A Standard Version utilizing Two Diamonds

Presented by Mike Savage

Flannery is a convention designed to handle minimum opening hands with five hearts and four spades. In the original version (the most popular) an opening bid of 2D is Flannery. In a later version, 2H is used for Flannery; the only difference is that Pass replaces the 2H response - all other bids remain the same.

The basic structure is played the same way but various experts differ on the meanings of a few responses.

2D = Shows 5 hearts, 4 spades and 11-15/16 HCP (some partnerships vary the point range a little ±). There are a few players who use Flannery with 6 hearts and 4 spades but that is not highly recommended.

Responses:

Pass = Bid when you have a long diamond suit, no major fit and no interest in game after Flannery.

2H or 2S = To play with no game interest - responder has shown his best fit. 2H might be bid with

only 2 hearts and 2S, with only 3 spades - if there is no better bid. These two responses

cover a wide range of HCP – from 0 to up to as many as 11/12 when you have a poor fit.

2NT = Asks opener to show his strength and shape. Shows an invitational or better hand. Responses:

3C or 3D = First option: Shows a three or four-card minor along with your hearts and spades

Original meaning: Shows a three-card minor along with your hearts and spades.

3H = Shows 4-5-2-2 distribution with a minimum.

3S = Shows 4-5-2-2 distribution with a maximum.

3NT = Shows 4-5-2 2 distribution with a maximum and queen or better in both minors.

4C or 4D = Show a 4-card minor if you play a 3C or 3D response to show specifically three.

3C = First option: Shows a weak or non-invitational hand with a long club suit and no major fit.

3D = First option: Shows a long good suit with an invitational hand and denies a major fit.

Second option: Some partnerships play that both 3C and 3D over 2NT are natural and forcing.

3H or 3S = Sets trumps, is game forcing and shows some slam interest. Opener rebids as follows:

3NT = Maximum with 4-5-2-2 and some minor honor help.

4C or 4D = Always bid w/shortness in other minor (5-4-3-1, 5-4-1-3, 5-4-4-0 & 5-4-0-4).

4H over 3S or 3S over 3H = Maximum (or semi-max) with 4-5-2-2 and no minor help.

4H over 3H or 4S over 3S = Shows a minimum and 4-5-2-2 distribution (no stiff/void).

3NT = To play with no major fits.

4C or 4D = First option: Transfer to the corresponding major (4C = hearts, 4D = spades).

Over 4C, respond 4H with a minimum and 4D with a maximum.

Over 4D, respond 4S with a minimum and 4H with a maximum.

Second option: Some partnerships play this natural & forcing, usually with slam interest.

Miscellaneous: 1. If you play Flannery, most partnerships play that a 1S response to 1H normally shows a

5-card suit as partner would have opened Flannery if he had four spades and five hearts

(unless he was strong enough to reverse). However opener could be 4-6 in the majors.

2. Third seat, non-vul vs. vul, you might choose to open Flannery with two points less

than the bottom of your normal range. This can be a very effective pre-emptive tool.

3. When defending against Flannery, a trump lead is often the best lead for the defenders.

4. Some partnerships play that after 2D-2NT: 3C or 3D show a stiff or a void but since

2NT does not establish a known trump suit, it seems better to play this response after

2NT as a fragment - which might eventually wind up being the trump suit.