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The comments which follow apply to a bidding convention which may only be of interest to those of our members who play in competitions or at County level.

First of all, though, let me repeat something which I have mentioned in earlier memos. This is the fact that there are 5 levels of bidding Conventions in the EBU Orange book (ie. the book of words which is the fount of all knowledge – at least to bridge players! ).

The first level is a very simple one & is the level which 95% of our club members use. Our Club also permits the use of levels 2 and 3, which are much more complex and – would you believe it – occupy no fewer than 13 pages of explanation in the Orange book. Levels 4 and 5 are not allowed at our Club.

Specific systems are allowed at one (higher) level which are not allowed at a lower level. Typical of this is the opening multi two diamond bid which is not allowed at level 1 and two, but is perfectly OK to be used at a higher level. On the whole, this will not disadvantage most of our Club members because these bids have to be alerted and then you may ask for them to be explained at the appropriate time. All that I write below applies to level 2 and 3, unless stated otherwise.

Having written all this, let me get on to what I really want to comment on. This is a defence when the opponents have opened with 1NT. Some of you may remember that I have issued a previous memo sheet, part of which had the following bidding sequence, where the opponents have opened 1NT :-

i) opponent------you ------opponent----partner

------- 1NT----2C*------ --pass-------2D/2H/2S

------- pass------3C ---end of auction................the 2C was alerted as being Stayman.

Whatever his partner bid, the 2C bidder then went to 3C (obviously showing a long club suit & hoping to play in 3C. I went on to state that this is an illegal bidding sequence. I also stated that it should not be confused with a bidding sequence where your side opens with a 1NT bid. The following is perfectly legal :-

ii) you------- opponent--------partner------opponent

1NT-------pass------------ 2C*--------- pass

2D/2H/2S------pass----------- 3C ----end of auction........the 2C was alerted as being Stayman.

I would suggest that you study the difference carefully.

When I previously gave the above illegal bidding sequence, it only formed part of a sheet of examples & there was no room for explanations etc. Since then, a similar sequence has cropped up at our Club which is also illegal :-

iii) opponent------ you--------opponent-----partner

1NT---------- 2C*-------- pass----------2D/2H/2S

pass-----------3C ------end of auction...................... here, the 2C was alerted as showing at least 5/4 in the majors (in the earlier example, it was Stayman).

The reason why the two sequences are illegal is contained in the Orange book under article 12.13.1(b). Over the opponents 1NT you may bid at the two level either, a) a specified suit of at least 4 cards or, b) you must have 3 suits, at least 4-4-3, and must specify at least one of them. (there are other options, but these do not apply to the examples above).

Applying the paragraph above, it is obvious that examples I) and iii) are not allowed

It is worth noting that a very recent addition at level 3 has been made by the EBU and this makes examples I) and iii) legal, if you are in the protective position and include in your explanation, that the bid may also be long clubs. You would then describe (if asked) example iii) as being either 5/4 in the majors or long clubs.

c:\my docs\ntbidding221102 Peter Dawson (November 2002)