Mini-Roman

Our Favorite. Mini-Roman is our favorite convention, as it comes up so often for us.

Mini-Roman situation: what to open with this hand ?

ª Axxx
© Kxxx
¨ AJxx
§ x

How are you ever going to get all three suits in with a 12 point hand ?

Mini-Roman is an opening call of 2¨, showing three unidentified suits with 11 to 15 HCP's.

Strength: Some pairs play that it always guarantees Spades and some play that it guarantees Spades when Vulnerable. Both are reasonable views, but we play that it guarantees nothing except three suits and 11+ points.

Distibution. The distribution is usually 4-4-4-1,with a singleton in any suit. Sometimes, it will be 5-4-4-0,with the 5 card suit being a minor, of course.

With a hand stronger than 15 HCP, we reverse. So the opening in a minor followed by a reverse in a major or jump raise of partner's major is an accurate reflection of the hand's strength and distribution. Further, by NOT opening 2¨, we further clarify the hand to responder.

Usage: Fairly common. Alertable, as both Flannery and Weak 2¨ bids sound the same.

Responses to Mini-Roman

Opener has shown a regular opening hand and three suits, which may or may not include Diamonds.

Responses When Game Is Not Likely

Responses with weak hands, in order, are:

2© - Responder cannot see game and has 4+ Hearts.

2ª - Responder cannot see game and has 4+ Spades, but NOT 4+ Hearts

3§ - Responder has Clubs and Diamonds, but not Hearts or Spades.

3¨ - Responder has Diamonds, and can accommodate Hearts (probably 3). As responder could pass the opening call with 6 Diamonds, this is nearly an impossible bid to imagine.

Opener, hearing partner bid a suit over 2¨, should pass when responder bids a suit held or bid the next higher suit. Responder will then either pass or place the contract, knowing opener's hand completely (So do the opponent's, unfortunately). Opener should take no independent action, as responder may be bidding with very few points.

Responses When Game Is Possible

In cases where game is a possibility, responder bids 2NT. For example,

N
E S
W

2¨
P 2NT*
P
South can see game possibilities, and wants to know North's singleton or void suit.

3¨*
P 4ª
. . .
North has a stiff Diamond, so South bids the spade game with a 4-4 fit.

When opener bids his short suit, responder can then raise to game in a good fit, bid 3NT without one, or bid any other suit, knowing where the fit is.

The 2NT Asking Response. The 2NT* response requires 10+HCP or so, plus reason to think the openers singleton or void will be of help. Usually, this means there will be several ruffs in dummy., so defenders usually lead trump.

N E S W

2¨* P 2NT* P

3ª P 4§ South didn't find the Spade fit, so has to settle for a 4 Club partial. Too bad.

2¨* Dbl 2NT* P

3¨* Dbl 3NT . . . South has good Diamond stoppers.

Example Mini-Roman Bidding Sequences

N E S W

2¨ P 2© . . . "Stop in Hearts, North !"

2¨ P 2NT* P

3¨ P 4ª . . . South bids the Spade game, confident of the fit.

2¨ P 2© P

2ª P 3§ North has a stiff Heart.

2¨ P 2ª P

3§ P 3© . . . South must be 5-3-3-2.

N	E	S	W
2¨	P	2NT*	P	South can see game possibilities, and wants to know North's singleton or void suit.
3¨*	P	4ª	. . .	North has a stiff Diamond, so South bids the spade game with a 4-4 fit.

N	E	S	W
2¨*	P	2NT*	P
3ª	P	4§		South didn't find the Spade fit, so has to settle for a 4 Club partial. Too bad.
2¨*	Dbl	2NT*	P
3¨*	Dbl	3NT	. . .	South has good Diamond stoppers.


2¨	P	2NT*	P
3¨	P	4ª	. . .	South bids the Spade game, confident of the fit.

2¨	P	2©	P
2ª	P	3§		North has a stiff Heart.

2¨	P	2ª	P
3§	P	3©	. . .	South must be 5-3-3-2.