MickyB

[slightly modified repost from RGB] I've been thinking about Lionel recently. For those who don't know, it is a highly regarded but underpublicised defence to 1NT: Dbl = spades+another, frequently 4-4, 11+ points 2♣ = clubs+hearts, same shape+strength requirements 2♦ = diamonds+hearts 2M = natural 2N = minors 3m = natural It probably works best against a weak NT, where it can frequently get them in 1NT X when strength is split evenly between the two defenders. I am considering a couple of changes: 1) Make the double show hearts+another, and the 2C and 2D bids show spades. This is known as "Pagan" according to David Stevenson's site, presumably after top British player Ian Pagan. I've also been told that it is known as Druid. * It would seem to make more sense to aim for 1NT doubled when we are less likely to win a part-score battle * The double should be passed fairly frequently so really needs to be kept upto 11 points by an unpassed hand, whereas the bids could be a bit more flexible when the conditions are right. There is more to gain by competing holding the boss suit, so it is more useful to be able to get involved on weaker hands holding spades than holding hearts Against this, a double holding hearts and a minor could encourage the opps to scramble to their spade fit when a 2C or 2D bid would not have. 2) Against a weak NT, I think 2NT as a GF two suiter would be useful, particularly as these hands can't start with a double if they have the "wrong" suits. A couple of alternatives: 2♣ show ♣ and either ♦ or ♠ (or if change 1 didn't come into affect, clubs and a red suit). This lets us compete more often but we will miss our best fit more often. 2N is a GF 2 suiter. Leave 2♣ as it is, and make 2NT show either the minors or a GF 2 suiter without hearts (without spades if X showed spades+another). Assuming the continuations would be manageable, I think I prefer the second option - If we compete in the minors and find a fit at the 2 level, it is likely the opps will then find their major suit fit (possibly *because* we competed). Any comments? Ta

Yes, I keep reading it as Mee Pork! Google tells me that Mee Pok means "thin flat noodle", not sure whether it is eggy or not... IMO the changing thingies are fun and worth doing...maybe time for a poll to decide whether to keep them or not!

1) 6 card slam-try 2) 6 card invite to game 3) Good question! Probably a hand wanting to hear more about partner's shape before showing the 6 card slam-try - not that I would expect it to come up, mind! In my methods (is it standard?) any 4333 would rebid 2N over 2D, so even playing Better Minor opener has promised 4-4 in the reds.

Try googling Wolff Relay, IIRC it's 3♣ as a puppet to 3♦. The problem with breaking the puppet to 2♥ is that partner might have been about to show an invite with five hearts. What does he do now? In this style responder could be 6♦4♥, so 2♦ could still be your best spot.

I'm guessing here Jilly, but... It is quite common to show reverse count in trumps. This is because a decent spot could come in quite useful. Leading second highest could be intending to peter, showing an odd number, while preserving the top one should there be any use for it; Or it could be that it is showing a preference for a club return, whereas leading the nine would show a preference for hearts.

No you're not...small to the ten picks up stiff king with RHO (well, as long as you don't still put the ten on the trick :) )

Erm...you have a point Helene, slight lack of tricks lol

A priori, KJx on right will occur 11%, K singleton on left 13%. If I play the ace, then I gain one MP (half a US MP) from the other pairs in slam if I am right. If I guess to play the ten, then I gain one MP from the other pairs in 6♠ and *two* MP (one US MP) from the other pairs in 4♠. This analysis suggests that the breakeven point is when one-twelfth of the other tables don't bid slam, which in most fields is enough evidence to take the safety play IMO. [snip a load of stuff based on 6NT making :) ] BTW Luke, is the field 10 tables or 20? Not that it should make any difference to our decision :unsure:

Jr Flight is the alias used by the organiser of Junior Flight tournaments. I believe it is (or at least, has been) used by more than one person. I'm sure that if you ask Jr Flight to remove you from his list, he will do.

Don't think so...I haven't heard a thing from them!

Bump! I was wondering what people make of revised Keri a few months on. David_c suggests just adding the new transfer sequences to book Keri, which seems sensible to me. What about also making 1N:2♣, 2♦:2N a puppet to 3♣, then making bids mean the same as they do after 1N:2♠, 2N in revised Keri?

I haven't actually decided on a NT range yet lol....am keeping my options open :P

In Chamaco's thread on the Precision 1♦ there was a mention of 1♦:1♥ showing 4+♠ and including 4♠5♥, so that 1♦:1♠ shows 4+♥ and denies 4♠. I have just started working on something similar (In response to 1♣, 1♦ showing ♠ and 1♥ natural) so I would be interested to see a write-up of this method or any discussion on it.

I tend to avoid leads from xxx, mainly because I'm normally made to play MUD...I think the other one is quite close, but I guess that if they do have the top three diamond honours then they only need 5 tricks outside of their red suit tops, so a low diamond is probably the better lead. I agree that number five is nasty as well.

1. Heart 2. Diamond 3. Top spade - they are going to need red suit tricks to make this 4. Diamond ace 5. Small heart 6. Small heart - the weak hand has the heart length 7. Spade ten - top heart could let them set up hearts before you set up spades 8. Diamond jack 9. Spade 10. Spade jack The motto? Never lead clubs.

With no outside entries, I'm sure it's right to lead small. The question for me is how much outside strength you need before it is right to lead top - IMO you need most of it.

Looks like a miscommunication to me - South's "Sorry, wrong click" was probably because alerting the pass was accidental, not the pass itself! Once West has doubled to give South another chance, what is South meant to do? The board is unplayable without an undo for West. I can't see any redress for West under the laws, but if the situation happened in one of my tourneys I would adjust to 3♥ if the number of tricks looked determinable. And no bans for anyone :)

Just wondering if someone could explain the benefits of reverses after a GF 2/1 not promising extras. How do you sort out when you have values for slam and when you do not?

I led the 2♠.

I think the right way to play the suit is to cash the ace - you are always ok on any 3-2, you are ok if 4-1 with T singleton, can never pick up KTxx without being psychic, so cash the ace to pick up K singleton. Disclaimer: I am bad at suit combinations! Edit: It is actually best to lead small to the ace, then if the ten appears you can play the queen to make all five tricks when there is KT doubleton onside.

I think it's much better for 2♦ not to promise or deny 4 card majors. I played that a bid of 2M is then invitational with 4 cards in the suit. I guess you could play it as 4 or 5 like in Keri.

BAM is MP's, but you bid like you're playing imps? ;) Yes, I was just wondering about that... BAM strategy should be very similar to MP strategy, the only difference is that the 'field' is more predictable.

Or Kx.

Lucky....so-and-so! Where did you get it? Can I borrow it? ;) I'm interested to hear that some of these things have been reduced to mnemonics, it seems too complex for that.