Page 19 - ABF Newsletter April 2025

WORKSHOPS WITH WILL with Will Jenner-O’Shea
THE LANDY DEFENCE TO 1NT
There are many conventions that people use to defend against an opponent’s notrump opening. In my Defence to Notrumps workshops, I always recom- mend a simple and effective defence: Landy.
In it’s simplest form, there is only one conventional bid in Landy, a 2{ overcall of 1NT, which shows both majors. The requirements for Landy are that the overcaller has at least 5-4 in the majors, either way around, and usually between 10-15 HCP. One huge advantage of Landy compared to many other conventions, is that you immediately show two suits, and your partner knows which suits you have. If the auction becomes competitive, your partner is well placed to compete. The other great advantage to showing both majors is that it is more likely that your team can compete. The odds of having both minors is the same has having both majors, however, when you have both minors, you will usually be outbid by the team with the majors. Having the majors and being able to show them is one of the most useful things you can do in bridge.
In response to a 2{ Landy overcall, the responder usually just bids 2[ or 2] if they have a preference for one of those suits. Remember, that they usually can’t pass 2{, so they might have no points when they just give preference for a suit. If responder has a good fit, and a reasonable hand, they could bid to the three- or the four-level in either of the majors as well. It is rare that the team overcalling against a strong 1NT opening has the power to make a game, but it can happen, especially if you find a big fit and shape.
The other extremely useful response to Landy is that if the responder has equal length in the majors, they can bid 2} to ask for the longer or better suit in overcaller’s hand. Remember that the 2{ Landy might have five cards in either major. The 2} bid only means, “I have equal preference, you choose the suit”, and it helps you to find your best fit. Note that
using the 2} bid doesn’t promise any points.
There is one last thing that
the responder to 2{ might do, which is rare, and will often shock partner: if you have no support for either major, and six
or more clubs, you could pass the 2{ bid and wish your partner luck.
The other overcalls in Landy are simply natural bids. A 2}, 2[ or 2] bid just shows that suit, and nothing else. Against a 1NT opening, you should typically have a six-card suit to be overcalling. You might only have five cards, but they need to be good quality, and you need a singleton or void somewhere. You shouldn’t overcall a 1NT if you have a (semi-)bal- anced hand.
You don’t need to use 2NT as a natural overcall, so it can be used to mean “both minors, 5/5+”, like an Unusual 2NT overcall.
Of all the other possible conventions for overcalling against 1NT, the most useful bid is always going to be showing both majors. Using 2{ to show both majors allows you to use the 2} asking bid to find the best fit.
For those of you who already use Landy, here is a useful tip for what to do when your 2{ Landy over- call gets doubled. I recommend that you play this method, regardless of the meaning of their double – they also might have no agreement about their double. I still recommend that responder chooses 2[ or 2] if they have a clear preference for one of those suits. They can bid 3[ or 3] as a competitive bid. If responder passes the double, it seriously sug- gests playing in 2{ – like above, passing suggests clubs. The small change that I recommend is that bidding 2} now means, “I really think we should play in diamonds”, and responder can use redouble to ask for the longer major. This gives you the most ways of running or competing.
Australian Bridge Federation Ltd. Newsletter: April 2025
Page: 19