Woolsey convention

Updated on Nov 13, 2023

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Devised by Kit Woolsey, the convention is a defense against an opponent's one notrump opening; especially used at matchpoints. Bids are as follows:

Double: a four-card major and a longer minor. Advancer can bid 2♣ to ask for the minor (pass or correct), 2♦ to ask for the major, or 2♥ or 2♠ to play.

2♣: Both majors. Advancer can bid 2♦ to ask which is better, so the overcaller's 2♣ bid can freely be made with 5-4 shape.

2♦: One major.

2 of a major: At least 5-5 in that major and a minor. 2NT asks for the minor.

2NT: both minors.

The convention has similarities with Multi-Landy.

Abuses

Common abuses as described by Kit Woolsey include:

3-1-4-5 distributional hands in the balancing seat regularly double, even with no 4-card major suit.

Strong hands, with 19 high card points plus, start with a double and then rebid 2 Notrump (or double) to try to expose a psychic bid.

Good 4-4-4-1 distributional hands with a stiff minor suit can start with 2♣.

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

References

Woolsey convention Wikipedia

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