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Gazzilli

 

The need for Gazzilli

One of the more difficult areas in bidding occurs when the response to a 1M (one of a major) opener is 1NT,  and the opener has a nice 16+ hand. What on earth does opener rebid?

  • Should she rebid 3M with a six card suit? That may or may not work. If partner has a really weak hand for the 1NT bid, things could turn sour, and against competent opponents, a doubled contract could really cost
  • She could bid 2 of a minor, e.g. 1S - 1NT: 2C to show a hand of 15-18hcp. It means though that the 2C bid would be nearly artificial, not promising clubs. This makes rebidding a bit tough.
  • She could punt a 2NT bid, showing 18-19. A dangerous endeavour, as her partner may find another partner.

 

The fix

Enter a 21st century convention called Gazzilli (it was devised in the late 1990s as far as I know).

Gazzilli allows opener to ask responder about the strength of that 1NT bid by rebidding 2C, and responder shows either

  • 8hcp or more by bidding 2D, or
  • less than 8hcp by bidding anything else

 

 Gazzilli 2C* as applied to Standard American, 5 card majors, 15-17 NT

 

Gazzilli in the sequences: 1H/S > 1nt; 2C* and 1H > 1S; 2C* is described as a natural club suit in the range 12-15 or any 16+ hand. The bid is forcing.

The 2C* Gazzilli essentially asks responder for further description. A 1nt response followed by a 2D! advance shows 8-10 hcp's, is artificial and forcing.

The rebids in the sequence: 1H/S > 1nt; 2D and 1H > 1S; 2D are natural 4 card suits and 12-15. Similarly 1S > 1nt; 2H shows 4 hearts and 12-15. The rebids are not forcing.

The rebids in the sequence: 1H/S > 1nt; 3C/D are 5 card suits and not forcing. Similarly 1S > 1nt; 3H shows 55 majors and is not forcing. Also 1H > 1S; 3C/D shows 5 cards and is not forcing.

An immediate rebid of the major after a 1nt response shows 6 cards in the range 12-15.

For simplicity it is recommended that 15 point hands with 5 card major be downgraded to 14 and opened in the major.

Gazzilli can be played as ON by a passed hand. Opener makes a move if a good 14+

Gazzilli is applied in the following manner:

Regime 1H openings.

 

  • 1H    >   1nt
  • 2C*  >   2H!            Weak, suggestion to play, 2 card support.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
  • 1H    >   1nt  
  • 2C*  >   3C/D!         Weak long suit, 0-1 hearts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
  • 1H    >   1nt
  • 2C*   >   2D!             8-10 hcp's, artificial and forcing.
  • 2H!                            Weakest possible bid, 5 hearts and 4 clubs, not forcing.
  • 1H    >   1nt
  • 2C*   >   2D!
  • 2nt!                           16+ hcp's, game forcing. 3nt can be used to show 18/19.
  • 1H    >   1nt
  • 2C*   >   2D!
  • 2S!                            16+ and 4 spades, responder may be 4234, 4243 or 4333 and still be bidding this way, game forcing.
  • 1H    >   1nt
  • 2C*   >   2D!
  • 3C/D!                        16+, 4/5 card suits, forcing.
  • 1H    >   1nt
  • 2C*   >   2D!
  • 3H!                              6+ cards, game forcing.
  • 1H    >   1nt
  • 3H!                              7 cards, 11-15, not forcing.
  • 1H    >   1nt
  • 2C*  >   2nt!                Both minors, 3154, 3145 or 2155 and less than 8 hcp's. 
  •  P    (P)    1H    (P)
  • 1nt  (P)    2C*!            Showing a good opening
  • 2D! (P)    2H!              14-15, any other bid is game forcing.

 

Regime 1S openings, similar but:

  • 1S    >   1nt
  • 2C*  >   2H!                 Weak, 5 cards.
  • 1S    >   1nt
  • 2C*  >   3H!                 Weak, 6/7 cards.
  • 1S    >   1nt
  • 2C*  >   2D!                 8-10 hcp's, artificial and forcing.
  • 2H!                               16+ hcp's, 3 cards and forcing. Responder now knows of any heart fit.
  • 1S    >   1nt
  • 2C*  >   2D!
  • 2nt!                              16+, denies 3 hearts, game forcing, 3nt can be used to show 18/19.
  • 1S    >   1nt
  • 2C*  >   2D!
  • 3C/D                           16+, 4/5 card suits, game forcing.
  • 2H!                               3 or 4 cards, game forcing.
  • 3H!                               5 cards, game forcing.
  • 1S    >   1nt
  • 2C*  >   2nt!                 Shows both minors, 1354,1345 or 0355.
  • P     (P)   1S    (P)
  • 1nt  (P)   2C*!               Showing a good opening.
  • 2D!  (P)  2S!                 14-15, Any other bid is game forcing.

 

Regime 1H  >  1S sequences.

  • 1H    >   1S
  • 2H!                               Shows 6 cards, 11-15.
  • 1H    >   1S
  • 2S!                               Weak support, may be only 3 cards, responder sets contract if invite plus.
  • 1H    >   1S
  • 2C*  >   2H!                Weak bid, 2 card support.
  • 1H    >   1S
  • 2C*  >   2D!                 8+ hcp's, artificial and forcing.
  • 2H!                               Weakest possible bid, 5 hearts, no 3 spades but have 4 clubs.
  • 1H    >   1S
  • 2C*  >   2D!
  • 2S!                               16+ and 3 spades, game forcing.
  • 3S!                               16+ and 4 spades, game forcing.
  • 1H    >   1S
  • 2C*  >   2D!
  • 3C/D!                           16+, 4/5 cards, forcing.
  • 1H    >   1S
  • 2C*  >   2D!
  • 3H!                               16+, 5+ cards, no 3 spades if only 5 hearts, game forcing.
  • 1H    >   1S
  • 3H!                                7 cards, not forcing.
  • 1H    >   1S
  • 2C*  >   2nt!                 Weak, both minors, 0-1 hearts.
  • 1H    >   1S
  • 2C*  >   3C/D!              Weak, long suit, 0-1 hearts.
  •  P    (P)   1H    (P)
  • 1S   (P)   2C*!              Showing a good opening.
  • 2D!  (P)   2H!                14-15
  •                  3H!                16+, game forcing.
  •                  2S!                14+, force 1, 3 or 4 spades.
  •                  2nt!                14-15, not forcing.
  •                  3nt!                16-18
  •                  3C/D!             16+       


 

 

Gazzilli works also with the 2/1 system. If you play 2/1 then notes specific to that are available : jerripot@gmail.com

 

Hugh Wichmann/Gerald Dawson Dec 2010.