Flannery 2D (Two Diamonds)
An opening Flannery 2
bid shows 11-15 HCP with exactly four spades and five hearts. The purpose of Flannery is to avoid rebid problems with this hand type; a 1
opening sometimes leads to trouble when opener cannot bid 2
(a reverse) at his next turn.
The responses to the Flannery 2
opening are:
| Pass | 6+ diamonds, signoff |
| 2 | Natural, signoff |
2 | Natural, signoff |
| 2NT | Artificial and forcing, asking opener to further describe his hand (see below) |
3 | 6+ (7+) clubs, signoff |
| 3 | 6+ (7+) diamonds, invitational |
| 3 | 3+ hearts, 10-12 points, invitational |
| 3 | 4+ spades, 10-12 points, invitational |
| 3NT | Natural, signoff |
| 4 | Transfer to 4 |
| 4 | Transfer to 4 |
| 4 | 4+ hearts, signoff |
| 4 | 4+ spades, signoff |
After the artificial 2NT response, opener's rebids clarify his minor-suit distribution. This helps responder decide whether his own minor-suit values are suitable for game or slam. Opener's conventional rebids are:
| 3 | 4-5-1-3 shape |
| 3 | 4-5-3-1 shape |
| 3 | 4-5-2-2 shape, minimum |
| 3 | 4-5-2-2 shape, maximum |
| 3NT | 4-5-2-2 shape, both minor suits stopped |
| 4 | 4-5-0-4 shape |
| 4 | 4-5-4-0 shape |
In competition, the specialized Flannery responses and rebids are on. Any double of an opposing overcall does not indicate a 'stolen bid' but is for penalties.