Tuesday, March 20, 2007 11:11 PM

XYZ - Wrinkles

PITBULLS:

Playing the XYZ structure ( which includes the 2 way NMF) allows you some new freedoms. Since you have the 2♣ bid showing all & I mean all invitational hands , you have the freedom to redefine some former natural bids. There are two hand types that traditionally have been very difficult to bid. These hands are responders weak 4-6’s and responders strong 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-3-1 with 4 card support for partner’s minor.

Since 2♣ covers the invitational hands , a jump to 2NT invitational after 3 bids at the one level is no longer needed. This jump rebid to 2NT by responder is a transfer to clubs. You have ♠xx ♥Q109x ♦K ♣QJ98xx and partner opens 1♦ after you have passed. You respond 1♥ and partner rebids 1♠. Now what ? This is easy as you bid 2NT and when partner bids 3♣ you plan to pass. However partner tricks you by breaking the relay & bids 6♣ instead of 3♣. Partner holds ♠A10xx ♥void ♦AQ10xx ♣AKxx and knowing as a passed hand you probably hold a 4-6 , she bids your cold slam.

Ok assume you are not a passed hand and you have one of those awkward 5-4-3-1 or 4-4-4-1 hands with 4 of partners minor plus a good hand. The only way in the game of Bridge can remain at the one level for 3 rounds is if partner opens a minor. OK , you have 4 of partners minor & a good hand. ♠x ♥AKxxx ♦AKxx ♣Jxx . Partner opens 1♦ and you respond 1♥. Partner bids 1♠ so you know that partner has 5♦. Here is an opportunity to splinter in partners spade suit !! You bid 2NT over partners spade and partner relays to 3♣ as ordered. You now bid 3♠ which shows a stiff spade and 4 of partners diamonds !

Partner has the magical hand with nothing wasted in spades. ♠A10xx ♥Qx ♦QJ109xx ♣A and you get to your cold 7♦. Bidding systems are made better when you can solve difficult bidding problems by making use of extinct natural bids. The 2NT bid playing XYZ is one of these extinct bids.