audina

I'm Italian, that is were I pulled from, it's incredibly rear to hear someone alert 1NT as forcing or semiforcing in Italy, if you look at the convention cards of most Italian junior or open pairs almost no one play 1NT as (semi)forcing and like in the rest of the world most top players play 1NT as 14+-17 and a common trend among top players is to open 1NT with 5M332 14/15hcp and open 1M with 16/17hcp. Forcing 1NT in italy is like inverted minor suit raises or support dbl, they are increadibly common in the rest of the world but no one plays this stuff in Italy.

I think they would have to write on the convention card that 1S is artificial if they played like that, as well looking at the rest of the system it looks like they prefer natural to artificial bidding

When they play strong NT it is possible that they pass all 12-14 balanced over the 1NT response and that they tend to upgrade 14 counts, the vast majority of Italian pairs play this way in a 5M 2/1 context, is risky but it is playable, when they are playing the weak NT (10-13) I don't think they can put any 14 count in there as 1NT is already wide, they must be real confident in their declarer skills if they are bidding 2NT with any 15 in a hand were you are likely in a misfit. By the way, over a 1H opening do you support with 3 card heart suit or do you bid 1NT?

1NT is variable, when 1st or 2nd seat favorable is 10-13hcp, and in other positions you have the same problem with 14 counts and the same distribution, in the convention card 1♣ is 3+♣ and 1♦ is 4+♦ so they must open 1M if they have exactly 4432 outside the NT range

when they are playing the weak NT, how can you play 1NT forcing or semi-forcing over a 4+cards 1♥ opening? if you open 1♥ with 4432 with 15hcp and partner bids 1NT you can't bid a 3card minor you would have to many problems, wouldn't you?

You can find Helgemo-Helness convention card at http://www.abfevents...emo-Helness.pdf They play a 5 cards 1♠ and 4 cards for 1♥ opening and a variable 1NT. Except for the variable 1NT, if I understand correctly this system is called swiss acol? But I can't find anywhere online nothing that explains how this system works. do they paly 2 over 1 GF? Is 1NT rebid to 1M forcing or not? Any information on the system is appreciated, Thank you.