Truscott
     
 
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The Truscott defence to a strong 1 club opening

 
 

When the opponents open a strong 1♣ (say Precision, 16+) then it is desirable to compete with shapely hands. Truscott is a convention that shows all two-suited hands and may sometimes exploit the fundamental weakness of strong 1♣ systems – that playing Precision etc. the first two bids are totally artificial (stating points and not suits/distribution).

 
     
 

As a defender, if you can find a fit quickly and pre-empt to the limit then that makes life difficulty for the Precision side as they have no idea what suit(s) partner has nor if there is a fit.

 
     
 

The scheme for Truscott is as follows: -

 
     
 
 

Over RHO 's 1♣ opening:

       
  dbl = ♣'s and ♥'s
  1♦ = ♦'s and ♥'s
  1♥ = ♥'s and ♠'s
  1♠ = ♠'s and ♣'s
  1NT = ♦'s and ♠'s
  2♣ = ♣'s and ♦'s
 
     
     
 

It is also possible to extend the convention to when the bidding has started 1♣ pass 1♦ : -

 
     
 
 

Then, after the negative 1♦ response we have, by the next player: -

       
  dbl = ♦'s and ♠'s
  1♥ = ♥'s and ♠'s
  1♠ = ♠'s and ♣'s
  1NT = ♣'s and ♥'s
  2♣ = ♣'s and ♦'s
  2♦ = ♦'s and ♥'s
 
     
  The way to remember these responses is that a suit bid promises that suit and the one above, a double promises the suit doubles plus the non-touching suit and 1NT promises the two suits that double denies.  
     
 

Any higher bids are natural, a long suit and pre-emptive.

 
 

With a strong hand the normal tactic is to pass to start with and then come in later.

 
     
 
Example You hold this hand and LHO opens a strong 1♣.
   

Partner bids 2♦, showing ♦'s and ♥'s and RHO double, passes or whatever to show his points. You should now bid 3♥ (or even 4♥, depending upon vulnerability) to make it difficult for them to find their ♠ fit at the correct level.

♠ 65
♥ QJ64
♦ 96  
♣ K7432  
 
     
 

Truscott over a strong two clubs opening

 
 
It is also possible to play Truscott over a strong 2♣ opening, but obviously you need a very shapely hand as you are a level higher and 2♣ is usually very strong. But actually a good example did come up in news-sheet 218.
 
     
 
♠ KQ10432 Playing Truscott over 2♣ the bids are the same but one level higher.
♥ QJ1054

Over a 2♣ opening bid (or 2♦ response to 2♣) bid 2♥ with this hand to show both majors. Partner had 5 ♠'s and enthusiastic interference would have made it difficult for the opponents to reach their solid 7♣ or 7NT.

♦ 8
♣ 7
 
     
 
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