Mini Roman

The Mini and Maxi Roman conventions were devised originally by the Italians - hence the name.
It is a very useful tool for disrupting opponents and arriving at a safe contract. The point range of 10-13
increases the frequency of use, while the distribution often enables you to arrive at very thin games.
The system of responses is geared to make the opener dummy. In most cases very little will be known about declarer's hand.

Open Resp Rebid    
         
2D     10-13 pts; 4-4-4-1, 5-4-4-0 or 5-4-3-1(3 card minor) shape  
  2H   non-forcing; 3 or more hearts; Scramble to the lowest playable contract  
    Pass 4 or 5 hearts  
    2S Singleton heart; 4 or 5 spades; Responder bids as follows:
   Pass: spade tolerance
   2N: asks opener to bid better minor
   3C, 3D: to play; opener will pass
 
  2S   non-forcing, 3 or more spades ( more spades than hearts )  
    Pass 4 or 5 spades  
    2N short spade; asks responder to bid better minor  
    3C,3D 5 card suit; responder will pass  
    3S Inviting; 4 or 5 spades  
  2N   forcing to game; asks opener to show shortness  
    3C short diamonds; Responder bids as follows:  
      3D: Relay  
          Opener bids 3H with 5 spades and 4 hearts  
          Opener bids 3S with 5 hearts and 4 spades  
          Opener bids 3N with 4 spades and 4 hearts  
    3D short hears; responder relays with 3H to ask for 5 card minor. Opener bids:
    3S with 5 card spades
    3N with 4-1-4-4 shape
    4m with 5 cards
 
    3H short spades; responder relays with 3S to ask for 5 card minor. Opener bids:
    3N with 1-4-4-4 shape
    4C, 4D, 4H with 5 cards
 
    3S short clubs; 4-4 in the majors  
    3N short clubs; 5-4 in the majors
Responder relays with 4C; Opener bids:
    4D with 5 hearts
    4H with 5 spades 		 
  3C   To play; must have tolerance for diamonds  

Responding over intervention

After a double of 2D ...

   Pass: 0 - 6 points
   Redouble: 7 - 11 points; no major; competitive, but opener can pass with long diamonds
   2H, 2S: 7 - 11 points; 4+ cards; competitive
   2N: System on

After an overcall of 2D opening ...

   Pass: 0 - 6 points; opener may balance with shortage in opponent's suit (trap pass!)
   Double: Negative
   2N: System on

After an overcall of 2NT response ...

   Pass: shortage in opponent's suit
   Double: shortage in suit below overcalled suit
   3 suit: Shortage in suit bid


Two diamond conventions:   Flannery   Mini Roman   Maxi Roman   Multi


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