Woolsey (convention)
Encyclopedia
Devised by Kit Woolsey
, the convention is a defense against an opponent's one notrump opening; especially used at matchpoints. Bids are as follows:
The convention has similarities with Multi-Landy
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Kit Woolsey
Kit Woolsey is an American bridge and backgammon player. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1964. He earned a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1965....
, the convention is a defense against an opponent's one notrump opening; especially used at matchpoints. Bids are as follows:
- Double: a four-card major and a longer minor. Advancer can bid 2 to ask for the minor (pass or correct), 2 to ask for the major, or 2 or 2 to play.
- 2: Both majors. Advancer can bid 2 to ask which is better, so the overcaller's 2 bid can freely be made with 5-4 shape.
- 2: One major.
- 2 of a major: At least 5-5 in that major and a minor. 2NT asks for the minor.
- 2NT: both minors.
The convention has similarities with Multi-Landy
Landy
Landy is the first bridge conventional defense against over opponent's 1NT opening and one of the first conventions ever introduced. It was invented by Alvin Landy. Over 1NT, the overcall of 2 shows both major suits, while all other bids are natural...
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Abuses
Common abuses as described by Kit Woolsey include:- 3-1-4-5 distributional hands in the balancing seat regularly double, even with no 4-card major suit.
- Strong hands, with 19 high card points plus, start with a double and then rebid 2 Notrump (or double) to try to expose a psychic bid.
- Good 4-4-4-1 distributional hands with a stiff minor suit can start with 2.
- Single-suited minor hands often start with double, hoping to be able to play at the two-level. These hands will pass a 2 asking bid.