Improving Your 2/1 Structure (2)

Let's talk more about the Bergen Raise in previous article.
I suggested to play it in a reversed way and we can move onto the details today.



Recall from last article: 
1 Opening:

• 3=10-12 HCP, 4+ cards 
• 3=6-9 HCP, 4+ cards 

After an invitational raise, the key for slam is usually a shortness in a particular suit.

This concept is similar to a Splinter raise sequence.

Therefore, it would be good to initiate a shortness asking bid and/or a shortness showing bid.

The concept is try to find 16-18 HCP vs 10-12 HCP with a no wastage shortness.

With 9 cards trump fit, slam is on at about 28 HCP with such a no wastage shortness.

After 1-3-:

• 3=Asking for singleton/void
• 3=Any void, 3NT to relay
• 4/4/4=Void
• 3/4/4=Singleton
• 3NT=No singleton/void
• 3=NF
• 3/4/4=Splinter

Breaking the relay at anytime would change into normal cue-bidding sequence.

On the other hand, with a constructive raise, the chance for slam is remote.

In that scenario, a source of tricks will be the critical property you want to have.

Usually Opener will need to have a 5+ cards suit to make the slam.

After 1-3-:

• 3=General invite
• 3=NF
• 3NT=Serious slam try
• 4/4/4=Suit, usually 5+ cards, slam try

Some players recommend to promise a singleton or void in Bergen Raise.

In my experience, it is unnecessary to have this requirement.

As the game zone is about 21 HCP for a 9 cards trump fit, it is usually the best practice to show this to your partner first and leave the decision for singleton later.

Sometimes Opener has a singleton himself, and sometimes he has extra strength to go for the game.