XYZ
XYZ is a convention designed to allow partnerships to find suit fits at a low level. It is also handy in 2/1 when bidding starts 1
- 1
- 1
or 1
- 1
- 1N where responder could have any number of HCP.
"XYZ" stands for 3 bids made at the 1 level, such as 1
-1
-1
or 1
-1
-1N.
There are 10 different combinations of such 1-level bids.
There are also several combinations of such bids when opponents intervene, such as
1
-(1
)-D-(P)-1N where the partners only bid 2 actual suits between them.
If opener makes his second bid on the 1 level, XYZ is on.
Responder can then make one of the following bids:
Weak sign-offs:
2
/3
= sign-off. This would logically show a very weak hand with 6+ of the suit bid.
To sign off in 2D, first bid 2
(relay to 2
) then pass.
Invitational:
2N = balanced, 10-11 HCP.
2
= relay to 2
then bid 2
/
/N as invitational.
Game Force
3
/
/
= game force with 6+ of the suit bid.
2
= any other game force.
To make an invitational bid, responder bids 2
first and then any bid after opener's 2
is invitational.
Larry Cohen adds the following XYZ tip on his web site:
There are several ways to invite (via 2
first, or sometimes directly). Serious partnerships can invent their own meanings for the difference. For example, define a different meaning for 1
-1
-1NT-2NT and 1
-1
-1NT-2
-2
-2NT. Perhaps going through the relay of 2
-2
is a 5-3-3-2 invitation with 5
, whereas the direct 2NT denies 5
.
For much more detail, visit this site