Roman 2

Ancient Times. In the original Roman system, a 2 opening showed any 4441 hand with 17-20 HCP. The responses were the same as in their mini-Roman 2 opening: new suits were signoffs (opener runs if that suit is their singleton), and 2NT is their strong inquiry (opener rebids their singleton).

Modern Adjustments. Today, most players play that a 2 opening shows any 4441 hand with 16-20 HCP. Some include 5440 hands, where the five carder is a minor. Also, some players have decided that after the inquiry: 2 - 2NT; opener rebids in the suit below their singleton: 3 (diamond), 3 (heart), 3 (spade), 3 (club).

The Blue Club system uses the 2 opening to show any 4441 hand with 17-24 HCP.

• 2 is an attempted sign-off
• 2NT shows any bad six card suit
• 3 of a suit shows a good six carder (headed by at least AJ).
• 2 is used an inquiry; the rebids are:
  • 2: 17-20, either major singleton
  • 2NT: 17-20, club singleton
  • 3: 17-20, diamond singleton
  • 3/3/3/3NT: 21-24, singleton in next suit (3NT = clubs)

After the inquiry, responder can sign-off at any time except in the relay suit (opener's short suit, except 2NT over 2 - 2 - 2 is considered the relay). For 17-20 hands, (except for the 2 - 2 - 2 auction... see below) The first relay ask asks for the range:

• first step 17-18
• second step 19-20

The second relay asks for controls:

• first step 3
• second step 4
• third step 5, etc.

The third relay asks for the number of queens:

• first step 0
• second step 1
• third step 2

For 21-24 hands, The first relay asks for the number of controls:

• first step 5
• second step 6
• third step 7, etc

The second relay asks for the number of queens.

Over the 2 rebid, 2NT is used as a further inquiry: 2 - 2 - 2 - 2NT

• 3: 17-20, heart singleton. 3 is used as a further inquiry into the strength:
  • 3 (17-28)
  • 3NT (19-20)
• 3: 17-18, spade singleton
• 3: 19-20, spade singleton

Over these response, the next relay asks for controls; then another relay asks for number of queens.