Multi-Landy

Author Name

The Killer Defense

versus One Notrump

David Oakley

An Honors EBook
from Master Point Press

An Honors eBook from Master Point Press

 Text © 2016 David Oakley
Cover Image © DNY59

All rights reserved.

Honors eBooks is an imprint of Master Point Press. All contents,

editing and design (excluding cover design) are the sole
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ISBN: 978-1-55494-566-5

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Table of Contents
Street-Legal Preface 1
Introduction 1
Anecdotal Evidence ....................................................................... 2
The Statistics ................................................................................. 5
Historical Timeline......................................................................... 6
Structure of the Book .................................................................... 7
Glossary 9
Part 1: Convention Overview 11
Learning Multi-Landy ..................................................................12
Cappelletti 2♥ and 2♠ Overcalls ................................................14
Cappelletti Examples versus Strong Notrumps .......................15
Cappelletti versus Weak Notrumps ............................................21
Cappelletti Examples versus Weak Notrumps ........................22
Landy 2♣ Overcall .......................................................................28
Historical Note.........................................................................30
Landy Examples versus Strong Notrumps ...............................31
Sim’s Response ........................................................................35
Landy versus 12-14 HCP Notrumps .............................................37
Landy Examples versus 12-14 HCP Notrumps.........................38
Landy versus 10-12 HCP Notrumps .............................................44
Landy Examples versus 10-12 HCP Notrumps.........................45

|i
 Multi 2♦ Overcall ........................................................................ 52
Multi Examples versus 15-17 HCP Notrumps ......................... 54
Multi 2♦ versus Weak Notrumps ............................................... 58
Multi Examples versus 11-14 HCP Notrumps ......................... 59
The Woolsey Double ................................................................... 64
Woolsey Double Examples versus 15-17 HCP Notrumps ....... 66
The Woolsey Double versus Weak Notrumps ............................ 72
Woolsey Double Examples versus 11-14 HCP Notrumps ....... 73
If the Opponents Intervene ........................................................ 79
Examples after the Opponents Intervene ............................... 80
Multi-Landy in the Balancing Seat .............................................. 84
Balancing Seat Examples ......................................................... 85
Problem Hands ............................................................................ 94
Postioning ............................................................................... 94
4441 Distributions ................................................................... 94
4441 Examples verus 15-17 HCP Notrumps............................ 96
Part 2: Actions versus Strong Notrumps 99
The Woolsey Double in Action .................................................. 102
6-card or Longer Minor ......................................................... 103
5-card Minor and 4-card Major............................................. 106
Strong Major ......................................................................... 109
Balanced 18+ HCP ................................................................. 112
Landy 2♣ in Action .................................................................... 115

ii | MULTI-LANDY
 5-5 in the Majors ...................................................................116
5-4 in the Majors ...................................................................118
Multi 2♦ in Action .....................................................................122
Multi Partscore Examples .....................................................123
Multi Game Examples. ..........................................................129
Cappelletti 2♥ or 2♠ in Action..................................................133
Partscore Examples ...............................................................134
Game Examples .....................................................................138
Responder Calls after a Strong Notrump ..................................143
Responder Redoubles ...........................................................143
Responder Doubles ...............................................................145
Responder Bids......................................................................146
Balancing after a Strong Notrump ...........................................154
Part 3: Actions versus Weak Notrumps 158
Basic Responses ........................................................................159
Advancer’s Competitive Responses ......................................160
The Woolsey Double in Action versus Weak 1NT .....................161
Woolsey Double Examples versus Weak Notrump ...............162
Landy in Action against Weak 1NT ............................................165
Landy Partscore Examples.....................................................166
Landy Game Examples ..........................................................171
Multi 2♦ in Action against Weak Notrumps .............................175
Multi Partscore Examples .....................................................176

| iii
 Multi Game Examples ........................................................... 180
Cappelletti in Action against Weak Notrumps .......................... 183
Cappelletti Partscore Examples ............................................ 184
Cappelletti GameExamples ................................................... 188
Part 4: Defending against Multi-Landy 192
Overcaller Doubles .................................................................... 192
Overcaller bids a Landy 2♣ ....................................................... 197
Overcaller bids a Multi 2♦ ........................................................ 202
Partscore Examples ............................................................... 203
Game Examples ..................................................................... 206
Problem Hands ...................................................................... 214
Overcaller bids a Major (Cappelletti) ........................................ 218
Partscore Examples ............................................................... 219
Game Examples ..................................................................... 221
Closing Commentary 224

iv | MULTI-LANDY
Street-Legal Preface
A significant announcement appeared on page 62 of the July 2015
ACBL Bulletin. Two conventions were added to the ACBL General
Convention Chart (GCC). The second was transfer response to an
opening bid, when there has been an overcall. But the first was to
allow a 2♦ overcall of the opponents’ 1NT bid, to show one
undefined major. Suddenly, this book gained more relevance and a
wider audience for Multi-Landy. Instead of Multi-Landy being
playable just on the West Coast, a few other ACBL Districts, and
some local club games, it was now Street Legal.

Introduction
How can you compete against a strong notrump? What is
important? When the opponents bid one notrump, they usually
show a balanced 15-17 HCP hand and have more than half the HCP.
It is unlikely that you can compete without a shape hand.
Furthermore, if the opponents have a major suit fit, they will simply
out-bid you and your partner. So it is most important to be able to
overcall with all major-suit combinations, particularly, if you hold
five or six card suits.

When the opponents open a weak notrump (11-14 HCP), it is

important to compete with good hands, since game is more likely.
Again, opponents with majors may dominate an auction. However,
if you have one or both majors, it is important to compete, not
allowing the opponents to steal a notrump or a minor suit contract.

If you have the right hand and the right partnership agreements,
you can effectively compete against weak or strong one notrump

Street-Legal Preface | 1
bids using the same convention. Only the strategy must be
changed. Versus strong notrumps you compete with shape.
Versus weak notrumps (10-12 or 12-14 HCP) you compete with
strength to avoid the opponents stealing the contract. Don’t allow
the opponents to shut you out! Disrupt their auction, steal their
contract or find your best contract.

Anecdotal Evidence
In a club game, East opens one notrump. You are West. Right-
hand opponent doubles, alerted by left hand opponent. You regret
asking for the explanation, “Shows one of three types of hand. It is
either a six card or longer minor or a five card minor and a four
card major or a strong hand.” Deciding to ignore this nonsense,
you bid 2♥, a transfer to spades. Next, left-hand opponent
doubles, alerted and explained as, “Support for anything” ‘What
on earth are these people doing?’ you think. Partner bids 3♠.
Right-hand-opponent bids 4♦. With minimum values you pass, as
do North and East.

This is the deal. You cannot stop declarer from making 5♦.

2 | MULTI-LANDY
 ♠9
♥ Q 10 7 6 5
♦ K42
♣AK53
♠ K 10 7 5 2 N ♠ AQJ3
♥ J83 ♥ AK94
W E
♦ 85 ♦ J3
♣ Q 10 7 S ♣642
♠ 864
♥2
♦ A Q 10 9 7 6
♣J98

West North East South

1 NT Dbl
2 ♥ Dbl 3 ♠ 4 ♦
All pass

At the end of the session, the recap sheet indicates you missed first
place by 6 matchpoints. But for the bottom on the above deal, you
would have won East-West. Later over a beer at the local bar, you
are discussing hands, trying to get some sympathy. “Oh yes, they
were playing Multi-Landy”, comments the old man, known as
Spider. “Let me email you some notes”, he says. Actually this
works out rather well. You read the notes and play a couple of
games with Spider at the local club.

Introduction | 3
A few months later, you have got the hang of Multi-Landy and so
does your partner. With some well seasoned team-mates and an
average of a few thousand points on your team, you are playing in
a flight A/X team event. The professional on your right has 35,000
masterpoints. You cannot hope to match his card play, but maybe
you can preempt him into making the wrong guess. Fortuitously he
opens 1NT. It is your moment.

♠QJ8
♥Q8
♦ A J 10 9 8
♣A82
♠ 10 N ♠AK6
♥953 ♥AJ2
W E
♦K432 ♦Q76
♣KQ753 S ♣ 10 9 6 4
♠975432
♥ K 10 7 6 4
♦5
♣J

West North East South

1 NT 2♣
3♣ 4♠ 5♣ Pass
Pass Dbl All pass

Your 2♣ showed the majors. Your crazy partner bids 4♠ (!) then
doubles 5♣, indicating power. You end up +300 to gain 5 IMPs on
the board, as your East-West pair make 2NT. You win the match by
7 IMPS, which is good enough to win flight X and tie for 3rd place
overall with the pro and his clients.

4 | MULTI-LANDY
After the event, you are back in the beer bar with Spider, who won
flight A. Smiling you say, “Let me buy you a Heineken. I have a
deal to tell you about”.

The Statistics
Versus strong (15-17 HCP) notrumps, simulations showed that
overcaller could successfully compete about 30% of the time.
Success means a game (6%), a partscore (17%) or a partscore
sacrifice (4%). Incidence of overcaller’s successful hand types are
roughly:

• A 6-card or longer suit, 10%

• Nine cards or more in the two suits, 7%
• Shortness, a singleton or void, 3%
• A magic fit, 3%
• Responder is weak. 4%
• Strong. 2%

The best hands to overcall (17%) have either a long suit or two-
suits. A magic fit is an 8-card or better fit in a suit, non-biddable
with most common conventions. Typically it is a 4-4 fit.
Responder being weak refers to the partner of the notrump bidder,
implying that in the balancing seat you should compete
aggressively with shape.

Playing against weak (11-14 HCP) notrumps, the urge to compete

should be stronger, with success likely on 49% of deals. Game is
likely about 10% of the time and a partscore is likely a whopping
32%. Incidences of overcaller’s successful hand types are roughly:

• Strong, 18%

Introduction | 5
 • Nine cards or more in the two suits, 15%
• A 6-card or longer suit, 10%
• Responder is weak, 3%
• A magic fit, 2%
• Shortness, a singleton or void, 1%

The statistics have totally changed. Now, strength is most

important and 2-suited hands are more dominant.

Many players use different conventions versus strong and weak

notrumps. DONT is frequently used versus strong notrumps, while
Cappelletti (Hamilton) is used against weak notrumps. An
advantage of Multi-Landy is that the same convention can be used
against all notrumps. Just the strategy needs to be changed.

Historical Timeline
Evolution of the Multi-Landy convention is murky, but most likely
attributable to Dutch bridge players and documented by the Dutch
player, Maarten Schollaardt in the Bridge Magazine IMP. The
Landy convention was developed by Alvin Landy in the United
States, probably in the 1950’s, after the adoption of Stayman by
many bridge players.

In the early 1960’s the Multi 2♦ was developed in Northern Ireland

by John Grummit, who passed on the concept to Terence Reese in
England. Reese publicized the idea in the 1970’s. Muiderberg two-
bids (5-card major plus 4-card or longer minor) were created by the
Dutch players Onno Janssens and Willem Boegem, probably in the
1970’s.

6 | MULTI-LANDY
The Landy 2♣ overcall occupied just one bid and a 2NT overcall
showed minors, so three other 2-level bids were available. Most
likely in the 1980’s, the Dutch players combined Landy with Mutli
and Muiderberg 2-bids to create Multi-Landy.

In the 1980’s the Dutch version of Multi-Landy was augmented by

the American player Kit Woolsey, who added the Woolsey double,
a convention he had played for many years. Steve Robinson
documented this version of the convention, devoting 14 pages to
Multi-Landy in Washington Standard, published in 1996.
Robinson’s book popularized Multi-Landy, which became known as
Woolsey in the United States.

Mark Horton and Jan Van Cleef allocate a 21 page chapter to Multi-
Landy in The Mysterious Multi, published in 2010. Most of this
guesstimated timeline is derived from their book and a smattering
of information on the Internet.

Until 2015, the adoption of Multi-Landy in the United States was

hindered by the ACBL. Since the ACBL frowned on the Multi 2♦
convention, both conventions were banned at many major
Regional and National tournaments. On the West Coast of the
United States, many Districts allowed Mulit-Landy, except notably
Los Angeles, which barred the usage at Regionals.

Structure of the Book

This book is divided into four parts:

Part 1. Convention Overview. The four components of Multi-

Landy: Cappelletti, Landy, Multi and the Woolsey double are
described. This is an introduction to overcaller’s strategy versus

Introduction | 7
strong and weak notrumps and advancer’s responses in non-
competitive auctions.

Part 2. Actions versus Strong Notrumps. Here are statistics and

more details of how Multi-Landy is used to disrupt the opponents’
auctions. In the examples, all four hands are shown, illustrating the
impact of the opponents’ bidding.

Part 3. Actions versus Weak Notrumps. A change in strategy is

necessary. Details of constructive bidding are described along with
the more favorable statistics of each Mutli-Landy component.

Part 4. Defending against Multi-Landy. As responder to a one

notrump opening bid, how should you defend against Multi-Landy?
Lebensohl is basic to any defensive system and here are some
additional ideas.

8 | MULTI-LANDY
Glossary
Commonly accepted bridge language is used throughout this book.
Defined below are the words used to describe the players, bridge
calls and abbreviations.

Advancer. Overcaller’s partner.

Anchor Suit. The known suit of two suits, when a 2-suited overcall
is made. For example using DONT, the lower suit is bid, showing
that (anchor) suit and a higher ranking suit.

Bid. A call showing spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs or notrumps in

any denomination from 1–7 constitutes a bid; e.g. 1♠, 2♥, 4♦ or
7NT.

Call. A pass, double, redouble or a bid.

DONT. Disturb Opponents NoTrump is a convention used over INT,

where double shows a long suit and a suit bid shows the lower of
two suits.

Halmic. An alternative name for the Helvic Wriggle.

Helvic Wriggle. A DONT-like escape sequence after 1NT is doubled.

Redouble shows a long suit and opener is expected to redouble
after a pass by responder. See the Overcaller Doubles chapter in
Part 4: Defending against Multi-Landy.

Landy. A 2♣ overcall of one notrump, showing both majors.

Lebensohl. One version of this convention is used over

interference by RHO, after partner opens one notrump. Two

Glossary | 9
notrump puppets to 3♣, allowing invitational, non-forcing, forcing,
stop showing and stop denying sequences to be created for a
number of situations. The 2NT invitational bid is lost.

Muiderberg two-bid. A weak two-bid showing 5-card major and a

4-card or longer minor. Dutch twos were created the Dutch
players Onno Janssens and Willem Boegem, who lived in the village
of Muiderberg, just east of Amsterdam. Developed in the mid
1970’s the Muiderberg structure, is similar to Cappelletti.

Multi. An opening bid of 2♦ nominally showing a 6-card major and

5-11 HCP; along with some other types of hand. Versus 1NT, a
Multi 2♦ overcall shows a 6-card or longer major with less than
about 16 HCP.

Multi-Landy. After a one notrump opener, Multi, Landy and

Cappalletti overcalls are combined with the Woolsey Double. Aka
Woolsey.

Opener. The player who opens the bidding.

Overcaller. The player who takes action against an opening bid or

a bid by responder.

Responder. The player who is the opening bidder’s partner.

Woolsey. An alternative name for Multi-Landy based on a

description of the convention by the American player, Kit Woolsey.

10 | MULTI-LANDY
Part 1: Convention Overview
In a nutshell, here are what the four Multi-Landy overcalls show:

1. Double. One of three types of hand:

a. 6-card minor.
b. 5-card minor with a 4-card major.
c. Strong hand.
2. 2♣. Both majors.
3. 2♦
♦. A 6-card major.
4. 2♥ ♠. A 5-card major and a 4-card minor.
♥ or 2♠

Most important is that compared with other conventions, suit

lengths are well defined. Any 6-card suit can be shown. With a
major minor two suiter, a 5-card major and a 4-card minor can be
shown in a different way from a 5-card minor and a 4-card major.
2NT showing both minors is standard bridge and not covered here.

Multi-Landy is used in the direct and balancing seats with the same
meaning, but there are adjustments for notrump strength:

• Strong notrumps. Overcalls can be made with relatively

weak hands, but suit length and shortness in one suit is
important. A successful partscore is the main objective.
• Weak notrumps. Direct overcalls tend to be made with
close to opening hand values, while balancing overcalls can
be shaded in strength. In addition to partscores, game is
likely if your side has a fit.

In deciding whether to overcall, suit quality and vulnerability are

key considerations:

Part 1: Convention Overview | 11

 • Vulnerablity. A non-vulnerable overcall should have a
reasonable chance of success, since the opponents’ 1NT
may be defeated or they may be heading for an
unsuccessful contract. Vulnerable overcalls should be
made with good suit quality and preferably include the
surprise of a singleton or void.
• Suit quality. In the direct seat it is best to have top honors
(aces and kings) sitting over the notrump strength. In the
balancing seat, lesser hands with queens and jacks are
acceptable, gambling that partner has passed with a
balanced hand holding some top honors. In either seat, it
is best to compete with hands where your honors are
concentrated in your suit or suits.

Learning Multi-Landy
How should you go about learning Multi-Landy? Multi-Landy suit
overcalls are actually a combination of three conventions:

• Cappelletti (aka Hamilton). A 5-card major and a 4-card

minor.
• Landy. Shows the majors.
• ♦. Shows a 6-card major.
Multi 2♦

This structure leaves the Woolsey Double to take care of

everything else.

Most likely you are familiar with Cappelletti, also known as

Hamilton, on the West Coast of the United States. So starting with
the 2♥ or 2♠ overcalls is recommended. If you are unfamiliar with
Cappelletti, you should consider starting with Landy, as it is more
likely that you will play in a major suit contract over a 1NT opening

12 | MULTI-LANDY
bid. A Landy a 2♣ bid shows both majors, leaving all other calls as
natural, showing a known suit.

Since each of the three sub-conventions can be learned separately,

the strategy for overcalling first strong notrumps and then second
weak notrumps is included under the Landy, Cappelletti and Multi
subheadings.

Part 1: Convention Overview | 13

Cappelletti 2♥
♥ and 2♠
♠ Overcalls
A 2♥ or 2♠ overcall shows a 5-card major and a 4-card or longer
minor, like the Cappelletti convention. Advancer’s response
structure is:

1. Pass showing minimum values and tolerance for the major.

2. Preemptive raise of partner’s major.
3. New suit showing length but non-forcing.
4. 2NT to show either:
a. An escape to overcaller’s four-card minor, or
b. A Limit raise.
5. Raise to game with either:
a. Shape, or
b. Strong with trump support.

When using Cappelletti, it is important to keep the major-suit

length at five. If you have a 6-card major, a Multi 2♦ call is better
because partner can evaluate your hand by using a 2NT asking bid.
With a 7-card or longer suit a 3-level bid is often more descriptive
and disruptive.

In competition, the above structure is retained with some extra

bids now available:

1. Double. Shows values and is penalty oriented.

2. Redouble. Shows values and implies no fit.

14 | MULTI-LANDY
Cappelletti Examples versus Strong Notrumps

1. Advancer Passes with a minimum

♠ 9753
♥ J87
♦ A53
♣A32
N
W E
S
♠ 10 4
♥ AQ642
♦ Q9876
♣4

West North East South

1 NT 2 ♥
All pass

Game is unlikely without shape, so with a 9-loser hand North

simply passes the 2♥ overcall. With 6-losers, South can overcall at
any vulnerability, despite only having 8 HCP.

Cappelletti 2♥ and 2♠ Overcalls | 15

2. Advancer Invites game.

♠ A3
♥ 98643
♦ Q J 10 5 3
♣K
N
W E
S
♠ Q87
♥ KQ752
♦2
♣Q742

West North East South

1 NT 2 ♥
Pass 2 NT Pass 3 ♣
Pass 3 ♥ All pass

With invitational values, advancer bids 2NT followed by 3♥. On a

good day, overcaller will have the spade king and 4♥ can be made.
With scattered values, South should be non-vulnerable.

The simple approach used by many players, is to use 3♥ by

advancer as invitational.

16 | MULTI-LANDY
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

When the opponents open one notrump, you are faced with a dilemma.
Versus a strong notrump, the opponents have the power; versus a weak
notrump, they force you or your partner to compete at the two-level.
Multi-Landy ( aka Woolsey) comprises four components:

• Multi. 2 shows a 6-card or longer major.

• Landy. 2 shows both majors.
• Cappelletti. 2 or 2 shows a 5-card major and a 4-card minor.
• Woolsey Double. Shows either a 6-card minor or a 5-card minor
with a 4-card major or a strong hand.

Multi-Landy is a unified convention that has three key advantages.

• Th
 e same set of bids and the Woolsey double are used against all
opening one notrump HCP ranges.
• The four components of Multi-Landy allow all hand types to be
shown: a long major, majors, major-minor 2-suiters with defined
length, a long minor and strong hands.
• Advancer has a set of structured responses defined for all types of
auction.

The tactics in this book evolved from analysis of thousands of computer-

generated deals to determine the statistics of successful overcalls. Using
these recommendations, you can effectively compete for part-scores,
bid your games and occasionally slams.

DAVID OAKLEY is a retired electronics engineer, who

learned to play bridge as a teenager in England. He
and his wife, Pauline, immigrated to the USA in 1966,
eventually settling in Southern California. He has
played Multi-Landy with several partners since 1998.

An Honors eBook from Master Point Press