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Wolff Signoff - After opener makes a strong 2 Notrump rebid, the
Wolff Signoff is a responder method normally used by responder to warn the
strong opener of sub-game values; in the normal situation, the opener is
instructed to pass (opener promises 2-3 cards in responders major suit when
rebidding 2 Notrump). The theory behind the Wolff Signoff rests on
openers 2N rebids restricting openers values to 18-19 HCP, thus
responder assumes captaincy to place the contract. Of course, all artificial bids are alertable.
Here are the basic features of the Wolff Signoff. Consider the auction
beginning:
1m - 1M;
2N - ?
1. Responders Pass, 3N or 4H/S in responders original major suit are
signoff bids
1m - 1M;
2N - 3N/4M
2. All other responder rebids force re-rebids by opener
A. Responders 3C bid is always an artificial relay forcing
opener to re-rebid 3D;
re-rebids by responder all
force opener to pass or correct, excepting responders 3N follow-up
bid
which is generally a slam try in
openers minor suit
1m - 1M;
2N - 3C;
3D
i. After opener puppets to
3D, responder may pass or re-rebid 3S or 3H
a. If
responder re-rebid original suit, opener must pass
b. If
responder initially bid 1S and re-rebid 3H, opener passes or
corrects to 3S with best support
B. Any other rebid by responder is game forcing (excepting
4M as described above)
1m - 1M;
2N - 3D/3H/3S...
i. Responders 3 level bid in original major
promises 5+, showing extra values with some slam interest
ii. Responders 4 level bid in original
major promises 6 or good shapely 5 in major without extras (fast denies)
iii. Responders 3D rebid is "checkback"
seeking:
a. 4 card fit in the
unbid major *
b. 3 card fit in
responders major suit
iv. Responders 3H rebid after 1S
promises 5-5 or more in the majors
Detailed description: Recall the basic Wolff treatment where responders
3C begins begins a signoff.
Responders makes an artificial 3C bid, requiring opener to bid
3D (the original Wolff treatment instructed opener to rebid openers
major with 3 card support). Responder may now place the final auction
in the best suit and opener is instructed to pass or correct to original
major with better support.
| |
1 Minor |
1 Major |
| |
2N |
3C |
| |
3D |
3 Same Major |
| |
Pass or
Correct |
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When responder has a shapely 5-5 in the majors with a weak hand and no
interest in game, after the initial 1S response begin with the 3C
Wolff relay rebid. After opener rebids 3D, responder rebids
3H asking opener to "pass or correct" to 3S with 3 card support
in either suit. Note the responder is captain, thus the opener may not
bid 3N or 4H/S.
Wolff employs one gadget for responder to explore slam in openers minor
suit.
If after responder begins with the normal 3C signoff sequence
appearing to stop below game but then makes an unanticipated rebid of 3N, some
players use this treatment to show slam interest in the openers minor.
| |
1 Minor |
1 Major |
| |
2N |
3C |
| |
3D |
3N |
Using the "slow-shows, fast denies" approach, responder bids 4 Major
to signoff, or 3 Major to show slam interest.
| |
1 Minor |
1 Major |
| |
2N |
3 Same
Major / 4 Major |
Conversely, when responder does not use the Wolff Signoff but instead begins
with 1S and rebids 3H, responder promises 5-5 or longer in the
majors with game-going values:
Responder directly rebids an artificial 3D (without going through
3C Wolff signoff) as a general "checkback" (similar to New
Minor Forcing). This is an inquiry to discover a major suit fit with
opener. Consider the various major suit shape holdings when responder
has game-going values:
1. 5 card in initially bid major suit
2. 4 Spades and 4 Hearts
3. 5 Hearts and 4 Spades (or 5 Spades and 4 Hearts)
Openers
prioritized 3 level rebids are:
| Bid |
Meaning |
|
3 level in Responders Major |
4 card support in
responders suit |
|
3 level in New Major |
4 card support in unbid
major * |
|
3 level in Responders Major |
3 card support in
responders suit |
|
3 Notrump |
Lacking 3 card major suit
support |
Of
course, many players develop extra gadgets to fill up other bids not
disclosed above. Discuss these scenarios with your partnership.
If
responder next makes an unanticipated rebid of 3N, some players use
this treatment to show slam interest where responder has 4 in the major and
5+ in the unbid minor.
| |
1 Minor |
1 Major |
| |
2N
|
3D |
| |
3 Major |
3N |
Since
responders 4M rebid would be a signoff, when responder begins with a
3C Wollf signoff but then rebids 4M after opener puppets to
3D, most would agree this is shows serious slam interest (likely a
broken 6 card suit, otherwise responder could simply rebid 3 of the major
suit).
| |
1 Minor |
1 Major |
| |
2N
|
3C |
| |
3D |
4 Major |
Unlike normal reverses showing a very strong hand, after openers 2N
rebids responder 3S rebid shows 4-4 in the majors *
So responders reverse without going through responder 3C
rebid; partnership agreements are required.
* Note: One variation of the Wolff Signoff (i.e., those who prefer "Hardy
treatment") uses a specialized checkback method, for opener methods that
rebid strength as opposed to shape (ie., opener rebids 2N instead of
1S or 2S when holding 18 or 19 HCP)
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