PrecisionL

Actually the USA is a Representative Republic, not a democracy (where the majority always rules). The key difference between a democracy and a republic lies in the limits placed on government by the law, which has implications for minority rights. Both forms of government tend to use a representational system — i.e., citizens vote to elect politicians to represent their interests and form the government. In a republic, a constitution or charter of rights protects certain inalienable rights that cannot be taken away by the government, even if it has been elected by a majority of voters. In a "pure democracy," the majority is not restrained in this way and can impose its will on the minority.

Steve, I played a version of RM Precision in 2016 with a friend of Eric Rodwell. We did NOT play the 1♥ relay with 8-11 hcp hands. When Eric was in the Bridge Winners Well, I asked him about that design and he said it has some problems (one of which is frequency). If you were going to separate out positive responses into two shells, 12+ would do better in 1♥. However, the memory work is greater when using either approach. Most 11 hcp hands are not good for slam investigation unless A + A + K (5 controls). Also, 12 + 16 = slam with a FIT AND a working singleton in either hand. 2♦ response was 8-13 balanced, 2♥ was any 4441, 2♠ was any 5-5, 2NT was 14+ balanced, 3Y was a transfer to 7-cd suit, 5-7 hcp. Eventually we swapped 2♥ and 2♠ to gain an extra step for the 5-5 hands.

YES, not generally known.

ACBL requires a suit opened at the 3-level to be Qxxxxx or better. Otherwise, it is a pre-alert.

Consulted with rulings@acbl.org plus an education class at Gatlinburg on the new laws.

ACBL has told me that a Double is never a comparable call. However, I recall an exception to that but it remains a mystery.

4-losers and a self-sufficient suit, open 2♣!

In a somewhat similar system we play: 1♣ - 1♥ = 4+♠ and 0-9 hcp: 1♠ = minimum with only 3-card support 1NT = 17-19 and 2-cd support 2♣ = Beta (for Controls) 2♦ = Natural, N.F. 2♥ = Natural, N.F. 2♠ = minimum with 4-cd support

Last year I played a version of Meckwell Lite with a friend of Eric and we played: 1♣ - 2♥ = Balanced and 14+ hcp 1♣ - 2♠ = Any 5-5 hand, 8+ hcp In two other partnerships I changed that design to: 1♣ - 2♥ = Any 5-5 hand, 8+ hcp. The 6 distributions can be shown 2NT > 3NT 1♣ - 2♠ = Any 4441 hand, 8+ hcp. BId the singleton or one under, both have merit.1♣ - 2♦ as balanced and 8-10(11) is a favorite of Eric Rodwell. 12+ can go elsewhere (even in 1♥ or 1♠). I have been playing 1♣ - 1NT as majors, 5-4 or better for several years. Finally, 1♣ - 2♣ as one or both minors.

Received my softcover copy this week from Amazon. Wow, lots of interesting ideas and complicated. Not sure I can find anyone to play any of the 1♣ part of the system. The author puts 13-15 hcp hands, nV & 3rd position, in 1♦. I haven't found what 15 hcp balanced hands in 1st, 2nd, or 4th position open. 9/11/18: http://bridgewinners...nusual-systems/

My expectation playing a strong club system is to expect better board results no matter what we open and to expect worst results when we play defense a lot.

Thanks, Glen. Put the 15 hcp balanced hand in 1♦. Now, would you recommend the system? Edited 8/13/18: Book on sale at Amazon.

I would play 2♦ as multi with weak options and a strong option, balanced 18-19. This frees up your 2M openings for something else, Roman, canape, or?

My various partners and I practice our various Strong Club systems on BBO, why can't you? Use Partnership Bidding under Other Bridge Activities. We can set the distribution to practice the rare or difficult schemes. I have been looking on the Internet for several years for the notes of Pattern Precision and even wrote the authors an e-mail. I would love to have the notes. One of my systems, Ultra Club Relay, is on bridgewithdan.com I have other Strong Club Systems that I have played and would be willing to describe them if you would like notes. Please e-mail your notes and I will reciprocate. Thanks, PrecisionL on BBO

Law 43 A. Dummy's Limitations Dummy must not participate in the play, nor may he communicate anything about the play to declarer. Edit: Apparently dummy can participate in the claim by agreeing or objecting.

This hand might be handled better with a Roman Jump overcall: (1♣) 2♥ = 5+♥ & 4♠, an opening hand.

Standard Modern Precision: https://ebooksbridge.com/www/ebb/index.php?main_page=ebb_product_book_info&products_id=705&zenid=72d2a26bbd89bd840c903d735b2ca27c

Millennium Club takes the 15-19 hcp major primary hands out of 1♣ (or 1♦ in your design) and argues that you are no worse off than Standard or 2/1. However, the problem hands in those designs is the 16+ hcp hand with a 5-cd major. I have tried both ways and concluded opening 1♣ with 16-17 hcp 5-cd major hands is best. Partly, because partner as responder could not get use to making 2-bids with 10 hcp and 2 1/2 cover cards (close to a limit raise) when I opened 1M with 5 1/2 losers.

As an ACBL Club Director I would not play the board and award average + to the declaring side and average - to the defending side. Law 15: WRONG BOARD OR HAND 2. (a) If the offender's partner has subsequently called, the Director shall award an adjusted score.

Yes, I have the book, published 2017, 2nd edition. MILKWOOD, A Strong Club System of Bidding for Tournament Play at Contract Bridge. Complies with England's BLUE BOOK: Handbook of EBU Permitted Understandings. 1♣ = 16+ hcp, unless one of the below applies: 2♦ = 21-22 Balanced 2♠ = 21+ and 4441, No singleton Ace 2NT = 21+ and 1=4=4=4 Responses to 1♣: 1♦ = 0-7 hcp 1♥ = 8 hcp 1♠ = 9-10 1NT = 11-12 2♣ = 13-14 2♦ = 15-16 2♥, 2♠ = 0-4 and 6-cd suit 2NT = ? 3♣, 3♦ = 0-5 and 7-cd suit 3♥, 3♠ = ? 3NT = 17-18 6NT = 19-20 7NT = 21+ Enough already, can't find the missing bids easily in the book. Benito Garozzo said "Distribution is King." Thus, showing hcp or controls to a 1♣ opening is NOT the modern approach used by many in their Strong Club Systems.

Add 2♣ = 10-14 with ♣ and you have the Fantunes system. Careful, bidding to game after partner opens 2♣ or 2♦ can be difficult.

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No, you may not use Suction, Hello, Don't, or Crash or other non-destructive defenses over the opponent's opening bid of 1♣ which may be as short as 2 in ACBLand unless 1♣ is forcing and/or conventional (less than 2-cards or may have 4♦). Details at this web page: http://www.acbl.org/...6-opening-bids/

Rodwell's new idea is to use 1♣ - 2♠ as the 5-5 game forcing response. I have used this design in two Strong Club systems that I play. 2NT asks and 3♣ = ♣ + ?, 3♦ = ♦ + ♥, 3♥ = ♥ + ♠, 3♠ = ♦ + ♠

No, that hand is too weak with such flat distribution. I would prefer a good 15+ count.