Mr. Marty Bergen developed this conventional method to cover a certain situation which arises after an intervening overcall on the one level, which is an important element to consider before implementing the jump cuebid as a transfer to 3 No Trump. The concept behind the conventional method is that the overcalling opponent will find himself on lead, leaving him at a distinguished disadvantage.

There are several necessary requirements for the partner of the opener to jump cuebid the suit of the opponent. He holds sufficient values for game which allows him to first jump cuebid and second to execute the transfer to 3 No Trump. The values needed also include at least one stopper in the suit of the opponent, and the jump cuebid itself promises a balanced to semi-balanced holding.

The cuebid also denies sufficient support in the second unbid Major suit. In the bidding sequence below, these points are illustrated.

South		West		North		East
1		1		3		Pass
3 NT

North is required to hold game-going values, a balanced distribution, no 5-card Spade suit, and a stopper in the Heart suit. Since the partner of West has shown out, West finds himself on lead and he must therefore lead up to the hand of South, who has a certain undefined, but assumed strength. The holding of North could possibly be something similar to the following, which fulfills all of the necessary requirements.

	K8		No biddable Spade suit.
	A43		No stopper in the opponent's suit.
	Q107		Insufficient support in partner's suit.
	K9864		Insufficient values for game.

It is also necessary to remember the concept, the requirements, and the partnership understanding in order not to confuse the bidding sequence with other systemic jump cuebids. For example, in the following auction, the jump cuebid is not a transfer to 3 No Trump.

South		West		North		East
1		1		1		Pass
3

South is not cuebidding the suit of the overcaller as a transfer bid to North to bid 3 No Trump. If that were the case, then East would be on lead and not West, which is the intention of the concept. The jump cuebid of 3 Hearts by South should be viewed as a splinter raise promising a void or at most a singleton in the suit of the opponent, game going values, and sufficient support in Spades, the suit of his partner. It is important that the partnership recognize the difference in the two examples above.

The same difference holds true in the situation where, for example, South has opened the bidding with a Minor suit, West passes, North bids Hearts, and East decides to compete by bidding Spades, all on the one Level. A jump cuebid of 3 Spades then by South is not a transfer cuebid to North to bid 3 No Trump. This can not be the case because the overcall followed the response to an opening. The overcall was not an immediate or direct overcall after the opening of the auction. As in many bidding sequences, it is not always the actual bid which paints the complete picture, but rather the consideration of the bid which has not been made.

This, in essence, is the Bergen Jump Cuebid conventional method, which requires the opener to bid 3 No Trump. It is a manner of treating the overcall with effectiveness, and requiring the overcaller to lead to the declarer, thus putting the overcaller at a distinct disadvantage.

 

 

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.