Bergen raises

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This article concerns Contract Bridge and uses terminology associated with the game. See Contract bridge glossary for an explanation of unfamiliar words or phrases.

In the game of bridge, Bergen raises specify a conventional treatment of raising a major suit opening in a five-card major system. This convention is named after Marty Bergen, the developer of this treatment.

When Bergen raises are used, over a 1♥ (1♠) opening the bids of 3♣, 3♦ and 3♥ (3♠) all denote a four (or more) card trump support on hands of variable high card strength:

• 3♣ – weak (typically 7-10 high card points)
• 3♦ – invitational to game (typically 11-12 high card points)
• 3♥/3♠ – very weak (preemptive, typically less than 7 high-card points)

Over 3♣ Opener may sign off in trumps, but a bid of 3♦ asks partner to bid 3 of the major with a weaker hand, ie 7-8 points, or bid 4 with a stronger hand, ie 9-10 points.

Bergen raises are designed to take advantage of the Law of total tricks that states that with nine trumps one should compete at the three-level regardless of high card strength.

Partnerships which employ Bergen raises, often utilise a Jacoby 2NT response to major suit openings for game-forcing hands with trump support. A direct raise to game is then preemptive on a very shapely hand (often with five card trump support).

Partnerships that play a major opening as full strength (for example by opening at the 2 level with a weaker hand) will play the 3♦ bid as forcing to game on the premise that normally 23 points are sufficient for game with a 9 card fit.

Modifications to Bergen responses do exist. One such method is to reverse the meanings of the two minor suit responses at the three level, thereby creating a system of responses that denote progressively weaker hands on subsequent bids.