Apr 24 2009
XYZ
XYZ is a convention that replaces New Minor Forcing. It gets its name from the scenario where it applies: an auction that has gone 1X-1Y-1Z where X, Y and Z can be any strain at the one level, and includes doubles and redoubles if the opponents interfere at the one level.
The following are all examples of XYZ situations
- 1C-1H-1N
- 1D-1H-1S
- 1C-(P)-1H-(1S)-X
Once you are in an XYZ situation, responder’s rebids have the following meanings:
| 2C | Asks partner to bid 2D. Responder will pass with a diamond signoff, or bid on with an invitational hand. All invitational hands must go through 2C. |
| 2D | Artificial game force. Opener will give preference to showing majors. |
| 2H | Non-forcing. |
| 2S | Non-forcing, unless the auction has gone 1m-1H-1N-2S |
| 2N | signoff in clubs – opener will rebid 3C |
| 3C | slammish, clubs |
| 3D | slammish, diamonds |
| 3H | slammish, hearts |
| 3S | slammish, spades |
| 3N | to play |
** Another treatment exists where a direct 2N bid is invitational instead of signing off in clubs. This is primarily due to practicality, as partners will often forget that they can’t just bid 2N invitationally. The adjustments that should be made for this treatment: a) Since there are now two ways to invite in NT, going through 2C can be used to show a good fit for opener’s minor. A direct 2N bid would deny a good card there. b) the direct 3C bid becomes the signoff in clubs, and there is no club slam try.
I personally much prefer the method laid out in the table above as opposed to the altnerate treatment. I find it more elegant and theoretically better.