The origin of this conventional method is unknown. The concept is to assist the opener to further clarify his holding when the first rebid by the opener is 1 No Trump, which can signify various hand types.

Note: The bridge author Mr. Neil H. Timm, Ph. D. has included this conventional method in his publication 2/1 Game Force: A Mondern Approach, Second Edition, published July 2011, ISBN-13: 978-1-42696-603-3.

Note: The student of bridge should also compare this conventional method with similar conventional methods such as New Minor Forcing, Checkback Stayman, and Roudi.

Note: The French version of the Ping Pong conventional method can be found on this website link, which is maintained by the Club Universitaire de Bridge de Strasbourg.

Concept and Parameters

The following diagram contains the various auctions whereby this conventional method can be employed

North		East		South		West		Meaning
1 //		Pass
				1 / 1		Pass		May only show a 4-card suit.
1 NT		Pass						The opener limits the holding and denies any 4-card support for the Major suit of partner.
				2		Pass		Forcing - the so-called Ping Pong conventional action by responder (also known as a puppet bid).
2								An automatic rebid by opener

The 2 Clubs so-called Ping Pong second response is employed by the responder to show one of the following three holdings:

1.	To show weak holdings when the responder wishes to cease the auction in a partscore in a Minor suit. If Diamonds is the Minor suit, then the responder passes the automatic rebid by opener. If Clubs is the intended suit, then the responder will correct to 3.
2.	To show balanced holdings of 5-3-3-2 or 4-3-3-3 and at least 10 high card points. Once the transfer (Ping Pong) has been completed and opener has rebid 2, then the responder rebids. The opener thereafter becomes the captain and establishes the final contract.
	2NT: Shows a holding with 10-12 points. 3NT: Shows a holding with 12-16 points. 4NT: Shows a holding with 17-18 points.
3.	To show a limited, balanced holding with a range of 11-13 points. The holding also contains at least a 5-card suit in the first suit bid by the responder. Continuances are then considered natural sequences, but they are generally considered invitational and not forcing.

When the Ping Pong conventional method is the partnership agreement, then all other responses by the responder to a 1 No Trump rebid by the opener have the following meanings:

1.	Bids at the lowest level are discouraging, particularly the raise of a 1 Heart opening by partner.
2.	Any reverse bids or jump bids are considered natural and semi-invitational.
3.	A 2 NT rebid is natural, invitational, and denies a 5-card suit in any original Major suit bid by the responder.
4.	A 2 Clubs first response to a 1 Club opening is natural. A 2 Clubs first response to a 1 Diamond opening is natural and one-round forcing.

 

 

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.