Woolsey Defense to 1NT Openings
This is our version of this defense, originally published
by Kit Woolsey in Bridge Today.
- Initial Actions
-
Double = usually a 5-card minor and a 4-card major
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2 = majors, 2 asks for preference
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2 = one of the majors
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2 = and a minor
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2 = and a minor
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2N = both minors
-
3X = natural
- Common abuses:
-
3145 hands in balancing seat regularly double,
even with no four-card major.
-
Very big hands (good 19+) start with double and
rebid 2NT (or double) to try to expose a psych.
-
Good 4441 hands with a stiff minor can start with 2.
-
Single-suited minor hands often start with double,
hoping to be able to play at the 2-level. These
hands will pass a 2 ask.
- Responses to Double:
-
2 = pass or correct
After 2, 2 is pass or correct
-
2 = what's your major? (NB: NOT forcing)
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2,2 = natural, to play
-
2NT = artificial, please describe
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3 = min clubs
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3 = min diamonds
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3 = max clubs
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3 = max diamonds
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3,3 = to play
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3,3 = natural, invitational, good suits
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3NT = to play
-
4x = Namyats
-
If they interfere:
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2NT = pick your minor
-
all else natural (no way to find major)
-
double suggests defending
- Responses to 2:
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2 = you pick
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2M = significant preference; xxx KQ bids 2
-
2NT = artificial game try
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3 = min, better hearts, etc.
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3 = natural preemptive
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3 = natural preemptive
-
3M = natural blocking, not invitational, 5-card suit
-
3N = to play
-
4x = Namyats
-
If they interfere:
-
Everything is natural, including double
- Responses to 2:
-
2 = normal
-
2 = heart fit, forcing to 3
-
2NT = artificial game try
-
3 = min, hearts, etc.
-
...after 2NT, 4M by responder is to play
-
3,3 = to play
-
3 = pass or correct, blocking
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3 = pass or correct
-
3N = to play
-
4x = Namyats
-
If they interfere:
-
2NT = bid your major
-
double = penalties
-
All else natural
- Responses to 2M:
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2 = to play
-
2NT = artificial game try, see below
-
3 = pass or correct
-
3 = to play
-
3M = natural, blocking
-
3OM = natural, preemptive
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3N = to play
-
4x = Namyats
-
If they interfere (including double):
-
2NT = bid your minor
-
3 = natural
-
All else natural
If they double an artificial bid, unsolicited bids
are interest in playing the suit bid. Pass
is to play the artificial suit; redouble is no
opinion.
Mnemonic for interference:
If no long suit is sure, 2NT asks. All else natural.
Over 2M, 2NT is an artificial game try and 3
asks for correction to diamonds if appropriate.
- Responses to 2NT:
-
3 = min, clubs
-
3 = min, diamonds
-
3 = max, clubs
-
3 = max, diamonds
-
3N = max, unwilling to play a partscore
and hold appropriate minor such that
3M is not forcing.
We play the 2NT ask after:
-
Woolsey 2M
-
Hamilton 2M
-
Woolsey double if comp
-
Michaels cue-bids of a major
Jeff Goldsmith,
jeff@tintin.jpl.nasa.gov,
April 18, 1996