Bergen Raises are a form of major-suit raise designed to distinguish between a 5-3 and a 5-4 trump fit when playing 5-card majors. After a
Developed by Marty Bergen and published in 1982, Bergen Raises are based on the Law of Total Tricks, a method of hand evaluation which essentially says the combined number of trumps dictates the level one should at least compete to regardless of the combined high card strength.
Note in the original treatment bidding the other major at the 3-level is an Ambiguous Splinter which enabled the showing of a splinter suit whilst not distinguishing whether it was a singleton or a void. The new treatment that follows is one that has now resolved that problem.
The treatment introduces Bravos (Bergen Raises Void Showing) and Modified
Bid | Meaning |
---|---|
2 | 3-card raise. |
2 | Weak, non-forcing. |
2NT | Jacoby 2NT (16+ HCP, balanced). |
3 | 3-way relay showing one of the following 4+ card raises:
Opener relays to
|
3 | 2-way relay showing one of the following 4+ card raises:
Opener can sign off in
|
3 | 4-card pre-emptive raise (0-6 points). |
3 | Ambiguous Splinter |
3NT | 3-card raise, balanced, non-forcing. |
4 | Key Card Swiss |
4 | Key Card Swiss |
4 | Weak pre-emptive raise. |
4 | Natural, pre-emptive. |
4NT | Roman Keycard Blackwood |
Bid | Meaning |
---|---|
2 | 3-card raise. |
2NT | Jacoby 2NT (16+ HCP, balanced). |
3 | 3-way relay showing one of the following 4+ card raises:
Opener relays to
|
3 | 2-way relay showing one of the following 4+ card raises:
Opener can sign off in
|
3 | Ambiguous Splinter |
3 | 4-card pre-emptive raise (0-6 points). |
3NT | 3-card raise, balanced, non-forcing. |
4 | Key Card Swiss |
4 | Key Card Swiss |
4 | Natural, pre-emptive. |
4 | Weak pre-emptive raise. |
4NT | Roman Keycard Blackwood |
3 is a 3-way response and shows a sound two level raise or a hand with a void and either 11-15 or 16+ HCP and at least 4 controls, where an Ace = 2 and a King = 1.
Both vul. | North | |||
Dlr: North | K | |||
KQT42 | ||||
West | 8752 | East | ||
Q9753 | AKT | T62 | ||
J8 | 76 | |||
JT984 | South | AKQ6 | ||
5 | AJ84 | 8742 | ||
A953 | ||||
- | ||||
QJ963 |
In example above, North opens
3 is a 2-way response and shows a sound raise to 3 of partner’s major or a hand with 10-11 HCP containing 3 controls and either a void or singleton.
A typical hand suitable for a modified
N-S vul. | North | |||
Dlr: East | QT86 | |||
A96 | ||||
West | QT73 | East | ||
K43 | T6 | AJ | ||
J7532 | KQT84 | |||
9 | South | A52 | ||
AQJ2 | 9752 | K54 | ||
- | ||||
KJ864 | ||||
9873 |
West, who responded
A 3NT response means "No", whilst with suitable shortage responses of
In the example West would bid
Playing Ambiguous Splinters (preferably with at least 4 controls otherwise 3 and at least 13 HCPs, singletons only, as voids shown via the
Therefore after
Opener may then sign off, cue bid, or use Roman Key Card Blackwood with the agreed suit. Generally one would not splinter with singleton aces.
Both vul. | North | |||
Dlr: North | AT964 | |||
- | ||||
West | QT987 | East | ||
5 | AK9 | J2 | ||
QJ752 | 864 | |||
K4 | South | AJ653 | ||
JT654 | KQ873 | Q72 | ||
AKT93 | ||||
2 | ||||
83 |
With the example hand above, North opens
Now, suppose the dealer was either East or South. How would your partnership bid the slam when South opens
Note Ambiguous Splinters can be used after Stayman and a Jacoby red suit transfer.
Ordinarily these bids are rarely used and can be put to much better use as Keycard Swiss. So with 12-15 HCPs “balanced” including those with a singleton ace,
Most partnerships employing Bergen Raises would agree that Bergen Raises is ON, if the overcall does NOT interfere with a constructive continuation of Bergen Raises. Otherwise system is OFF.
Bravos and Modified
Recognition is also given to the late Terry Quested for his contribution to Bergen Raises. Excellent descriptions and examples of Jacoby 2NT based on 16+ HCP, Keycard Swiss, and Ambiguous Splinters can be found at his site, www.pattayabridge.com.
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