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The Baron Three Clubs Convention |
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When partner opens 2NT (or it goes 2♣ - 2♦ - 2NT etc.) then we need a mechanism to find our 4-4 or 5-3 major suit fits etc. as over a 1NT opening. Now over 1NT everything is pretty easy, but over 2NT there is not so much room and it really is important to play a combination of things that actually works! For example, with hands that want to go no further than game we need to be able to locate 4-4 and 5-3 major suit fits. And there are a few problems. For example, suppose partner of the 2NT bidder has 5 ♠ 's and 4 ♥ 's – should he bid 3♣ Stayman or transfer? |
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There are numerous combinations around and I cover a number of them in the Responding to 2NT section. Now in the States and other countries, 3♣ is usually played as some form of Stayman (either normal Stayman or Puppet Stayman are quite common). But another very good scheme, popular in the UK , is Baron 3♣ . There are two common combinations: - |
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| 1- |
Baron 3♣ together with Flint 3♦. 3♥ and 3♠ are natural and forcing. |
| 2- |
Baron 3♣ together with Transfers. |
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Baron 3♣ asks for 4 card suits and they are bid up the line. If the 2NT bidder bid 3NT directly over the Baron 3♣ then he denies a 4 card ♦ / ♥ / ♠ suit and so he must have a ♣ suit. Flint 3♦ was basically a fore-runner of Jacoby transfers. It was a weak bid which asked the 2NT bidder to bid 3♥ which the Flint bidder would either pass or correct to 3♠ . There really is no point in playing Flint these days and transfers are to be preferred. So let's cover: - |
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Baron 3 clubs together with Transfers. |
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| 3♣ is Baron. |
Baron 3♣ asks for 4 card suits and they are bid up the line. If the 2NT bidder bid 3NT directly over the Baron 3♣ then he denies a 4 card ♦ / ♥ / ♠ suit and so he must have a ♣ suit. |
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| 3♦ |
transfer to 3♥ |
| 3♥ |
transfer to 3♠ |
| 3♠ |
Minor suit Stayman or a transfer to 4♣. Up to you. |
| 3NT |
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| 4♣ |
Gerber |
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| * Note : |
There is the problem with a hand with 4 ♥ 's and 5 ♠ 's. If you start with Baron 3♣ then you cannot subsequently show a 5 card ♠ suit. And if you transfer with 3♥ into 3♠ then you are up at the four level when you show your ♥ suit. |
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With 3♣ as Puppet Stayman in the Neimeijer complex this problem is solved by using a direct 3NT to show 4 ♥ 's and 5 ♠ 's and to play in 3NT one goes via 3♣ . You can also adopt this philosophy here (so go via 3♣ Baron) even though you have no intention of finding a 4-4 fit. |
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Thus with this alternative approach we have: - |
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| 3NT |
shows 5 ♠ 's and 4 ♥ 's |
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Pattaya Bridge Club - |
www.pattayabridge.com |
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