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Introduction: HELMS to HELLO
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Outlined below is a popular convention for competing after notrump. Depending
on who you know and where you live, the convention is called either CAPPELLETTI,
HAMILTON, or HELMS |
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The 2nd version of HELLO was released in 2007. It is available from book sellers, or directly from: askjerry@jerryhelms.com |
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CAPPELLETTI, HAMILTON, or HELMS |
2  |
Relay to 2 Shows a single suited hand. Pass the forced response to show diamonds or convert to a major suit. |
2  |
Both majors. |
2  |
Hearts & an undisclosed minor. Advancer* uses 2NT to ask for the minor. |
2  |
Spades & an undisclosed minor. Advancer uses 2NT to ask for the minor |
2 NT |
Both minors. |
3  |
Clubs |
DBL |
Penalty. More often based on tricks rather than just scattered high card
strength |
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* Bridge World Magazine suggested using the term “Advancer” to identify the player responding
to overcalls or doubles. If it's good enough for them ¼ |
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A significant weakness, as illustrated below, seemed obvious to me:
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Hand #1
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Kxx
AJTxxx
Qxx
x
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Hand #2
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KQJTxx
x
xxxx
Kx
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On each of the above hands, the system bid of 2§ allows the opponents the entire two-level to begin their exchange of information. The problem, along with my solution,
is documented by noted bridge author, Max Hardy. “This convention . . .loses
the opportunity to block the opponents out of the auction which should
be one of the goals of a bidder who holds a good major suit and hears an
opening bid of one notrump by his right-hand opponent . . . one theorist.
. . Jerry Helms took the problem into consideration and came up with a
simple but effective solution. He interchanged the meanings of an immediate
bid of two in a major suit and a bid of two clubs followed by a rebid in
a major suit.”*
This led to the creation of HELMS II
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* Competitive Bidding with Two Suited Hands by Max Hardy, 1996, p.117. |
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HELMS II |
2  |
Relay to 2 . Confirm a diamond overcall by passing, or convert the forced diamond response to a major to show a major/minor two-suiter. Advancer uses 3C asking intervener to pass or correct (improvement update in 2nd printing). |
2  |
Both Majors |
2  |
Hearts |
2  |
Spades |
2 NT |
Both Minors |
3  |
Clubs |
DBL |
Penalty. More often based on tricks rather than just scattered high-card
strength. |
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Despite this improvement, the finishing touches of what became the original
HELLO system evolved during the Jerry Helms/Bill Lohman partnership. HELLO
is a unique convention to describe all single or two-suited hands without
giving up penalty doubles of strong notrumps. The transfer effect achieved
on many auctions may be the strongest part of the convention
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HELLO |
2  |
Relay to 2 . Confirm a diamond overcall by passing, or convert the forced diamond response to a major to show a major/minor two-suiter. Advancer uses 3C asking intervener to pass or correct (improvement update in 2nd printing). |
2  |
TRANSFER overcall to HEARTS |
2  |
BOTH MAJORS. Achieves transfer effect when Advancer chooses spades. |
2  |
SPADES. A natural, space-consuming overcall. |
2 NT |
TRANSFER overcall to CLUBS |
3  |
BOTH MINORS. Achieves transfer effect when the Advancer chooses diamonds |
3  |
BOTH MAJORS. Massive playing strength. The forced transfer
eliminates the risk of a pass of 2 hearts (both majors) by Advancer. |
DBL |
PENALTY. Most often based on tricks from a good suit. Occasionally
a very strong, balanced hand. |
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Helms to HELLO' first published in 1996, will be re-released early spring of 2006 by Masterpoint
Press. It will be availble through all major bridge supply outlets.
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A quote from Max Hardy: "My own search for the best defense against the opponent's notrump opening
and overcall came to a successful conclusion when I was introduced to HELLO,
which I now use and teach to all my students."
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