The origin of this conventional method is unknown. The answer to the question which came first, the Two Diamonds Negative Response or The Two Diamonds Positive Response also remains unknown.

After one partner has opened the bidding auction with a strong, artificial Two Clubs bid, the partnership agreement is to agreed to employ the first response of 2 Diamonds as the only positive response for the responder. This first bid by the responder is artificial and, without exception, game forcing. The response is artificial in the sense that the responder conveys no information about the length of the Diamond suit to partner.

Continuances

After a positive response of 2 Diamonds by the responder, the opener can continue to describe his holding. The responder is then in a better position to judge the merits of attempting slam. The positive response of 2 Diamonds by the responder can have a range from 8 high card points plus, but the responder can only guide the partnership to the final contract on his second rebid.

Since a 2 Diamonds first response is always game forcing, then the partnership can devise any method to reach either a game or a slam contract. In general, all continuation methods do not include any jump bids since this action would remove possibly valuable bidding space, in which to convey certain and important information.

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.