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Mini Roman - An opening bid of 2 Diamonds to
show a 11-15 point opening hand with either a 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0
distribution. Without the use of the conventional treatment to show
this unusual hand shape, the opener frequently has a difficult time
describing the hand shape with subsequent rebids. Many, but not all,
Mini Roman players require Spades be among the 4+ card suits (no 1=4=4=4
distribution), others require the Spade suit on when Vulnerable, and a few
like the convention enough to drop special requirements entirely.
Responder's 2 Notrump bid is the only forcing response: 2D - 2N;
Partnership 2N strength agreements are needed; some play
invitational values with as little as 8 HCP (forcing one round), while
others consider responder's 2N game forcing.
Mini Roman bidding scenario include:
|
Bidding |
Meaning |
|
|
|
|
2D - P! |
Holding a 6+ card Diamond suit with 0-7 HCP,
no major suit, responder may pass |
|
2D - 2H/S |
No interest in game, asking
opener to either pass or correct to a 4 card Spade suit.
Thus, opener usually plays the contract in 2H or 2S.
Responder bidding the lowest 4 card or reasonable 3 card major with
3=3=3=4 or 3=3=4=3 distribution. |
|
2D - 2H;
2S - 3C/D |
Occasionally the responder
does not have length in the opener's 2 level suit. In this
scenario, the responder persists by rebidding 3 of the longer minor and
opener signs off. |
|
2D - 3m;
3m+1 |
The responder may have a 6 card minor
(likely partners short suit) with a reasonable tolerance to play in the
next higher suit at the 3 level. |
|
2D - 2N;
3C/D/H |
Bidding 2N, responder's
bid is forcing (one round or game, depending on agreements). Opener now shows
the short suit, akin to a splinter bid (without the jump) |
|
2D - 2N;
3H/S
- 4S/H |
After responder promises
game values, opener typically rebids 3H or 3S and
responder signs off in the major suit game (other major). |
|
2D - (2x)... |
If opponents interfere, a 3 level bid by
responder is competitive without showing game interest. |
An
interesting alternative to opener showing the short suit after responder's
2N bid is the "submarine" treatment - opener's rebid is one
less than the opener's short suit. This allows responder to
actually pass opener's short suit with a 6+ card suit and no
opportunity for game. Since opener must bid 3N with a short
Spade suit - thus most "submarine bidders" do not bid Mini Roman with a
short Spade suit). Otherwise, responder may still make normal game
bids (or invitational 3 level bids if playing that treatment). |
