Walsh Style

In classic Standard American, if you opened 1m, partner responded 1♢ or 1♡, and you had a 4c major that could be bid at the 1-level, you were expected to bid it. The corollary was that 1m–1X–1N denied a major that could have been bid below 1N. This treatment has gone out of fashion.

The dominant style today, known as Walsh, reverses opener’s priorities—opener must show a balanced hand by rebidding 1N, bypassing a biddable 4c major if need be. Therefore, 1♣–1♢–1N does not deny a 4c major, and 1m–1♡–1N does not deny 4 spades. The corollary is that responder should show a 4c major instead of a longer diamond suit in response to 1♣ unless she is strong enough to invite game over a 1N rebid. With 11­+ starting points, responder bids her diamonds first (some increase the requirement to 13+). With 6–10, she bids her 4c major, ignoring the diamonds.

1. With 6–10 points, responder bids a 4c major in preference to a diamond suit, even if the diamonds are longer. In the later auction, responder may bid a longer diamond suit.
2. With 11+ points, responder bids her suits in the normal order, longest first or 4c suits up the line.
3. After 1X–1Y, opener must rebid in notrumps if he is balanced—1N with 12–14 or 2N with 18–19 if you play a 15–17 notrump. The notrump rebids do not deny a major or promise that the 1m opening is a 4c suit.
4. Therefore, 1X–1Y–1M promises an unbalanced hand, usually 5‑4 shape, but could be a 4‑4‑4‑1 pattern.

You may occasionally miss a 4‑4 spade fit when the auction goes 1m–1♡–1N and responder does not have enough to invite game.

When you play Walsh style, a jump to three of the unbid minor is a sign-off attempt with a 6c minor. This applies to these auctions:

In each case, the last bid is a jump to three of the unbid minor, which is sometimes a jump in the fourth suit. When opener’s rebid is 1N, the system may have an alternative way of signing off in diamonds.