Ogust convention

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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.

Ogust is a bridge convention used after a weak two bid by responder to gauge the strength of the weak two bidder's hand. This convention is named after Harold A. Ogust from the US, and is also known as the 'Blue Club response' from the bidding system developed by Benito Garozzo.

[edit] Use of the convention

After any weak two opening bid, a forcing relay bid of 2NT by responder asks opener to describe the general strength and quality of their hand. Responder usually has around the points for an opening bid and is interested in game, although it does not guarantee trump support.

[edit] Responses

2♣/♦/♥/♠ - (pass) - 2NT - (pass) -

3♣: shows a weak hand with a weak suit

3♦: shows a good hand with a weak suit

3♥: shows a weak hand with a good suit

3♠: shows a good hand with a good suit

After knowing the quality of opener's hand, responder can now set the contract.

[edit] Variants

There are many variants to the Ogust convention. One of the most common is the treatment listed in The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge and Goren's New Bridge Complete which reverses the meaning of 3♦ and 3♥ . The reason for this reversal is for effective handling of an opening bid of 2♦. Using Ogust's original formula, a response to 2NT showing good diamonds with a minimum strength (3♥) very often results in a final contract at too high a level. However reversing the meanings of the 3♦ and 3♥ bids (see below) allows the partnership to easily signoff at the level of 3♦ .

3♣: shows minimum strength, poor suit

3♦: shows minimum strength, good suit

3♥: shows maximum strength, poor suit

3♠: shows maximum strength, good suit

3NT: shows a solid suit (usually AKJT or better)

Other variants define a poor suit to be one of the top three honors, and a good suit to be two of the top three honors, with solid suit denoting AKQ (SAYC), or define minimum strength to be 6-8 HCP, and maximum strength to be 9-10 HCP (Benji Acol)