Kennedy Convention - The method where responder's major suit bid
promises a 5 card major, as opposed to the normal method where responder's
major suit bid only promises a 4 card major suit.
|
Opener |
Responder |
1. |
1C/D |
1H/S |
The responder's first obligation
is to bid a 5 card major with normal values. Thus, opener
is immediately aware of a 8 card "golden fit" when holding 3 cards in
the major suit. |
2. |
1C |
1D |
Bidding 1D implies
responder is lacking a 5 card major but holds a 4 card major.
Opener replies by bidding majors up the line. |
3. |
1C/D |
Notrump |
When the responder does not
possess a 5 or 4 card major, responder bypasses suit bids by responding
the appropriate Notrump bid. |
4. |
1D |
? |
Partnership agreement is needed
when opener begins bidding 1D. The partners must determine
whether a major suit bid response promises a 4 or 5 card major.
The tradeoff of bidding 1H/S with a 5 card suit means responder
must bid 1N even with a 4 card major. |
Assuming a
fit has been identified, opener or responder can then make the appropriate
response - Pass, major suit raise, new suit forcing, etc. |