TWO HEARTS NEGATIVE

The origin of this variation is unknown. (See below.) Among the many and various responses to a Strong, Artificial 2 Clubs opening are the following first responses to let the opener know a possible distribution and a possible number of values held by the responder.

2 : Promises values of 4 high card points or more.
2 : Promises values of 3 high card points or fewer.
2 : Promises 5+ Spades and 8 high card points or more.
2 NT: Promises 5+ Hearts and 8 high card points or more.
3 : Promises a 6-card plus Club suit and 8 high card points or more.
3 : Promises a 6-card plus Diamond suit and 8 high card points or more.

The 2 Hearts first response informs the opener that he/she is sitting opposite a so-called bust hand with little or nothing to offer. In the case of a rebid of 2 No Trump by the opener promising values, which are too strong for a 2 No Trump opening and too weak for a 3 No Trump opening, then the responder must use his/her best judgment as to whether game in No Trump is possible. The responder can also employ Transfer conventions in the case that the responder holds a 6-card Major suit but less than possible game values.

The first jump of 3 Clubs and 3 Diamonds is to alert the partner to the fact that a possible Minor suit slam is possible.

The origin of this concept can be traced back to Mr. Oswald Jacoby, who was a pioneer of bridge concepts and devised many conventional methods still in use today. The biographies of Mr. Oswald Jacoby contain the mention of the fact that he invented the use of the 2 first response to a 2 opening by partner as a double negative response. A first response of 2 No Trump is a positive response promising length in Hearts. The first response of 2 remained the usual waiting bid so that opener could clarify the holding.

According to an email from Mr. Glen MacDonald of Canada, date: September 11, 2005, this original concept without the defined specifics as above experiences some popularity in sections of Canada and carries other designations devised by the bridge community. See also the designations: Victoria Conventional Method and West Coast Conventional Method.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.
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