Very often every bridge partner will open the auction with a Major suit only to hear his left hand opponent make a takeout double. In addition to being competitive, the singlular auction of the partnership has been disturbed, and the relay of information has developed some speed-bumps. In order to overcome this situation, the concept of BROMAD was developed to indicate, according to the partnership agreement, certain holdings.

This concept was developed by Mr. Marty Bergen, bridge personality, bridge theorist, bridge author.

The principal behind the concept is that a 2 Clubs bid by the responder shows a good 8 or 9 support point raise with at least a 3-card or more support.

Partner		Opponent		Responder		Meaning
1		Double		2		Promises 8 or 9 support points and at least a 3-card support in Hearts.

On the other hand, a direct raise of the suit bid by the partner indicates a 3-card support and 7 or fewer support points.

Partner		Opponent		Responder		Meaning
1		Double		2		Promises 7 or fewer support points and at least a 3-card support in Hearts.

General Concept

In general, the concept is to indicate the length of the support by the responder as well as the limited number of points. The general guidelines to show this difference is as follows:

1.	A redouble denies in prinicple a 3-card support.
2.	A first response of 2 is a constructive raise with 8-9 points and at least a 3-card support.
3.	A first response of 2 shows a limit raise with a 3-card support.
4.	A one level raise is preemptive in nature.
5.	Jump raises are normal Bergen Raises with at least 4-card support.
6.	A first response of 2 No Trump can be employed to show a preempt in either Minor suit.

Variation

As an alternative approach, several partnership agreements are that the use of 2 and 3 signifies values and length slightly less strong than Limit Raises with 2 promising 3-card support and 3 promising 4-card support. This enables the partnership to continue employing the first response of 2 No Trump as a Limit Raise. Employing this method means that the partnership can retain the first responses of 2 and 3 as natural and non-forcing.

The origin of this variation is unknown.

Modification

A modified approach of this concept is as follows. The origin is unknown.

Opener		Overcall		Responder		Meaning
1		Double		2		Promises 7-9 points and at least 3-card support.
				2		Promises 10-11 points and at least 3-card support.
				2		Promises between 0-6 points and at least 3-card support
				2 NT		Shows a weak hand with a long Minor suit. Opener is forced to bid 3 and the responder may correct to Diamonds.
				3		Promises 7-9 point and at least 4-card support.

 

 

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.