Woolsey Defense to 1NT Openings

Initial Actions

Double = usually a 5-card minor and a 4-card major

2C = majors, After 2D asks for preference

2D = one of the majors

2H = Hearts and a minor

2S = Spades and a minor

2N = both minors

3X = natural

Common abuses:

3145 hands in balancing seat regularly double, even with no four-card major.

Very big hands (good 19+) start with double and rebid 2NT (or double) to try to expose a psych.

Good 4441 hands with a stiff minor can start with 2 C.

Single-suited minor hands often start with double, hoping to be able to play at the 2-level. These hands will pass a 2 D ask.

Responses to Double: 2C = pass or correct. After 2D, 2H is pass or correct 2D = Asks for major (not forcing) H,2S = natural, to play 2NT = artificial, asking to describe minor 3C = minimum and clubs 3D = minimum and diamonds 3H = max and clubs 3S = max and diamonds 3C,3D = to play 3H,3S = natural, invitational 3NT = to play 4C.4D = Transfers to Hearts, Spades (Namyats) 4H,4S = to play Responses to 2C 2D = pick a suit 2H,2S = strong preference 2NT = artificial game try 3C = have minimum,clubs 3D = minimum and diamonds 3H = max and clubs 3S = max and diamonds 3C = natural, preemptive 3D = natural, preemptive 3H,3S = natural, good 5 card suit - usually not forcing 4C.4D = Transfers to Hearts, Spades (Namyats) 4H,4S = to play Responses to 2D 2H = natural, to play 2S = stronger hearts, forcing to at least 3H 2NT = artificial game try 3C = minimum and clubs 3D = minimum and diamonds 3H = max and clubs 3S = max and diamonds 3C,3D = to play 3H,3S = natural, asking to pass or correct 3NT = to play 4C.4D = Transfers to Hearts, Spades (Namyats) 4H,4S = to play If opps interfere: 2NT = bid your major dbl = for penalty Responses to 2NT 3C = minimum and clubs 3D = minimum and diamonds 3H = max and clubs 3S = max and diamonds 3NT =max, unwilling to play a partscore and hold appropriate minor such that 3M is not forcing.