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The Mini-Roman 2

We were asked recently if we had complete information about the Mini-Roman 2 opening bid. Well, I'm not sure how much information our correspondent already has but…

The Roman 2 opening shows a three-suited hand - 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0 - with 17+ High Card Points. Some play the range as 17-20, some as 17-24. The Mini-Roman 2 opening shows the same three-suited hand type, but with minimum opening bid strength rather than 17+. In other words, it shows 12-16 HCP with 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0 distribution. The shortage can be in any suit and where there is a five-card suit that too can be anywhere.

Responder can rarely pass 2 with any confidence because, of course, the bid does not promise diamonds. Usually, therefore, he will bid something. With no game interest, he bids a suit, which opener is expected to pass if it is not his shortage, while if this does hit opener's short suit he is expected to bid the next suit up the line. This is known as 'Pass or Correct.'

With a game-going hand, responder can bid 2NT to ask for the shortage. In response, opener bids his short suit and responder is usually in a position to pick the final contract. If he bids a suit below game, that is invitational. For example:

2		- 2//3/ are Pass or Correct
		- 2NT asks for the shortage and is at least game invitational

2 - 2 - 2 says that responder has bid opener's shortage.

Responder may now raise to 3 invitational, or bid 3/ to play.

2 -2NT - 3 shows short diamonds.

Any game bid from responder is now to play, while a bid of 3//4 is invitational.

Where the response to 2NT shows that opener's shortage faces responder's only long suit, responder will normally bid no trump. A sequence such as:

2 - 2NT

3 - 4

could be used to enquire about opener's range, perhaps a one-step response showing 17-18 HCP, two steps 19-20 etc, or by agreement could ask for controls instead - one step equals 0-4 controls, two steps 5 controls, and so on, where ace = 2 controls, king = 1 control.

If the opposition intervene over 2, a double would normally be for penalty, though opener might remove with a void in the suit. 2NT would still be the asking bid, and a suit bid would be Pass or Correct, just as in an uncontested auction.

The Mini-Roman 2 opening is little used. Partly, this is because people have found other uses for a 2 opening bid, partly because it is not licensed in some countries. It is also a difficult bid to use, as responder cannot often afford to pass so risks getting uncomfortably high with no guarantee of a satisfactory trump fit.

On the plus side, bids which promise no anchor suit are quite awkward to defend against, so they make life tough for everyone at the table - except, of course, for the lucky player who actually makes the 2 opening.

If you have a question for Brian, please contact anna@msoworld.com