This system was devised by and is named for Mr. Sjoert Brink and Mr. Erik Oltmans from The Netherlands. The designation is a combination of the two surnames of the developers.

Their system is based on the combination of Precision and the Lorenzo Two Bids. The Lorenzo Two Bids are compulsory and must therefore be made even on hands like xxxx - xxx - xxx - xxx.

Note: It must be remembered that this system is only in use when not vulnerable.

Opening Bids

The following diagram presents the opening bids only and all continuances are per partnership agreement, but also generally these continuations are based on the principles behind the Precision bidding system.

Opening		Meaning
Pass		8-10 high card points and unbalanced or 9-12 high card points and balanced.
1		16 plus high card points, but 17+ high card points if balanced.
1		11-15 high card points, unbalanced, no 4-card suit in either Major suit.
1		11-15 high card points and 4-card plus Heart suit.
1		11-15 high card points and 4-card plus Spade suit.
1 NT		13-16 high card points and balanced shape.
2		Lorenzo Two Bid showing 0-7 high card points (8 high card points if balanced) and a 4-card plus Club suit.
2		Lorenzo Two Bid showing 0-7 high card points (8 high card points if balanced) and a 4-card plus Diamond suit.
2		Lorenzo Two Bid showing 0-7 high card points (8 high card points if balanced) and a 4-card plus Heart suit.
2		Lorenzo Two Bid showing 0-7 high card points (8 high card points if balanced) and a 4-card plus Spade suit.
2 NT		Shows 20-22 high card points and balanced shape.

Lorenzo Two

The Lorenzo Two is the ultimate Weak Two bid. According to the partnership agreement, it is applicable only when the partnership is not vulnerable. The Lorenzo Two is a mandatory weak bid on the two level. Any hand with 0-7 high card points, or 8 high card points if balanced, must bid. If there are two suits of equal length, a Major is bid before a Minor suit.

Responses

The responses, since the weakness of the partner is known, constitute more or less free bids, which serve primarily as obstructive bids.

However, the one forcing response of 2 No Trump, which might show a holding of 20 plus high card points requests that the partner communicate the weakness of the opening. These rebids by the opener are dependent on the structure of the partnership agreement.

Illustration and Example

The illustration below shows the effectiveness of the Lorenzo Two opening, which is from the Dutch National Teams qualifying sessions.

Dealer: East
Vulnerable: North-South

	North Q AKJ93 AKQJ3 AJ Double
West K8742 void 5 KQ87652 5		East 10965 8765 1092 93 2
	South AJ3 Q1042 8764 104 Pass

South passed the 5 Clubs doubled contract and East/West scored a -300, whereas North/South have a small slam in Hearts for a total of plus 1430 points.

 

 

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.