SUCTION CONVENTION

'Suction' is a bridge convention used for intervention over an opponent's 1NT opening.
When suction is agreed, a suit overcall of a 1NT opening is conventional and ''denies'' the suit actually bid. It shows ''either'' (1) a one-suiter in the next higher ranking suit or (2) a two suiter in the other two suits.
If responder passes, advancer is required to bid the next higher ranking suit. If overcaller has the one-suited hand, he passes. Otherwise, he bids yet the next higher suit, showing that suit plus the remaining, unbid suit. Advancer then takes a preference by passing or bidding the remaining suit.
To summarize:

★ 2♣ shows either diamonds or both majors

★ 2♦ shows either hearts or both black suits

★ 2♥ shows either spades or both minors

★ 2♠ shows either clubs or both red suits

Contents

Restricted use

See also

Restricted use

Suction is not permitted in events governed by the ACBL General convention chart, except as a defense to artificial opening bids (such as precision, strong 2c openings, flannery, etc.).

See also

★ List of defenses to 1NT