After hearing the 1NT rebid, responder can apply the Crowhurst convention by bidding an artificial
1 : 1/
1NT : 2
1 : 1
1NT : 2
The purpose of Crowhurst is to provide latitude in opening 1NT or 1-suit with 12-14 balanced hands. Before adopting Crowhurst, players should decide whether the benefit of a "choosy" 1NT opening bid outweighs the complexity of the 12-16 1NT rebid and subsequent Crowhurst auctions.
In response to Crowhurst, opener's rebids in priority are as follows.
Rebid | Meaning |
---|---|
2 | Artificial, minimum, 12-13 points. May or may not have 3-card support if responder has bid a major. |
2 | 14-16 points, 4 hearts. This bid only occurs after a |
2NT | 15-16 points, no 3-card support for responder's major. |
2 of partner's major |
14-15 points with 3-card support. |
3 of partner's major |
16 points with 3-card support. |
The following are some examples of Crowhurst auctions. Although they all emphasize the major suits, please note the sample auctions above for minor-suit sequences.
Opener | Responder | ||||
83 | AQ652 | ||||
AKQ65 | J2 | ||||
A87 | T93 | ||||
T42 | QJ5 | ||||
Opener 1 1 1NT 2 3 Pass |
Responder 1 2 2 2NT 4 |
Opener | Responder | ||||
A53 | KT987 | ||||
KJ54 | AQT2 | ||||
KT | J53 | ||||
AT52 | 3 | ||||
Opener 1 1NT 2 2 |
Responder 1 2 1 4 3 |
Opener | Responder | ||||
AK5 | QJT63 | ||||
543 | KJ92 | ||||
AQ9 | 62 | ||||
K432 | A7 | ||||
Opener 1 1NT 3 2 |
Responder 1 2 1 4 |
It is also possible to use Crowhurst with a 15-17 HCP 1NT rebid. Thus opener's balanced hands between 12-19 HCP would neatly fall into the following bids.
Hand Type | Opening Bid |
---|---|
Balanced 12-14 HCP | Open 1NT. |
Balanced 15-17 HCP | Open 1-of-a-suit, intending to rebid 1NT. |
Balanced 18-19 HCP | Open 1-of-a-suit, intending to rebid 2NT over any 1-level response. |
Playing this approach, a Crowhurst
Rebid | Meaning |
---|---|
2 | Artificial, minimum strength. Denies 3-card support if responder has bid a major. Also denies 4 cards in any unbid major. |
2 | Minimum strength. Shows 3-card support if responder has bid hearts. Otherwise, natural. |
2 | Minimum strength. Shows 3-card support if responder has bid spades. Otherwise, natural. |
2NT | Artificial, maximum strength. Denies 3-card support if responder has bid a major. Also denies 4 cards in any unbid major. |
3 | Maximum strength. Shows 3-card support if responder has bid hearts. Otherwise, natural. |
3 | Maximum strength. Shows 3-card support if responder has bid spades. Otherwise, natural. |
Philosophically, this approach emphasizes 3-card support for responder's major much more than the original Crowhurst convention.
Crowhurst is named for English expert Eric Crowhurst.
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