Cappalletti (or Hamilton)

Rev: December 24, 1998

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Opponents open 1 or 2 NT. This convention is usually made in the direct seat though some partnerships use it in the indirect seat also. The Cappelletti convention is used to describe your hand to partner for the purpose of competing or play for a set.

 

My partners and I have the understanding that Cappalletti is invoked only in the direct seat by an unpassed hand; otherwise a suit bid is natural.

 

Bidding Over Opponent's 1NT Opener With Proper Shape And Strength

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17+ points with a balanced hand - only in direct seat or not a passed hand:
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Double = Willing to play for a set. Partner may pass or bid a long suit to compete.

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10+ to 16 points - only in direct seat or not a passed hand:
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2 Clubs = One-suited hand (6 or more).

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2 Diamonds = 5 -5 in the majors (rarely 5 - 4).

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2 Hearts = 5 hearts and 5 in a minor (rarely 4). Partner may ask for your minor by bidding 2 NT.

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2 Spades = 5 spades and 5 in a minor.

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2 NT = 5 - 5 in the minors.

 

Advancer's Bids

The 2C bid asks advancer to bid 2D . The overcaller passes 2D if his suit is diamonds or corrects to the proper suit. Advancer may ignore the 2C relay and pass 2C with a strong club suit, or he may bid two of a major with a good 5-card suit. He may also bid 2NT with 11-13 points and a balanced hand.

 

The 2D bid usually shows at least 5-4 in the majors and requests advancer to bid his better major. With poor major-suit support, advancer is allowed to pass 2D with a good diamond suit or bid 3C with a good club suit. A 2NT response shows either a minor-suit hand asking advancer to bid 3C or 3D , or a limit raise in one of the majors. In the latter case, advancer plans on rebidding 3H /3S after partner has bid a minor. As a result, an immediate response of 3H /3S to 2D is preemptive, in accordance with the LAW (Law Of Total Tricks).

 

The 2H and 2S bids are nonforcing. Here too an immediate raise by advancer is preemptive. A 2NT response shows either a minor-suit hand asking partner to bid 3C or 3D , or a limit raise in the major suit. In the latter case, advancer plans on rebidding 3H /3S after partner has bid a minor. As a result, an immediate response of 3H /3S to 2D is preemptive, in accordance with the LAW.