Stenberg (Variation)

The year of the origin of Stenberg is unknown, but according to Mr. Stefan Zylberstein in an email dated: Friday, 14 February, 2003, the Stenberg convention is named for the Swedish master and theoretician Mr. Alvar Stenberg, who introduced the Stenberg convention into the praxis of Sweden's bridge life. It is also the contention of Mr. Stefan Zylberstein that the Stenberg convention and the Swedish Jacoby 2NT convention are the same conventional methods of game-forcing responses and showing trump support. The Stenberg convention is a variation or a different version of the Swedish Jacoby 2NT, which is generally the mostly employed convention.

We are in debt to Mr. Stefan Zylberstein for this information.

The Stenberg convention is a variation on the Limit Major Raises. Below are the rebids by the opener and several by the responder with the corresponding meanings.

1/1 - 2NT. Rebids by Opener are:

• 3 - Indicates a minimum opening.
• 3 - Promises extra values with no singleton.
• 3 - Promises extra values with a Club singleton.
• 3 - Promises extra values with a Diamond singleton
• 3NT - Promises extra values with a singleton in the unbid Major suit.
• 4 - Promises extra values and a void; also viewed as a splinter bid
• 4 - Promises extra values and a void; also viewed as a splinter bid
• 4 of the other Major - Promises a void in the unbid Major suit.

The bidding process becomes clear after such descriptive responses and the opener and the responder can both bid accordingly as illustrated in the following example.

Responder's follow up bid after opener has rebid 3:

• 3 bid Major - This is a sign-off bid by the responder. Partner must pass except when holding additional game of slam values.
• 3 - This is an asking bid for any singleton.
• 3 - This is a cuebid, but only if the opening bid is Spades.
• 3 - This is a cuebid, but only if the opening bid is Hearts.

After 1/1 - 2NT - 3 - 3 (Singleton Ask). Rebids by Opener are:

• 3 - Promises a singleton Club.
• 3 - Promises a singleton Diamond.
• 3NT - Promises a singleton in the unbid Major suit.
• 4 - Indicates no singleton and is a cuebid of Diamonds.
• 4 - Indicates no singleton in any suit; cuebid not possible.

If you and your partner wish to include the Stenberg method of responding with this variation on the Limit Major Raises, then please enter this on your Convention Card and explain, upon request, to the opponents the significance.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.