Wolff Sign-off (slight variation)

The Wolff Sign-off is used when Opener has opened a minor and jump rebid 2NT and Responder wants to get out at the 3 level. When used in conjunction with Major Suit Check-back Responder has the tools to force to game and sign-off at the 3 level or (4 level if signing off in clubs).

Examples:

Responder's hand Qxxxx Qxxxx xx x

1	Pass	1	Pass
2NT	Pass	3*	Pass
3**	Pass	3***

* start of the signoff
** forced response
*** Opener can pass or correct to 3. No More.

Responder's hand K10xx xx J10xxxx x

1	Pass	1	Pass
2NT	Pass	3*	Pass
3*	Pass	Pass

* start of the signoff
** forced response

With all game going hands 3 is bid over the 2NT rebid as a major suit check-back. Opener's first responsibility is to show 4 of the unbid major if they have it. If Responder's first bid was hearts, Opener shows 4 spades after the check-back. If Responder's first suit was spades, Opener's first priority is to show 4 hearts after the check-back. When Responder bids 3NT after Opener has shown the other major then it is clear that Responder was looking for 3 card support of their own suit and Opener can pull 3NT to 4 of Responder's major.

Here are the basic features of the Wolff Sign-off used in conjunction with Check-back. Consider the auction beginning:

1m - 1M - 2NT - Continuations are:

• Pass - Responder has no interest in continuing.
• 3 is always an artificial relay forcing Opener to re-rebid 3. After Opener puppets to 3 Responder may:
  • Pass
  • If Responder re-rebids original suit, Opener must pass.
  • If Responder initially bid 1 and re-rebid 3, Opener passes or corrects to 3. That's it.
  • If Responder bids 3NT it is a slam try in Opener's minor suit.
• 3 is Game forcing Check-back. Opener's prioritized 3 level rebids are:
  • 3 level in the other Major (4 cards in unbid major). If Responder now bids 3NT it is obvious that they were looking for 3 card support in their major. Opener then corrects 3NT to 4 of that Major.
  • Without 4 cards in the other Major, show 3 card support of Responder's Major.
  • 3NT (with neither of the above.)
• Responder's 3 level bid in original major promises 5+, showing extra values with some slam interest
• Responder's 3 rebid after 1 promises 5-5 or more in the majors. Forcing.
• 3NT is to play
• 4/ in Responder's original major suit are sign-off bids.

When Responder has a shapely 5-5 in the majors with a weak hand and no interest in game, after the initial 1m - 1 - 2NT response, Responder begins with the 3 Wolff relay rebid. After Opener rebids 3, Responder rebids 3 asking Opener to "pass or correct" to 3. Note the Responder is captain, thus the Opener may not bid 3NT or 4/.

Wolff employs one gadget for Responder to explore slam in Opener's minor suit. If after Responder begins with the normal 3 sign-off sequence appearing to stop below game but then makes an unanticipated rebid of 3NT some players use this treatment to show slam interest in the Opener's minor.

Using the "slow-shows, fast denies" approach, Responder bids 4 Major to sign-off, or 3 Major to show slam interest.

Conversely, when Responder does not use the Wolff Sign-off but instead begins with 1 and rebids 3, Responder promises 5-5 or longer in the majors with game-going values:

When Responder directly rebids an artificial 3 (without going through 3 Wolff sign-off) it is "check-back" (similar to New Minor Forcing). This is an inquiry to discover a major suit fit with Opener. Consider the various major suit shape holdings when Responder has game-going values:

• 5 cards in initially bid major suit
• 4 Spades and 4 Hearts
• 5 Hearts and 4 Spades (or 5 Spades and 4 Hearts)

Since Responder's 4M rebid would be a sign-off, when Responder begins with a 3 Wolff sign-off but then rebids 4M after Opener puppets to 3 most would agree this is shows serious slam interest (likely a broken 6 card suit, otherwise Responder could simply rebid 3 of the major suit).