Gazzilli
I haven't posted anything on Gazzilli before. It's one of my favorite conventions which occurs when the auction starts 1M-1NT or 1♥-1♠. It's a very simple convention with big advantages, few disadvantages, and it comes up frequently.
A 2♣ rebid from opener is a 2-way bid, showing one of 2 hand types:
- 16+HCP, any distribution
- <16HCP, natural (or semi-natural if that fits your system)
Responder has only 1 strong response: 2♦ shows 8+HCP, any distribution. Any other bid shows less than 8HCP and is natural. In this case a preference should be given to a doubleton Major support.
Opener will now clarify which hand type he's holding:
- After 1M-1♠/NT-2♣-2♦, opener rebids 2M with the weak version. Any other bid shows 16+HCP and makes the auction GF. Bidding 2OM usually shows a 3 card suit, which makes finding 5-3 and 6-2 fits a lot easier.
- After any weak bid, opener will usually pass with the weak version. With 16-17HCP and misfit he'll also pass. With a very strong hand he can bid a new suit. With fit he can still invite or bid game.
Basic structure after 2♣:
2♦ = 8+HCP
...2M = <16HCP, (semi)natural ♣
...2OM = 16+HCP, any hand with 3OM
...2NT = 16+HCP, balanced, no 3OM
...3m = 16+HCP, natural, no 3OM
...3M = 16+HCP, natural, no 3OM
...3OM = 16+HCP, 4OM
2M = <8HCP, 2-3M
2OM = <8HCP, natural, 0-1M
2NT = <8HCP, minors, 0-1M
3m = <8HCP, natural, 0-1M
There are some specific exceptions:
1♥-1NT-2♣-2♠ = <8HCP, 3♠ (1NT already denied 4♠) and both minors (5530 or 5431).
1♥-1NT-2♣-2♦-2♠ = 16+HCP, 4♠ (showing 3♠ is useless).
Obviously you can modify this structure a bit, for example use 1♠-1NT-2♣-2♦-2♥ to show 3-4♥. As a result, 1♠-1NT-2♣-2♦-3♥ will now show 5♥.
You can also use 1M-1NT-2♣-2♦-2OM as various handtypes (this saves space!).
If you play Kaplan inversion, it also has implications to rebidding 2OM after a 1♥ opening.
As usual there are a few (pretty rare) problem hands: <8HCP with 1=4=4=4 and the auction starts 1♠-1NT-2♣. Usually it's best to just bid 2♥ and hope for the best. Another one is after 1♥-1♠, when responder has a strong hand you may have some difficulties.
Playing Gazzilli frees up a few rebids for opener:
- Jump rebids (like 1M-1NT-3m) show a 5-5 with 2 great suits but less than 16HCP. If responder has honours in both suits, 4M in a 5-2 fit can be possible. A typical example is AKxxx-AQxxx opposite Qx-Kxx. 10 tricks are for the taking if both suits behave a little bit.
- 1♥-1NT-2♠ shows a minimum hand with 6♥-5♠.
- 1M-1NT-2NT: you can use this to show a GF hand with 6M-4m. Since these are difficult to bid anyway, you might as well make it easy using this tool.
In my current 2/1 system we play Gazzilli. The weak version can be with only 2♣s (5M332 or 4=5=2=2) because we prefer to have our 2♦ rebid natural with 4+ cards. Only exception we have to the 2♦ rebid is when we have 4=5=3=1 exactly. Playing 2♦ or 3♦ is acceptable since we have true ruffing value.
2 reactions:
I understand playing it as strong or clubs, but once you add in weak 5332 shapes it seems as though clubs will just get lost, e.g.:
xxx AKxxx x AKxx
opposite
Axx Qx xxx Qxxxx
1H-1NT-2C-2D-2H-P
Both hands could even be a bit stronger and bid the same way.
With a semi forcing or forcing 1NT response, you can indeed get these problems. You're obligated to bid something with 14-15HCP in case partner has an invite. We've chosen to bid our Diamonds naturally at the cost of Clubs.
If you decide to let opener rebid Diamonds on a 3 card suit, then you still show only 3+ Clubs. So with Axx-Qx-xxx-Qxxxx (a balanced minimum with defensive values) opposite 12-15 with 3+C, you'll still prefer to play 2M instead of bidding 3C imo.
Notice on the other hand that when we hold xxx-AKxxx-AKxx-x opposite Axx-Qx-Qxxxx-xxx and the auction starts 1H-1NT-2D, it's useful to know that opener has 4+D.
Post a Comment