Bergen Raises
Bergen raises are a form of major-suit raise when playing 5-card majors. After a
/
//Responses to 1
I use the acronym "CLAP" to remember Bergen raises: "Constructive, Limit And Preemptive."
| 3 |
A "Constructive" raise, showing 7-10 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example: Q32AT54 9 JT876 |
| 3 |
A "Limit" raise, showing 10-12 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example: KJ4 AJT2 JT93 T9 |
| 3 |
A "Preemptive" raise, showing 0-6 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example: A32J643T97393 |
| 3 |
An "ambiguous spinter" raise. Unbalanced, game-forcing raise 12+ points and 4-card trump support, with an undisclosed singleton or void. With a balanced game-forcing raise, use the Jacoby 2NT convention instead. Example: J32KQ93AKT872 Partner is expected to bid 3NT as an artificial relay, after which responder will bid his singleton/void suit at the 4-level. |
Responses to 1
| 3 |
A "Constructive" raise, showing 7-10 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example: QJ32KJ4 92 J976 |
| 3 |
A "Limit" raise, showing 10-12 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example: AQ54 J32KJ92 43 |
| 3 |
An "ambiguous splinter" raise. Unbalanced, game-forcing raise 12+ points and 4-card trump support, with an undisclosed singleton or void. With a balanced game-forcing raise, use the Jacoby 2NT convention instead. Example: AQ72J6435AKT4 |
| 3 |
A "Preemptive" raise, showing 0-6 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Example: KT986543T9732Partner is expected to bid 3NT as an artificial relay, after which responder will bid his singleton/void suit at the 4-level. |
Bergen raises are based on the Law of Total Tricks, which suggests that the partnership should bid to its number of total trumps. With a nine-card fit, for example, the partnership should bid to the 3-level. Note that Bergen raises are commonly off by a passed hand. If partner opens 1
/ in 3rd or 4th seat, then Drury is often used for conventional responses instead.
Openers Rebids After a 3 Response ("Constructive" Raise)
| 3 |
This is typically played as a "help suit game try", showing game interest with 4+ diamonds and 14-16 points. (Alternatively, it can be played as a "short suit game try", showing a diamond singleton or void and interest in game.) Responder is expected to sign off in 3/ with minimum values, or bid 4/ with maximum values.
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| 3 |
If the agreed suit is hearts, then this is a signoff bid. If the agreed suit is spades, then this is typically played a "help suit game try", showing game interest with 4+ hearts and 14-16 points. (Refer to the description of 3.)
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| 3 |
If the agreed suit is spades, then this is a signoff bid. If the agreed suit is hearts, then this is typically played as a strong and natural bid, showing 4+ spades and interest in slam. Responder is expected to do something intelligent at his next turn (sign off in 4, cue-bid an ace, etc.).
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Openers Rebids After a 3 Response ("Limit" Raise)
| 3 |
If the agreed suit is hearts, then this is a signoff bid. If the agreed suit is spades, then this is typically played a "help suit game try", showing game interest with 4+ hearts and 14-16 points. (Refer to the description of 3.) |
| 3 |
If the agreed suit is spades, then this is a signoff bid. If the agreed suit is hearts, then this is typically played as a strong and natural bid, showing 4+ spades and interest in slam. |
Opener's Rebids After 1 - 3 ("Preemptive" Raise)
| Pass | Shows less than 18 points. |
| 4 |
Shows 18+ points in an uncontested auction. In competition, however, this may be a sacrifice. |
| Opener | Responder | ||||
| 83 | T52 | ||||
| AKQ32 | J654 | ||||
| J87 | 5 | ||||
| AT9 | Q7654 | ||||
Opener 1 Pass |
Responder 3 (1) |
- 3 is a preemptive raise, showing 0-6 points and 4-card support.
Opener's Rebids After 1 - 3 (Game-Forcing Raise)
3 is an unbalanced, game-forcing raise with a singleton or void. Opener can sign off in | 3 |
Artificial relay. Responder is expected to bid his singleton or void at the 4-level:
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| Opener | Responder | ||||
| AK843 | QJ52 | ||||
| A5 | KQ42 | ||||
| T987 | 5 | ||||
| KQ | A65 | ||||
Opener 1 3 (2) |
Responder 3 (1)4 (3) |
- 3 is an unbalanced game-forcing raise.
- 3 asks responder to disclose his short suit.
- 4 shows a singleton or void in diamonds.
Opener's Rebids After 1 - 3 ("Preemptive" Raise)
| Pass | Shows less than 18 points. |
| 4 |
Shows 18+ points in an uncontested auction. In competition, however, this may be a sacrifice. |
| Opener | Responder | ||||
| AKQ843 | T952 | ||||
| AK32 | Q5 | ||||
| J8 | 8762 | ||||
| T | 653 | ||||
Opener 1 4 (2) |
Responder 3 (1)Pass |
- 3 is a preemptive raise, showing 0-6 points and 4-card support.
- 4 is a good bet with 17 HCP and extra shape. Note that in standard bidding methods, the auction might simply go 1 - Pass - Pass - Pass.
Opener's Rebids After 1 - 3 (Game-Forcing Raise)
3 is an unbalanced, game-forcing raise with a singleton or void. Opener can sign off in | 3NT | Artificial relay. Responder is expected to bid his singleton or void at the 4-level:
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| Opener | Responder | ||||
| A5 | KQ42 | ||||
| AK843 | QJ52 | ||||
| KJT9 | 5 | ||||
| T5 | A983 | ||||
Opener 1 3NT (2) 4 (4) |
Responder 3 (1)4 (3)Pass |
- 3 is an unbalanced game-forcing raise.
- 3NT asks responder to disclose his short suit.
- 3 shows a singleton or void in diamonds.
- 4 is a signoff. Opener has 15 HCP but wasted values in diamonds.
In Competition
Bergen raises are on over an opposing double, but are otherwise off.Pros and Cons
The primary benefits of Bergen raises are that:
- Opener receives more detailed information than if playing standard limit raises.
- The partnership reaches the 3-level faster than if playing limit raises; this 'fast' arrival may preempt the opponents. The Law of Total Tricks (also popularized by Marty Bergen) says that a pair should usually bid up to the 3-level when holding a combined 9+ trumps.
- Good 4/ games are occasionally reached when responder makes a preemptive raise.
The main drawback of Bergen raises is that they give up the natural 3/ responses. However, this loss of strong jump shifts is marginal if playing a 2/1 system, because such hands can be shown by a simple 2/ game-forcing response.