jgillispie

Are these methods legal under ACBL?

Does anybody know of a clear write up for the Magic Diamond System?

Can somebody give their analysis on how to bid these hands? -- Using SAYC; Most Known Gadgets[hv=pc=n&s=sj2hakq98dk985ck6&w=saq3hj72dqjt2cq87&n=st98765h6d73caj32&e=sk4ht543da64ct954]399|300[/hv] West Deals

1S regardless of system. We prevent NV 3rd hand from doing some major disruption. Worst case scenario is partner goes GF with a blah 12 count. Then it just becomes a test of declarer play.

What are your ideas for runouts in these situaions: 1N(10-12, 12-14,or 15-17)-X(Penalty)-? 1x-X-XX-? These are the only situations that come to mind as I type this, but I'm sure there are others...

I have always liked the idea of 1H-2C Drury and 1S-2D Drury. Next step shows an opening hand. With hands that have the minor suits taken up by the Drury bids, use 1N Forcing.

Could, in theory, 4N be a cuebid that shows this kind of hand?

IMHO, if this is how the defense starts, then declarer needs to hope that E has 7 clubs and construct an endplay on W. This appears to be the best chance to make 5D after this defense.

3WGT as follows: 1m-1S-2S- 2N- Unspecified Short Suit (3C inquiry) 3C- Forced 3x- Short Suit (3S shows short C) 4x- Big Splinter (16-18) 3C- HSGT 3D- HSGT 3H- HSGT 3S- Trump Quality (looking for top honors) 4x- Splinter; 13-15 Super simple, easy to remember. Similar scheme applies to 1m-1H-2H-, only 2S is short suit relay

Thinking out loud... It appears that the losers are as follows: 1S (potentially) No H No D 1C (Unless you opps are sleepy) This said, the spade finesse has to work (or you could drop the king, but that is nowhere near the % play) I tend to assume that E has ♣A because W didn't X 5C as a lead director. Of course, this is no certainty by any means. I plan to win diamond in dummy, play to(hearts)K, then a small ♣. I'm not expecting any unusual distribution in diamonds, so I can ruff two clubs safely and take the spade finesse

100% takeout. Many passed hands have no reason to want to penalize 2D in this auction. Best serves as 4-4+ in the other suits (w/ good 5-5, lots of other options exist)

3♣ should be forcing (according to Mike Lawrence in Passed Hand Bidding, p. 106). Let further cuebidding get you in/out of 3N

With regard to Michaels, there are quite a few different structures out there. I recommend the structure which, I believe, is laid out in Lawrence's Complete Book on Overcalls As for support doubles, it seems like you understand the basics. Take the auction below: 1♣-P-1♥-1♠-X! X is support, showing exactly 3 hearts. You could have 12 or 18 points (which would be clarified on the next round of bidding. If the auction goes: 1♣-P-1♥-1♠-2♠ It depends on your agreements. For me, it shows some 15+ point hand with 4 card heart support. It is much more economical to bid 2S (which shouldn't be natural), allowing for more scientific bidding. However, I have seen it used for many other things, so be sure you and your partner are on the same wavelength.

I've been investigating the use of a weak 1NT opening (12-14). Can anybody explain how the bids in the rest of the system (let's assume SAYC) change?

Good book to solve your problems: Passed Hand Bidding by Mike Lawrence I prefer Semi Forcing NT; South African Drury, Ambiguous Mini Splinter (1S-2S ~ 5-7)

In the example you gave, you have two options: 1. Play the 10, implying the J 2. Play the 9 (Std. Count) I'm sure there are plenty of books you can refer to on the subject. Look up some of them and have your partner read them, too. With my regular partner, we use what is shown below (a lot of this is considered standard) Suit Leads: A(AK); Top of HH; Low (3/5) from Hxx(XX); Top of Hx; xx; xxx (quite a few players play low from this, which is fine) NT Leads: 4th/Att. (Top of Junk Sequence) A- Unblock/Ct. K- Count; Q- Count (or Unblock J; Leader has KQ109); J- J10 or HJ10; 10- H109 or 109 Suit Signals: P Leads Honor: Attitude (Suit Preference when the Dummy is always winning or its obvious that the suit led is a dead end) P Leads X: Lower of HH (J from QJ); If dummy can win once, attitude. If dummy is always winning, SP) Notrump Signals: See above w/ J or 10, use common sense Unless you are playing an unusual method, the carding doesn't change. Of course, if you have QJ10 and P or Declarer leads the A, play the Q, not the J.

I was very pleased with the results that I got in my last post. Those who have further insight are more that welcome to share it. However, this poll focuses on criticisms, modifications, and insight on conventional systems vs. 15-17 NT. Additionally, what are some guidelines for 1: Knowing when to overcall 2: Knowing when to X (if Penalty) 3: Knowing when to bid in the balancing seat. Thanks.

Pass by your partner cannot be forcing. He has limited his hand to 12 HCP. Dealer is limited to 12 HCP. So, either you or opener has a stack of points (or dealer miscounted). If you (as doubler) have a motherload of HCP, then you will make some intelligent bid when it comes back to you. If opener has points, he is either A: Bidding 6 or B: Passing, hoping slam is unreachable Simply put, if partner's pass would be forcing, then it would be a very silly way to play it. Pass just shows no desire to compete at the five level opposite a typical X in this auction.

To avoid this kind of problem, I like 2N opening 18-19 w/ 5M possible. Romex Stayman uncovers all the major fits. Bidding 3NT seems the least of evils (unless you're playing NMF). Just look confident when you bid it, and then P will decide whether to pass or go to 4H.

I have to agree. Double w/ 3 cards in their suit is only acceptable w/ a BIG hand (you know, those hands you wish you got more often)... As for bidding 2S... I'm not 100% sure. If this promises no extras, then it's marginal. I would pass myself, having said my hand already.

What is the best use of the 2♦ opening? If possible, please include your own variations on existing conventions, reasons that one convention is superior to another, % of frequency, etc. The current system in context is SAYC with majority of conventions. But suggestions for other systems are appreciated. Thanks!

IMHO, 4C would have been interesting... But, more importantly, where is partner getting 3S from?

Agree. N hand is too strong for a preempt. Good ruffing value and support for outside suits. 2C is enough, and it implies more tolerance for spades than 3C.

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What was the bidding? If you know that W is void in D, then the double diamond finesse seems obvious...