Bridge - Conventions Bridge - Mexican diamonds.
Bridge Bidding Convention by George Rosenkranz, is an integral part of the Romex system, both in its version “natural” as well as strong-clubbing.
The opening promises it:
21-22PH, balanced system, usually 7 control (as = 2, king = 1),
27-28PH, balanced system, usually 10 control
a forcing hand to a hand with no more than two losing tricks, or any one-color book, or a two-color system with penalties,
a hand to go to end with no more than three losing tricks and any hand 4-4-4-1.
There are several versions of the response schema after this is opened, the simplest comes from a book “Bid To Win, Play For Pleasure”:
– 2♥ 0-4 PH
– 2♠ 5-10PH Forcing to tip
– 2BA 11+ PH Forces to tip, very likely slam
After these responses, the opener has the following rebids at his disposal:
BA no jump - 21-22 with a balanced circuit
Jump BA - 27-28 with a balanced circuit
– 3♣ - a one-color system with penalties
– 3♦ - a two-color system with penalties
– 3♥– 1=4=4=4
– 3♠ – 4=4=4=1
– 4♣ – 4=4=1=4
– 4♦ – 4=1=4=4
W “Godfreys Bridge Challenge” Rosenkranz proposed a different response pattern:
– 2♥ 0-10PH Unlikely slam
– 2♠ 10+ PH Probable slam, usually 3+ control (2 checks allowed with short notice)
– 2BA 0-3 PH 6+ clubs without the older four
– 3♣ 0-3 PH 6+ penalties without the older four
– 3♦ 0-3 PH 5+ of hearts with no four peaks
– 3♥ 0-3 PH 5+ peaks without the four hearts
Rebids opening after 2♥/♠ as above (except 2♦-2♥-2♠ - shows the diamond-spade two-color).
In the next book about Romex(“Godfreys Stairway To The Stars”) yet another version was presented:
– Belt. A worthless hand with a diamond longer
– 2♥ 0-9 PH Unlikely slam, usually less than four hearts
– 2♠ 10+ PH Probable slam, usually 3+ control
– 2BA 0-3 PH 6+ clubs without the first four or both
– 3♣ “Stayman”, 4 kieri (possible layout 5-4 in the older ones) lack of interest in the slam
– 3♦ 0-3 PH 5+ of hearts with no four peaks
– 3♥ 0-3 PH 5+ peaks without the four hearts
– 3♠ 4=4=4=1, 3+ control
– 3BA 4=4=1=4, 3+ control
– 4♣ 4=1=4=4, 3+ control
– 4♦ 1=4=4=4, 3+ control
Opening rebids as above, except for the sequence after the 3 ♣ response
– 3♦ 4+ climbing
– 3♥ 3 kieri, less than 4 climbing
– 3BA For the game
– 4♥ To game
The final version of this convention was published in the most recent book on Romex - “Godfreys Angels”
– Belt. A worthless hand with a diamond longer
– 2♥ 0-9 PH Unlikely slam, usually less than four hearts
– 2♠ 10+ PH Probable slam, usually 3+ control
– 2BA 0-3 PH 6+ clubs without the first four or both
– 3♣ “Stayman”, at least 4-4 in older colors, lack of interest in the slime
– 3♦ 0-9 PH 5+ of hearts with no four peaks
– 3♥ 0-3 PH 5+ peaks without the four hearts, desire to play 3 ♠
– 3♠ A balanced hand with no slam ambitions, 4 kieri, less than four peaks
– 3BA At least 5-5 in older colors without slam-like ambitions
– 4♣ 6+ of hearts, sign-off w 4♥
– 4♦ 6+ peaks, sign-off w 4♠