Wolfe Signoff (slight variation)

The Wolfe Signoff is used when opener has opened a minor and jump rebid 2NT and responder wants to get out at the 3 level.When used in conjunction with Major Suit Checkback responder has the tools to force to game and signoff at the 3 level or (4 level if signing off in clubs).

Examples

Responders hand Qxxxx,.Qxxxx, xx, x 1-1-2NT-3(start of signoff)-3-3 . Opener can pass or correct to 3. No More.

Responders hand K10xx, xx, J10xxxx, x 1-1-2NT-3(start of signoff) -3- Pass

With all game going hands 3 is bid over the 2NT rebid as a major suit checkback. Openers first responsibility is to show 4 of the unbid major if they have it. If responder's first bid was hearts, opener shows 4 spades after the checkback. If responder's first suit was spades, opener's first priority is to show 4 hearts after the checkback. When responder bids 3NT after opener has shown the other major then it is clear that responder was looking for 3 card support of their own suit and opener can pull 3NT to 4 of responder's major.

Here are the basic features of the Wolff Signoff.  Consider the auction beginning:

1m - 1M; 2N - ?

• Responders Pass, 3N or 4/ in responders original major suit are signoff bids
• All other responder rebids force re-rebids by opener

Responders 3 bid is always an artificial relay forcing opener to re-rebid 3;

Rebids by responder all force opener to pass or correct, excepting responders 3N follow-up bid which is generally a slam try in openers minor suit

• After opener puppets to 3, responder may pass or re-rebid 3 or 3
• If responder re-rebids original suit, opener must pass
• If responder initially bid 1 and re-rebid 3, opener passes or corrects to 3 with best support

Any other rebid by responder is game forcing (excepting 4M as described above)

• Responders 3 level bid in original major promises 5+, showing extra values with some slam interest
• Responders 4 level bid in original major promises 6 or good shapely 5 in major without extras (fast denies)
• Responders 3rebid is "checkback" seeking:
  • a. 4 card fit in the unbid major
  • b. 3 card fit in responders major suit
• Responders 3 rebid after 1 promises 5-5 or more in the majors.

When responder has a shapely 5-5 in the majors with a weak hand and no interest in game, after the initial 1 response begin with the 3 Wolff relay rebid.  After opener rebids 3, responder rebids 3 asking opener to "pass or correct" to 3 with 3 card support in either suit.  Note the responder is captain, thus the opener may not bid 3N or 4/.

Wolff employs one gadget for responder to explore slam in openers minor suit.  If after responder begins with the normal 3 signoff sequence appearing to stop below game but then makes an unanticipated rebid of 3N, some players use this treatment to show slam interest in the openers minor.

Using the "slow-shows, fast denies" approach, responder bids 4 Major to signoff, or 3 Major to show slam interest.

Conversely, when responder does not use the Wolff Signoff but instead begins with 1 and rebids 3, responder promises 5-5 or longer in the majors with game-going values:

Responder directly rebids an artificial 3 (without going through 3 Wolff signoff) as a general "checkback" (similar to New Minor Forcing).  This is an inquiry to discover a major suit fit with opener.  Consider the various major suit shape holdings when responder has game-going values:

• 5 card in initially bid major suit
• 4 Spades and 4 Hearts
• 5 Hearts and 4 Spades (or 5 Spades and 4 Hearts)

Openers prioritized 3 level rebids are:

• 3 level in Responders Major (4 card support in responders suit)
• 3 level in New Major (4 card support in unbid major)
• 3 level in Responders Major (3 card support in responders suit)
• 3 Notrump (Lacking 3 card major suit support)

Since responders 4M rebid would be a signoff, when responder begins with a 3 Wollf signoff but then rebids 4M after opener puppets to 3 most would agree this is shows serious slam interest (likely a broken 6 card suit, otherwise responder could simply rebid 3 of the major suit).