gordlink

I often play the Toucan system which uses transfers over 1C openers, 1D is either 4 diamonds with a singleton or 6+ D. Majors are standard 2/1 and 1NT is 15-17. Originally, we pre-alerted, but now we just alert/explain the bid, not the ramifications. The system is legal and was named by Matt Smith, National ACBL Head Director. For those who want to improve their game, I recommend Toucan. I found it helped me "see" the distribution far better and it right sided the contract. Duplicate Bridge is made up of mostly seniors, people set in their ways and usually not friendly towards persons who play something different from themselves. Since we switched from pre-alerts to alerting just the bid as a transfer to the suit we identify, we have found we no longer get complaints. The opponents "see" the transfer or relay as some people call them, just like transfers over NT openers. Transfers are legal and right siding the contract is worth a half a trick. So try alerting only the bid, not the system. Good Luck.

For the nth time I have seen errors committed by players (often me) mistaking the Club symbol for the Spade symbol. It is not rocket science to put red dot or a red slash through one of the black symbols. Good bridge players want to win by better card play. One could also do the same for the red suits. It is not like you have a thousand decks of cards to throw out, now is it? Bridge is played mainly by seniors and many might come back with this small improvement. Just say YES to better bridge, Regards GordLink