The original Landy conventional defense method was devised by Mr. Alvin Landy. It is a concept employed as a defense method against an opening bid of No Trump by an opponent. As soon as Mr. Alvin Landy conceived of the idea, variations and modifications followed, authored by unknown members of the bridge community.
Combination of Concepts
Multi-Landy is, in essence, a combination of conventional methods such as the Landy conventional defense method following an opening of No Trump by an opponent, the Muiderberg convention, and the Multi 2
which can basically be made on multiple hand patterns such as:
| 1. |
a Weak Two bid in either Major suit, or |
| 2. |
a balanced distribution of 18-20 high card points, or |
| 3. |
a 20-22 count and a three-suited holding. |
Only the 2
overcall is identical with the original concept of the Landy conventional defense method, namely showing a two-suited holding with both Major suits. It is a matter of partnership agreement whether the application of this variation may have a distributional pattern of 5-5, 5-4, and 4-4 depending on the state of vulnerability and/or other elements.
The following schematic illustrates the variation designated as Multi Landy.
| 2 : |
Shows 5-4 or 4-5 or 5-5 in both Major suits. Factor vulnerability. |
| 2 : |
Shows a weak 6-card Major suit. 2 becomes the relay response. Note: this bid generally refers to a Major suit, but other partnerships have agreed that this bid can / may pertain to all four suits. |
| 2 : |
Shows 5 plus Hearts and one unspecified 4-card Minor suit. 2 NT by the advancer asks for the Minor suit. |
2  : |
Shows 5 plus Spades and one unspecified 4-card Minor suit. 2 NT by the advancer asks for the Minor suit. |
| 2 NT: |
Shows both Minor suits, either 5-4 or 4-5 or 5-5. Factor vulnerability. |
| Double: |
Shows a holding worth 15/16 plus high card points. The double is for penalty. Partner must pass. |
Variations and nuances in the concept can occur depending on the partnership agreement, which is the main factor in determining the line of bidding.
Note: The form of Multi Landy is somewhat dependent on the bidding system employed and can be altered or varied to meet the requirements of the particular bidding system.
Note: Some partnerships have agreed that the distribution of the holding, when overcalling with 2, could / may be reduced to 4-4 in both Major suits regardless of the state of vulnerability. This is entirely a partnership agreement in all employed variations of the concept.
Woolsey Defense to 1 No Trump: To a high degree Mr. Christopher (Kit) R. Woolsey has expanded in detail the concept behind the Multi-Landy defense method. The bridge student is vigorously recommended to also review his method, which is designated as the Woolsey Defense to 1 No Trump.
Several Variations
Variations of this concept have been adopted by the bridge community. This is the case with most defense mechanisms employed against the opening No Trump bid by an opponent. The attempt has been made to include several of these variations, which have been devised over time.
Variation 1 - No official designation
| Double: |
Shows a 4-card Major suit and an unspecified 5-card plus Minor suit, or |
| |
shows a balanced to semi-balanced holding of 14 plus points after a Weak No Trump opening. |
| 2 : |
Shows 5-4 or 4-5 or 5-5 in both Major suits. Factor vulnerability. |
| 2 : |
Shows a weak 6-card Major suit. 2 becomes the relay response. |
| 2 : |
Shows 5 plus Hearts and one unspecified 4-card Minor suit. 2 NT by the advancer asks for the Minor suit. |
| 2 : |
Shows 5 plus Spades and one unspecified 4-card Minor suit. 2 NT by the advancer asks for the Minor suit. |
| 2 NT: |
Shows both Minor suits, either 5-4 or 4-5 or 5-5. Factor vulnerability. |
Variation 2 - No official designation
Another variation has great similarities with Crowhurst Against No Trump Openings and is also known as such as well as Reverse Pottage. This variation is included below and contains expanded features:
| Double: |
Any double is for penalty. Promises about 15 plus points. Partner must pass. |
| 2 : |
Shows 5-4 or 4-5 in both Major suits. |
| 2 : |
Shows either Hearts or Spades, generally a 5-card plus suit. |
| 2 : |
Shows 5 plus Hearts and one unspecified 4-card Minor suit. 2 NT by the advancer asks for the Minor suit. |
| 2 : |
Shows 5 plus Spades and one unspecified 4-card Minor suit. 2 NT by the advancer asks for the Minor suit. |
| 2 NT: |
Shows both Minor suits, either 5-4 or 4-5 or 5-5. Factor vulnerability. |
| 3 : |
Natural bid showing 6-card plus length in Clubs. Possible one-suited holding. |
| 3 : |
Natural bid showing 6-card plus length in Diamonds. Possible one-suited holding. |
Note: Nuances in the concept plus added features can occur depending on the partnership agreement, which is the main factor in determining the line of bidding. It is also the partnership agreement which determines the significance of the first responses by the partner of the overcaller.
Variation 3 - No official designation
Another variation employs the double in a multi-fashion distinguishing between strong and weak No Trump openings. This variation is included below and contains expanded features:
| Double: |
Over a weak No Trump, 12 or fewer high card points as lower limit, the double is for penalty and promises a minimum of 15 plus high card points. Forcing passes and penalty doubles apply if the opponents use an escape mechanism. |
| Double: |
Over a strong No Trump, 14 plus high card points with a 5 plus Minor and a 4-card Major. An advance of 2 is pass or correct to 2. A 2 advance asks for the Major suit; 2 or 2 shows an independent suit. |
| 2 : |
Shows 5-4 or 4-5 in both Major suits. 2 advance asks for longer Major suit. |
| 2 : |
Shows a one-suiter in a Major suit, then 2 or 2 advance is pass or correct, 2 NT asks if maximum. |
| 2 : |
Shows a 5 plus Heart suit with unspecified Minor suit (usually 5-5); 2 NT by the advancer asks for Minor suit. |
| 2 : |
Shows a 5 plus Spade suit with unspecified Minor suit (usually 5-5); 2 NT by the advancer asks for Minor suit. |
| 2 NT: |
Shows both Minor suits, either 5-4 or 4-5 or 5-5. Factor vulnerability. |
| 3 : |
Natural bid showing 6-card plus length in Clubs. Promises between 10-15 high card points. |
| 3 : |
Natural bid showing 6-card plus length in Diamonds. Promises between 10-15 high card points. |
| 3 : |
Preemptive. |
| 3 : |
Preemptive. |
With a multi-purpose double, the partnership may possibly have a better positioned defense mechanism to defend against different ranges of No Trump.
Variation 4 - No official designation
The following variation, employed mainly in The Netherlands, does not include the use of the double. This variation is included below and contains expanded features and also the responses of the partner of the overcaller:
| 2 : |
Promises 5-4 or 4-5 in both Major suits. |
|
|
Continuations: |
|
|
Pass: |
Promises a long Club suit and the desire to play in Clubs. |
|
|
2 : |
Promises a 3-card suit in Hearts or Spade and a long Diamond suit. |
|
|
2 : |
Promises a 3-card plus suit in Hearts. |
|
|
2 : |
Promises a 3-card plus suit in Spades. |
| 2 : |
Promises a one-suiter in a Major suit, then 2 or 2 advance is pass or correct, 2 NT asks if maximum. |
| 2 : |
Promises a 5 plus Heart suit with unspecified 4-card plus Minor suit; 2 NT advance asks for Minor suit. |
| 2 : |
Promises a 5+ Spade suit with unspecified 4-card plus Minor suit; 2 NT advance asks for Minor suit. |
|
Continuations |
|
|
3 : |
Invitational. |
|
|
3 : |
Invitational. |
|
|
4 : |
To play. |
|
|
4 : |
To play. |
The use of the 2 No Trump bid is optional but can be employed by the partnership as a feature.
Landy Variation in Dutch - No official designation
The following is an outline of the Multi Landy convention, also a variation, and is in Dutch only but contains a more detailed outline of the responses of the partner of the overcaller. Mrs. Karry Bos of The Netherlands has contributed the translation of the following Multi Landy version, and her contribution is very much appreciated. Her translation is shown below.
| bod |
toont |
toelichting |
|
antwoorden |
| 2 |
tweekleurenspel in de hoge kleuren |
minstens twee vierkaarten, maar nog liever een vier-vijf |
|
| pas |
zwak spel met lange (6 of meer) |
| 2 |
geen voorkeur voor /; vraagt partner zijn beste kleur te bieden |
| 2 |
voorkeur voor de geboden kleur |
| 2 |
voorkeur voor de geboden kleur |
| 2 SA |
verdeelde, sterke hand (komt zelden voor) |
| 3 |
limietbod |
| 2 |
limietbod |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
hetzelfde als een multi-2 -opening |
zeskaart of |
|
| 2 |
relay; openaar corrigeert zonodig naar 2 |
| 2 |
manche-interesse in ; openaar zal passen of 3 of 4 bieden |
| 2 SA |
forcing; openaar biedt 3 / met resp. minimale / of 3 / 3 als hij maximaal is in resp. / |
| 3 |
limietbod |
| 2 |
limietbod |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
hetzelfde als een Muiderberg 2 -opening |
vijfkaart met daarnaast een vierkaart of langer in een lage kleur |
|
voor het vervolg, zie de Muiderbergse twee (conventie) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
hetzelfde als een Muiderberg 2 -opening |
vijfkaart met daarnaast een vierkaart of langer in een lage kleur |
|
voor het vervolg, zie de Muiderbergse twee (conventie) |
Translation of Mrs. Karry Bos of The Netherlands in English:
| Bid |
Shows |
Explanation |
|
Answers |
| 2 |
Two Major suits |
At least 4-4, preferably 4-5 |
|
| Pass |
Weak, (6+card ) |
| 2 |
Relay for /; Partner bids the strongest suit first |
| 2 |
Preference for Hearts |
| 2 |
Preference for Spades |
| 2 NT |
Strong, No Trump distribution (very rare) |
| 3 |
Limit, invitational |
| 2 |
Limit, invitational |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
Like a Multi-coloured 2 opening |
6-card or ; (6-11 points) |
|
| 2 |
Relay; partner bids 2 with Spades |
| 2 |
Invitation to game in ; partner will pass with , will bid 3 or 4 with Hearts. |
| 2 SA |
Forcing; partner bids 3 / with resp. minimal / of 3 / 3 with resp. maximal / |
| 3 |
Limit, invitational |
| 2 |
Limit, invitational |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
Like a Muiderberg 2 -opening |
5-card with unspecified 4+card Minor suit; (6-11 points) |
|
For additional bidding, see Muiderbergse twee convention (a.o. 2 No Trump asks partner to bid Minor suit) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
Like a Muiderberg 2 -opening |
5-card with unspecified 4+Minor suit; (6-11 points) |
|
For further bidding, see Muiderbergse twee convention (a.o. 2 No Trump asks partner to bid Minor suit) |
Multi Landy Variation After Response by Opponent of 1 No Trump
Mr. Steve Robinson has suggested employing the concept of Multi Landy based on a different auction. Source is The Bridge World, issue July 2004. The concept of Multi Landy is an application after an opponent opens the auction with 1 No Trump, but the concept of Mr. Steve Robinson is to employ the Multi Landy concept after the responder bids 1 No Trump as in the following auction:
| West |
|
North |
|
East |
|
South |
| 1 Minor |
|
Pass |
|
1 NT |
|
? |
The basic thought behind this concept is that although the opponents have shown generally 50% of the points, it might be advantageous for the non-bidding side to enter the auction and compete with distributional values. In general, the first example would require a double for Takeout and the second example holding would require cuebidding the Minor suit of the opener to show both Major suits:
| Example 1 |
|
Example 2 |
|
|
|
| Double |
|
2 Minor suit |
However, other distributional holdings become difficult to bid and a communication of the distributional shape via standard bidding methods proves inadequate, as in the following four examples:
| Example 1 |
|
Example 2 |
|
Example 3 |
|
Example 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When employing Multi Landy, any interference is considered to be competitive and the so-called advancer should compete only with an adequate fit or even attempt game with an exceptional fit.
The concept of employing the basic idea of Multi Landy after a 1 No Trump bid by the responder is as follows:
A. Double shows one of the following distributional shapes
1. An unspecified 4-card Major suit with a longer Minor suit, generally not the Minor suit, which has been already been bid.
2. A one-suited Minor suit, but no inferences should be drawn from the opening Minor suit bid by the opponent.
3. A holding with strong values.
B. 2 promises both Major suits. According to Mr. Steve Robinson, it is this action which provides and/or justifies the usage of Landy in the designation of Multi Landy for the variation of this particular concept and competitive conventional method. The recommended distribution is generally defined as 5-5, 4-5, or 5-4, and/or depends on the state of vulnerability, and could perhaps be 4-4 depending on the aggressiveness of the individual player.
B.1. After a competitive bid of 2 the advancer has several options:
a. the advancer can respond 2 when holding equal length in both indicated Major suits and the intervenor can then select the longer and/or stronger Major suit. This first response also denies holding a 4-card Major suit, otherwise the advancer would simply bid the longer Major suit. As a result of this denial of a 4-card Major suit, the intervenor is permitted to pass the 2 when holding a 4-4-4-1 distribution.
b. in the case that the advancer has game ambitions, then the advancer can bid 2 No Trump first, which is one round forcing.
C. A competitive bid of 2 promises a one-suited Major.
C.1. After a competitive bid of 2 the advancer has several options:
a. the advancer generally bids the lower-ranking Major suit. If the one-suited Major suit is Spades, then the intervenor will correct to Spades. If the one-suited Major suit is Hearts, then the intervenor may pass.
b. the advancer can bid 2 with a distribution of 1 Spade - 4 Hearts. The intervenor may then pass or correct to 3 Hearts. This response by the advancer may be viewed as invitational.
c. the advancer can, if interested in game owing to distributional values, then bid 2 No Trump.
D. A competitive bid of 2 or 2 as the intervening bid shows and promises a 5-card Major suit as indicated by the bid and generally an accompanying 4-card Minor suit, which is unspecified. The advancer can respond 2 No Trump, which is an Asking Bid for the Minor suit.
E. A competitive bid of 2 No Trump promises both Major suits with the distribution being a generally minimal 5-5 in both Major suits. This distribution is almost mandatory since this competitive bid forces the partnership to the three level.
F. All three-level bids are natural.
After the Multi-Way Double, in order to specify the long, single-suited Minor suit after the 1 No Trump response of the partner of the opener, the advancer bids 2 , which the intervenor either passes, meaning Clubs is the long Minor suit, or corrects to Diamonds. Among other options the advancer may also bid a Major suit on the two level promising at least a 6-card Major suit. This bid is natural and non-forcing. The advancer may also bid 2 No Trump to indicate game interest or the advancer may pass the double and convert to a penalty double, but only when the advancer can stand the lead of the Minor suit lead of the intervenor.
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.