Bergen Raises

Bergen raises, devised by Marty Bergen, rest on one observation. After a five-card major opening, responder with four trumps knows the partnership has at least nine, and that changes how high it is safe to compete. Nine trumps make the three level a good place to be even with modest values, because the opponents almost always have a fit of their own. Standard raises waste this, since 1♠ - 2♠ with four trumps lets the opponents in cheaply. Bergen's method puts every four-card raise at the three level at once and sorts them by strength with two artificial bids.

Over 1♥ or 1♠, responder with four or more trumps chooses between three bids at the three level. Two of them are artificial club and diamond bids. The third is the direct raise, which becomes weak.

The structure over 1♥ is the same. The simple raise to two keeps its natural meaning but now promises exactly three trumps, so opener always knows the trump length. Game-forcing four-card raises go through Jacoby 2NT or a splinter bid.

Bergen raises are built on the Law of Total Tricks, which says that a partnership with nine trumps can usually compete to the nine-trick level, three of the major, without big risk. If the three-level contract fails, the opponents probably had a making part score of their own. If they bid on, they are a level higher than they would like.

So the weak four-card raise jumps straight to three of the major. A hand like ♠Q1074 ♥6 ♦J8752 ♣943 bids 3♠ over 1♠. The opponents now have to find their fit at the four level, with no room to exchange information. Opener, who knows the raise is weak, passes unless holding a strong hand.

After 3♣ or 3♦, opener knows the fit and the range, and the decision is usually simple.

After the constructive 3♣, opener's 3♦ asks whether responder holds the top or the bottom of the 7 to 10 range. Responder bids three of the major with a minimum and four with a maximum. Over 1♠ opener has more room, and by agreement 3♥ can serve as a second game try.

Had South held 7 or 8 points, South would have bid 3♥ over 3♦ and the partnership would have stopped safely at the three level. Opposite the 10 to 12 limit raise, 3♦, North would have accepted with 4♥ directly.

Reverse Bergen swaps the two artificial bids: 3♣ becomes the limit raise and 3♦ the constructive raise. This gives the stronger raise the extra room. After 3♣, opener still has 3♦ available as a game try or slam probe below three of the major. Both versions work, as long as you agree which one you play.

• Off in competition. After an overcall or a double, Bergen raises are normally off. The cue bid of their suit or a 2NT bid takes over as the strong raise, and jumps become pre-emptive.
• By a passed hand. Many partnerships keep Bergen on after a pass; others switch to Drury for passed-hand raises. Decide which, since a passed hand cannot hold a game force.
• Three-card limit raises. With three trumps and 10 to 12 points, most Bergen players bid a forcing 1NT and then jump to three of the major.
• The mixed raise. Some partnerships add a fourth four-card raise, about 7 to 9 points with some shape, between the pre-emptive and the constructive raise.
• The cost. Bergen raises use 3♣ and 3♦, so natural jump shifts to those suits are lost. Most players think the trade is worth it.

• Using Bergen with three trumps. All three Bergen bids promise four or more. The simple raise to two promises exactly three.
• Forgetting the pre-emptive raise is weak. Opener should not treat 1♠ - 3♠ as a limit raise, and passes unless holding a strong hand.
• Using it after the opponents bid. Bergen raises are a tool for uncontested auctions. In competition, fall back on the standard cue-bid raise.
• Using it over a minor opening. Bergen raises apply only over 1♥ and 1♠. Over a minor, see inverted minors.

What are Bergen raises in bridge?

Bergen raises are responses to a 1♥ or 1♠ opening that show four-card support: 3♣ is a constructive raise of 7 to 10 points, 3♦ a limit raise of 10 to 12 points, and three of the major a pre-emptive raise.

Are Bergen raises alertable?

Yes, the 3♣ and 3♦ responses are alertable. They are artificial bids that say nothing about clubs or diamonds, and in ACBL duplicate games and under most other regulations partner must alert them.

What is reverse Bergen?

Reverse Bergen swaps the two artificial bids: 3♣ shows the limit raise and 3♦ the constructive raise. The rest of the structure is the same.

Are Bergen raises on after a double or an overcall?

Most partnerships play them off in competition. A cue bid of the opponents' suit, or 2NT over a double, shows the good raise instead.

What does a raise to two promise with Bergen?

Exactly three trumps and about 6 to 10 points. With four trumps, responder uses one of the three-level Bergen bids.

Why do Bergen raises go to the three level?

They follow the Law of Total Tricks. When the two hands hold nine trumps between them, competing to the nine-trick level is usually safe, and bidding there at once makes it harder for the opponents to find their fit.