Hello convention

Hello is a bridge convention used for intervention over an opponent's 1NT opening. It allows for all one- and two-suited hands to be shown, and - for one suited hands - retains the ability to transfer.

History

The name of the convention is derived from the names two of its inventors, Jerry Helms and Bill Lohmann. Jerry Helms had previously co-developed "Helms", similar to the Cappelletti convention and saw this as an improvement to that convention. Helms considered that using 2 to show a major used up no bidding space and therefore lost the preemptive value typically attached to bidding major suits.

It features the following calls:

Double is for penalty
2 shows diamonds or a major-minor two suiter. Responder transfers to 2 which is either passed or advanced or a major is bid
2 is a transfer to hearts
2 shows both majors
2 shows spades
2NT is a transfer to clubs
3 shows both minors
3 shows both Majors with massive playing strength

By design, in many cases, the advancer will become declarer, thus placing the strong 1NT hand on opening lead.