Ogust

Ogust is a conventional 2NT response to a weak two bid or weak jump overcall. It is an artificial strong bid, showing 15+ points with interest in game. It usually (but not always) shows trump support.

Ogust is a forcing bid for one round. After hearing a Ogust 2NT response, the preemptor's conventional rebids are:

Bid	Meaning
3	Bad hand (5-7 points) with only one of the top three honors in the preempt suit
3	Bad hand (5-7 points), two of the top three honors
3	Good hand (8-10 points), one of the top three honors
3	Good hand (8-10 points), two of the top three honors
3NT	Good hand (8-10 points), all three top honors

The mnemonic for remembering Ogust responses is "Minors are Minimum, 1-2-1-2-3."

Rebids by the Ogust bidder are natural.

		Opener			Responder
		Q52			AJ
		AT9832			K65
		T83			J54
		5			AQ987
		Opener 2 (1) 3 (3) Pass			Responder 2NT (2) 3 (4)

1. Weak two
2. Ogust, asking opener to describe her hand
3. Showing minimum strength with only 1 top honor
4. Responder signs off with a minimum game try

		Opener			Responder
		AQJ842			K65
		Q4			AJT2
		53			A742
		762			A8
		Opener 2 (1) 3 (3) Pass			Responder 2NT (2) 4

1. Weak two
2. Ogust
3. Showing maximum strength with 2 top honors

If Ogust is doubled, the conventional responses are on; after an overcall, they are off. The preempter can double for penalties, pass with a bad hand, or rebid his suit if it is worth it.

Ogust is named for its American inventor, Harold Ogust.