XY No Trump Convention

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The XY no trump convention is a convention in bridge.

Contents

[edit] Using the convention

After opener's one of a suit (X), partner's one of a suit response (Y) and opener's 1NT rebid (a very common sequence), 2♣ from opener's partner forces 2♦ from opener. Holding a weak hand with diamonds, one can now pass. Other bids are invitational, describing also the nature of the hand. A 2♦ response to 1NT, however, is game forcing with any hand.

[edit] Examples of use

For example, on the sequence 1♣-1♠ (with our without opponent's interferring);1NT-2♣;2♦,2♥ will show an invitational hand with minimum five spades and four hearts, 2♠ an invitational hand with minimum five spades (in which case one does not have four hearts) or possibly six spades with or without four hearts. 2NT will show a balanced invitational hand, 3♣ typically an unbalanced invitational hand with club support. However, when one instead forces game with 2♦, opener will immediately start describing his own hand. He may, on basis of the aforementioned auction, with 2♦ being the only difference, bid 2♥ holding four hearts, 2♠ holding three card spade support, etc. Further bids are primarily natural.

[edit] Advantages using XY no trump

XY No Trump gives very good control finding both games and slams, as the final "mission" of the sequence is established at a relatively early stage of bidding.

Playing, as very common in combination with XY no trump, the Walsh convention or even Transfer Walsh, one still has the chance of stopping in 2♦ on weak hands, often impossible using for example Checkback Stayman.

[edit] Variations

A popular expanded version of XY no trump is the so-called "XYZ" [1], meaning the principles of regular XY no trump is valid even after a one of a suit (X) - one of a suit (Y); one of a suit (or no trump) (Z) auction. It replaces such a method as Fourth suit forcing.

[edit] Notes

[edit] See also