Free bridge lessons in video format

Author: John Stell Page 5 of 7

Bergen Raises

There are many different types of Bergen raises that people play. We shall start with the classic Bergen raise convention…

Classic Bergen raises

After an opening bid of 1 Major (5 card suit) the responses are:

  • 3M – 2-6 points 4 card support
  • 3 – 10-12 points and 4 card support
  • 3♣ – 7-9 points and a 4 card raise

And that is it…in its simplest form!

To show 10-12 points and a 3 card raise you would have to bid something like 2 of a minor and then support by jumping to 3 or 4 of the Major. Alternatively if you are playing 2/1 you can bid a forcing 1NT and again jump to 3 of the Major to show that hand.

More complex Bergen Raises

So again after opening a five card major this time the responses can be:-

  • 4X = Void in that suit. Cannot show void in spades if hearts opened
  • 3NT = balanced 3334 shape with 3 card support for the major (13-15pts)
  • (3M) = 4 card suit 0-6 points
  • 1 – 2♠ = Undisclosed splinter, 4 card support 10-12 points
  • 1♠ – 3 = Undisclosed splinter, 4 card support 10-12 points
  • 1♠ – 3 = 4 card support 7-9 points
  • 1 – 3 = 4 card support 7-9 points
  • 1♠ – 3♣ = 4 card support 10-12 point
  • 1 – 3♣ = 4 card support 10-12 point
  • 1M – 2M = 3 card support 6-9 points

Competitive Auctions

Opener has been Doubled

A common sequence is 1M followed by the opposition doubling for take out.

If you wish you can keep Bergen raises on after a double…make sure you agree this with your partner.

There has been an overcall

Suppose the bidding goes 1 – 2♣ (overcall) – ?

Double – The other 2 suits
2 – Natural and forcing
2 – 3 card support weak
2♠ – Natural and forcing
2NT – Good 4 Card Raise
3♣ – A cue bid shows a 3 card raise
3 – A fit show – showing a good 5 card suit and 4 card support
3 – 3 card support weak
3♠ – A fit show – showing a good 5 card suit and 4 card support

What to do with 3 card support?

With 10-12 points and 3 card support – bid a forcing 1NT assuming you are playing 2/1 and rebid 3 of the major.

Alternatively bid 2♣ or 2 and then bid 3 / ♠.

After Undisclosed Splinter

After the undisclosed splinter you bid 2NT / 3NT to ask where the singleton is. Responder just bids the suit it is in or bids hearts to show a splinter in the major or the other major if you’ve agreed hearts.

Other Versions of Bergen

There are other versions of Bergen raises where you can show good 3 card raises straight away….useful if you aren’t playing 2/1 but then you cannot show undisclosed splinter bids as well if you play that particular system.

Also the downside of Bergen raises is you can give the opponents a chance to double your artificial bids to pinpoint a lead.

2 Way Checkback

2 Way checkback or shortened form 2WCB has to be one of my favourite conventions. You can see a video that I’ve already done here: 2WCB Video. I’d advise you to take a look at that after looking through these detailed notes.

I’ve done a recent lesson on 2 way-checkback on Mark Nehs YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/CIpTQ_V6e40 – this lesson uses the Strong No Trump opening.

This system works well playing 5 card majors and a strong NT. It also works well for weak No trump as well – but it will come up more often if you play a strong No Trump opener.
After the sequence for example of 1X, Pass, 1Y, Pass, 1NT.

Playing a strong NT the 1NT response shows less than 15 points.

If you play a weak NT then the response shows 15-17, or 15-16 if you are old school.

There are 3 basic hand types:-

  • Sign off
  • invitational (usually going through 2♣)
  • game forcing 2 / slam try

Let’s look at the sign offs

  • 1♣ – 1♠
  • 1NT – ?
  • 2 – shows 5 spades and 4 hearts
  • 2♠ – shows 5+ spades wanting partner to pass
  • 2NT asking partner to bid 3♣

Let’s look at invitational hands

The responses are:-

  • 1♣ – 1♠
  • 1NT – 2♣ (forces 2)
  • 2 – ?
  • Pass – To play
  • 2 – invitational values showing 5+spades and 4+hearts
  • 2♠ – invitational in spades 5+ spades
  • 2NT – invitational in NT’s
  • 3♣ – invitational in clubs
  • 3 – invitational in diamonds
  • 3– invitational with 5+ spades and 5+ hearts
  • 3♠ – invitational with 6+ spades

If the bidding goes 1m (any minor), 1, 1NT, 2♠ without intervening bids then this shows a 44 major hand with game interest…where going through 2♣ would show 54 distribution and game interest…as remember the 1NT rebid does not deny a 4 card spade suit.

Let’s look at game forcing bids

2 is a game Force bid asking opener to describe their hand further.

  • 1♣ – 1♠
  • 1NT – 2
  • ?
  • 2 shows a 4 card heart suit doesn’t deny 3 spades
  • 2♠ denies a 4 card heart suit and shows 3 spades
  • 2NT denies 4 hearts and 3 spades and shows a maximum
  • 3♣ – 5 card club suit
  • 3 – 4 card diamond suit (possibly 2245 or 1345 shape)
  • 3NT denies 4 hearts and 3 spades and shows a minimum

Alternatively you can make jump bids after:-

  • 1♣ – 1♠
  • 1NT – ?
  • 3♣ – forcing showing 5+ spades and 5 clubs
  • 3 – forcing showing 5+ spades and 5 diamonds
  • 3 – forcing showing 5+ spades and 5 hearts
  • 3♠ – forcing showing 6+spades

2 Way CheckBack can also be played over 2NT responses in a similar way as for 1NT.

The advantage of using 2 Way Checkback is that it can avoid going to the three level and avoid guesswork as whether or not something is forcing, semi-forcing or non-forcing.

The disadvantage of using 2WCB is you can no longer stop in 2♣.

Lets look at some hands:-

We are playing 5 card majors and a strong NT, so the 1NT rebid shows less than 15 points…so let’s look at some hands and the bidding to go with them:-

a)b)c)d)
♠ Q3
AKJ72
972
♣ A7
♠ 73
AKJ72
A73
♣ J52
♠ K104
K72
AJ109
♣ K54
♠ K742
A5
K84
♣ Q976
♠ K872
5
K108543
♣ 32
♠ KQJ842
64
985
♣ 43
♠ A7
AQ985
73
♣ J1098
♠ AJ63
QJ97
1053
♣ K3
e)f)g)h)
♠ Q7
K93
A10875
♣ A107
♠ J73
AJ72
A73
♣ Q52
♠ A109
KJ72
A73
♣ J52
♠ Q109
AJ72
A73
♣ J52
♠ A853
Q6
5
♣ 9765432
♠ KQ842
64
K85
♣ K3
♠ KJ842
AQ86
K6
♣ Q9
♠ AJ842
K6
985
♣ AQ9

a) 1 – 1♠ – 1NT – 2♣ – 2.

The 2C bid forces partner to bid 2D and after partner didn’t raise in spades we simply try to play in the best contract which is likely to be 2D when you hold a 6 card diamond suit and partner is relatively balanced.

b)1 – 1♠ – 1NT – 2♠.

Because you didn’t go through 2♣, this makes the 2♠ a non-invitational bid. In other words it is FORCING your partner to shut up shop…you don’t want him to bid again.

c)1♣/ – 1– 1NT – 2♣ – 2 – 2 – 4

Depending on your methods you are going to open 1 of a minor. You now go through 2♣ before bidding your suit again with 2. Partner has a maximum and 3 card heart support so simply raises straight to game.

d)1♣ – 1 – 1NT – 2♠

This sequence shows 4-4 in the majors and is invitational. As North is a minimum they can now just pass 2♠.

e)1 – 1♠ – 1NT – 2NT – 3♣

2NT is simply forcing partner to bid 3♣

f)1♣ – 1♠ – 1NT – 2♣ – 2 – 2♠

This sequence an invitational raise in spades. As north is weak but he does have three card spade support they can simply pass.

g)1♣ – 1♠ – 1NT – 2 – 2 – 2NT – 3♠ – 4♠

This is a game forcing sequence. Opener shows the 4 card heart suit and responder now bids 2NT. Opener now bids 3♠ to show a 3 card spade suit and responder now bids 4♠.

You can also play this system over a 2NT rebid…3♣ bids being the weak hands where you might have responded with a 4 count. 3 are staymanic and other bids are forcing to game and possible intrest in slam.

Other sequences

These are only a few sequences. Suppose you play a club relay system:

What’s the difference between these two auctions?

1♣ – 1♠*(diamonds) – 1NT (12-14) – 2* – 2NT – 3 compared to:

1♣ – 1♠*(diamonds) – 1NT (12 – 14) – 2♠ – 2NT – 3

Both show diamonds and spades…but surely one is different from the other…they must be both game forcing…but I think the second sequence should show 5 diamonds and 4 spades and the first sequence should be more slam try and maybe 6/4 shape. The hands below would be great for 6

♠ xx
Kxx
Axx
♣ AJxxx

♠ AKxx
Ax
KQ10xxx
♣ x

1♣ – 1♠ – 1NT – 2♠ – 3 – 3 – 4♣ – 4* (5/4)

1♣ – 1♠ – 1NT – 2 – 2NT – 3 – 3 – 3♠ – 4♣ – 4* (6/4)

Now the other question what is 4 – I think this should be RKC Minorwood.

Setting up bidding constraints on bridgebase

This video shows you how to set up bidding constraints on bridgebase. For instance this means you could for example make one hand always have 4 hearts, always have between 12-14 points, always have a minimum of 2 cards in every suit. Basically whatever you want to do….however you choose. This is a great way to practice certain hand types like 5-4 in the majors, weak 2’s, weak NT, 2NT openers and so forth….

EBU Lockdown League 03/06/2020

EBU Lockdown League 03/06/2020. Disaster…but one thing about bridge is that you learn from your mistakes….hopefully!

EBU Lockdown League 05/06/2020

EBU Lockdown League 05/06/2020. A big win!

Setting Up a Teams Match on Bridgebase

This video was taken from setting up an actual live match which was part of a teams of 8 match between Bury Athenaeum and Manchester Bridge Club.

EBU Lockdown League 07/06/2020

EBU Lockdown League 07/06/2020

EBU Lockdown League 08/06/2020

8 boards played in division 7 of the EBU league

Dopi-Ropi

DoPi-RoPi is a bridge Acronym standing for:

  • Double = 0 (nought,zero,nada) or 4 aces
  • Pass = 1 (1 ace)
  • Re-Double = 0 (nought,zero,nada) or 4 aces
  • Pass = 1 (1ace)

It is used in Blackwood or RKCB after you’ve asked your partner for aces and you get an intervening bid.

So if you get a bid over 4NT you use one of the bids above or if you have more aces you make bids higher up to show two or three aces.

If you are playing RKCB you add in the King of trumps and queen of trumps into the mix as well….so:

Playing Blackwood DOPI

So when a 4NT blackwood is overcalled:

  • Double = 0 or 4 aces
  • Pass = 1 ace
  • +1 Bid = 2 aces
  • +2 Bids = 3 aces

Playing RKCB (1430) DOPI

So when a 4NT(1430) RKCB is overcalled:

  • Double = 1 ace or 4 aces
  • Pass = 1 ace
  • +1 Bid = 2 aces
  • +2 Bids = 2 aces + Queen of trumps
  • +3 Bids = 3 aces

Playing RKCB (0314) DOPI

So when a 4NT(0314) RKCB is overcalled:

  • Double = 0 aces or 3 aces
  • Pass = 1 ace
  • +1 Bid = 2 aces
  • +2 Bids = 2 aces + Queen of trumps
  • +3 Bids = 3 aces

Playing RKCB (1430) ROPI

So when a 4NT(1430) RKCB is overcalled:

  • Double = 1 ace or 4 aces
  • Pass = 0 aces
  • +1 Bid = 2 aces
  • +2 Bids = 2 aces + Queen of trumps
  • +3 Bids = 3 aces

Playing RKCB (0314) ROPI

So when a 4NT(0314) RKCB is overcalled:

  • Double = 0 ace or 3 aces
  • Pass = 1 ace or 4 aces
  • +1 Bid = 2 aces
  • +2 Bids = 2 aces + Queen of trumps
  • +3 Bids = 3 aces

This is a hand where I’ve just lost 13 IMPS because my partner forgot how to play the system…

NorthSouth
♠ K863♠ AQ10742
AJ 964
AK9864QJ5
♣ 6♣ J
The Hands

So with this hand the bidding went:

NorthEastSouthWest
12♣2♠3♣
4♣Pass4NT5♣
5Pass5♠Pass
PassPass
The Bidding

So using DOPI-ROPI the 5 bid shows 2 aces….Now if you were playing normal blackwood that would be true…but we play RKCB so that bid now show only 2 of the 5 aces without the queen of trumps….so we missed the easy 6♠ because my partner should have bid 5♠ to show 3 aces (the king of trumps is counted as an ace in RKCB) and unfortunately the other team bid it. Oh well he won’t get it wrong the next time it occurs!

DEPO

This stands for:

  • Double = Even number of aces
  • Pass = Odd number of aces

I would suggest this just includes all the keycards AAAAKQ when playing whatever flavour of RKCB you choose to use.

Modified Swedish Jacoby 2NT

So this is similar to a Jacoby 2NT bid…but different! It’s Swedish!

It’s also called other things: In Sweden it is called Stenberg 2NT, and in Denmark Bekkasin 2NT.

So partner opens 1M (so one of a major suit)….and assuming no intervening bids you now bid 2NT which is Swedish Jacoby. You can play it either game forcing or non-forcing to three of the major and shows possible interest in slam in that suit.

The responses are:-

  • 3♣ – Any minimum hand
  • 3 – A non-minimum with no singletons or voids
  • 3 – singleton clubs
  • 3♠ – singleton diamond
  • 3NT – singleton in the other major
  • 4♣ – void in clubs
  • 4 – void in diamonds
  • 4 – void in the other major

Suppose partner gives the negative 3♣ response…now 3 asks for singletons…

Again you bid step responses to keep the bidding as low as possible:

  • 3 – No singleton/void OR a void in spades if you’ve agreed hearts.
  • 3♠ – singleton club
  • 3NT – singleton diamond
  • 4♣ – singleton in the other major
  • 4 – void in clubs
  • 4 – void in diamonds
  • 4♠ – void in hearts

Unfortunately there is no room to show a void in spades if you have it if you have agreed hearts, without going past 4.

Again there are different ways of playing this system….this is my modification of Swedish Jacoby.

Any other bids are cue-bids and 4NT would be RKCB (4130).

Lets look at some examples

a)b)c)
♠ KQ1086
108
72
♣ AK73
♠ KQ1086
A872
K32
♣ 2
♠ AJ8643
KJ5
K742
♣ Void
♠ AJ54
62
AQ854
♣ Q2
♠ AJ543
4
AQ
♣ A9873
♠ K1097
A2
AQJ
♣ 7654

a) 1♠ -2NT – 3♣ – 4♠. The 3♣ shows a minimum and therefore you are no longer interested in slam and just sign off in 4♠.

b) 1♠ -2NT – 3♣ – 3 – 3♠ – 3NT – 4 – 4NT – 5♠ – 5NT – 6-7♠.

  • The 3 bid asks for further description
  • 3♠ now shows a singleton club
  • 3NT would be serious 3NT asking partner to cue bid
  • 4 would show the ace of hearts and deny the minor aces
  • 4NT would be RKCB (1430)
  • 5♠ would show 2 with the queen of trumps
  • 5NT is a king ask
  • 6 shows the King of diamonds
  • You eventually get to the good contract of 7♠

c) 1♠ -2NT – 3♣ – 3 – 4 – 4NT – 5♣ – 5 – 6♣ – 7♠.

  • 3 bid asks for further description
  • 4 now shows a void in clubs
  • 4NT would be RKCB (1430)
  • 5♣ shows 1 or 3….obviously 1.
  • 4 asks for the trump….knowing the partnership has a 10 card fit you pretend you have it and cue bid your kings by bidding 6♣
  • You eventually get to the good contract of 7♠

If you find Swedish Jacoby a little tricky then you mind want to play the normal Jacoby 2NT bid.

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