Woolsey convention
Devised by Kit Woolsey, the convention is a defense against an opponent's one notrump opening; especially used at matchpoints. Initial bids are as follows:
| Initial Call | Meaning |
| Double | Promises a four-card major and a longer minor. Advancer can bid 2 to ask for the minor, 2 to ask for the major, or 2 or 2 to play. |
| 2 | Promises both majors. Advancer can bid 2 to ask which is better, so the overcaller's 2 bid can freely be made with 5-4 shape. |
| 2 | Promises one of the major suits. |
| 2/2 | At least 5–5 in the named major and a minor. 2NT by Advancer asks for the minor. |
| 2NT | Promises both minors. |
| 3 of any suit | Natural. |
The convention has similarities with Multi-Landy.
Abuses
Common abuses as described by Kit Woolsey include:- 3-1-4-5 distributional hands in the balancing seat regularly double, even with no 4-card major suit.
- Strong hands, with 19 high card points plus, start with a double and then rebid 2 Notrump to try to expose a psychic bid.
- Good 4-4-4-1 distributional hands with a stiff minor suit can start with 2.
- Single-suited minor hands often start with double, hoping to be able to play at the two-level. These hands will pass a 2 asking bid.