Landy

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For other uses, see Landy (disambiguation).

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

Landy is the first bridge conventional defense against over opponents' 1NT opening and one of first conventions ever introduced. It was invented by Alvin Landy.

Over 1NT, the overcall of 2♣ shows both major suits, while all other bids are natural. Requirements for the overcall vary from partnership to partnership: some require 5-5, some 5-4, and yet others only 4-4 (provided the overall strength is sufficient). The partner can take a preference to either major or make a non-forcing bid of a suit; 2NT is used as a forcing query.

Various modifications have appeared over years, by various authors. A particular popular modification in the Netherlands is Multi-Landy, a combination of Landy, the multi 2 diamonds convention and the Muiderberg convention. In this modification, the 2♣ overcall is the same as in Landy, the 2♦ overcall shows a 6-card major suit, and 2♥ or 2♠ overcall shows a 5-card in that major suit and at least a 4-card in a minor suit.

[edit] Woolsey or Robinson variation

There is a variant known as either Woolsey or Robinson named for Kit Woolsey and Steve Robinson who developed this system. Woolsey uses the same responses as Multi-Landy (above) but also includes a pinpoint double. A double would show a 4-card major and a 5-card or longer minor, a constructive 6-card or longer single-suited minor, or a hand of 19 high card points or more.

After 2♣, advancer would bid 2♦ to show equal length in the majors and ask overcaller to bid their better suit.

After 2♦, advancer would respond 2♥ to ask overcaller to pass or correct. Advancer would bid 2♠ showing non-forcing values in spades but invitational values for hearts. Advancer would bid 2NT with a forcing hand asking for further description of overcallers hand. Advancer would bid 3♦ with invitational values in both majors. 3♥ or 4♥ are pass or correct at that level.