The origin of this variation is unknown. The basic concept is employed mainly in bidding systems using the canapé approach, meaning that the shorter suit is opened or bid first before the higher-ranking suit.

Principle of the Concept

The fundamental concept can also be employed in several variations of the Blue Club bidding system developed by Mr. Benito Garozo and used by the Blue Team during their successful reign in the world bridge tournaments in the 1960s, in which the canapé approach was mainly employed. The off-shoot of this bidding system, designated sometimes as Lancia, also uses this variation to some degree, but this cannot be confirmed.

Note: Source is the publication The Blue Club as adopted and translated by Mr. Terence Reese, 1969, ISBN-10: 0571092659 / ISBN-13: 978-0571092659.

The main feature, as mentioned, of this variation is that the bidding system incorporates the canapé approach, and all holdings with a distribution of 4 Spades - 5 Hearts in both Major suits, then the holding is naturally opened with 1 followed by a 2 rebid.

If the distribution is, however, 5 Spades - 4 Hearts in both Major suits, then this configuration presents a problem for that partnership with the partnership agreement to use the canapé approach, since bidding the longer suit would more accurately describe the holding. Therefore, an opening bid of 2 is not available.

The Anti-Flannery variation was designed to overcome this flaw and such holdings are, in accordance, opened with 2 Diamonds, as in the original Flannery conventional method. It is specifically this opening bid, which shows exactly a holding with 5 Spades and 4 Hearts plus values for an opening as in the original Flannery convention.

Once this opening has been employed, then the general and suggested guideline for the partnership is to follow the identical continuances as for the original concept. See: Flannery Two Diamonds and the corresponding responses. However, such continuances are not without the possibility of being altered or changed to suit and accommodate the existing partnership agreement. The Anti-Flannery variation normally addresses only the opening bid of 2 Diamonds.

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.