Nilsland Defense
Nilslandske slinkningar

The English designation of Nilsland Defense or the Swedish designation of Nilslandske slinkningar is a defense mechanism against a double after a 1 No Trump opening, devised by Mr. Mats Nilsland of Sweden. This conventional method can be used after a 1 No Trump opening has been doubled or 1 No Trump overcall has been doubled. The only disadvantage to this convention is that the partnership may not be able to play 1 No Trump doubled. The basic concept is as follows:

1. The first guideline covers any suit bid by the responder at the two level. Any first response by the responder of a suit on the two level promises the named suit and the next higher-ranking suit:

West

 North East South Meaning
Opener Responder
1 NT Double 2 Promises Clubs and Diamonds.
2 Promises Diamonds and Hearts.
2 Promises Hearts and Spades.
2 Promises Spades and Clubs.
2. The second guideline deals with a call of redouble. A redouble promises an unspecified 5-card suit. The ground-rule is that after an immediate double by an opponent cancels all transfer bids by the responder. The No Trump bidder is then required to bid 2 if the next opponent passes.

West

 North East South Meaning
Opener Responder
1 NT Double Redouble Promises an unspecified 5-card suit. Transfers are system off.
Pass 2 Pass Pass Promises a 5-card Club suit.
2 Promises a 5-card Diamond suit.
2 Promises a 5-card Heart suit.
2 Promises a 5-card Spade suit.
3. The third guideline is the Pass by the responder. If the responder first passes, then this is an informative / forcing pass and the concept is that the No Trump bidder must redouble. The information communicated by the pass by the responder may have various meanings, which are as follows:
A. A weak two-suited holding with Clubs and Hearts or Diamonds and Spades, or both Round suits or both Pointed suits.
B. The responder may wish to play 1 No Trump redoubled and this is the only method to achieve this result, in that the opener redoubles.
C. The responder may hold an unbalanced or distributional, but invitational holding with a 5-card Major suit. The length must be at least a 5-card suit, but may also be longer.
D. The responder may hold an unbalanced or distributional, but invitational holding with a 5-card Major suit. The length must be at least a 5-card suit, but may also be longer.
E. The responder may hold an unblanced or distributional holding with a 6+ card suit in either Minor suit headed by two of the top five honors.

Therefore, the continuance after a Forcing Pass by the responder is as follows:

West

 North East South Meaning
Opener Responder
1 NT Double Pass Forcing pass requiring opener to redouble.
Pass Redouble Pass Pass Penalty double.
2 Promises a two-suited holding with Clubs and Hearts.
2 Promises a two-suited holding with Diamonds and Spades.
2 Promises a 5-card Heart suit. Invitational.
2 Promises a 5-card Spade suit. Invitational.
2 NT Shows an unbalanced distribution and requests opener to bid the lowest 4-card suit at the three level. This bid is game-forcing.
3 Promises a 6+ card Club suit headed by two of the top five honors.
3 Promises a 6+ card Diamond suit headed by two of the top five honors.
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.
Claus and Raymond Conventions Bridge Sites
Home Page I Glossary Home Page II