XYZ

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XYZ applies when your partnerships bids 3 suits at the 1-level.  XYZ makes it easy for responder to categorize the strength of their hand.   It replaces 4th Suit Forcing and allows many invitational hands to be shown at the 2-level.  The continuations are similar to 2-Way New Minor Forcing. The key difference is that opener has not limited their hand with a 1NT rebid.  So the captain of the auction has not yet been established.  Consequently, responder's potential signoff sequences are requests, not forces.  If you are interested in a video lesson on 2-Way New Minor Forcing & XYZ, click on the image to the right.

XYZ applies when opener bids 1-of-a-suit, responder bids 1-of-a-suit, and opener rebids 1-of-a-suit.  It is off after an overcall, but on after a takeout double.  Here is a summary of responder's rebids playing XYZ.

Because opener didn't limit their hand, responder's signoff sequences are requests.  Opener is not obligated to observe the signoff sequences if they would have taken a bid over a less than invitational natural bid.  If opener complies with a potential signoff sequence, opener is saying they would have passed a less than natural invitation in that suit.  For example in the auction below, South's 2♣ rebid is artificial and asks opener to bid 2♦.  If opener bids 2♦, opener is saying they are willing to play 2♦ if responder has a less than invitational hand.  If opener is too strong or too shapely to stop at the potential signoff, opener makes a bid to describe their hand 

The same logic applies if responder's rebid is a jump to 2NT, asking opener to bid 3♣. Opener should bid 3♣ only if they are willing to play 3♣ opposite a less than invitational hand with clubs.  If opener is too strong or too shapely to stop in 3♣, opener makes another bid to describe their hand.  

In a partnership using a Walsh bidding style, when the auction begins 1♣ - Pass - 1♦ - Pass, an opener with a balanced hand will rebid 1NT (or 2NT).  Opener will not rebid a major unless they are unbalanced (or semi-balanced).  So when the auction begins as shown below, opener's major suit rebid denies a balanced hand.  XYZ still applies.  

Another difference for Walsh partnerships is that responder's rebid in an unbid major are natural and game forcing.  If responder had less than a game forcing hand, responder would have bypassed their diamond suit to show their major.  A raise of opener's major would typically show 3-card support and a less than invitational hand.  Responder would use the 2♦ game force and then support opener's major with a game forcing hand with 4-card support for opener's major.  A jump raise would show 4+ card support and slam interest.  

David Loeb offers a video lesson series on 2-Way New Minor Forcing and XYZ. See below for a summary of the lesson series.  Click on the image to the right to see the free trailer to the video lesson series.  

1. Introduction to 2-Way New Minor Forcing
   1. Responder’s Goals after opener’s 1NT rebid
   2. Methods to find the right contract
   3. Why 2-Way New Minor Forcing is easier & better
   4. How to use 2-Way New Minor Forcing
2. 2-Way New Minor Forcing Explanations & Examples
3. XYZ:  using 2-Way New Minor Forcing after 3 suits are bid at the 1-level
   1. What to do when no rebid fits your hand
4. Optional advanced agreements:
   1. Offer a choice between 3NT and 4 of your major without revealing opener’s distribution
   2. Look for a slam with support for opener’s minor and shortness