a preference, signoff

		Opener			Responder
		KQJ7			5
		AK765			Q82
		9			KJ765
		J43			AT92
		Opener 2 (1) 4			Responder 3 (2)

1. Flannery
2. Invitational, 10-12 points with at least 3-card support

		Opener			Responder
		J876			AT2
		AJT93			K
		A2			KQT85
		A7			KQ65
		Opener 2 (1) 3NT (3) Pass			Responder 2NT (2) Pass (4)

1. Flannery
2. Strong, artificial and forcing
3. 4-5-2-2 shape, both minor suits stopped
4. Giving up aspirations of a minor-suit slam

In competition, the specialized Flannery responses and rebids are on. Any double of an opposing overcall does not indicate a 'stolen bid' but is for penalties.

Flannery is named for its inventor, American William Flannery.