Sunday, November 05, 2006 3:30 AM

Hand Evaluation - XYZ ( Major Responses )

PITBULLS:

Playing the excellent XYZ structure ( includes 2 way NMF as 1NT is at the one level) , you have a way of describing all major suit responses. If you play the Cabay 2-way NMF , the transition to XYZ is seamless. XYZ is considered as a minor suit structure as 3 bids cannot remain at the one level without opening a minor first. However, there are a number of major suit understandings involved with XYZ . Let’s review some common auctions involving majors.

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-4♥-P Fast arrival so no slam interest. Long hearts with an outside card.

1♦-P-4♥-P Pre-emptive

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-3♥ Strong jump shift by responder with good hearts

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-2♥ Drop dead

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-2♣*-P

2♦*-P-2♥-P Invitational with 5♥

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-2♣*-P

2♦*-P-3♥-P Invitational with 6♥

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-2♦*-P

2NT-P-3♥ Game force with hearts not good enough for a strong jump shift

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-2♦*-P

2♥-P-3♥ Choice of contracts between 3NT or 4♥

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-2♠-P Just a response

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-2♣*-P

2♦*-P-2♠-P Invitational to game balanced

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-2♣*-P

2♦*-P-3♠-P Invitational to game distributional

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-3♠-P Strong jump preference – slam invite with distribution

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-2♦*-P

2♥-P-2♠-P Game force with 4 spades , no slam interest

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-3♦ Strong jump preference – slam try with 5♦

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-3♣-P Strong 5-5 in hearts & clubs – slamish

1♦-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-2NT*-P Relay to 3♣ to bail out or describe a diamond fit with shortness