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Bergen
Raises - A strategic system of responses to partner's major suit opening
bid showing 3 or 4-card trump support, providing both a constructive and
preemptive basis.
Also see:
Better Bidding With Bergen: Volume 1 - Uncontested Auctions
(pg 38)
Note: Most
play that Bergen Raises are "off" after a passed hand, opening in third or
fourth seat (see
Drury) or when opponents interfere with bidding. A minority of
players have reversed the meanings between 3 Clubs and Diamonds (called
Reverse Bergen). Also see
BROMAD
Bergen Raises
accommodate numerous variations, requiring detailed partnership agreements:
| |
Distribution
Points |
Trump |
Bid Response |
|
Using Constructive Raise treatment, use 1 and 2. |
| 1. |
5-7 |
3 |
1N (forcing), then
single raise in major |
| 2. |
8-10 |
3 |
2H/S (Constructive,
typically 2.5 - 3
cover cards) |
|
Using
Non-constructive Raises, use #3. |
| 3. |
6-9 |
3 |
2H/S Single raise |
| 4. |
10-12 |
3 |
1N (forcing), then
Jump to 3 in major |
| 5. |
13+ |
4+ |
2N Use
Jacoby Transfer bid |
| 6. |
7-10 |
4 |
3C (Note: Some
exchange the meaning of 3C/3D) |
| 7. |
10-12 |
4 |
3D (Note: Some
exchange the meaning of 3C/3D) |
| 8. |
2-5 |
4 |
3H/S jump to 3 in
major (preemptive)
See #11 below for opposite major jumps (concealed splinter) |
| 9. |
13-15 |
3 |
3N jump with
stopper. The conventional variation uses 3N to show 3 trump with a
flat 4-3-3-3 hand and honors spread among all suits. Opener can
then make a choice of game. |
| 10. |
2-5 |
5+ |
4H/S jump to 4 in
major w/favorable Vulnerability (preemptive) |
| 11. |
9-12 |
4+ |
Traditional, non-Bergen
treatment (used by many players)
4C/D/H splinter in short suit (singleton/void) |
|
However, Marty Bergen's
original treatment is to use a generalized "ambiguous splinter"
(concealed splinter) bid of 3 in the opposite major bid by Opener - with
slam interest. See #12 -14 |
| 12. |
9-12 |
4+ |
3H or 3S (opposite
major). With slam interest, Opener can then make a artificial suit bid
one suit step above Responder's concealed splinter suit bid to discover
responder's short suit or make other appropriate bids:
1H - 3S; 3N - ? 4C=Clubs, 4D=Diamonds, 4H=Spades
1S - 3H; 3S - ? 3N=Clubs, 4C=Diamonds, 4D=Hearts |
| 13. |
9-12 |
2-3 |
4C is a "Swiss
Raise" when playing ambiguous splinters. 4C describes a
hand better than a Bergen 3N response, thus 4C show 16+
points. This treatment is seldom included by most Bergen Raise
players. |
| 14. |
9-12 |
5+ |
4D describes a hand
stronger than jumping to 4H/S (2-5), equivalent similar to a 3C
(7-10) Bergen raise with 5 or more trump. This treatment is seldom
included by most Bergen Raise players. |
Examples:
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
Q J 2
7 6
J 10 3 2
Q 7 5 3 |
|
1S - (P) -
? Holding 6
HCP plus 1 distribution point for the Heart doubleton, first bid 1N
(forcing) planning to rebid 2S on next bid. Directly
bidding 2S would show 8-10 points - a constructive raise.
| |
|
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|
|
| |
Q J 2
7 6
K 10 9 2
K 7 5 3 |
|
1S - (P) -
? Holding 9 HCP plus 1 distribution point for the Heart doubleton, bid
2S (alertable if playing constructive raises, showing 3
cover cards here - 2
Kings and trump Queen)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Q J 9 2
6 5
K J 10 2
9 7 5 |
|
1S - (P) -
? Holding 7 HCP
with 4 Spades, bid
3C.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
K J 9 2
6 5
K Q J 2
9 7 5 |
|
1S - (P) -
? Holding
10 HCP with 4 Spades, bid
3D. |
