Weissberger

The Weissberger method is a conventional variation of the Stayman convention. The concept behind this variation evolved within the Acol bidding system and was devised by Mr. Alan Truscott, Mr. John Pressburger and Mr. Maurice Weissberger, after whom the conventional variation was named. The idea behind the concept is to discover whether the No Trump bidder has a 3-card Major suit. The concept is used only after a No Trump opening. Within the Acol system, the use of Stayman is first alerted, the No Trump bidder is required to name a 4-card Major suit, if possible, and, if the No Trump bidder holds no 4-card Major suit, then the No Trump bidder bids Diamonds. The Acol bidding system allows, as an option, the responder to rebid 3 Hearts or 3 Spades to show a 5-card suit, and this rebid is considered to be only invitational and non-forcing.

This method leaves the rebid by the responder of 3 Diamonds as an idle bid with no significance. The concept of the Weissberger conventional variation is to utilize this particular rebid to ask for a 3-card Major suit. The bidding problems involved are as follows:

Among the possibilities and card combinations analyzed by Mr. Alan Truscott, Mr. John Pressburger and Mr. Maurice Weissberger, the conclusion was that there were situations, in which the devised Weissberger conventional variation was neither needed nor required. See the following chart for explanation and be aware that the bidding sequence is considered to be non-forcing since the values are considered fundamentally to be insufficient. Only if the No Trump bidder has maximum values can or should the No Trump bidder establish a game contract.

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.

Opener	Responder	Meaning
1 No Trump	*2 Alert**	Stayman, asking for a 4-card Major suit
2 (no 4-card Major)	3	Weissberger: asking for a 3-card Major suit
3		A 3-card Spade suit, but minimum values
	4	Promises game values
	Pass	Insufficient game values
4		A 3-card Spade suit and maximum values
3		Shows a 2-card Spade suit and minimum values
3 No Trump		Shows a 2-card Spade suit and maximum values

Opener	Responder	Meaning
(A) 1 No Trump	*3 Alert**	Promises a 4-card Spade suit, a 5-card Heart suit, and game values

(B) 1 No Trump	*2 Alert**	Stayman, asking for a 4-card Major suit
2 (no 4-card Major)	3	Promises a 5-card Heart suit and a 4-card Spade suit
	3	Promises a 5-card Spade suit and a 4-card Heart suit