Landy

Landy is a convention used after an opponent opens 1NT. A 2 overcall shows at least 5-4 in the major suits and 10+ points. It can be used both directly and in the balancing seat.

The minimum point count is acceptable if:

• Your side has favorable vulnerability
• Your hand has extra shape
• You are in the balancing seat

If few or none of these conditions apply, additional strength is recommended.

Some examples of hands suitable for a Landy overcall:

KQT82 A9854 A53 —

KJT9 KQ432 A74 5

Q9732 KQ8765 T 7

AJ872 AQT4 53 92

The responses to a Landy 2 overcall are as follows.

Response	Meaning
2	Artificial, showing equal length in the majors. Partner is requested to correct to 2 or 2.
2	Natural, signoff.
2	Natural, signoff.
2NT	Artificial and forcing for one round. May or may not have major-suit support. Shows 12+ points and asks partner to clarify his hand. (See below.)
3	10-12 points with 4-card support. Invitational to game.
3	10-12 points with 4-card support. Invitational to game.

Approaches vary after partner makes a forcing 2NT inquiry. Here is a sensible structure from "Bridge Conventions in Depth" by Matt and Pam Granovetter. Minor suit rebids show different types of 5-4 hands, while the majors and 3NT all show 5-5 length (or better).

Overcaller's Rebid	Meaning
3	Medium strength with 5-4 or 4-5 majors. Partner has the option of rebidding 3 to ask for the 5-card major.
3	Maximum strength with 5-4 or 4-5 majors.
3	Minimum strength with 5-5 majors.
3	Medium strength with 5-5 majors.
3NT	Maximum strength with 5-5 majors.

Per the Granovetters, your definition of "minimum", "medium" and "maximum" strength will vary depending on how aggressively you use Landy. A rough guideline is:

• Minimum - 6 to a bad 10 points
• Medium - 10 to a bad 12 points
• Maximum - 12+ points

If the 2 overcall is doubled, then partner's conventional responses are:

Response	Meaning
Pass	Natural and non-forcing. Shows 5+ clubs.
Redouble	Artificial and forcing, showing equal length in both majors. This is alertable! Partner is expected to pick a major.
2	Natural and non-forcing. Shows 5+ diamonds.
2	Natural, signoff.
2	Natural, signoff.

		North			South
		KQJT9			872
		QJ873			954
		Q			A972
		T3			KJ2
	West     1NT Pass	North     2 (1) 2		East     Pass All Pass	South     2 (2)

1. Landy.
2. Artificial and forcing, asking overcall to choose a major.

		North			South
		AK98			T764
		AJ542			KQ9
		763			AK
		J			8754
	West     1NT Pass	North     2 (1) 4		East     Pass All Pass	South     3 (2)

1. Landy.
2. 10-12 points, 4-card support. Invitational.

		North			South
		QJT73			962
		AQJ3			T85
		74			KQ932
		A5			42
	West     1NT Pass	North     2 (1) 2		East     Dbl All Pass	South     Redbl (2)

1. Landy.
2. Showing equal length in the majors, and asking partner to choose a suit.

		North			South
		AJ54			962
		KQT86			AJ
		6542			AKQ
		—			J9874
	West     1NT Pass Pass All Pass	North     2 (1) 3 (3) 3 (5)		East     Pass Pass Pass	South     2NT (2) 3 (4) 3NT (6)

1. Landy.
2. Strong, artificial and forcing.
3. Showing 5-4 or 4-5 shape with approximately 10-12 points.
4. Artificial, asking for partner's 5-card major.
5. Disclosing the 5 hearts.
6. Signoff.

Landy was invented by American player Alvin Landy. See also Multi-Landy as a modern twist.