Chamaco

This is an important point to agree with pard. In Mike Lawrence style, it DOES show a non minimum hand, not necessarily a reverse, but a GOOD FULL opener, let's say a 6-losers hand. According to ML, subminimum opener cannot raise the minor to the 3-level even with good support (you might want to discuss this with him since I read inn your previous posts he will be your teammate soon :rolleyes: ).To be fair, I think ML would not open this hand ! ;) Of course, ML style is not the only one, but it seems quite widespread in the US, although it differs significantly from Hardy's style and from european styles such as the French 5cM Standard.

With my pard we have agreed that when one pard shows a 2 suiter, we 'll play only in one of those suits, unless opps double and we may run to our single suiter. Perhaps not optimal, but how often is it useful to bid in p/c vs how often bid the long suit ? Especially being able to jumpbid (preemptively or not) in p/c is extremely useful. Just forget your long suit, by showing his 2-suiter pard has already decided for you.

3H pass/correct. Too many quackes and wasted stuff to hope for game when opps open NT. Also, many players, at white bid DONT with 44 and/or bad cards, just to hinder opps NoTrump machine.

On this specific point I agree wholeheartedly with you. I do not particularly fancy to have to go via the relay with any GF hand. However, my pard has come to a compromise with me over other bidding sequences, so it seems just about fair that I accept giving this a try. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On the other hand, I like the fact that the 1S:2H sequence as specifically invitational removes the problematic hearts-based hands from 1NT forcing sequences, AND the fact that 1NT forcing (or 1S) specifically excludes support for pard's major.

Open 1S in 1st or 3rd seat, not 2nd seat, but I am playing Precision. Playing 2/1 or something like that, it depends what standard pard expects from my openers: with a familiar pard, I'd open anyway at white, 1st seat, or at any vuln, 3rd seat, but never 2nd seat, at any vuln. Under the above conditions, if I get to open 1S, I will not raise pard, it des promise xtras. 1S:2D 2S I do not raise 3D with a minimum opener, the raise of a minor shows extras, not only support. Now if my pard bids clubs, probably the hand is better oriented for NT, otherwise, I'll bid 4D. Pard will understand from my delayed support that I have a hand best-suited for playing in D, with nothing in clubs, but without extras (with extras I'd have bid 3D). He still has room to investigate with cues or any RKCB you have agreed. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- If pass and pard opens 1D, normal 1S response (where's the trick? :rolleyes: )

Hehe. It's a picture of GREAT italian comedian from Naples, very active in the 50s-60s, nicknamed "Totò". He is eating spaghettis with his hands. I had to crop the pic to include it in the Avatar. See : http://www.votantonio.sm/galleria/foto77.htm for the full image.

I have Kleinman's book. In my opinion, it seems like the author is trying to be as provocative as Marshall Miles in his statements, although apparently - IMO - with less success. However, the book is not an empty box: it is filled with material, with examle hands and not-so-common treatments. In these days when so many books are simply restating the obvious, it not so easy to find textbooks who at least try to discuss delicate subjects, even if we disagree. Indeed I am not a fan at all of most treatments suggested by Kleinman, but it was indeed good to read something new. :rolleyes:

I have to confess I like the food thingies (see my avatar pic, hehe ;) ) :D But, I'd like if every person could pick their food: may I have "Piadina" ? :P :lol: As an aside: I am sure Ron was a bit disappointed because he would like much better WINE names. Ron, how would it be like if rather than "Mom's dish" your avatar caption was "Montepulciano 19xx" ?? ;)

With this hand I do not want to bash 6C because probably the par of the hand is 6M BY them doubled: I do not want they find the sac. At the same time, I do not want to bash into 7C to find an aceless pard. I bid 1C. If the hand belogs to us, all is well, I'll try for the grand. If, after opening 1C, I find out the hand belongs to opps, I will bid my clubs one step at a time (2C then 3C then 4C then 5C), hoping they double. If after my 1C opener, it is not clear whether opps will compete or not, I will bid 5 clubs at next round (I gamble that I might miss the slam but opps may have a good sacrifice in 6M). When they likely bid 5M, I bid 6C. If they then bid 6M I probably double.

Ty all ! :-) I have Klinger's book, I was trying to collect as much info as possible to sort out the various schemes and evaluate the respective tradeoff between ease and efficiency. I think for the GF hands we will use Klinger's structure from the "Power of shape" (which is different from the Power System): a 2C GF relay scheme over 1D and 1M (just for the record, over a natural ACOL-like 1C opener -which of course does not fit a Precision scheme - Klinger's suggested GF relay wd be 1NT). Also note I found online another structure over 1S opener from a system called "The way forward": http://www.cam.ac.uk/societies/bridge/articles/twf10.htm ---------------------------------------------- The overall scheme we shall play over 1M opener. It is largely based on Robson-Segal's scheme, applied also in uncontested auction: - Fitshowing jumps - 2NT raise inv+, scanian development - concealed splinters - 1NT(or 1S over1H) forcing denies 3 card support. Comments are welcome: 1H:? ......1S = Kaplan inversion, less than GF, denies 3 card support (might be 4333) AND denies 5S (opener rebis 1NT with 4S) ......1NT = Kaplan inversion, 5+S, less than GF ......2C = GF relay, usually no 4+ card support ......2D = 3 card support, 10+ losers (about 0-7hcp) OR 8 losers (10-12, invitational) ......2H = constructive raise, about 9 losers ......2S = Fitshowing jump ......2NT = Inv+ 4 card support, SCANIAN raise followup ......3C/D = FSJ ......3H = preemptive ......3S = Concealed splinter ......3NT = FSJ in spades ......4C/D = FSJ ......4H = preemptive 1S:? ......1NT = forcing 1R, denies 3 card support; cannot have an inv. hand with 5 H (that hand would bid directly 2H), so if later show H, it's weak hand; ......2C = GF relay, usually no 4+ card support ......2D = 3 card support, 10+ losers (about 0-7hcp) OR 8 losers (10-12, invitational) ......2H = Invitational, 5+ hearts ......2S = Constructive raise, 9 losers ......2NT = Inv+ 4 card support, SCANIAN raise followup ......3C/D/H = FSJ ......3S = preemptive ......3NT = Concealed splinter ......4C/D/H = FSJ ......4S = preemptive

Because he would like to use the same structure over 1C when responder bids a major: 1C: ...........1H = any 15+ hcp or H 8-14; 1S asks ....................1NT = 15+ hand, unbalanced, ....................2C = 15+ balanced ....................HIGHER RESPONSES IMPLY 5+ H AND ARE THE SAME AS 1H:2C ...........1S = 12-14 bal or S 8-14; 1NT asks ....................2C = 12-14 balanced ....................HIGHER RESPONSES IMPLY 5+ S AND ARE THE SAME AS 1S:2C ...........1NT = 8-14, same shapes as 1D opener; 2C asks ....................RESPONSES ARE THE SAME AS 1D:2C ...........2C= 8-11 bal, 2D asks ...........2D->2NT= various shapes of clubs BASICALLY 2C is the relay for all Major or diamonds, SAME FOLLOWUPS in EVERY SEQUENCE. 2D is the positive relay for ALL balanced hand (even 1NT opener = sort of 2-way stayman with 2D starting relay) Te 2C relay is the same for 1H and 1S and also the 1D opener should follow similar principles= memorize only one set of info. I understand this might not be optimal (I really am not in a position to be able to judge), but my own definition of "optimal" is a compromise between efficiency and harmny with pard (e.g. play something that makes pard happy while guaranteeing a minimum level of effectiveness).

Hi all :) I am starting to agree a Precision-like system with a new pard. One of the feature my pard has proposed is to use: 1M (5+, max 15hp) :2C = GF relay 1D (4+, unbalanced, MAX 15 HCP):2C = GF relay 1D excludes balanced 12-15, which are opened 1NT. 2C would the start of a full relay sequence for shape, etc etc. The same 2C relay structure will be used also in strong club sequences when responder is positive with 5M or 5D. Now the question. It is the first time I will play a full relay sequence. We did not agree yet on which relay to use, and my pard seems quite openminded. The real criteria should be: - being able to discriminate early if opener 1M is min or max, at least whern he has a 2 suiter (5332/5422 or single suiters do not need this discrimination): since we will open 1S with both ATxxx-x-KQxxx-xx AND AQxxx-x-KQxxx-Kx , it is important for opener to be able to deliver extra playing strength, even if he is only responding to a relay; - EASE of memorizing: yes yes, I know many of you relayers will say "just play it a few times and it will be automatic" :-). Yet, my point is the following: "AMONG ALL RELAY VERSIONS, WHICH IS THE MOST STRAIGHTFORWARD?" IMPORTANT! PLEASE NOTE THAT IN ALL CASES THE RELAY HAS TO START EXACTLY WITH 2C, NOT STEP LOWER (yes yes I know many of you start with a lower step, 1NT or lower, but this is simply impossible for what we play, so let's skip this issue) SO: DO YOU KNOW OF ANY AVAILABLE MATERIAL DESCRIBING AN "EASY" 2C FULL-RELAY SEQUENCE ? (BOOKS ARE OK, I'LL ORDER THEM, BUT ONLINE MATERIAL IS BETTER BECAUSE I'LL READ IT EARLIER!!!) Thanks everybody!!!! :D Mauro

Hi all, this is just to inform that I have slightly updated the FAQ (see at the following link: http://forums.bridgebase.com/index.php?showtopic=5612 ). I added a few significant topics (I have to admit I had not so much time to review thouroughly all the past threads, so I limited myself to those I could remember from the recent threads I followed). Also, I added at the beginning of the FAQ a table of contents, and made a bit of editing to highlight the section breaks: basically, to make it more readable. As usual, anyone can add interesting links by simply replying to the post. These links will be later incorporated into the original post. Ciao ! Mauro

The following 2 structures are described by Rosenkrantz/Truscott in Bidding on target. I skip the full shape-showing relay here. Structure 1 - 2way stayman; .........2C can be (very) weak, scrambling, or invitational; .........2D is a start of Truscott's relay structure; - 2M = to play - 2Nt invite - 3-level bids undefined; can be splinters, or invitational 2 suiters emphasizing the minors Structure 2 Allows for transfers. Xfers are used for .....- weak hands (xfer and pass) .....- gf hands not slammish (xfer and 3NT pass/correct) .....- 2 suiters invitational only: xfer and new suit. - 2C is "New Zealand" Stayman, weak/strong, opener respodns at first just like a plain stayman (bids first 4cM up the line, 2D if none) .....- if opener denies a major with 2D, 2H is relay for distribution, whereas 2NT is natural invitational ......- if opener shows a major .............- 2NT is natural invitational in misfit with the major, whereas .............- 1st step except 2NT (2S or 3C) asks shape - 2D/H and higher and xfers (full transfers, any way you like to play them) - 3-level bids undefined; can be splinters, or invitational 2 suiters emphasizing the minors

Richard, which is the added adantage of the structure you advocate vs an overcall structure based on, say: DOUBLE = natural t/o OR 16+ balanced 1M/2m overcall natural single cue = higher ranked 2 suiter, 6 losers or 4- losers (5 losers bids suit naturally) 2NT = lower ranked 2suiter (U2NT), 6 losers or 4- losers (5 losers bids suit naturally) 1NT = Raptor (minimum opener strength) OR top-bottom 2 suiter 4- Weak jump overcalls Jumpcue = stop ask. 3NT = broken minor preempt 4m = namyats overcall (requirements for namyats overcall are relaxed) 4M = signoff

Not me. I'm still a 3H bidder, with a 8 losers hand my hand is invitational regardless of pard holding 4 or 5 hearts. I may go down but on too many layouts I can make 4 hearts.

Some players agree to jump to 4NT with the strong balanced. It does make sense to me, since it will allow to find slam more often than it goes off 1 when 3NT makes. Using this agrement, this hand seems to me less problematic than the 3 hands I mentioned above.

I chose: 1st choice: 4S+ long minor: it's easy to end up in the wrong strain, missing game/slam in the other. 2nd choice: weak takeout. With weak t/o shape, pard never balances. 3rd choice: "good preempt". Same problem as weak takeout: when we do have shape, pard hasn't and we can miss game. On the other hand, if we bid with a preempt over a preempt, many tumes we go for 3/4 digits... :(

3H,, top of promised values, actually you even have extras isn shape, 3H is invitational, with 8 losers it sounds correct. pard should bid game with 6-6.5 losers hand, eeven if he holds a minimum in hcp. AQxxx-Axxx-x-Qx AJTxx-KQxx-Kxx-x Are examples of (close to) minimums in terms of hcp that should accept Game Invite. Sometimes some of these minimums can go down, but they are a good bet.

It seems to me that most panaceas for developments over strong 2NT are decently suited for SMALL SLAM investigations: bidding a small slam allows for some indetermination, bidding a grand requires much more certainty, and often the limited amount of space does not allow an investigation scientific enough to bid a grand confidently. This is especially true, IMO, for slams in the minor, for which there is less room to investigate. Now, it seems to me that this problem is not huge at MATCHPOINTS, for many reasons: - at MP, you do not care of the amount of swings, but the frequency matters. These borderline small/grand slams are rare enough to ignore them at MP; - even when these Grand or small slams are there, most pairs playing strong 2NT opener will also have trouble bidding, so it is not a disaster. BUT, at Teams, it's totally different: being able to bid a rare Grand slam in a minor, when opps may settle for 3NT may win the match by itself. Moreover, at Teams, you play vs better players, who usually have good methods, and you'll find more ops being able to bid those slams rather than in a MP pairs event (even a good one)

1) 5D. The void in spades imporoves greatly the strength of this hand. We are vuln, game is a distinct possibility; we may be off 1 doubled, but if we are off 2, then probably they have 4 spades (then the problem is whether they would bid or not 4S....) 2) What defense do you play vs Multi ? Anyways, 3C is a slight underbid, but more practical than dbl IMO. 3) The usual problem. These hands are afraid of losing game if we bid our suit at low level, of losing slam if we bid 4M (which could be much worse), and doubling with so little defense is plain foolish. I like to use namyats overcalls opposite unpassed pard, but if I cannot use a namyats overcall, I'll just bid 4H. We might lose a slam, but better risking losing a close slam than an almost certain game, and, I repeat, double is not an option, so very little aternatives. 4) How weak can pard be ? This is the key. I see 3 top tricks, but not sure of where to get a 4th trick. In 4S we are down for sure, either 1 or 2. Their 4H could be defeated if: a) pard holds the H K and H split 22; OR :( I can give pard a diamond ruff. On the other hand, if pard holds the HK, we have grat chances of 9 trick (doubled, -200). I bid 4S. If pard is really weak, the chances of defeating this contract are too thin. On the other hand, we should be at most down 2, so it should not be a disaster. This will be a phantom only if pard has bid with indeed some significant values. In this case, too bad, next board pls :-) 5) I would have bid 4 diamonds right away, not a DONT double. The vulnerability + the side void justify leaping to 4. Anyways, I have to bid now over 3NT and I bid 4 diamonds. If I held a side ace I might have passed and lead a low diamond hoping to get in soon, but I do not think it's right to hope to defeat 3NT based on opps diamonds honors dropping under AK nor to hope to get later in with the spade K

I do not think opening 1D has great rebid problems (1S would indeed create problems): 1D:1H:1S 1D:1NT:pass (even with a hand suit oriented, I pass because I have 5 likely tricks in NT) 1D:2C(the most criticalbid):2D= I have not any problem in rebidding my great diamond suit, even if only a 5-bagger

Both Guilty and the penalty consists of having to play together again ! ;-) ------------------------------------------------------- 1) Def 1 has an opener. I would value his bad spades 5 bagger as just a 4 bagger, and open 1D. Opening 1D allows for a 1S rebid if responde bids hearts. 2) I think it is acceptable to pass this hand as 4th seat; but IF you decide to open, then you should rebid. In this case I would rebid 2S, with concentrated value in 2 suits this is not a 1NT rebid. 3) Def 1 should have rebid 2 diamonds after opps balancing double, showing long spades and diamond values, and an invitational hand (can't be a GF anymore after 1st pass);

Roland, this what happens to you, because you have a lot of experience, and you are used to tough competition and related broadcast. This does not necessarily apply to everyone else. But suppose you are in a Team that reaches a "once-in -a lifetime" finals of the National Championship. You are not Roland Wald, you are not a champion, you know that you play worse with an audience watching. You have never reached a top-level qualifications, perhaps you know you are in your late 70s and probably this is once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, it won't happen again. In that case you do not care of "learning to stand the pressure" because you feel you won't have other chances in the future: you just want to play at your best, and if the no-audience condition helps you making less silly mistakes, it is understandable to go for it. You will lose anyway, but giving your best. Who cares of "making experience", you care only to do your best. In my view this attitude is understandable.

Sure serious/unserious 3NT helps when we found a major fit; however here the discussion is on 2/1 misfit auctions