The origin of this bidding method is not specifically known, but the safe assumption allows the logical conclusion that Mr. Vincent F. Boland and Mr. John H. Law, two bridge experts and authors of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, published their studies in the year 1931 in the book Accurate Contract Bridge.

Note: Mr. Vincent F. Boland is also the author of the publication title The Boland System of Contract Bidding, in which there is a complete explanation of the Boland Club bid, and the other conventions of this popular system. The book was published by The Penton Press Company in 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States.

Note: The Library of Congress records the following about the publication of Accurate Contract Bidding: A Complete Explanation of the Boland club bid for Correct Bidding in Contract Bridge. The authors are listed as by Vincent F. Boand and John H. Law, the date of the first edition provided as 1931, and the publisher is listed as Harris Printing & Engraving, Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, United States. LC: 32007772.

Note: Any additional information, including photographs, would be greatly appreciated.

Note: In The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge, printed and copyrighted in the year 1971, published by Crown Publishers Inc., page 38, it states that the Boland Slam Try Bids originated with Mr. M. M. Miller and Mr. C. Boland of Toronto, Canada. This identical information is repeated in The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge, printed and copyrighted in the year 1976, published by Crown Publishers Inc., page 43.

Note: There is no mention of Mr. John H. Law in either publication. There is no mention of Mr. Vincent F. Boland. The provided heading is Boland Convention. The identity of both Mr. M. M. Miller and Mr. C. Boland of Toronto, Canada, remain unknown.

This is a method of slam exploration after one partner opens especially with a 1 No Trump, but which can also be applied with a 2 No Trump opening, and the responder jump raises to 4 No Trump, which is generally viewed as a purely quantitative response.

The following example should clarify the concept:

South AK43 KJ84 Q1062 AKJ

North Q43 QJ6 AK9 10875

South		North		Meaning
2 NT				Promises 20-21/22 high card points.
		4 NT		The responder bids 4 No Trump, which is quantitative. This quantitative bid promises a certain point count of 12 high card points. If the No Trump bidder holds maximum values, 22 high card points, then the No Trump bidder will bid the small slam. If the No Trump bidder holds only minimum values, then the No Trump bidder will pass the quantitative bid.

With an average holding in terms of high card point count, or a good 17 high card points using a strong No Trump range of 16 -18 high card points, the opener bids five of his lowest ranking biddable suit. The responder bids accordingly, and may jump to the six level in another suit without excluding other contracts. A 5 No Trump rebid would deny a biddable suit.

With a minimum holding the opener jumps to the six level in his lowest ranking biddable suit in similar fashion.

The Boland Slam Try can be employed in the same manner after any natural jump from 2 No Trump to 4 No Trump. For the purpose of finding an appropriate trump suit in which to play the slam, a biddable suit is defined as one containing no less than 4 cards headed by at least the Queen-Jack -x-x, which insures the partnership against playing in a trump suit, in which the probability of losing more than one trick is greater.

By application after a 1 No Trump opening, the partnership must alter the count owing to the different No Trump ranges. For example, the Boland Slam Try can be employed by the opener with various No Trump ranges when holding the middle values of the No Trump range. The possibility of bidding the small slam opposite a 4 No Trump quantitative response of 4 No Trump relies heavily upon the condition that the No Trump bidder hold a 5-card suit in either Minor or Major suit.

The frequency of success is greater if there is an inferred 8-card fit.

Frequency of success: 16 points by a 15-17 high card points range,

15 + 16 = 31

16 + 16 = 32

17 + 16 = 34

Frequency of success: 17 points by a 16-18 high card points range;

16 + 17 = 33

16 + 17 = 33

18 + 17 = 34

Frequency of success: 16 points by a 15-18 high card points range;

15 + 16 = 31

16 + 16 = 32

17 + 16 = 32

18 + 16 = 34

Frequency of success: 13 points by a 12-14 high card points range;

12 + 20 = 31

13 + 20 = 32

14 + 20 = 34

Frequency of success: 21 points by 20-22 high card points for a 2 No Trump opening.

The following auction is different and requires a partnership agreement as to whether or not the bid of 4 No Trump is a Boland Slam Try or not.

South		North		Meaning
2				Promises a holding with a minimum of 8.5 winning tricks. Generally the high card point count is 20 plus points. Since the strong, artificial 2 Clubs opening is optional, the Boland Slam Try may only be agreed upon if the second rebid shows that the holding is balanced and worth about 23-24 points. Too strong for a 2 No Trump opening and too weak for a 3 No Trump opening.
		2 any		The responder bids according to the partnership agreement.
2 NT				The holding is clarified as being balanced to semi-balanced and worth 23-24 high card points.
		4 NT		The responder bids 4 No Trump, which is quantitative. This quantitative bid promises a certain high card point count. If the No Trump bidder holds maximum values, then the No Trump bidder will bid the small slam. If the No Trump bidder holds only minimum values, then the No Trump bidder will pass the quantitative bid.

 

 

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.