Two Way Game Tries

When we have identified a major suit fit by one partner bidding 2M; typically after the sequence 1M-2M, the 2M bid is fairly wide ranging. Fortunately, there is a lot of bidding space with which to invite game.

When M=♠

This is the easier case to remember.

2NTALERT - Help Suit Game Try, see below.
3♣ALERT, 3♦ALERT, 3♥ALERT - Short Suit Game Try. Shortness is shown in the bid suit, Responder typically bids 3♠ or 4♠.
3♠ALERT - Trump Quality Game Try. Opener has weak trumps so is looking for Responder to have good strength (or extra length) to go further.

When M=♥

The responses are the same as when M=♠ except we have to bring 2♠ALERT into use as the Help Suit Game Try and therefore 2NTALERT becomes Short Suit in spades. And, of course, 3♥ALERT is the Trump Quality Game Try.

Help Suit Game Tries

Opener typically has a 3+ card suit with some but not dominating honor strength. Qxx is the classic example. If Responder has "help" in this suit, say KJ, then suddenly this is 2 tricks. If Responder doesn't have help, say xxx, we can have 3 quick losers and an outside loser and go down, even with a full complement of high card points.

In any case, Responder can make one of three bids:

3M - Would not accept a Help Suit Game Try in any suit
4M - Would accept a Help Suit Game Try in any suit
Otherwise, bid the lowest suit in which Responder would accept a try. In this case, Opener has three options:
- 3M - No Game. Note this is possible even if Responder bid the lowest available suit as it may indicate wasted values.
- 4M - Game. That was my suit!
- Something between Responder's suit and 3M - this is a re-try, showing the exact suit which needs help. And now Repsonder is expected to bid 3M or 4M.

Slam Tries

Because they are forcing bids, Opener can use Help Suit Game Tries and Short Suit Game Tries as actual slam tries with a very good hand.

Other Sequences

It is also possible to use these sorts of game tries after any time a trump fit has been found at 2M. The most common case is 1m-1M-2M (the roles of Opener and Responder are switched, of course).