Copenhagen convention (bridge)
Encyclopedia
The Copenhagen convention is a conventional
overcall
which shows a two-suited hand. It was first devised by Mr. John Trelde and Mr. Gert Lenk, both of Copenhagen, Denmark. While it is rarely used in North America (where Michaels cuebid
s are most popular), it is fairly popular in Europe, especially Denmark.
The requirement for a bid in the Copenhagen convention is a two-suited hand with at least 5 cards in each suit
and typically an opening hand. Point count requirements vary, but it is commonly agreed that an overcall using this convention is constructive and should be made on hands that hold the prospect of winning the auction. When made on very weak hands, the chances are the opponents will win the auction and will have been warned about the unbalanced holding, leading to games that would not have been bid otherwise. Given that a bid using the Copenhagen convention is forcing
for one round, most partnerships apply no upper limit to its high card strength.
To use the convention, when the opponents make a one level opening, you make one of three bids. To show the bottom two unbid suits, bid 2 NT. To show the top and bottom unbid suits, bid 3. To show the top two unbid suits, bid 3. If the opponents have bid two suits, both at the one level, then the only overcall is 2 NT, which shows the two unbid suits.
As opposed to Michaels cuebid
s, the 3 and 3 jump overcalls aren’t available as natural bids. Bids at the two level (barring 2 NT) are natural. The Copenhagen convention is more precise in terms of uniquely defining the specific suits denoted than standard Michaels cuebid
s. However, the lowest level the hand can be played at is the three level, and rarely will a nine card trump suit fit be found. This goes against the Law of Total Tricks
, which states the three level should have at least a nine card fit.
Bridge convention
A bridge convention is a system of calls made during the auction phase of a contract bridge game which conveys a coded meaning about the players' card holdings...
overcall
Overcall
In contract bridge, an overcall is a bid made after an opening bid has been made by an opponent; the term refers only to the first such bid. A direct overcall is a bid made directly over the opening bid by right-hand opponent; an overcall in the 'last seat' is referred to as a balancing...
which shows a two-suited hand. It was first devised by Mr. John Trelde and Mr. Gert Lenk, both of Copenhagen, Denmark. While it is rarely used in North America (where Michaels cuebid
Michaels cuebid
The Michaels cuebid is a conventional bid used in the card game contract bridge. First devised by Mike Michaels of Miami Beach, it is an overcaller's cuebid in opponent's opening suit and is normally used to show a two-suited hand with at least five cards in each suit and eight or more points.After...
s are most popular), it is fairly popular in Europe, especially Denmark.
The requirement for a bid in the Copenhagen convention is a two-suited hand with at least 5 cards in each suit
Suit (cards)
In playing cards, a suit is one of several categories into which the cards of a deck are divided. Most often, each card bears one of several symbols showing to which suit it belongs; the suit may alternatively or in addition be indicated by the color printed on the card...
and typically an opening hand. Point count requirements vary, but it is commonly agreed that an overcall using this convention is constructive and should be made on hands that hold the prospect of winning the auction. When made on very weak hands, the chances are the opponents will win the auction and will have been warned about the unbalanced holding, leading to games that would not have been bid otherwise. Given that a bid using the Copenhagen convention is forcing
Forcing bid
In the card game contract bridge, a forcing bid is any bid that obliges the partner to bid over an intermediate opposing pass. Owing to the partnership's bidding system or a bridge convention, partner must "keep the bidding open", i.e...
for one round, most partnerships apply no upper limit to its high card strength.
To use the convention, when the opponents make a one level opening, you make one of three bids. To show the bottom two unbid suits, bid 2 NT. To show the top and bottom unbid suits, bid 3. To show the top two unbid suits, bid 3. If the opponents have bid two suits, both at the one level, then the only overcall is 2 NT, which shows the two unbid suits.
As opposed to Michaels cuebid
Michaels cuebid
The Michaels cuebid is a conventional bid used in the card game contract bridge. First devised by Mike Michaels of Miami Beach, it is an overcaller's cuebid in opponent's opening suit and is normally used to show a two-suited hand with at least five cards in each suit and eight or more points.After...
s, the 3 and 3 jump overcalls aren’t available as natural bids. Bids at the two level (barring 2 NT) are natural. The Copenhagen convention is more precise in terms of uniquely defining the specific suits denoted than standard Michaels cuebid
Michaels cuebid
The Michaels cuebid is a conventional bid used in the card game contract bridge. First devised by Mike Michaels of Miami Beach, it is an overcaller's cuebid in opponent's opening suit and is normally used to show a two-suited hand with at least five cards in each suit and eight or more points.After...
s. However, the lowest level the hand can be played at is the three level, and rarely will a nine card trump suit fit be found. This goes against the Law of Total Tricks
Law of total tricks
In contract bridge, the Law of total tricks is a guideline used to help determine how high to bid in a competitive auction. It is not really a law but a method of hand evaluation which describes a relationship that seems to exist somewhat regularly...
, which states the three level should have at least a nine card fit.