Ekren convention

Ekren convention

In the game of bridge Ekren refers to a preemptive opening of 2Diams defined as 4-4, 4-5, 5-4 or 5-5 in the majors and 3-10 hcp. This conventional preempt was designed by Bjørn Olav Ekren from Norway. It can be seen as an example of the modern style of ultra aggressive preemptive bidding.

Responses to a 2Diams Ekren opening [ [http://www.cavendish.demon.co.uk/bridge/weak.two/ekren-1994.htm Ekrens 2Diams preempt in The Weak Two Archive] ] :

:Pass = To play (can be a tactical manoeuvre in the absence of a major suit fit and does not guarantee long diamonds)

:2Hearts/Spades = To play

:2NT = Relay (invitational or stronger)

:3Clubs = Natural, not forcing

:3Diams = Invitational with 3-3 in the majors

:3Hearts/Spades = Preemptive, to play

:4Hearts/Spades = To play

In responding to the 2NT relay the opener indicates whether (s)he holds a minimum or a maximum (because of their playing strength 5-5's are generally considered maximum), and - in case of a maximum - the distribution in the majors:

:3Clubs = any minimum (responder's 3Hearts/Spades rebid now indicates an invite)

:3Diams = 5-5 min or max (creates game force)

:3Hearts = 4-5 max (creates game force)

:3Spades = 5-4 max (creates game force)

:3NT = 4-4 max (creates game force)

Modifications

Variants of Ekren include the use of the 2Hearts opening to indicate a weak hand with at least a 4-4 in the majors [ [http://www.swangames.com/help/Conventions/Ekrens_weak_majors/ekrens_weak_majors.html Ekren on Swan Games] ] . This treatment has the advantage that the left hand opponent of the opener can hardly gamble on the fact that (s)he will get a second chance to bid.

Another variant that is popular in the Netherlands (where it is referred to as "Tilburg Two") and Belgium is to accommodate the Ekren hands as a weak variant in the strong 2Clubs opening. This leaves untouched the 2Diams/Hearts/Spades openings which are commonly utilised in the Low countries as Multi 2 diamonds and Muiderberg openings. Also, a 2Diams relay is now available to responder that can be used to ask for the longest (or better) of the two major suits.

References


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