Yellow Rose of Texas

4,

4

4

The purpose of Yellow Rose is to optimize the search for a small slam.

Responder's Bids	Meaning
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 4 response to 1NT asks opener for aces. It can't be used as Yellow Rose.

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
		AJx			Kxxx
		AKx			Qxxx
		Kxxx			AJx
		xxx			AK
		Opener 1NT 4 (2) Pass			Responder 4 (1) 5 (3)

1. Yellow Rose of Texas
2. Completing the transfer
3. A diamond tripleton and club doubleton, therefore 4-4-3-2 exactly

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:

• He can bid his tripleton at the 5-level with slam-invitational strength - about 17 HCP opposite a 15-17 1NT.

• He can bid the tripleton at the 6-level with slam-forcing strength - about 18-19 HCP opposite a 15-17 1NT.

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
		ATxx			Kx
		Axx			KQJxxx
		AQJ			xxx
		xxx			Qx
		Opener 1NT 4 (2)			Responder 4 (1) Pass (3)

1. Yellow Rose of Texas
2. Okay
3. I really have a Texas hand

		Opener			Responder
		Qxx			Kx
		Axx			KJxx
		KJ			AQx
		KQJxx			Axxx
		Opener 1NT 4NT (2) 6 (4)			Responder 4 (1) 5 (3) Pass

1. 4-4-3-2 with a spade doubleton and slam interest
2. Okay
3. A diamond tripleton. Having already shown a spade doubleton, I must be 2-4-3-4.
4. We have a 5-4 club fit, I have a decent 16 HCP, and can probably ruff a spade in dummy opposite a doubleton.

Compare the above auction to normal methods. Responder might use Stayman, hear a negative response, and push on to 6NT. Given a spade lead, 6 is the happier contract.

		Opener			Responder
		AJx			KTxx
		AKx			Qx
		Kxxx			AQT
		xxx			AKTx
		Opener 1NT 4 (2) 6NT (4)			Responder 4 (1) 6 (3) Pass

1. Yellow Rose of Texas
2. Okay
3. Wake up! I'm exactly 4-2-3-4, having advertised a heart doubleton and diamond tripleton. Pick a slam.
4. We have no 4-4 fit. Signing off in no-trumps.

Yellow Rose was invented by American expert Danny Kleinman. In his book "The No-Trump Zone", he outlines all the benefits of the convention: