Using Landy By Tor Helness

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Hello Bridge friends!

This is the first in a series of letters for Topbridge, where I will give you hints on bidding and declarer play.

I would like to inform the players about Landy, a convention in use after the opponents have opened 1NT.

A 2 overcall is showing at least 4-4 in the majors, and a 2 relay from partner is asking the 2 bidder to show his longest suit. (The 2 overcaller is typically 2-2 or 3-3 in the majors).

Note that the convention is in use both in 2nd and 4th position.

Here is an example of the convention in use at the 2001 European Teams Championships.

I was sitting North, partnering Geir Helgemo in Norway’s match against Sweden.

Dealer: South, None Vulnerable

aaxxaaxx

Andersson for Sweden opened a strong 1NT.

I bid 2 for the majors.

Geir bid 2, showing his best major. Remember this was a team’s event. I had to make an invitation with 3, and Geir was happy to accept with his king to three in trumps and an outside ace.

With the suits behaving very nicely, Geir had no problems collecting 11 tricks and some valuable IMPs for our team.

written by Tor Helness in 2002 for Topbridge.com