Defense Over Their Opening 1NT

Presented by Mike Savage

 

 

     Brozel is a convention created to show one and two-suited hands at the two-level, usually played only after the opponents have opened a strong 1NT. This approach gives up the penalty double of a strong 1NT, which - if properly used, seldom comes up anyway and replaces it with a double that shows any one-suited hand. The double now allows you to show a one-suited hand with clubs at the two-level instead of the three-level, which is necessary with Hamilton/Cappelletti and other methods. An overcall of 2C, 2D or 2H shows hearts and the suit bid, 2S shows spades and a minor while 2NT remains a take-out for the minors. If you play the recommended extensions in red below, the double can be used to show a powerful two-suiter in the majors and also a way to differentiate between a solid (running) seven+ card suit and a less than solid seven+ card suit.

 

1NT:   DBL = Shows any one suited hand and partner is requested to bid 2C.

                        Responses, after a pass by next bidder:

Pass = Shows a strong hand, expecting to defeat 1NT if partner leads his suit.

2C = Semi-forced bid on all hands you would be willing to play 2C if that turns

                                 out to be partner’s suit.

                                 Rebids over 2C, followed by a pass:

                                 Pass = This is doubler’s suit.

                                           2D, 2H or 2S  = To play; this is doubler’s suit.

                                    The meanings of bids in red aren’t part of basic Brozel but are recommended

                                  2NT: Shows a very good 5-5 plus in the majors with game interest.

                                             Responses:

                                              3C = Artificial, showing some game interest in one or both of the majors.

                                                     3D = Asks which one: 3H = hearts or both, 3S = spades.

                                              3D = Artificial, with a bad hand and equal length in the majors (often two).

                                              3H = Shows no game interest and is your best fit (rarely could only be two)

                                              3S = Shows no game interest and is your best fit (rarely could only be two)

                                               3NT = Artificial, shows an equal fit in both majors and values for game.

                                              4H = Shows a heart fit and enough values for game.

                                            4S = Shows a spade fit and enough values for game.

                                   3C/3D = Shows a solid 7-8 card suit. Partner can pass or bid 3NT with stoppers.

                                     3H/3S = A solid 7-8 card suit. You can pass, bid four or bid 3NT with stoppers.

                                2D, 2H or 2S = To play with a very good suit and no interest in the doubler’s suit.

2C = Shows a two-suiter in clubs and hearts.

            2D = Shows a two-suiter in diamonds and hearts.

            2H = Shows a two-suiter in spades and hearts.

            2S = Shows a two-suiter in spades and an unknown minor.

                     Responses to 2S:

                     2NT asks which minor (the same structure used in Hamilton/Cappelletti).

            2NT = Shows both minors, as usual.

            3C, 3D, 3H or 3S = Show a 7-8 card suit (but not solid if playing the meanings in red above).