Bergen Raises

Rev: October 6, 2000

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Used by responder when opener bids 1H or 1S

A. Basic Responder Bids by Unpassed Hand

Note: Traditional splinter bids are used in conjunction this basic treatment

Raise to 2 = 3-card support (7-10 points)

..........constructive (on in competition)

Raise to 3 = 4-card support (0-6 points)

..........preemptive (on in competition)

Raise to 4 = 5-card support (0-6 points)

..........preemptive (on in competition)

3C = 4-card+ support (7-10 points)

..........constructive (off in competition)

3D = 4-card+ support (10-12 points)

..........limit (off in competition)

2NT = 4-card+ support (13+ points)

..........game – Jacoby 2NT (off in competition)

3NT = 3-card support (12-15 points, balanced hand, side suits stopped)

..........(off in competition)

Note: "Reverse Bergen" is 3C = Limit and 3D = Constructive; all other bids the remain the same.

B. Advanced Responder Bids by Unpassed Hand

Note: The traditional splinter bids are not used with this advanced treatment

Bidding 3 of the other major is an “ambiguous splinter” and shows 4+ trumps and is game forcing. If opener is interested in identifying the splinter he uses a “splinter relay” by bidding the cheapest available bid and responder replies by steps:

3S over 3H asks responder to bid the splinter suit (3NT = clubs, 4C = diamonds, 4D = hearts

3NT over 3S ask responder to bid the splinter suit (4C = clubs, 4D = diamonds, 4H = spades

4C = same requirements as above 3NT bid but shows 16+ HCP instead of 12-15.

4D = constructive (7-10 support points), same as above 3C (or 3D “Reverse Bergen”) but shows 5+ trumps instead of 4 trumps

Bidding 4 of the other major is natural and preemptive, usually a 7- or 8-card suit

C. Advanced Responder Bids by Passed Hand

Note: Only used with a passed hand having a limit raise with 4+ trumps and a splinter .

If no splinter use "Reverse Drury"

Bidding 2S over 1H shows a limit raise with 4+ hearts and a splinter somewhere (not a weak jump shift)

If opener wants to identify the splinter he bids 2NT (cheapest bid) as a relay

Responder replies by steps: 3C = club; 3D = diamond; 3H = spade

Bidding 2NT over 1S shows a limit raise with 4+ spades and a splinter somewhere

If opener wants to identify the splinter he bids 3C (cheapest bid) as a relay

Responder replies by steps: 3D = club; 3H = diamond; 3S = heart

D. When RHO Interferes

	Raises of 2 (constructive), 3 and 4 (preemptive) are On; other bids are Off.
	If RHO doubles: Responder bids 2NT (Jordan 2NT, not Jacoby 2NT) to show a limit raise or better (10+ points and at least 4-card support).
	If RHO overcalls: Responder makes a cuebid of overcaller’s suit to show a limit raise or better (10+ points and at least 3-card support).