Landy convention
Landy, named after its inventor Alvin Landy,[1] is the first of several conventional defenses created to compete against an opponent's one notrump (1NT) opening.[2] Landy is a 2♣ overcall of the opponents' 1NT opening to show at least four cards in each of the major suits; all other bids are natural. Requirements for the overcall vary from partnership to partnership: some require 5-5, some 5-4, and yet others only 4-4 (provided the overall strength is sufficient). The partner can take a preference to either major or make a non-forcing bid of a suit; 2NT is used as a forcing query.
Extended Landy[edit]
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♦ | Pass | 1♠ | Pass |
| 1NT | 2♣ |
An extension was proposed by Ira Rubin in 1947[3] using 2♣ as a takeout request after a response or rebid of 1NT after a suit opening.[4] It implies more distribution and less strength than a double. It also applies in the passout seat.
Based on his initial inability to overcall the 1♦ opening directly, the bid of 2♣ by North shows five or more clubs and exactly four hearts. Similar uses were developed later by others.
Variations[edit]
Various additional modifications to Landy have appeared over years, by various authors. The original Landy convention is deemed obsolete amongst tournament players today in favor of more advanced conventions.[5] It is still very popular at club level.
Multi-Landy[edit]
A particular popular modification in the Netherlands is Multi-Landy,[6] a combination of Landy, the Multi 2 diamonds convention and the Muiderberg convention. In this modification, the 2♣ overcall is the same as in Landy, the 2♦ overcall shows a 6-card major suit, and 2♥ or 2♠ overcall shows five cards in that major suit and at least four cards in a minor suit.
Very similar is Reverse or Modified Cappelletti, the only difference being that the 2♦ overcall shows any 6-card suit, either a minor or a major.
Woolsey or Robinson[edit]
A variant developed by Kit Woolsey and Steve Robinson uses the same responses as Multi-Landy (above) but also includes a pinpoint double. A double would show a 4-card major and a 5-card or longer minor, a constructive 6-card or longer single-suited minor, or a hand of 19 high card points or more. After 2♣, advancer would bid 2♦ to show equal length in the majors and ask overcaller to bid their better suit. After 2♦, advancer would respond 2♥ to ask overcaller to pass or correct. Advancer would bid 2♠ showing non-forcing values in spades but invitational values for hearts. Advancer would bid 2NT with a forcing hand asking for further description of overcallers hand. Advancer would bid 3♦ with invitational values in both majors. 3♥ or 4♥ are pass or correct at that level.
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ Manley (2011), page 295
- ^ Kleinman, Danny (2004). The No Trump Zone. Toronto: Master Point Press. p. 165. ISBN 1-894154-70-3.
- ^ "Landy, Extended Landy". BridgeGuys. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
- ^ Manley (2011), page 284
- ^ "Landy". Bridge Bum. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ Manley (2011), page 302.
References[edit]
- Manley, Brent; Horton, Mark; Greenberg-Yarbro, Tracey; Rigal, Barry, eds. (2011). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (7th ed.). Horn Lake, MS: American Contract Bridge League. ISBN 978-0-939460-99-1.