1. Introduction

This is the blending of Grant Baze’s write up on Modified Two Way Stayman as found at http://members.shaw.ca/conventions/m2ws.htm (This link no longer works) and the XYZ articles as found in the November and December 2008 "Bridge Bulletin". A good article is in Max Hardy’s book Advanced Bridge Bidding in the 21st Century [ 1 ] [ 2 pp. 82-89 ]. There are several links to other sites relating to XYZ at the end of this article.

There’s also a good section on XYZ by Fred Hamilton "Much like two way New Minor Forcing after a rebid of one notrump, X-Y-Z can be used to advantage over any one level rebid by Opener." [ 3 pp. 30-34 ]

XYZ refers to a bidding sequence by us of IX - 1Y - 1Z. Like Two Way New Minor Forcing 2WNMF , the XYZ convention is initiated by Responder. While 2WNMF is applicable only when Opener’s Z-bid is 1NT, XYZ extends 2WNMF advantages to include a Z-bid of 1 ♥ or 1 ♠ rebid. After a XYZ bidding sequence, Responder’s 2 ♣ or 2 ♦ rebid invokes the convention.

The advantage of XYZ is that it enables better sign off sequences, invitational sequences and forcing sequences. Additionally it has a few frills and benefits not seen with 2WNMF.

The disadvantage of XYZ is that you can’t play in 2 ♣ and the opponents may be able to make a lead directing double of the artificial 2 ♣ or 2 ♦ bids.

With competition, *XYZ is "on" as long as our Z-bid is at the one level and above their suit.*

This use in competition is directly referenced in Grant Baze’s article on *Modified two-way Stayman" (more commonly known as 2-way New Minor Forcing) [ 2 p. 82 ].

It’s fairly easy for Opener to forget the XYZ 2 ♣ or 2 ♦ bid by Responder.

2. Responder’s calls after Opener’s XYZ bid.

  • 2 ♣ is a relay to 2 ♦ . 2 ♣ is a forcing relay to 2 ♦ .

Opener MAY refuse the ♣ relay to 2 ♦ with a very distributional hand. If Opener holds something like ♠ AJ83 ♥ 7 ♦ 4 ♣ KQJT754 common sense should prevail. It is probably best to agree that Opener can ignore the relay and bid 3 ♣ .

  • 2 ♦ is artificial and game forcing . It is usually a major suit check-back, although it could be the beginning of a forcing sequence in either minor. Normally this is not game forcing by a passed hand unless playing a 12-14 Weak Notrump opening and Responder has a maximum passed hand.-

  • 3 ♣ is to play 6+ ♣ regardless of Opener’s 1st bid suit.

  • Jump rebids into Opener’s suit, their own suit or any ranking lower suit {except 3 ♣ } are game forcing and suggest slam possibilities.

Game Forcing Raise Examples

a)

♠ AQ63

b)

♠ Q642

♥ AKJ74

♥ AKJ74

♦ 85

♦ 85

♣ Q7

♣ Q7

In the auction 1 ♦ (?) 1 ♥ (?) 1 ♠ ;

With example a) jump to 3 ♠ which is forcing and invites slam.

With example b) bid 2 ♦ to establish a game force. Support ♠ at your next turn.

3. Continuations after the 2 ♣ forced relay to 2 ♦

The first possibility is there will be no continuation. Responder may have a poor hand with long ♦ . If Responder does not pass 2 ♦ any bid they make is invitational; except for the obvious splinter to be discussed later. Opener may pass, accept the invitation by bidding game or, in some cases, reinvite.

If Responder next bids 2 ♥ , 2 ♠ , 2NT, 3 ♣ , 3 ♦ , 3 ♥ , or 3 ♠ each of these bids is invitational. The meaning of the invitational bids in this example are:

  • 1x - 1 ♠ - 1NT - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 2 ♥ shows 5-4 in the majors

  • 1x - 1 ♠ - 1NT - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 2 ♠ shows 5 card ♠ suit

  • 1m - 1y - 1z - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 2NT invites 3NT but shows a hand that includes 4 cards in Opener’s minor suit. This allows Opener to sign off in 3 ♣ if they wish. If Opener had opened 1 ♦ , then the delayed raise to 2NT would show 4 cards in ♦ . Without 4 cards in Opener’s minor, Responder would raise 1NT to 2NT directly.

  • 1 ♣ - 1y - 1z - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 3 ♣ shows 5 card ♣ support

  • 1 ♣ - 1 ♠ - 1NT - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 3 ♦ shows 5-5 ♠ and ♦

  • 1m - 1 ♠ - 1NT - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 3 ♥ shows 5-5 majors

  • 1m - 1 ♠ - 1NT - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 3 ♠ shows a 6 card ♠ suit

This treatment of the 1x 1y 1z 2NT differs from some agreements where the 1x - 1y - 1z - 2NT is a transfer to 3 ♣ .

4. Continuations after the artificial 2 ♦ game force

2 ♦ usually shows a junky game forcing hand, although it can be very strong without the suit length or suit quality to make a forcing jump to the 3 level. The 2 ♦ bid is used to:

  1. Find a buried 4-4 major suit fit. Show an unbid 4-card major.

  2. Find 3 card support for Responder’s major

  3. Create a force in Opener’s minor.

  4. Create a forcing {and natural} bid in the unbid minor.

5. Jump rebids by Responder

A jump rebid of 3 ♣ is the end of the auction. Responder has some bad hand with lots of ♣ . This is the only jump rebid that is not game forcing!

Jumps by Responder in their own suit, Opener’s suit, or a lower ranking suit (other than ♣ ) are game forcing, and probably slammish. Responder’s hand is unlimited, and they could have a hand with which they envision a grand slam.

If Opener’s suit is ♦ , Responder must have at least 5 card support for a jump into Opener’s ♦ ; otherwise they would create a game force by bidding 2 ♦ then supporting ♦ .

If Opener’s suit is ♣ , Responder must go through the 2 ♦ game force before they can support ♣ , because an immediate jump into ♣ is always a bad hand and the end of the auction.

6. Important Inferences:

Opener opens a minor, Responder bids 1 ♠ , Opener rebids 1NT, Responder bids 2 ♥ . Normally when Opener has 14 HCP and four ♥ , he wonders if he should bid 3 ♠ or 4 ♥ . Using these methods, he must pass . If Responder wanted to invite, he would have used the 2 ♣ relay. The same reasoning applies if Responder rebids his major suit. Opener must pass.

7. Clarifications:

If the auction is 1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1NT, 2 ♦ is still a game force. In this auction, if Responder continues with 3 ♣ or 3 ♦ , they have interest in a minor suit contract, possibly a slam. If Responder wanted out in ♦ , they would have used the 2 ♣ relay.

8. Reverse by Responder:

XYZ does not change the meaning of a reverse by Responder. If the auction is 1 ♣ - 1 ♥ - 1NT -2 ♠ , Responder has 5 or more ♥ , presumably 4 ♠ , and a game force with likely slam interest.

9. Passed hand auctions:

When Responder is a passed hand, 2 ♣ is still a relay to 2 ♦ , and the entire structure applies. Even though Responder is a passed hand, they can still have invitational values. If the opening bid was 1 ♣ , you can no longer play 2 ♣ , but the opponents probably were not going to let you play it there anyway.

After Opener’s rebid, Responder’s 2 ♦ can no longer be game forcing, because a passed hand cannot have a game force (unless playing a 12-14 weak NT where Opener’s 1NT rebid shows a strong NT hand). In this case 2 ♦ is natural and not invitational; it does, however, guarantee 5 cards in Responder’s first bid suit. If Responder has bypassed a longer ♦ suit to bid a 4 card major, or if they have 4 card support for Opener’s ♦ suit and only a 4 card major, they would bid 2 ♣ to force Opener to bid 2 ♦ and then pass.

10. Splinter sequences:

Because of the availability of the relay auction, Responder can splinter in support of Opener’s suit or their suit. An immediate splinter is in support of Opener’s suit (think of your partner first). A relay followed by an unusual jump is a splinter in support of Responder’s own suit.

1 ♣ - 1 ♥ - 1NT - 3 ♠ is a splinter raise of ♣ . Responder has 1 ♠ , 4 ♥ , 5 or more ♣ and a game forcing hand. Responder is not necessarily interested in slam. They may be just describing their hand and warning partner that there may be a ♠ problem if the final contract is NT.

1 ♣ - 1 ♥ - 1NT- 2 ♣ -2 ♦ -3 ♠ is a splinter for Responder’s ♥ . Responder has 1 ♠ , 6 or more ♥ , and a slam interest. If Responder had no interest in slam they would bid 4 ♥ directly over 1NT.

1 ♣ - 1 ♥ - 1 ♠ - 4 ♣ is a splinter for ♠ . Responder has at least 4 ♥ and exactly 4 ♠ and at most 1 ♣ .

1 ♣ - 1 ♥ - 1 ♠ - 2 ♣ -2 ♦ - 4 ♣ is a splinter for Responder’s ♥ showing slam interest. Note: this is different than the Bridge Bulletin write up. The change was made so that the deferred splinter after 1NT and 1 of a major are both for Responder’s suit.

11. Examples:

lm - 1Y- 1Z - 2NT is natural and invitational and denies 4 card support for Opener’s minor,

lm - 1Y - 1Z - 2 ♣ - 2D - 2NT - is natural and invitational and shows 4 card support for Opener’s minor.

lm - 1Y - 1Z - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 3m is invitational and shows 5 card support for Opener’s minor.

Ix - 1M - 1NT - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 3 ♦ - is invitational and shows 5 card major and 5 ♦

The next three sequences won’t come up if playing Reverse Flannery (sometimes known as UMJOOMO (Unusual Major Jump Over One Minor Opening)

1m - 1 ♠ - 1NT - 2 ♥ is weak and shows 5 ♠ and 4 or 5 ♥ . Pass or correct.

1m - 1 ♠ - 1NT - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 2 ♥ is invitational and shows 5 ♠ and 4 ♥ .

1m - 1 ♠ - 1NT - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 3 ♥ is invitational and shows 5 ♠ and 5 ♥ .

1X - 1NT - 3NT is natural and denies a 5 card major.

1M - 1NT - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 3NT is natural and shows a 5 card major. Pass or correct.

1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 ♠ - 2 ♥ is a game force reverse and shows at least 5 ♦ and 4 ♥ .

1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1NT - 2 ♥ is a game force reverse and shows at least 5 ♦ and 4 ♥ .

1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1 ♠ - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 2 ♥ is invitational and shows 6 ♦ and 4 ♥ .

1 ♣ - 1 ♦ - 1NT - 2 ♣ - 2 ♦ - 2 ♥ is invitational and shows 6 ♦ and 4 ♥ .

12. References

[1] M. Hardy, Advanced Bridge Bidding for the 21st Century . SQueeZe Books, 2002.

[2] M. H. Grant Baze, in Advanced Bridge Bidding in the 21st Century , SQueeZe Books, 2002, pp. 82–89.

[3] M. H. Fred Hamilton, in Advanced Bridge Bidding in the 21st Century , SQueeZe Books, 2002, pp. 30–34.