Roche



Roche is a convention for use after the opponents have opened 1NT. It's fairly simple: A 2 overcall shows 12-14 HCP, balanced or semi-balanced, with 3+ clubs. All other overcalls are natural.

The idea behind Roche is to try finding game opposite an ACOL weak 1NT when your side holds two (semi-)balanced, 12+ point hands. Playing traditional methods, the auction might otherwise go 1NT-Pass-Pass-Pass.


Responses to the 2 overcall

Responses to the 2 overcall are as follows.

Response Meaning
Pass 4+ clubs, no 5-card suit, and no interest in game. For example, a weak 4333.
2Natural, 5+ diamonds, non-forcing.
2Natural, 5+ hearts, non-forcing.
2Natural, 5+ spades, non-forcing.
2NTNatural, invitational to 3NT.


Origins

Roche originated in the UK but I don't know who (or where) it was named for. I also cannot find more information about the 3-level responses. Presumably they show good hands with invitational or game-forcing values. If you have any idea, please let me know.

Roche has since become obsolete in tournament play, in favor of more advanced 1NT defenses like DONT and Brozel.

See also

  • Astro
    A defense to 1NT in which a double is for penalty, and 2/ overcalls are artificial.

  • Brozel
    A defense to 1NT in which a double shows a one-suited overcall, and all 2-level bids show specific 2-suited hands.

  • Cappelletti (Hamilton)
    A defense to 1NT in which double is for penalty, and 2-level overcalls are conventional.

  • DONT
    A defense to 1NT in which double shows a one-suited hand, and 2-level overcalls show the bid suit + a higher suit.

  • Gates Double
    An artificial double of 1NT by a passed hand.

  • Landy
    A (very old) defense to 1NT in which a 2C overcall shows both majors.

  • Meckwell Defense to 1NT
    A defensive bidding structure for use against both weak and strong 1NT opening bids.

  • Multi-Landy (Woolsey)
    A very scientific defense to 1NT.

  • Pinpoint Astro
    A variation of the Astro convention, using double as penalty.

  • Ripstra
    A slight variation of the Landy convention.

  • SCUM
    A defense to 1NT that shows two-suiters by Shape, Color and the Major suits.

  • Suction
    A restricted defense to 1NT that uses ambiguous overcalls.

About

Bridgebum began in 1999 and covers a large set of descriptions of bidding conventions, declarer play and defense, and more.

Latest Update

Fast Arrival by Danny Kleinman
Fast arrival is the theory that when a forcing bid is available below game, a jump to game denies, but a forcing bid implies, slam interest.

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