BERGEN RAISES
convention for major open
After an open in a
major (5+ cards) there are a significative difference in the value of support
when it's made with
with 3 or 4 cards having the same high cards points (hcp).
Opener knowing that the support was done with only 3 cards should always take a decision
more pessimist than when the support was done with 4 cards.
In April,1982 Martin Bergen published in ACBL Bulletin the first version of
this important convention aplyed for major open for distinguish a 3 cards support than a 4 or 5 cards
support based in the Law of Total Tricks
formuled by Jean-René Vernes in 1966 that established with high cards points divided (20-20 or
19-21 or 18-22) it is also possible fixed a safety level to bid
depending on the partnership fit length:
with 8 cards fit to play at level 2;
with 9 cards fit to play at level 3,
with 10 cards fit to play at level 4.
The convention is a very good orientation about Responder's strength when it's
distribution is balanced (4333 or 4432):
Opener Responder
1
2 <=
6-9 hcp with 3 cards support
1
3 <=
7-9 hcp with 4 cards support
1
3 <= 10-11 hcp with 4 cards
support
1
3 <=
2-6 hcp with 4 cards support
1
4 <=
2-6 hcp with 5 cards support
1
2 <=
6-9 hcp with 3 cards support
1
3 <=
7-9 hcp with 4 cards support
1
3 <= 10-11 hcp with 4 cards
support
1
3 <=
2-6 hcp with 4 cards support
1
4 <=
2-6 hcp with 5 cards support
There are some variations of this convention like
the bids is changed between 3
and 3
calling that the reverse bergen, so partnership could choose what version of Bergen raises
will play.
invitation bids:
Opener Responder
1
3 <= 7-9
3 <= if you are
maximum bid 4 or bid just 3
with minimum
Opener Responder
1
3 <= 7-9
3 <= if you are
maximum bid 4 or bid just 3
with minimum
Opener Responder
1
3 <= 10-11 hcp
3 <= if you are
maximum bid 4 or bid just 3
with minimum
After 1 and the response in
3 (7-9) Opener can bid 3
asking Responder if he is minimum
or maximum, and also make a
trial bid in 3 asking if
Responder have A or K
or even a
singleton to bid 4.
After 1 and the response in
3 Opener bids 3 asking if
Responder is in a maximum to bid 4.
The conception of minimum / maximum should not be based in hcp's sum but
principally in the quality of these hcps and also in additional distributional
points.
The importants cards are A and K so if yours hcp have many Q
and J that isn't so good.
Considering A = 2 controls and a K = 1 control then:
- response of 3 (7-9 hcp) is
maximum with 3 controls;
- response of 3 (10-11 hcp)
is maximum with 4 controls.
These considerations are for balanced distributions 4333/4432.
If the response hand have a singleton then it's maximum:
- for 3 with a singleton and
2 controls (A or 2K) in 7 hcp;
- for 3 with a singleton and
3 controls (A+K) in 10 hcp.
Corollary:
- distribution 4333 are always minimum;
- with distribution 5431 and 10-11 hcp bid game directly;
- if Opener makes a invitation Responder with singleton should accept.
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