This conventional method was devised by Mr. Pierre Ghestem, (born February 14, 1922 and died on April 11, 2000), and Mr. Claude Delmouly, (born 1927 in Tour and died 2006), of France. These Monaco responses to a strong, artificial 2 Clubs opening bid constitute a feature of the Monaco Bidding System devised by Mr. Pierre Ghestem and Mr. Claude Delmouly. The continuations are not included for each possible response since the rebid changes according to the first response.

The bridge student can also review a complete overview of the Monaco Bidding System by reviewing Ghestem on this site. These .pdf files have been compiled and presented on the web for the benefit of the bridge student. They are, however, only in the French language.

The responses indicate either a minimum, a certain number of Aces and/or Kings, and possible distribution as described in the following schematic. Mr. Pierre Ghestem did not designate any Aces and/or Kings as controls although they could possibly be construed as such, if the bridge player so wishes:

2 :	Shows a minimum of points between zero and 6 points and is negative. The responder holds possibly Queens and Jack, but only one King maximum.
2 :	Shows 1 Ace or 4 Kings.
2 :	Shows 2 Aces or 3 Kings.
2 NT:	Shows 3 Aces or 2 Kings.
3 :	Shows 7 plus high card points. The responder holds no Ace, maximum one King. The responder holds at least a 5-card plus Club suit. This response is considered natural.
3 :	Shows 7 plus high card points. The responder holds no Ace, maximum one King. The responder holds at least a 5-card plus Diamond suit. This response is considered natural.
3 :	Shows 7 plus high card points. The responder holds no Ace, maximum one King. The responder holds at least a 5-card plus Heart suit. This response is considered natural.
3 :	Shows 7 plus high card points. The responder holds no Ace, maximum one King. The responder holds at least a 5-card plus Spade suit. This response is considered natural.
3 NT:	Shows a minimum of 7 plus high card points, and balanced to semi-balanced distribution. The responder may not hold an Ace or a King. All points consist of Queens and Jacks.
4 :	A first response on the four level shows at least a 5-card plus Club suit headed by the King-Queen-Jack, or two playing tricks.
4 :	A first response on the four level shows at least a 5-card plus Diamond suit headed by the King-Queen-Jack, or two playing tricks.
4 :	A first response on the four level shows at least a 5-card plus Heart suit headed by the King-Queen-Jack, or two playing tricks.
4 :	A first response on the four level shows at least a 5-card plus Spade suit headed by the King-Queen-Jack, or two playing tricks.

This response method, as stated by the developer Mr. Pierre Ghestem, has the advantange that the responder is able to show the number of held Aces and Kings on the two level. The idea behind these particular bids is the fact that the opener must also have a certain amount of high card points, otherwise known as Aces and Kings, and as soon as the responder can communicate the number of held Aces and/or Kings, then the opener can deduce with reasonable certainty the location of the Aces and/or Kings held by responder.

The bridge student can also purchase the publication authored by Mr. Pierre Ghestem and Mr. Claude Delmouly and study their Monaco Bidding System, which includes the responses to a strong, artificial 2 Clubs opening bid and the continuances.

Variations on this concept in responding to a strong, artificial 2 Clubs opening bid do exist and the bridge student should be aware that these variations do differ somewhat from the original concept.

Presented is also a group picture from the year 1960 with several of the most experienced bridge players of France, who were victorious at the France aux Olympiades. Apologies for the quality of the picture. By courtesy of Claire Bridge.

 

 

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.