VA - Major Opening


The requirement for an opening bid of one in a major is 12 - 19 points and a 5 card suit.
The point requirement may be a bit shaded in the 3rd or 4th position.
A response of 1 NT is forcing for one round. The opener may be forced to rebid a 3 card minor.
A response of 1 NT by a passed hand is semi-forcing.

All raises are weak. A response of a minor at the 2-level is forcing to game (2 over 1).

With 4 trumps and a game force Jacoby 2NT is used.
Some Bergen Raises are used.
The scheme is as follows:

Open Resp Rebid    
         
1H     12-21 pts; 5 cards or more in hearts  
  2C,2D   Game Force; Natural  
    2H 6 card hearts  
    2N 5 card hearts, balanced  
    2S,3C Natural; once a fit is found we play fast arrival  
  2H   6-9 pts, 3 card hearts  
  2S   3-5 pts, 6 card spades  
  2N   Jacoby  
  3C   10-11 pts, 4 card hearts
(if there is intervention of dbl or 1S, this is still valid)		  
    3D asks for shortage  
  3D   7-9 pts, 4 card hearts  
  3H   2-6 pts, 4 card hearts  
  3S   Splinter  
  3N   4-3-3-3, 3 card hearts  
  4C,4D   Splinter  
  4H   Weak raise, 5 card hearts  
  4S   Natural, preemptive  
         

Over a 3rd or 4th hand opening (i.e. responder is a passed hand),
    The system uses Reverse 2-way fit showing Drury; Bergen raises of 3C and 3D are still valid.
    A drury response of 2D shows a limit raise with 4 trumps and a shortage; (2NT asks which)
        without a shortage the 3C Bergen raise is used.
    A 2NT response to a 3/4 hand opening shows a weak hand with a long minor
        a 3C relay is used to ask responder to pass or correct. Other rebids are forcing.

Game try after a single raise e.g. 1H - 2H
    2S, 3C, 3D - Help suit game try
    3H - General game try (may need help in trump)
    2N - asking for shortage
            resp 3H - 4-3-3-3 minimum
            resp 3N - 4-3-3-3 maximum
            resp 3 suit - shortage

When there is intervention:
    A double is negative
    If the intervention is 1N, double is penalty
    A cuebid shows limit raise or better for opener
    Other bids are natural and show 10 ish points; 1 round force

Additional agreement with Ron:

    BROMAD - Bergen raises Over Major After Double


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