[marmot101]

Most players claim they play Jacoby 2NT, yet many variantions exist --

* Ask for short
* Ask for description of hand
* ...

What's the most popular variation now? Can anyone give some explaination?

Thanks!

marmot101

[LukeG]

In my experience in the USA, the most popular variation (aka "standard") is as follows.  Opener's rebids are:

new suit at three level = shortness
new suit at four level = 5-5 (with the bid suit)
4 of the major = balanced, minimum
3NT = balanced, moderate strength
3 of the major = balanced, stronger than 3NT

After this start, a bid of four of the major by either partner shows lack of slam interest.  If responder rebids three of the major he is inviting opener to cue bid.

If you are willing to tolerate some complexity, there are better schemes that let opener provide range information (min/max) as well as major suit length (5/6). As an example, see Fred Gitelman's article "Improving 2/1 GF, Part 3" in the Bridge Library here at BBO.

[marmot101]

Thanks, Luke.

That's the original version of Jacoby I read of. But in another book, the author thinks only asking shortness is not that helpful, and suggests descriptive-bid instead of shortness-showing.

The thing intrigues me is: if there are different versions, and lots of players at BBO claim to play Jacoby, how do they know which version pard use?   Misunderstanding at 3 or 4 level could be disaster!

Quote

In my experience in the USA, the most popular variation (aka "standard") is as follows.  Opener's rebids are:

new suit at three level = shortness
new suit at four level = 5-5 (with the bid suit)
4 of the major = balanced, minimum
3NT = balanced, moderate strength
3 of the major = balanced, stronger than 3NT

After this start, a bid of four of the major by either partner shows lack of slam interest.  If responder rebids three of the major he is inviting opener to cue bid.

If you are willing to tolerate some complexity, there are better schemes that let opener provide range information (min/max) as well as major suit length (5/6). As an example, see Fred Gitelman's article "Improving 2/1 GF, Part 3" in the Bridge Library here at BBO.

[LukeG]

Bridge Base Online and OKBridge, the two sites where I play, each publish their own standard systems. For the BBO versions, see the Training Rooms.

In theory, partners agree to play one of those systems and shouldn't have any problems. In practice, most people don't adhere 100% to these standards and use their own set of favorite conventions and treatments. That's online bridge!

[Yzerman]

Just a brief discussion of a variant that I like to play.

1M-2N then 3C rebid by opener is ANY minimum with or without a singleton.  This is starting to become very prevalant in the professional ranks and has one main advantage, YOU DO NOT ROADMAP THE DEFENSE.  If responder is not interested in slam after a minimum 3C rebid than they simply bid game.  Here are some follow ups;

1M-2N-3C-3D (secondary shortness ask - still slamming)
1M-2N-3C-3M (still slam interest, pattern asking)
1M-2N-3C-Others (source of tricks)

There are ALL sorts of neat things you can do with this new convention.  You can incorporate invitational hands (with 3 trumps or 4), you can incoroporate asking bids to locate a secondary 4/4 fit.  The treatments you can devise are limitless just by adding a 3C relay.  I do not have any documented references (except for mine) on the subject however I am sure somebody can offer.

[inquiry]

Yzerman, on May 7 2003, 08:27 AM, said:

Just a brief discussion of a variant that I like to play. ...1M-2N then 3C rebid by opener is ANY minimum with or without a singleton. ....  I do not have any documented references (except for mine) on the subject however I am sure somebody can offer.

Yzerman brings up a very nice point. Since he posted his comment on using 3C response as a general weakness bid, I have switched to playing something similar entitled "JACOBY 2NT PLUS" which is part of the ETM Victory bidding system.

Playing this way, 2NT shows a limit major suit raise or BETTER. And openers 3C bid is EITHER no game interest opposite a limit raise or slam interest, and 3D is game interest only opposite a limit raise. Since Yzerman had no link to a write up of his treatment, I provide a link to the ETM treatment I am using... it is worth a look

http://www.bridgematters.com/jplus.htm

Ben

(The good news playing this, you can
1) keep 1M-3M as preemptive without using Bergen raises
2) can keep 2NT for "good slam potential hands" as well )

[luis]

Maybe you can try the following follow-up to a Jacoby 2N:

3c = A minimum opening (stablishes a game force if 2N can be INV)
3d = 15-18 (relay can ask for shortage, 3N=no)
3OM = 19+, some shortness
3M = Sub-minimum (rejects invitations)
3N = 19-21 balanced
4x = Two suiters

[cnszsun]

If we use 2NT after 1S or 1H only for major fit G/F, then i find Martel-
Stansby 2NT raise very useful. keylime has a detailed description about this one Martel-Stansby 2NT G/F raise
Does someone has any idea about it or find flaw on it except a little bit complex?

[Trpltrbl]

Yzerman, on May 7 2003, 08:27 AM, said:

1M-2N-3C-3D (secondary shortness ask - still slamming)
1M-2N-3C-3M (still slam interest, pattern asking)
1M-2N-3C-Others (source of tricks)

This is what I play. After 3
3 = some Splinter - 3 is asking where.
3 = 6 card in opening suit
3 NT = 5-3-3-2
4 Minor = 4 card side suit
4 Major = Nothing to mention, not really interested in Slam

After 3
3 = 6-3-2-2
3 NT = 5-3-3-2
4 other Suit = 4 card Side suit

I used to play some sort of Italian relay system after opening a Major. But I can't find my notes anymore I remember that it worked real well and it was actually fairly simple, when I find it I will share

Mike