The purpose of Yellow Rose is to optimize the search for a small slam.
Meaning | |
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4![]() | A Texas Transfer OR a strong 4-4-3-2 with a diamond doubleton |
4![]() | A Texas Transfer OR a strong 4-4-3-2 with a heart doubleton |
4![]() | A Texas Transfer OR a strong 4-4-3-2 with a spade doubleton |
What do you do with 4-4-3-2 with a club doubleton? If you play Gerber, then a
There's a special sequence if responder is 4-4-3-2 with club shortness. He must bid his tripleton twice, like so:
Opener | Responder | ||||
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Opener 1NT 4 ![]() Pass |
Responder 4 ![]() 5 ![]() |
Note that Yellow Rose can also be used opposite a 2NT opening bid, or any artificial opener followed by a natural rebid in no-trumps. The strength necessary to use Yellow Rose is adjusted accordingly. Responder just needs to know that the partnership has the potential to make a small slam: about 32 - 35 HCP combined.
Opener always completes the relay by bidding the cheapest step. 99% of the time, responder will have a Texas hand and simply pass. For example, 1NT-4, 4
-Pass.
After opener completes the transfer, responder has two choices:
Opener then judges the fit between the two hands and place the contract accordingly. He can sign off anywhere between the 5-level and 6-level depending on his hand strength and potential trump suit fit with partner.
Opener | Responder | ||||
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Opener 1NT 4 ![]() |
Responder 4 ![]() Pass (3) |
Opener | Responder | ||||
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Opener 1NT 4NT (2) 6 ![]() |
Responder 4 ![]() 5 ![]() Pass |
Compare the above auction to normal methods. Responder might use Stayman, hear a negative response, and push on to 6NT. Given a spade lead,
Opener | Responder | ||||
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Opener 1NT 4 ![]() 6NT (4) |
Responder 4 ![]() 6 ![]() Pass |
Yellow Rose was invented by American expert Danny Kleinman. In his book "The No-Trump Zone", he outlines all the benefits of the convention:
Opener 2NT 3 ![]() ![]() |
Responder 3 ![]() 6NT |
1. Whichever one opener bids when he has both majors.
Responder may want to play in a 4-4 major-suit fit but does not know that a fit in the other major exists.
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