Source: Aussie Youth Bridge Bulletin
The
Smolen Convention show 5-4 Majors with game-forcing values opposite a 1NT opening:
1NT |
2 (Simple Stayman) |
|
2![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif) |
3![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif) |
4 5 , game force |
|
3![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif) |
4 5 , game force |
We can now extend this even further. Instead of 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
or 3
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
Smolen, what does it mean if responder jumps to 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
, 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
, 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
or 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
?
Both 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
and 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
look like they are to play, and because they bypass 3NT, they should therefore imply a six-card major. Since responder went via 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
Stayman, this must imply that responder is 6-4 in the majors. In other words, 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
shows 6
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
and 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
shows 6
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
.
Similarly, 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
and 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
can be used as a delayed Texas transfer, also showing 6-4 in the majors. That is, 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
shows 6
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
and 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
shows 6
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
(the lower minor suit shows the longer lower major suit). Since there is an overlap between 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
/4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
and 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif)
/4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif)
you can now split your ranges.
1NT |
2 (Simple Stayman) |
|
2![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif) |
3![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif) |
4 5 , game force |
|
3![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/s.gif) |
4 5 , game force |
|
4![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif) |
6 4 slam try |
|
4![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif) |
6 4 slam try |
|
4![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/h.gif) |
To play |
|
4 e |
To play |
It is correct for the slam try hands to be put within the 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
/4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
bids, because 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
and 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
both allow space for opener to make a ‘noise’ to suggest a bit of interest (e.g. the 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
bid allows opener to bid 4
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/d.gif)
).
The above structure can be beneficial as it allows you to locate your 4-4 fit first, before your 6-2 or 6-3 fit, and a 4-4 fit might be able to generate additional trick(s). However, don’t forget to use your judgement. If your four-card major suit is quite weak, it might be better to play in your six-card suit (i.e. don’t bother with 2
![](http://youth.worldbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c.gif)
to find that 4-4 fit): a weak 4-4 fit may prove to be difficult to play in when faced with a bad trump break.
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