Flannery
Encyclopedia
Flannery is a bridge convention using an 2 opening bid to show a hand of minimal opening bid strength (11-15 high card points) with exactly four spades and five (or sometimes six) hearts. It was invented by American player William L. Flannery.
This convention was introduced because of the awkwardness of describing such a holding, especially with four-card major systems. For example, with the hand , if the bidding starts 1 - 1NT (denying four spades), the opener cannot rebid 2, as it would be a reverse bid
showing a stronger hand, 2 would show a six-card suit, and 2 of a minor would show 4 or at least good 3 cards. Thus, the opener cannot safely seek for a 5-3 fit in hearts. Five-card major openers are somewhat better placed, because 1NT denies both 3 hearts and 4 spades, so opener may safely pass. However, this convention is also useful when playing five-card majors in conjunctions with forcing notrump
, to prevent opener from having to respond in a nonsuit after 1 – 1NT when not strong enough to reverse.
approach, where shorter suit is opened first. It is used in some variations of Blue Club
and Lancia systems. With canapé in effect, hands with 4=5 in majors are naturally opened 1 with 2 rebid, however, hands with 5 spades and 4 hearts are the ones that present a problem. So, the bid of 2 shows 5 spades and 4 hearts. The further development is similar to the basic Flannery.
This convention was introduced because of the awkwardness of describing such a holding, especially with four-card major systems. For example, with the hand , if the bidding starts 1 - 1NT (denying four spades), the opener cannot rebid 2, as it would be a reverse bid
Reverse (bridge)
A reverse, in the card game contract bridge, is a bidding sequence designed to show additional strength without the need to make a jump bid; specifically two suits are bid in the reverse order to that expected by the basic bidding system. Precise methods and definitions vary with country and...
showing a stronger hand, 2 would show a six-card suit, and 2 of a minor would show 4 or at least good 3 cards. Thus, the opener cannot safely seek for a 5-3 fit in hearts. Five-card major openers are somewhat better placed, because 1NT denies both 3 hearts and 4 spades, so opener may safely pass. However, this convention is also useful when playing five-card majors in conjunctions with forcing notrump
Forcing notrump
The forcing notrump is a bidding convention in the card game of bridge.In standard bidding, the response of 1NT to an opening bid of 1 or 1 shows 6 to 9 high card points and is non-forcing...
, to prevent opener from having to respond in a nonsuit after 1 – 1NT when not strong enough to reverse.
Responses
Responder's only forcing bid is 2NT; all other bids are natural. The responses are:- Pass, 2, 2, 3, 3 – to play
- 3NT, 4, 4 – to play
- 3, 3 – invitational
- 2NT – forcing bid. The opener describes his hand more precisely:
- 3, 3 – 3 cards in the bid suit (i.e., 4=5=1=3 and 4=5=3=1 distribution, respectively)
- 3 – 4=5=2=2, 11-13 points
- 3 – 4=5=2=2, 14-15 points with weak minor-suit doubletons
- 3NT – 4=5=2=2, 14-15 points, but good minor-suit doubletons
- 4, 4 – 4 cards in the bid suit (i.e., 4=5=0=4 and 4=5=4=0 distribution, respectively)
- 4 - a 6-card heart suit, for those who play this variant
Anti-Flannery
"Anti-Flannery" is a variation used in systems which use canapéCanapé (bridge)
Canapé is a bridge bidding system where the second suit bid is always longer than the first. The name Canapé refers to a small bite presented before a big meal....
approach, where shorter suit is opened first. It is used in some variations of Blue Club
Blue Club
Blue Club is a bridge bidding system, developed mainly by Benito Garozzo. It was used by the famous Blue Team and became very popular in the 1960s and has been in decline since.The main features are:...
and Lancia systems. With canapé in effect, hands with 4=5 in majors are naturally opened 1 with 2 rebid, however, hands with 5 spades and 4 hearts are the ones that present a problem. So, the bid of 2 shows 5 spades and 4 hearts. The further development is similar to the basic Flannery.