Another method of responding has been suggested by Mr. Barry Rigal and Mr. Chris Ryall of England. This method can be viewed on the website of Dr. Chris Ryall. It is also the recommendation of Mr. Barry Rigal and Dr. Chris Ryall that the individual partnership must discuss what to do over opponents doubles and overcalls.

Note: Mr. Barry Rigal was born in the year 1958 in the city of London, England. During the mid 1990s he moved to New York, New York, United States, and is presently a respected professions bridge author, bridge writer, and serves as an official bridge commentator at international bridge competitions. One of his latest publications is titled Breaking The Bridge Rules, published July 1, 2010 by Master Point Press, ISBN-13: 9781897106549.

Note: Mr. Chris Ryall is represented online at his website. He presently resides in Birkenhead, United Kingdom.

The premise of this method is that the opener have one of the following holdings:

1.	Poor Weak Twos in the Major suits.
2.	Sound Weak Twos in the Major suits, 8-9 high card points.
3.	Sound Weak Twos with a side suit splinter.
4.	Sound Weak Twos, balanced with a fluently running suit.
5.	A strong (e.g. 22-24) balanced hand with 22-24 high card points.
6.	A pure Acol Two in a Minor suit.

Concept

The problem, as noticed by Mr. Barry Rigal and Dr. Chris Ryall, was that there appears to be insufficient bidding space on the levels available after a Multi 2 Diamonds opening to reach the optimal contract, especially if that contract should be 3 No Trump. Using this method, which specifically states that a Multi 2 Diamonds opening should be:

2 :	Shows 5-9 high card points by favorable vulnerability.
2 :	Shows 7-11 high card points by unfavorable vulnerability.

The concept behind the method, in the case that a contract of 3 No Trump is the optional contract, is to ignore the Major suits and to employ a Two-Way 3 Diamonds response to 2 No Trump. Other response include:

Opener		Responder		Meaning
2		2		To play or may pass/raise 2 Spades.
		2		To play or interest in game in Hearts using standard Paradox Principle *.
		2 NT		General Inquiry ** with 15+ or 9+ with both Major suits.
		3		Natural, strong and forcing.
		3		Natural, strong and forcing.
		3		Paradox-based Preemptive Raises.
		3		Paradox-based Preemptive Raises.
		3 NT		A 4-card Preemptive Raise in either Major suit, 0 to a bad 9 high card points.
		4		The same as 3 No Trump but with 5 plus Hearts.
		4		The same as 3 No Trump but with 5 plus Spades.
		4		Natural and to play.
		4		Natural and to play.

* A Paradox bid is a call of the suit you do not hold when the length in one of two suits has been shown or implied by partner's bid, generally when the partnership expects to establish the final contract in one of these suits.

Examples The partner can simply bid the lower suit for the partner to either pass or correct. Alternatively, if the partner has a fit for that lower suit, the partner bids the other suit. Therein lies the paradox. Although a call of the lower suit with support for the higher may also be paradoxical, this case is trivial. Using a Paradox bid generally forces the partnership one level higher, but this is accomplished only with a good fit. Two examples follow:

Opener		Responder		Meaning
2		2
		J5 A853 K4 AQ732		Usually the opener will pass. However, game is possible, if the opener has Hearts.

Opener		Responder		Meaning
2		3
		J54 A853 9 Q10732		It is apparent that the opponents have game. But a Paradoxical Preempt of 3 Spades makes and also is totally obstructive for the opponents to reach their contract successfully. Play in 3 Hearts, or in 4 Hearts.

General Inquiry Fundamentals

South		North		Meaning
2		2 NT		General enquiry, usually with 15 plus high card points or a good 9 plus high card points and both Major suits.
3				This shows a No Trump balanced holding with 22-24 high card points.
		3		Stayman.
3				Either a poor 2 Hearts opening or good 2 Spades opening. The Pivot Bid.
		3		Alternative Relay Bid. This response to 3 Diamonds may be passed.
		3		Alternative Relay Bid. This response to 3 Diamonds, if forcing.
3				Good Weak Two in Hearts.
		3		Asking for the splinter after a 3 Hearts rebid by the opener.
3				Poor Weak Two in Spades.
		3 NT		To play.
		4 any		Cuebid.
3 NT				Shows 6-3-3-2 distribution and enough entries to run the Major suit.
4				Natural and strong.
4				Natural and strong
4				A rare hand unsuited for 3 level preempt.
4				A rare hand unsuited for 3 level preempt.

 

 

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.