The origin of this conventional method is discussed more fully in the chapter below. The evidence allows the conclusion that the conventional method was devised in Italy, most likely by Mr. Leo Gazzilli of Milan, Italy, of whom very little is known except what Mr. Giovanni Bobblo has revealed. The perhaps most early employment of this conventional method is around the mid-1980s. Although the literature of the American Contract Bridge League indicates that Mr. Benito Garozzo possibly assisted either in its development or in its promotion within the bridge community, this statement has not yet been satisfactorily settled.

Fundamental Information

When the partnership agreement is based on a standard bidding system, then certain situations presenting difficulties can occur after a bidding sequence of 1 Spade/Heart - 1 No Trump and also 1 Heart - 1 Spade, especially whenever the opening bidder holds a single suited hand, which is also considered a game forcing holding. In addition, certain problems may arise with balanced holdings within the 15 to 17 high card point range, but which also contain a 5-card Major suit per partnership agreement.

The concept of the Gazzilli conventional method has been designed / devised to confront and solve these bidding difficulties and, in addition, permit non-forcing jumps to the three level with fewer high card points (suggested 14-16 points).

The conventional method addresses a common systemic feature by introducing an artificial 2 Clubs rebid by the opener after an opening in a Major suit and a first response of 1 Spade or 1 No Trump. The conventional method has been extended to also include openings in the Minor suits and adjustments have been made to accommodate these opening bids.

Note: The 2 Clubs response is forcing and will generally be only employed on certain hand types such as a 5-3-3-2 shape with 15-17 high card points and/or 18-20 high card points.

Note: The 2 Clubs response is forcing whenever there is a 5-card Major suit and 4-card plus Club suit with 11-16 high card points.

Note: In general, the Gazzilli concept is employed with all other holdings with 17 plus high card points and are either single suited or two-suited.

Opener's Rebids After a 1 Heart Opening Bid

As the concept of the Gazzilli conventional bidding method covers most of the holdings containing 17 plus high card points, the concept allows the partnership an extreme flexibility as a consequence. Bids at the two level, except the 2 Clubs) are narrower in high card points, which results in the fact that the responder no longer needs to keep the bidding open, which is considered an advantage of the concept.

Opener		Responder		Meaning
1		1
1 NT				Promises a balanced holding with 12-14 high card points.
2				Gazzilli is initiated (Alertable), which promises 17 or mor high card points.
2				Natural. Promises 5 Hearts and 4 or more Diamonds. Values between 11-16 high card points.
2				Natural. Promises at least 6 Hearts with a range of 11-14 high card points.
2				Promises 3-card or 4-card Spade support for the suit of partner. Values range from 11-14 high card points. (Note: the limit raise is part of the bidding system, but does not distinguish between 3-card support and 4-card support.
2 NT				Shows either a splinter with 4-card support for the suit of partner, or
				shows a 6-card Heart suit and a 3-card support for the suit of partner.
3				Natural. Promises a two-suited holding with 5 Hearts and 5 Clubs. Values range between 14-16 high card points.
3				Natural. Promises a two-suited holding with 5 Hearts and 5 Diamonds. Values range between 14-16 high card points.
3				Natural. Promises a 6-card plus Heart suit, and denies even a 3-card support for the suit of partner. Values range between 14-16 high card points.
3				Promises 4-card Spade support with values of 14-16 high card points. Shape is 4-5-2-2.
4				Promises 6 Hearts, 4 Spades, and a singleton or void in Clubs. Values range from 14-16 high card points.
4				Promises 6 Hearts, 4 Spades, and a singleton or void in Diamonds. Values range from 14-16 high card points.

Basic Agreement for Gazzill Concept

A first response of 1 No Trump by an unpassed responder, following an opening Major suit bid by partner, is forcing for one round only. However, if the responder has indeed passed in rotation at the first opportunity to bid, then the opening partner may pass a 1 No Trump first response.

Opener		Responder		Meaning
1		1 NT		If the responder has not previously passed, then this first response is forcing for one round only. If the responder previously passed, then the opener may indeed pass this response.
2				Gazzilli is initiated (Alertable), which promises 17 or more high card points.
2				Natural. Promises 4 or more Diamonds. Values between 11-16 high card points.
2				Natural. Promises at least 6 Hearts with a range of 11-14 high card points.
2				Promises a 5-card plus Heart holding with 4 or more Spades. This rebid promises values of 17 plus high card points.
2 NT				Promises 6-card Heart suit with any 4-card side suit. This rebid promises values of 17 plus high card points.
				(Note: a rebid by the responder to 2 No Trump of 3 Clubs is a game-forcing relay.)
3				Natural. Promises a 5-card Heart suit and a 5-card Club suit. Values between 14-16 high card points.
3				Natural. Promises a 5-card Heart suit and a 5-card Diamonds suit. Values between 14-16 high card points.
3				Natural. Promises a 6-card plus Heart suit. Values range between 14-16 high card points.
3				Promises 6 Hearts and 5 Spades.
4				Natural. Promises 6-5 distribution in Hearts and Clubs. Values range between 14-16 high card points.
4				Natural. Pormises 6-5 distribution in Hearts and Diamonds. Values range between 14-16 high card points.

Additional Parameters

The rebids by the opener following a first response of 1 No Trump after an opening bid of 1 Spade are similar to the structure agreed following a 1 Heart opening.

After the initiation of the Gazzilli 2 Clubs, the forcing bid by the responder of 2 Diamonds, a relay to request additional information and shows, at the same time, at least 7-8 high card points.

Any and all other actions by the responder are limited and non-forcing; 2 No Trump promises both Minor suits. As soon as the opening bidder has clarified the holding as promising 17 plus high card points, then a game force has been established.