Woolsey

A defense convention against a strong 1NT opening.

• X = a mystery 4-card major, and a mystery 5+ card minor (after you play this for a while, you can use the Tunafish variation: you also double with a decent 1-suiter in one of the minors) Over This:
  • 2 says pass if your minor is clubs, correct if your minor is diamonds
  • 2 asks doubler to bid his major
  • 2M is natural
• 2 = both majors (with equal length in the majors, advancer can bid 2 to ask overcaller to pick)
• 2 = a 1-suiter in one of the majors
• 2M = at least five cards in that major, and a side minor suit
• 2N = minors
• 3m = natural Woolsey makes it much easier to find your best combined fit. Against that you sometimes end up at the 3-level, and if the opponents bid over the double, it may be hard to compete, since doubler's suits are not known.