Bridge

Bergen Raises

Distinguish 4-card constructive and limit raises of a major.

sequence

1♥/1♠ — 3♣ (constructive) or 3♦ (limit)

how it works

After a 1-of-a-major opening: 3♣ = 7-10 HCP with 4+ trumps (constructive raise), 3♦ = 10-12 HCP with 4+ trumps (limit raise). This frees the natural 2M raise for 6-9 with 3-card support and the jump 3M raise for a preemptive 4+ raise with a weak hand. The precision helps opener judge slam and part-score-vs-game decisions accurately.

used in 4 places

3♣3♣ (Bergen)
after 1H — P
3♦3♦ (Bergen)
after 1H — P
3♣3♣ (Bergen)
after 1S — P
3♦3♦ (Bergen)
after 1S — P