Woolsey Defense to 1NT Openings
- Initial Actions
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Double = usually a 5-card minor and a 4-card major
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2C = majors, After 2D asks for preference
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2D = one of the majors
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2H = Hearts and a minor
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2S = Spades and a minor
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2N = both minors
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3X = natural
- Common abuses:
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3145 hands in balancing seat regularly double,
even with no four-card major.
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Very big hands (good 19+) start with double and
rebid 2NT (or double) to try to expose a psych.
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Good 4441 hands with a stiff minor can start with 2 C.
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Single-suited minor hands often start with double,
hoping to be able to play at the 2-level. These
hands will pass a 2 D ask.
- Responses to Double:
2C = pass or correct. After 2D, 2H is pass or correct
2D = Asks for major (not forcing)
H,2S = natural, to play
2NT = artificial, asking to describe minor
3C = minimum and clubs
3D = minimum and diamonds
3H = max and clubs
3S = max and diamonds
3C,3D = to play
3H,3S = natural, invitational
3NT = to play
4C.4D = Transfers to Hearts, Spades (Namyats)
4H,4S = to play
Responses to 2C
2D = pick a suit
2H,2S = strong preference
2NT = artificial game try
3C = have minimum,clubs
3D = minimum and diamonds
3H = max and clubs
3S = max and diamonds
3C = natural, preemptive
3D = natural, preemptive
3H,3S = natural, good 5 card suit - usually not forcing
4C.4D = Transfers to Hearts, Spades (Namyats)
4H,4S = to play
Responses to 2D
2H = natural, to play
2S = stronger hearts, forcing to at least 3H
2NT = artificial game try
3C = minimum and clubs
3D = minimum and diamonds
3H = max and clubs
3S = max and diamonds
3C,3D = to play
3H,3S = natural, asking to pass or correct
3NT = to play
4C.4D = Transfers to Hearts, Spades (Namyats)
4H,4S = to play
If opps interfere:
2NT = bid your major
dbl = for penalty
Responses to 2NT
3C = minimum and clubs
3D = minimum and diamonds
3H = max and clubs
3S = max and diamonds
3NT =max, unwilling to play a partscore and hold appropriate minor such that 3M is not forcing.