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Multi-Landy (Woolsey)


Multi-Landy (or the Woolsey Defense to 1NT) is a convention used after the opponents open 1NT. It gets its name from the use of the Landy 2 overcall and Multi 2 convention. It is attributed to American expert Kit Woolsey.

The 2-level overcalls are the same as Cappelletti, except that the meanings of the 2 and 2 bids are reversed.

Double   Varies depending on partnership agreement:
  • Penalty (particularly against a weak 1NT).
  • A 4-card major with a longer minor.
  • 5+ clubs or diamonds, may have a 4-card major.
If playing double for penalty, then the Gates Double can be used by a passed hand.

2   At least 5-4 or 4-5 in hearts and spades.
2   5+ hearts or 5+ spades (no side suit).
2   At least 5-5 in hearts and a minor.
2   At least 5-5 in spades and a minor.
2NT   At least 5-5 in clubs and diamonds.


Responses to the Double (if it promises a 4-card major)

2  Shows club tolerance and willingness to play in clubs. Partner can pass or bid his major suit.
2  Artificial relay asking partner to bid his major suit. However, partner is allowed to pass with good diamonds.
2  Natural, 6+ hearts, nonforcing.
2  Natural, 6+ spades, nonforcing.
2NT   Artificial, forcing. Asks the overcaller to clarify his hand. Overcaller's responses are:

    3 shows 4 hearts, minimum strength.
    3 shows 4 spades, minimum strength.
    3 shows 4 hearts, maximum strength.
    3 shows 4 spades, maximum strength.
3   Natural, 6+ good clubs, nonforcing.
3   Natural, 6+ good diamonds, nonforcing.
3NT   To play.


Responses to the 2 Overcall

Pass Natural, 6+ good clubs, nonforcing.
2 Usually shows equal length in the majors. Asks partner to pick one. With 5-4 in the majors, for example, partner will correct to the 5-card major.
2   Natural sign-off, showing a preference for hearts even if partner is 5-4 in spades and hearts.
2   Natural sign-off, showing a preference for hearts even if partner is 4-5 in spades and hearts.
2NT   Artificial, forcing. Asks the overcaller to clarify his hand. Overcaller's responses are:

    3 shows 4 hearts, minimum strength.
    3 shows 4 spades, minimum strength.
    3 shows 4 hearts, maximum strength.
    3 shows 4 spades, maximum strength.


Responses to the 2 Overcall

2   Natural signoff if overcaller has hearts. However, this bid may also be made with game-invitational values in spades. If overcaller corrects to , then partner is allowed to raise to 3.
2   Natural signoff if overcaller has spades. However, this may also show game-invitational values in hearts. If overcaller corrects to , then partner is allowed to raise to 4.
2NT   Artificial, forcing. Asks the overcaller to clarify his hand. Overcaller's responses are:

    3 shows 5+ hearts, minimum strength.
    3shows 5+ spades, minimum strength.
    3 shows 5+ hearts, maximum strength.
    3 shows 5+ spades, maximum strength.


Responses to the 2 Overcall

Pass    A weak hand with tolerance for hearts.
2  Natural, 6+ good spades, no heart support, nonforcing.
2NT Artificial, no heart support, asking for partner to bid his minor suit at the three level.
3   Natural, 6+ good clubs, no heart support, nonforcing.
3  Natural, 6+ good diamonds, no heart support, nonforcing.
3   Preemptive, 3+ hearts. Nonforcing.
2  Natural, 6+ good spades, no heart support, invites 4.
3NT   To play.
4   To play.
4   To play.


Responses to the 2 Overcall

Pass A weak hand with tolerance for spades.
2NT   Artificial, no spade support, asking for partner to bid his minor suit at the three level.
3   Natural, 6+ good clubs, no spade support, nonforcing.
3   Natural, 6+ good diamonds, no spade support, nonforcing.
3   Natural, 6+ good hearts, no spade support, nonforcing.
3   Preemptive, 3+ spades. Nonforcing.


Responses to the 2NT Overcall

3   A weak hand with tolerance for clubs.
3   A weak hand with tolerance for diamonds. Tends to deny club support.
3     Natural, 6+ good hearts, no support for either minor, nonforcing.
3 Natural, 6+ good spades, no support for either minor, nonforcing.
3NT    To play.
4   3+ clubs, invitational to 5.
4   3+ diamonds, invitational to 5.
4   To play.
4   To play.