Drury is a convention used by the responder after his partner has opened 1 or 1 in 3rd or 4th seat to show a good raise. My hope is that it won't be long before only dinosaurs are playing the "old way" -- where a 2/1 response can be only 10 points as opposed to an opening bid. Bypassing diamonds after 1 If the responder to 1 has a 4+ card major and also has diamonds (4+), he responds as follows: With a weak hand, bypass the diamonds and show the major at once. The most simple (and common) responsive double occurs as follows: West. With balanced hands, the opening is 1NT or 2NT, or the rebid is 1NT or 2NT. Level: Intermediate . giving up on the natural meaning. Cohen's approach might be more practical. Lecturers: Larry Cohen & Michael Berkowitz More Info HERE. South held: AK653. North. A less threatening term is “unethical. Larry's Bridge Quizzes. Thus, the Sandwich Notrump functions similar to the. Honestly, I think it would be counterproductive for 99% of players to go any further than this. Warning: Some of this material is a li. C) Unusual notrump / Michaels bids, New Minor Checkback, Jacoby 2NT, Support Doubles. In the previous months we've examined openings on the one-level in minors and majors. 888-816-2457. Larry Cohen, who popularized the "Law of Total Tricks" in his best-selling book on this topic,. Doubles (Part 2) Larry Cohen - Mar 2015 Level: Intermediate. ) A 2NT response is natural, and I recommend 11-12. . What about raising diamonds? In "Standard," a raise to 2 is 6-9 and a raise to 3 is invitational (10-12). Jacoby Transfers 5. Author: Larry Cohen. Larry's Bridge Quizzes. Larry Cohen - Jun 2015 Level: Intermediate to Advanced. Date of publish: 03/02/2004. With balanced hands, the opening is 1NT or 2NT, or the rebid is 1NT or 2NT. the one treatment I try to persuade a competent partner to augment our card with is Inverted Minors are still ‘On’ after a simple overcall but not after a takeout double. Blackwood 3. New Minor Forcing - After opener. We will cover (not all in this article): Opener's Jump shift; Opener's Reverse; Fourth-Suit Forcing; New-Minor Checkback; Inverted Minors; 2/1 GF. PITBULLS: The minors are a subject in Bridge often neglected by partnerships. . Jacoby 2NT 12. Author: Larry Cohen. Read More. Jacoby Transfers 5. The responder can have only 4-4 in the majors and just wants to stop. Thus: = usually a pre-emptive raise, non-forcing, no 4-card major. [1] Developed by Marty Bergen and first published in April 1982, [2] Bergen raises are based on the Law of total tricks, a hand evaluation concept which states that with a combined nine trumps in the. 3) After opponents bid 1 any--Pass-. Alice Travel has purchased a Group Travel Protection Plan on behalf of all. Bridge Inverted Minors Larry Cohen. Level: Intermediate. New-Minor Checkback. Responses to 1. " This month, we explore the responses and other follow ups. . 10. With a minimum hand and 4-5 trump. Author: Larry Cohen. What are 2NT and 3NT responses? 2N=11-12 3N=13-15. Inverted minors flip the traditional meaning of single and double minor-suit raises. Inverted Minor Larry Cohen. K J 2. November 5, 2012. We will cover (not all in this article): Opener's Jump shift; Opener's Reverse; Fourth-Suit Forcing; New-Minor Checkback; Inverted Minors; 2/1 GF. Your choice. 2. 2. Upside Down Count, Reverse Count refers to discarding a low-high. Hand Evaluation – Systemic ( Inverted Minors ). com Inverted Minors: Bridge Bidding Convention. Bridge Inverted Minors Larry Cohen. SHARE: Interpreting Partner's Bid. After 2NT rebids? New minor Forcing (or learn something more complex) After our 1 /1 Opening: Do we play regular Jacoby 2NT or modified?In the previous months we've examined openings on the one-level in minors and majors. In each auction, the final bid shown (with the asterisk) is a Splinter Bid. In the Round of 64 at the 2010 World Championships, there were swings of 18,17,16,15,14,13 and 12 IMPs all on this board! Records aren't kept, but I wouldn't be surprised if this is the. As South, nobody vulnerable, you are in second seat holding: AKQJ4 32 J10 AKJ10. Negative Doubles over any natural overcall of 1NT. Larry Cohen's My Fav 52 BM2k ~$59. If playing " Inverted ," the raise from 1 to 2 (or 1 to 2) is 10+ and the raise from 1 to 3 (or 1 to 3 is weak. With 4-4 in the minors, I recommend 1♦. New Minor Forcing (Chechback). dollars, based on double occupancy, and are subject to change without notice. 4NT as Minor Suit Takeout. - DOPI, ROPI and DEPO - Exclusion Blackwood - Fit-showing Jumps - Flannery - Forcing 1NT - Four-suit transfers - Gambling 3NT - Ingberman - Inverted. West is not strong enough for 2, so would have to respond 1NT. Also included is the bidding structure are Bergen, Reverse Bergen, and Combined Bergen major suit raises, inverted minor suit raises with crisscross and flip-flop, cue bidding, modified scroll bids, and many more methods not used in Standard American or Precision. All "strong" hands start with 1. 1♦. A more advanced way to show East's hand in this position is through a system called New Minor Forcing. October 26, 2022. With 4-4 in the minors, I recommend 1. All . C) Unusual notrump / Michaels bids, New Minor Checkback, Jacoby 2NT, Support Doubles. comcast. What sort of raises do you play? Should you play inverted minors? What's your opening style in third-seat? Learn from the best of the best! Includes professionally produced lecture notes; Always delivered with a good amount of humorBridge inverted minors larry cohen; Larry Cohen Minor Suit Transfers. Any other responses to 1 are jumps and must be defined by your partnership as either WEAK or STRONG. AIB Memberships. An opening bid of 1 is assumed to be 4+ cards. These days, more and more people are playing 2/1 GF. 5NT Pick-a-slam. 3) Fourth-Suit Forcing. Generally, an overcall of a. Typically the responder is looking for 3-card support from opener. You can use inverted minors if you wish--this has nothing to do with 2/1 GF. In this quiz, 2 could mean any of the following (your job will be to match the auction with the meaning): Strong/Artificial. • Fourth Suit forcing is alertable. eBooklets on Conventions Useful with 2/1 1NT Forcing Inverted Minors Two-Way Checkback Fourth Suit Forcing 2/1 Review Hands These ebooklets may be purchased as a single volume in digital or paper format under the title Conventions Useful with 2/1, one of eight books in Patty. Opener can pass a limit raise with minimum values, or bid on with more. An opener’s bid of a minor at the 1 level denies a 5-card major suit. Treatment after the partnership discloses all first round controls and the. Note: some players reverse the Criss Cross convention. When we say Drury, it is really short for "Reverse Drury ", but almost no one plays it any other way than the one described below. We never open the bidding in a two-card suit unless we are playing a special system (such as “short club”). Join/Login. DEC 5 - Inverted Minors and Follow-ups - The modern system for bidding when we have a fit for partner's minor, called Inverted Minors, works on improving our ability to look for game or slam in a minor suit -- which is the most. Larry Cohen Bridge Cruises ACBL Ed Foundation Join/Login November 19, 2018. Warning: Some of this material is a li. For example, 1D - 1H -1S - 2C -2D - 2S shows an invitational hand with four spades. If playing "Inverted," the raise from 1 to 2 (or 1 to 2) is 10+ and the raise from 1 to 3 (or 1 to 3 is weak. 3-3. Drury (“reverse”) Inverted minors; 2NT response to a minor is 11-12, invitational. November 12, 2018. Without Criss Cross, hapless players may find themselves going down in a 3 Notrump contract when responder has 9-11 points with a short suit. N egativ Doubl s 2. Inverted Minors - The weak jump response of partner's minor suit bid, used as a preemptive tactic against opponents. Show a. recommended by Larry Cohen. ACBL Ed Foundation. Should you play inverted minors? What's your opening style in third-seat? 11/20-- 2-level Openings and Other Conventional Calls. Essentially, the meaning is reversed between a. Inverted Minors, you need to know a lot more. Some players incorporate the. According to Larry Cohen the 12 conventions that should be in every players deck are: 1. Larry prefers (if possible) a 2/1 GF auction to using inverted minors. What are 2NT and 3NT responses? 2N=11-12 3N=13-15. But, most tournament players use inverted minors. the Inverted Minors Convention •When Partner opens a minor suit, a jump-shift to the other minor shows: –5 cards in the opener’s minor. 3 Presumably he too would bid his short suit otherwise. Read More. Here are responder's options: 1NT=6-10 balanced, hearts stopped, denies 4 spades. Minorwood Bidding Options Minorwood Examples W N E S 1 P 2 Inverted Minor. N egativ Doubl s 2. Bypass Diamonds (after partner's 1 opening) with only 1 bid to make. Over an Unusual 2NT Bid (promising the lower two unbid suits) Similarly over 1M — 2NT (M = either major suit), with 2NT showing the minors: 3♣. Summary of this installment: 1) Make sure you know when a 2/1 GF auction occurs (after a 1st or 2nd seat opening with no interference). 3NT. 2: At least 5-5 in spades and a minor. Your partner has lots of tough decisions that he won't always get right. A “Help Suit Game Try” bid asks a partner for help with a weak suit to see if there is a chance to go for Game. INTRODUCTION FOREWORD . Thus, the 2/1 system requires a bidding mechanism to describe responder hands that have “in-between” values: those holdings in the 10-12 point range. < Back. net Bridgebum: bridgebum. Bridge Links. Between the two opponents conventionally show a weak two-suited hand in the. The term inverted minors refers to a treatment used by the Kaplan-Sheinwold (K-S) bidding system for the popular card game bridge (Precision, as originally structured, also used inverted minors over a 1 ♦ opening). New Minor Forcing (Chechback) 11. 1-Of-a-Minor Opening Larry Cohen - Mar 2015 Level: Intermediate. Dec 5 - Inverted Minors & Follow-ups Dec 12 - Weak & Other Minor Suit Raises Dec 19 - Opening & Rebidding NT Dec 27 (Tuesday) - Minor Suit Slam Bidding REGISTER NOW WEBINARBridge with Larry Cohen. Count your tricks; you start with one spade, three hearts and a. S. In competition. raises of major suits and most 10–12 notrump responses to minors. Larry Cohen - Jun 2019 Level: Intermediate. If you are at the bottom of your point range for. About AiB. Larry cohen new minor forcing; Inverted Minor Larry Cohen Finally, you may find Timm's Bridge Bits and several duplicate bridge lessons on the web site Many of the concerns raised by Larry Cohen in the October 2015 issue of. Play it as weak if you wish. With 3-3 in the minors, open 1 . Upcoming Webinar Registration. All concepts explain modern 21st century bidding in easy to follow style with numerous examples and quizzes. State . If they overcall, it is off. N. 2NT asks after our Weak-Two Bids 9. Where's Robert. 1. Playing standard methods, responder may be forced to rebid 2NT or 3NT with a 5-card major. " This month, we explore the responses and other follow ups. 4. . Thank you, Larry Cohen. New minor is used only by the responder and always as his second bid of the auction. Opener's jumpshift is GF (and natural). 2) Be aware of 1NT responses (they are "normal" after a minor-suit opening or by a passed hand). He also says that Inverted Minors should be on even if responder is a passed hand, but not after a double or overcall. You can use inverted minors if you wish--this has nothing to do with 2/1 GF. The popular Inverted Minors convention switches (or "inverts") the standard meaning of the strength of minor-suit raises. Newer Post 2. There are lots of names for doubles "takeout, negative, support, lead-directing, etc. era • Larnr Cohen Bergen & Cohen Bidding Box Mart . If responder's major was hearts, then usually opener would have bid 1 rather than 1N if he had 4, but if for some reason he didn't, he could do so in response to the new minor. The most common variation of Bergen raises in response to an opening bid of 1 or 1 is the following: Bergen Raises • A raise of opener’s suit to the two level shows 6 to 9 points and RKC or Roman KeyCard Blackwood is the modern improved version of Blackwood. With 3+ controls (A=2, K=1) and a. However, Larry Cohen remains convinced it is a useful guideline, especially when adjustments are used properly. To place an order, ring (02) 9969 5959 or Email us. The book is clearly written and well-organized, and the graphics are helpful. Hearts & 10+ HCP. Jay Van Dyke. . This article we wrap-up some more difficult 1-level-opening follow-ups by examining these loose odd-and ends: 4) New-Minor Checkback. 1♦. Double is the most neglected call in the bidding box. Opener can pass a limit raise with minimum values, or bid on with more. BETTER BIDDING WITH BERGEN (BOOK 1). He uses the 2NT puppet to 3 to sign off. Conventions covered include Cappelletti, Flannery, Exclusion Blackwood, and Inverted Minors. 2) Opener's Reverse. "-Jill Pennington, Chevy Chase, MD. A Michaels cuebid after a one-level. Larry Cohen Bridge Cruises ACBL Ed Foundation Join/Login November 5, 2012 . I do NOT see any logical way to get there with New Minor Forcing. The articles and examples cited here are largey taken from the ACBL web site at: and Larry Cohem's web site at Other useful sites are: Karen's Bridge Library: home. Rating : Webinars are 1hr in duration with possible 30m Q&A. Precision is a wonderful (and in my opinion, easier than "Standard") bidding system. After inverted minor raises (1C-2C or 1D-2D "limit or better" or "game forcing"), the "standard" set of responses is to show the major stopper you have, and NT if you have both (3 of the minor if you have none, usually). Add to Cart. Read More. Featured Bridge Article. g. 3-of-the-major (raise)=0-5 and 4-card support. Read More. his is the 60th and final edi-tion of this five-year series. This looks like a pretty normal 3NT with 13 opposite 12. 1♣ 2♣* Inverted minors. He bids directly on the 3 level to force. Starting with 2 "new minor" is used for all other GF situations. 0 Bridge Questions, Bridge Articles & More!. (invitational) 3NT=13-15 balanced, hearts stopped, denies 4 spades. Inverted Minors. Sign In. to the right of the player making the last non-pass call. Bridge with Larry Cohen. ”. Normally it is a bad idea to lead the opponent's 5. East can now reverse (a bare minimum for this action). Kickback (1981) Kickback is a contribution from Jeff Rubens based on USP. While you might think you know everything and that partner has erred, maybe he hasn't. Here are the most significant. With both 4-card majors, you respond up the. 1) Artificial and forcing to game. And, next article, we will finish (for now) the 1-level with: 6) 2/1 GF. ") A two-level response in a new lower-ranking suit is a natural GF. , Jacoby 2NT, splinter, inverted minor suit raise); • Make a strong jump shift (if you play them); note that these often have even fewer than seven. Level: All Levels. 34 Opening 2C PDF. Responding to 1♣, “Walsh”— 1, Walsh Questions —6, Inverted Minors —8, Opener’s Rebid — 11, Responder’s Second Bid —12, In Competition — 13, Defense Against Inverted. Playing this convention, the meanings of the two and three lever raises are reversed, the two-level raise is actually invitation or better and forcing to 2NT or 3 of the minor. • Fourth Suit forcing is alertable. 01:30. Thus: = usually a pre-emptive raise, non-forcing, no 4-card major. Inverted minor larry cohen; Nys less is more law; Less is more ny bill; Less is more for one net. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz). Larry Cohen - Apr 2020 Level: Beginner to Intermediate. Stayman 4. With 3-3 in the minors, open 1 . Bypass Diamonds (after partner's 1 opening) with only 1 bid to make. suit shows a two-suited hand, indicating the suit bid and the next higher. •That makes a single raise in the opener’sCall Us: 1-800-274-2221. 2NT=11-12 balanced, hearts stopped, denies 4 spades. Level: All Levels. The popular Inverted Minors convention switches (or "inverts") the standard meaning of the strength of minor-suit raises. Jordan 2NT (aka Truscott 2NT) shows an artificial limit raise or better by responder. Sign up to receive your free weekly email. Robert Todd (256) Inverted Minors and 1D - 2C Auctions with Structure . Bridge Inverted Minors Larry Cohen. Applicable cancellation penalties will apply. Lead- 4. Lecturers: Larry Cohen & Michael Berkowitz More Info HERE. Honestly, I think it would be counterproductive for 99% of players to go any further than this. " What's included in the "usual stuff" depends on what level you play, but for most intermediates, that includes Jacoby 2NT, Inverted Minors, New Minor Forcing, and Fourth. In the middle of the deal, lead the king from ace-king. A raise to 2, if playing inverted, shows 10+ and is not GF. I found the Chapter in the book called “What should we play” very informative. Three of either minor suit is invitational to game showing six or seven cards to two top honors and nothing outside. Using that approach, you would jump to 2xon this hand. Strong artificial bid, implying preemptive "weak 2" preemptive bids in other. Natural Overcall. And, next article, we will finish (for now) the 1-level with: 6) 2/1 GF. Each section is shown with page numbers. Featured Bridge Article. In Hardy 2-over-1, this shows four spades and any strength. Weak Suit Game Try - After the partnership have identified a fit, this game try technique allows opener to rebid an inferior suit with loser; responder accepts the game try with good support (typically honors) in the. Unfortunately, this partner seems to think you have uncommonly good mind reading abilities and is making a lot of bids. A jump response to 2 or 2 also has nothing to do with 2/1 GF. and a 5-card plus Minor suit support (Can be 4 cards, especially in Ds). Any other responses to 1 are jumps and must be defined by your partnership as either WEAK or. 4. A new suit on the 2-level is not forcing. This booklet is the Inverted Minor chapter from Patty Tucker's Conventions Useful with 2/1 book. will want to use some convention (Cappelletti, DONT and Meckwell . 3) Fourth-Suit Forcing. If we choose to play these, it is important for us to have good agreements about how they change when the opponent's come into our auction. Postage is A$2 (flat rate) within Australia. A "Constructive" raise, showing 7-10 points and exactly 4-card trump support. Author: Larry Cohen Created Date: 3/20/2018 9:29:36 PM. Playing Inverted in 2/1 with Criss Cross, a bid of 1♣-2♣* or 1♦-2♦*, denies a 4-card major and shows a hand with 13+ points and at least 4 card support for the bid minor. ". Note, however, how minor card rearrangements affect the law: If the N-S diamonds were divided 4-2 instead of 5-1, with clubs consequently divided 3-3, the available total tricks would be only 8 for N-S + 8 for E-W = 16. We sell books by Derrick Browne. After each round, you'll be able to update the possible holdings. Multiple 2NT structures exist — the one below is ascribed to the detailed DONT article on Larry Cohen's website. Jacoby 2NT 12. Rubens Advances - In a competitive. The only time 1 is opened with 3 cards is with the exact 4=4=3=2 pattern (4-4 in the majors, 3 diamonds, 2 clubs). Bridge Questions, Bridge Articles & More! SEARCH OUR BRIDGE RESOURCES HERE:Popularized by Larry Cohen in "To Bid or Not to Bid"; conceptually, when the other side discloses a 2 level trump fit, the other side should consider entering the auction - even bidding without substantive values in direct seat. comBridge Inverted Minors Larry Cohen. Since 5NT is almost never a contract you want to play in, bids of 5NT are used as. Support Doubles These (and a few more) are covered here. Inverted minor raises in 2/1 are game-forcing bids; this is not the case in Standard American. Date of publish: 06/01/2012. 4. In most games at Trumps, normal system regulations apply, with red systems and brown sticker conventions allowed. Now we can start to tie up the loose ends with an examination of these oft-confused topics. 1N is a totally fine place in his system, which is pretty standard, if you don't have anything else useful to say - it defines your points, and denies 4C major support. Play it as weak if you wish. Bridge Article Category: Larry Opines or "I'm Just Saying" Active Ethics #2 Larry Cohen - Mar 2015 Level: Intermediate. Bridge Questions, Bridge Articles & More! SEARCH OUR BRIDGE RESOURCES HERE:Bridge with Larry Cohen. Weak Jumps in Competition 8. 4th Suit Game Force 6. Older Post 2. Smolen Transfer - An extension to the Stayman and Jacoby Transfer. 2019 Bridge Bulletin, page 63, says that "almost all experts play two-way NMF. A raise to 2, if playing inverted, shows 10+ and is not GF. Methods vs Opponents NoTrump (DONT) 7. Author: Larry Cohen. (For example, with: 4. If playing "Inverted," the raise from 1 to 2 (or 1 to 2) is 10+ and the raise from 1 to 3 (or 1 to 3 is weak. I know, I know. 2NT 11-12 HCP, balanced hand, no 4 card major 3NT 13-15 HCP, balanced hand, no 4 card major Over 1♣ - 2♣* 13+ HCP game force bid (5+ clubs - Inverted) 1♦ - 2♦* 13+ HCP game force bid (5+ diamonds - Inverted) After an inverted minor raise 13+ HCP 1. Author: Larry Cohen. New Minor Forcing (Chechback) 11. RESPONDING TO MINOR SUIT OPENING BIDS . In "Standard," a raise from 1♣ to 2♣ (or. Larry Cohen - Nov 2021 Level: Intermediate to Advanced. Bridge Questions, Bridge Articles & More! SEARCH OUR BRIDGE RESOURCES HERE:An Inverted Minor Raise creates a force through 3m — you cannot stop in 2NT. When this occurs, we need to have good agreements with our partner about when and how our systems change. Bridge with Larry Cohen. One consequence of requiring a five-card major to open 1 ♥or 1♠ is that we sometimes have to open with a three-card minor suit. Older Post (256) Inverted Minors and 1D - 2C Auctions with Structure . A jump raise (e. raises of major suits and most 10–12 notrump responses to minors. He is asking me about my majors. You meet a new partner and begin to fill out a convention card! You might hear the discussion going something like. New Minor Forcing. 21 Rules of Being a Good Partner. 10/26/2020. Learn Inverted Minors with this lesson from LearnBridge. ," the raise from 1) is 10+ and the raise from 1 is weak (typically less than 7). And, next article, we will finish (for now) the 1-level with: 6) 2/1 GF. A 1 opener shows approximately 16 or 17+ points. What are 2NT and 3NT responses? 2N=11-12 3N=13-15. comWe would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Artificial Overcall. $15. . Over 2NT, opener makes natural rebids at the 3-level, allowing you to find 4-4 fits in other suits. The only time 1 is opened with 3 cards is with the exact 4=4=3=2 pattern (4-4 in the majors, 3 diamonds, 2 clubs). Bridge Article Category: What Should We Play Doubles (Part 2) Larry Cohen - Mar 2015 Level: Intermediate. Lecturers: Larry Cohen & Michael Berkowitz More Info HERE. N egativ Doubl s 2. Larry Cohen Bridge Cruises ACBL Ed Foundation Join/Login Jay Van Dyke . How do I make a strong minor-suit raise? Inverted Minors. 5) Inverted Minors. Bypassing diamonds after 1 If the responder to 1 has a 4+ card major and also has diamonds (4+), he responds as follows: With a weak hand, bypass the diamonds and show the major at once. Partner might have bid 3NT herself, but it looks to play better from your side with this lead. LEARNING CENTER Larry's Articles Responding to 1-Of-a-Minor Opening next Author: Larry Cohen Date of publish: 05/01/2014 Level: Intermediate Printer friendly version. There isn't much need to worry about opener reversing or jump. This applies only if responder's bid was on the 1-level. Precision is a wonderful (and in my opinion, easier than "Standard") bidding system. by Larry Cohen Let’s not use that “C” word. Jacoby Transfers 5. My Cute Baby Is A Wingman; Men's Tummy Tuck Before And After; July 6, 2023, 12:09 am When you want something fancy, with lots of features and premium materials, you go for the Sierra. Larry Cohen explains this in his article on inverted minors, and I think that's a good starting place. Larry Cohen Bridge Cruises ACBL Ed Foundation Join/Login. Inverted minors are on by a passed hand, but off over any interference. The 12 Conventions that should be in your Deck According to Larry Cohen the 12 conventions that should be in every players deck are: 1. According to Larry Cohen the 12 conventions that should be in every players deck are: 1. C) Unusual notrump / Michaels bids, New Minor Checkback, Jacoby 2NT, Support Doubles. Constructive Bidding New minor is used only by the responder and always as his second bid of the auction. com Minor Suit Openings When opening a minor suit, we use the following guidelines: 1♣. Most of the conventions I have used are faithful to common sense and general practice of today. So 1NT (2) 2 is to play. A response of 1 to 1 is just "bridge. My goal in writing this book is to provide a careful organization of topics so that one may easily follow the concepts unique to the 2/1 game force bidding system. However, the treatment is no longer restricted to users of these bidding systems. Without Criss Cross, hapless players may find themselves going down in a 3 Notrump contract when responder has 9-11 points with a short suit. So, presuming 1NT is 15-17 and 2NT is 20-21, our opening of 1 or 1 when balanced will mean we have either 12-14 or 18-19. New Minor Forcing (Chechback) 11. Larry Cohen - Mar 2015 Level: Beginner to Intermediate. Bridge with Larry Cohen. ” If you have heard otherwise, or are confused, this article is for you. A single raise is game-invitational or stronger, forcing to three of the raised minor, and denies a four-card or longer major; a double raise is preemptive (but of sufficient strength to support a contract of three notrump or four of the minor opposite a balanced hand with 18. You can use inverted minors if you wish--this has nothing to do with 2/1 GF. The responder is asking the opener about the majors (typically looking for 3-card support).