The Toddler 2D Response to 1H or 1S

The Toddler 2D Response to 1H or 1S

 My bridge buddies were debating what the single worst convention ever devised would be. There were various candidates: the Dynamic 1NT opening, Mexican 2D and many others--some of which weren't even part of Romex. The Precision 2D came under attack due to the "free" double that it allowed LHO. While these were all fine suggestions, I had to insist that, without a doubt, the worst bid ever envisioned was the forcing 1NT response to 1H or 1S. At matchpoints especially, 1NT is often the "dream spot" for many part score hands. Why bypass it?

My pals looked at me like I'd sworn in church. One of them, nicknamed the "Toddler", voiced their collection consternation: "How else can Responder show a mediocre hand?"

In his honour, my partner (Bill Treble) and I fashioned, the "Toddler" 2D response to 1-of-a-major. Similar to a Multi-2D opening, it handles the following hands:

1. All 9-11 HCP hands with 5+ cards in the unbid major.
J
KQJxxx
Kxx
xxx
South West North East
-- 1S -- 2D
KQJxxx
J
Kxx
xxx
South West North East
-- 1H -- 2D

2. All constructive raises of partner's major.
Kxx
Qxx
xx
Axxxx
South West North East
-- 1S -- 2D
-- 1H -- 2D

3. Any flat 10-12 HCP hand.
Jxx
Jxx
KQxx
KJx
South West North East
-- 1S -- 2D
-- 1H -- 2D

4. All forcing hands with Diamonds as the longest suit.
Kx
Jx
KQxxx
AKxx
South West North East
-- 1S -- 2D
-- 1H -- 2D

A strong Opener will rebid 2NT or, less often, 3-of-a-suit, which will allow Responder to clarify the basis of the 2D call via a natural rebid.

AQxxx
Kxx
x
AQ10x
South West North East
-- 1S -- 2D
-- 3C -- --

Weaker Openers will usually rebid 2H, permitting Responder to pass OR rebid naturally, with 3C and 3D as the only forcing rebids.

KJxxx
xx
Axx
AJx
South West North East
-- 1S -- 2D
-- 2H -- --

Weak 1S Openers short in Hearts will baulk at rebidding 2H and, instead, rebid 2S. Again, Responder passes or rebids naturally.

KQ109x
x
Qxx
AJxx
South West North East
-- 1S -- 2D
-- 2S -- --

After 1H:2D Opener can rebid 2S to show a hand which is interested in game UNLESS Responder has long spades and 9-11 HCPs.

x
AKJ10x
KJxx
Kxx
South West North East
-- 1H -- 2D
-- 2S -- --

It follows that, playing the Toddler 2D, a direct raise of a major (1H:2H or 1S:2S) is DEstructive (6-8 HCPs), allowing the partnership to "pre-empt" the 4th seat player.

Kxx
Kxx
xx
xxxx
South West North East
-- 1S -- 2S
-- 1H -- 2H

In the years since that original conversation, Bill and I have discovered some of the following pros and cons to the Toddler 2D response:

Disadvantages

- Responder may have difficulty using 2D as the beginning of a reverse to show great distribution

- with minor suit length, 6-9 HCP Responder must reply 1NT (non-forcing)

- the convention seems to attract ACBL directors like a magnet

Advantages

- no need to play the forcing 1NT response

- as noted earlier, pre-empting opponents with a concomitant destructive raise on 6-8 HCPs

- freeing 2NT for other use (Natural invite? G.I.R.L.S.?)

- differentiating 6-8 HCP responding hands with 5+ Spades (1H:1S:any:2S) from 9-11 HCP hands (1H:2D:2H:2S) without using weak jump shifts

The first disadvantage can be addressed by using the Golady 2C response, by jump rebidding the major (e.g. 1H:2D:2H:3S), or by bidding Diamonds twice before the major (e.g. 1H:2D:any:3D:3H:3S).

The second "disadvantage", responding a non-forcing 1NT with a long minor, may or may not work to the partnership's detriment.

The third disadvantage is a thornier problem. The legality of the Toddler 2D in ACBL events seems to depend on who--and what time of day--you ask. One "solution" employed by many is to not play in ACBL events (ahem!). Another is to continue to petition the ACBL to permit any and all constructive methods. Our approach is to clear matters with a director before entering any ACBL event. Our experience is that most directors are very reasonable here.


P.S.: "What the heck is `G.I.R.L.S.' ?"

I knew you'd ask. The acronym stands for Game-tries In Responder's Long Suit. It's like a long suit game (or slam) try by Responder. Typically, Responder will hold a 5-card suit headed by two top honours, 3-card support and little in the unbid suits for the game try.

Axx
xx
xxx
KQxxx
South West North East
-- 1S -- 2NT

Game may make opposite as little as:
KQxxx
xxx
Ax
Axx
South West North East
-- 1S -- 2NT
-- 3C -- 3S
-- 4S -- Pass

1H:2NT forces Opener to rebid 3C, whereupon 3D or 3H (long Clubs) invite 4H based on a 5+card minor and 9-11 HCPs, while 3S, 4C and 4D invite slam in Hearts based on length in the bid suit.

Axx
KQxxx
Kxx
xx
xx
AJx
AQxxx
Axx
South West North East
-- 1H -- 2NT
-- 3C -- 4D
-- 4S -- 4NT
-- 5S -- 5NT
-- 6D -- 6H

Similarly, 1S:2NT forces 3C, whereupon 3D and 3H are natural, inviting 4S, while 3S invites 4S based on CLUB length (see example hand above). After 1S:2NT:3C Responder rebids 4C or jumps to 4D or 4H to invite 6S based on length in the bid suit.

KQxxx
xxx
Kxx
Ax
AJx
AQxxx
Ax
xxx
South West North East
-- 1S -- 2NT
-- 3C -- 4H
-- 4S -- Pass

Now, aren't you sorry you asked?

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