CRASH OVER NO TRUMP
This is an extension of the Crash convention, which
was devised by Mr. Kit Woolsey and Mr. Steve Robinson, which was originally devised for preemptive interference after an artificial 1 Club opening by the opponents. This extension was created for constructive bidding after the opponents open with 1 No Trump, especially with a 15-17 point range.
The guidelines are not complicated and can
give your partner much needed information, if the guidelines are followed.
Opponents open with 1 No Trump - Overcaller may not have passed previously:
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Double:
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Penalty Double |
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2  :
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natural bid and shows a one-suited hand |
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2  :
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natural bid and shows a one-suited hand |
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2  :
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artificial bid and shows a two-suited hand, |
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either both red suits or both black suits |
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2  :
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artificial suit and shows two suits of the same rank, |
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either both Majors or both Minors |
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2 NT:
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1. If bid by an unpassed hand in direct position |
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2. (or double by a passed hand) |
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3. (or an unpassed hand in the balancing position) |
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shows Two Suits - Clubs and Hearts (Rounded) |
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or shows Two Suits - Diamonds and Spades (Pointed) |
As with all 1 No Trump opening, the opponents must check to discover the No Trump range of their opponents. With a strong 1 No Trump opening range between 15-17HCPs, it might not be prudent to chance game unless the distribution of the hand of the overcaller and his partner prove favorable.
This auction, using the Crash convention, is very much dependent upon the partner of the 1 No Trump opener passing. If the partner of the 1 No Trump opener bids, then it is up to the defending partnership to decide whether or not the Crash overcall is a forcing or non-forcing bid.
After an artificial Two Suited overcall, 2 Clubs - 2 Diamonds - 2 NT, the partner may have a poor fit. If the partner of the 1 No Trump opener passes, then the Crash overcall is forcing and partner must bid. With a poor fit, the partner will bid the better suit holding of the "presumed" two suits. In the case of a poor fit, it is better if the partner makes the cheapest bid possible to obtain further information. By making a Relay Bid, cheapest possible bid, the partner gives his partner the chance to further describe his holding.
Since the partner of the overcaller does not know exactly which one suit or which two suits are being indicated, the partner should first assume, make a Relay Bid, wait for further information, and then make the appropriate bid. With poor values, the partner will first discourage game, but with some moderate to good values, and discovering that there is a fit, the partner may attempt game.
In the above example, the partner of the overcaller will assume a poor fit. The partner will make a Relay Bid, the cheapest possible, because he does not know which two suits the overcaller is indicating - either both Red Suits or both Black Suits. The partner will assume first the two Red Suits. The partner awaits further information.
Since the 1 No Trump bidder has limited his hand, and has received no encouragement from his partner, he passes. The overcaller then continues the bidding to further describe his hand and bids 2 Hearts, indicating both Red Suits. After the 2 Hearts rebid, the partner now correctly evaluates his hand, realizes that they have 9 Trump cards, and bids Four Hearts. The contract of Four Hearts is makable since the 1 No Trump bidder is sitting to the left of the overcaller, who then can begin to finesse correctly against the values in the dummy.
This example should be helpful when the overcaller bids a natural overcall and when he bids an artificial overcall, regardless of the suit or No Trump overcall. In each case, the partner of the overcaller should await further information from his partner by making the cheapest bid possible. It must be admitted that the Crash Over 1 No Trump convention is risky and that the partner must first make an assumption, which could be incorrect. Therefore, it is highly suggested that a partnership should practice this extension of the Crash convention extensively before employing it at the bridge table.
A variation of the Crash conventional method is attributed to Mr. Roberto Scaramuzzi, (Department of Mathematics, Louisiana State University) which has not been substantiated, only mentioned and uploaded to a chat board on February 1, 1995. The overcalls are as follows and all bids are employed only after an opponent has opened the auction with 1 No Trump, range 15-17 points:
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Double:
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Promises two suits of the same color - either Red suits or Black suits. |
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2 :
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Promises two suits of the same rank - either both Major suits or both Minor suits. |
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2 :
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Promises two suits of the same shape - either Diamonds and Spades or Clubs and Hearts. |
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A natural bid. |
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A natural bid. |
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3 :
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A natural bid. |
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3 :
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A natural bid. |
Note: This conventional method is presently illegal under the revised ACBL Convention Chart. It is only archived here as part of the history of the game of bridge.
A second variation contributed, also February 1, 1995, by Mr. Roberto Scaramuzzi follows. It has no designation but it is based on the original concept of Mr. Kit Woolsey. The overcalls are as follows and all bids are employed only after an opponent has opened the auction with 1 No Trump, range 15-17 points. The source is: http://www.chemistry.ohio-state.edu/~heng/personal/conv/ntdwoo.txt.
Note: Mr. Kit Woolsey makes it much easier to find your best combined fit. Against that you sometimes end up at the three-level, and if the opponents bid over the double, it may be hard to compete, since doubler's suits are not known.
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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Claus and Raymond
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Conventions
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Bridge Sites
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Glossary
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Defense 1 No Trump |
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