WALLIS CONVENTION

This defense method against a No Trump opening by the opponents was devised by Mr. Peter James Wallis of Brisbane, Australia. The guidelines are outlined below. The overcalls generally promise either a two-suited holding or the overcall is natural.

Note: Some partnerships have agreed that the distribution of the holding, when overcalling could / may be reduced to 4-4 in both Major suits regardless of the state of vulnerability, otherwise the distribution is generally 5-4, 4-5, or 5-5 depending on the state of vulnerability. This is entirely a partnership agreement in all employed variations of the concept.

The overcalls, following a No Trump opening by the opponents, and their meanings are shown below.

2 : This is an artificial bid showing a Major-Minor two-suited holding. Either and or , or and or .

The partner of the overcaller, the advancer, bids 2 NT, which is an artificial relay requesting additional information. As the reader can see from the other overcalls, this is the cheapest bid, which is artificial. New suits are for correction and only to play if the bid suit is one of the suits of the intervenor.

2 :

 Promises a two-suited holding in both Major suits.
The advancer employs the following bids to invite and/or as natural or preemptive bids. These bids are by partnership agreement, but are strongly recommended by Mr. Peter James Wallis. (Note: the jump raise in both Major suits may be changed to the two level to show weakness, whereas a jump signifies a possible game contract, or the jump is purely preemptive per partnership agreement.)
3 : Artificial and also an invitational raise in Hearts.
3 : Artificial and also an invitational raise in Spades.
3 : Generally natural, but can be also preemptive by partnership agreement.
3 : Generally natural, but can be also preemptive by partnership agreement.

2 :

 Promises generally a 6-card plus Heart suit. Natural.

2 :

 Promises generally a 6-card plus Spade suit. Natural.
2 NT: Promises a Minor suit two-suited holding. The advancer relays to 3 and intervenor passes if Clubs is the suit. Otherwise the intervenor corrects to Diamonds.
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
NT Defense Methods