The originator of the Woodgroves Multi 2 Diamonds conventional method is Mr. John-Hallvard Woodgrove of Norway. He has posted this information online at his website.

Note: Mr. John Hallvard Skoglund has also compiled a detailed write-up of Woodgroves Multi, which is located at this website. This information is only in the language of Norway and any contribution of a translated version would be greatly appreciated. This information has also only been archived and preserved in .pdf file format on this site for future reference.

Mr. John-Hallvard Woodgrove was the Norwegian Champion in Junior with Jørgen Molberg in the years 1990 and 1991. Presently he Is the Deputy Chairman of NBF Østerdal and authors bridge-related articles for the daily bridge column in Østlendingen.

Note: A complete outline of the Woodgroves Multi can be found online, authored and posted by Mr. John-Hallvard Woodgrove. In order to resolve any confusion as to the writing of the designation with the addition of the letter s written after the surname, please be reminded that this is the possessive case in the Norwegian language, which is normally accompanied by an apostrophe in the English language.

Mr. John-Hallvard Woodgrove has translated this conventional method into the English language and posted it online. Mr. John-Hallvard Woodgrove has provided the schematic of Woodgroves Multi, which is reproduced here on this web page. This information has only been, therefore, archived and preserved on this site in the form of a web page for future reference. Any questions by the reader should be addressed to Mr. John-Hallvard Woodgrove via his website.

 

Woodgroves Multi

by John-Hallvard Woodgrove

This 2 Diamonds opening convention is both offensive and defensive. The frequency is high since you quite often have a 5-card Major suit with 3-10 high card points. It is really fun to see your opponents trying to guess what you have when they are strong. If you have played Multi before, you will find many similarities, but the responses are made more flexible so you have better chance to find a fit.

The 2 Diamonds opener may have 3-10 high card points and a 5-card Major suit. You should not have a side-suit in the other Major suit, but hey, if you want to have fun. In first/second spot strength is 3-8 high card points. (not invitational strength vs 15-17 NT). There are no requirements for trump quality. 65432 is good enough. A 4-card Minor suit is OK and preferred, but 5-5 is OK just if the Major suit is not weaker than the Minor suit. 25-27 high card points. Balanced. (At least 8.5 playing tricks) - 6-card plus Clubs without side suit. Game forcing. - 6-card plus Diamond suit without side suit. Game forcing.

Those strong hands in the Multi mean that you can adjust the 2 Clubs opening and make it more precise. Woodgroves 2 Clubs has these changes in the system. Take a look.

Responses to a 2 Diamonds Opening Bid

Pass:	You take a chance that your partner has weak 2 (if not he will kill you!). Responder has (maybe) diamond and a short suit in one of the major suit. Let your opponent guess.
2 :	Not game if Weak Two in Hearts.
2 :	Invitational if Weak Two in Hearts.
2 NT:	lebensohl. Minor suit to play at the 3 level, or 6-card plus Major suit and invitational. Requests 3 Clubs bid from partner.
3 :	Artificial forcing bid. Asks for opener to describe his hand.
3 :	Preempt in partners Weak Two suit.
3 :	Natural game forcing.
3 :	Natural game forcing.
3 NT:	To play.
4 :	Preempt in Minor suit. At least 5-5.
4 :	Preempt in partners Weak Two suit.
4 :	To play if Weak Two.
4 :	To play if Weak Two.

Rebids After 2 Diamonds - 2 Hearts / 2 Spades

Pass:	Weak Two in Hearts.
2 :	Weak Two in Spades. (After 2 Diamonds - 2 Hearts only).
2 NT:	25-27 high card points.
3 :	Game forcing; Club suit.
3 :	Game forcing; Diamond suit.
3 :	Minimum Weak Two in Hearts. (After 2 Diamonds - 2 Spades only).
4 :	Maximum Weak Two in Hearts. (After 2 Diamonds - 2 Spades only).

Rebids After 2 Diamonds - 2 No Trump

3 :	Compulsory if Weak Two.
3 :	Game forcing.
3 :	Game forcing, and Club suit.
3 NT:	25-27 high card points.
Suit:	Note: any suit at the four level is both natural and forcing.

Responder's Rebids After 2 Diamonds - 2 No Trump - 3 Clubs

Pass::	Club suit.
3 :	To play.
3 :	Invitational.
3 :	Invitational.
3 NT:	Both Minor suits. Game forcing.

Rebids After 2 Diamonds - 3 Clubs

3 :	Weak Two in Hearts. -> 3 Hearts is invitational.
3 :	Weak Two in Spades -> 3 Spades is invitational.

Responses to 2 Diamonds - Double

Pass:	I want to play in Diamonds. This bid may be a tactical bid hoping your opponents on your left will take out. Your partner will take a good look if the double is passed to him.
Redouble:	Bid your Weak Two suit.
2 :	To play.
2 :	To play. Otherwise the responses are (the same) as without interference.

Responses to 2 Diamonds - (Double) - Pass - (Pass)

Remember bridge is also psychology. If you can feel your opponents are loving to play against 2 Diamonds, you should run, even with 4 Diamonds. Partner may have a difficult hand to bid, and hope they would bid.

Pass:	Pass shows 4-5 Diamonds.
Redouble:	5-3 or 5-4 in both Major suits.
2 :	5 Hearts and 4-5 Clubs.
2 :	5 Spades and 4-5 Clubs.

Responses to 2 Diamonds - (2 Hearts / 2 Spades)

Double:

Request partner to pass with Weak Two in the overcalled suit. Otherwise the responses are as (the same) without interference.

Other Overcalls from 2 No Trump Up

Double:

Penalty 3 Hearts / 4 Hearts. If partner has not had the chance to bid earlier, then the Heart bid asks opener to correct if Weak Two Spades.

 

 

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.