This conventional method was originated by Mr. Ronald Denny Klinger, better known as Mr. Ron Klinger of Australia. The publication of this response method first appeared in the magazine The Bridge World, June 1999.

The concept is that a first response of 2 No Trump after the opening by partner indicates at least a 4-card support for the bid suit and at least 7 high card points. The range of the values of the responder are however unlimited, and for this reason the significance of this first response can have multiple meanings, which are clarified later in the auction.

Parameters of the Concept

This bidding sequence is normally employed when the opening bid is a Major suit. Whether or not the partnership wishes to apply this conventional method for the Minor suits is a matter of partnership agreement.

Once this bidding sequence occurs, then the opener continues to describe his holding with the following rebids. Several continuances for the responder are also presented.

Opener	Responder		Meaning
1 /	2 NT		Indicates at least a 4-card support for the bid suit and at least 7 high card points.
3			Shows interest in game if the responder has at least 10-12 points. If the responder has minimum values, 9 or fewer points, then the responder will sign-off in a partscore contract. With the required 10-12 points, then the responder will bid game. Holding the required values the responder can initiate slam interest by rebidding 3 Diamonds. Following a 3 Diamonds bid by the responder the opener can rebid 3 of his Major suit to deny any shortage in any side suit, rebid another suit to show shortage in that particular suit, or rebid 3 No Trump, which is then Keycard Asking.
3			This rebid by the opener is absolutely game forcing and shows slam interest even if the responder holds minimum values. However, this rebid denies any side suit singleton and/or void. The responder then signs off at game level. With additional values the responder can initiate either first round control cuebidding or employ any form of Blackwood asking for Keycards.
3			If the opening bid is Hearts, then this rebid is a sign-off if the responder holds minimum values of 7-9 points. Otherwise the responder bids game with 10-12 points. If the responder holds additional values, then the responder can initiate slam.
3			If the opening bid is Spades, then this rebid is a sign-off if the responder holds minimum values of 7-9 points. Otherwise the responder bids game with 10-12 points. If the responder holds additional values, then the responder can initiate slam.
3 NT			This rebid by the opener generally shows a distributional pattern of 5-3-3-2 and a holding with too many values for an opening of a strong No Trump. With possible slam values and any other distributional shape the opener should rebid 3 Diamonds. The rebids of the responder are then identical to those of a first rebid by the opener of 3 Diamonds.
3 /			If the opening bid is 1 Spade, then a first rebid of the other Major, or 3 Hearts, promises a singleton or void in Hearts.
3 /			If the opening bid is 1 Hearts, then a first rebid of the other Major, or 3 Spades, promises a singleton or void in Spades.
4			This first rebid by the opener shows game values and either a singleton or void in the Club suit.
4			This first rebid by the opener shows game values and either a singleton or void in the Diamond suit.

Mr. Ron Klinger also establishes the advantages to this conventional method. They include the advantages that the opponents most likely do not have the opportunity to double for lead directing, that the 2 No Trump first response obstructs the opponents from entering the auction on the three level, and the fact that the values of the responder are concealed until later in the auction. Two admitted disadvantages are that the partnership is forced to splinter one level higher than usual, and that the opener is prohibited from naming a second, possibly strong suit.

Whether or not an intervening overcall nullifies the application of this conventional method is not addressed.

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.