Mini-Roman 2D


The Mini-Roman 2D opening is similar to the Roman 2D opening. Both show a 3-suited hand with some singleton or void.

The Roman 2D is based on 17+ HCPs, while the Mini-Roman 2D shows 11-15. Both point ranges can vary somewhat per partnership agreement. Since a 16-HCP hand doesn't fit either Roman, it seems like it would make more sense to make one or the other of them include 16-HCP hands.


Responses

Responder has a very accurate description of opener's hand, other than not knowing the precise location of the short suit, so responder is normally in charge of the bidding.

Without enough combined points for game, responder can bid his lowest suit. If opener is not short in that suit, he passes; otherwise, he bids the next suit up the line. Responder can then pass with a fit, or he can place the bid in a different suit, knowing that opener will have at least 4-card support.

With more points, responder first bids 2N, which asks opener to bid his short suit. Knowing opener's HCP range plus his distribution, responder can usually place the contract when there is a fit:

  • With enough points for game, responder simply bids game.
  • With fewer points, responder bids below game to invite opener to bid game with a maximum,

It should be noted that this sequence gives a lot of information to the opponents. In fact, West starts the bidding: 2 - 2 - 2N - ?, if South had a hand for bidding 4, he should pass to get West to reveal his singleton, then on South's next bid, he can bid 4.

When there is not a fit (because responder's only suit is in opener's long suit), responder can:

  • Bid 3N.

  • Bid 4 of the short suit, asking opener to make step bids to show his HCP range, where one suit higher 11-13/14, two suits up = 14-15/16, after which responder sets the final contract (4N is a sign-off) or bids one suit higher (not NT) than opener's bid as a keycard ask.

  • Bid 4 of the short suit (e.g.: 4D) to ask for controls rather than HCPs.
    • One suit up (e.g.: 4H) is 0 or 4 (where Ace=2, King=1),
    • Two suits up (e.g.: 4S) is 5 controls.
    • Three suits up (e.g.: 5C) is 6 controls.

If you bid 2N intending to invite with a 5-3-3-2, you may be forced to bid 3N if partner is short in your suit, so you should have two stoppers in your suit and be at the top of your inviting range.

With a second suit, such as a 5-4-2-2 or 5-4-2-1 hand, you can fall back to your second suit to invite, so you can invite with a point or two less and/or without good stoppers in the long suit.

If responder's RHO bids, responder is no longer forced to bid, but may still bid 2N to ask for opener's shortness. A double is penalty-oriented; opener should pull the double if short in intervenor's suit.


Alternative Responses

Some people play that opener rebids the suit below his short suit to give responder room to ask for more information.

After 2D-2N:

  • 3C = Diamond or Spade shortage; then 3D asks and opener responds:
    • 3H = Spade shortage
    • 3S = Diamond shortage, minimum
    • 3N = Diamond shortage, maximum
  • 3D = Heart shortage
    • 3H - 3S = minimum
    • 3H - 3N = maximum
  • 3H = Club shortage, minimum
  • 3N = Club shortage, maximum