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I have never understood the definitions of HUM. First, what are "values generally accepted for an opening bid of one"? Second, does "alternative weak possibilities" relate to Pass being multi way bid? If so, suppose Pass is either 0-11 or 12-14. If we take 12-14 as "values generally accepted for an opening bid of one" and 0-11 as "even if there are alternative weak possibilities" this seems to classify as HUM. Right? What does "weaker" mean? In a similar thread from 2006, a poster said that However, I don't see this stated explicitly anywhere nor there seem to be anything what would imply it. Even so, if you can use any system you want, you can design evaluation scheme that intentionally subverts the purpose of the rule. Is this the same as saying "[...] an opening bid at the one level has to promise at least 8hcp"? This rule seems ridiculous, because according to the definition of length and shortage a suit is always either short or long. Take 1♠ as promising 5+♠, now your ♥'s are always either long or short and hence HUM. This seem to imply that 1♣ = 13+ with either 5♥+ or 5♠+ is explicitly not HUM. Right? In my examples the bid implies rather than shows, but I see no reason to make a distinction. Thank you!

*Agree that transfers are unsound is this situation, well, at least they won't fill their main reason of contract rightsiding. *As for 1NT overcalls. I am sure that standard [1M]-1NT isn't best. With 2 cards in the opponent suit one can comfortably double, but with 4 cards pass works very well. If you have 3cards... you make judgement. What is best then? Well, I don't think there is an easy answer to this.

Getting exact shape as low as possible is very crucial for this type of scheme to work, thankfully there are lot of tricks how to optimize such a structure. Personally I feel comfortable if 3♣ or maximum 3♦ shows exact shape. I wouldn't play such relays if I have to ask for controls with 4♣ or higher bid.

If you have information that partner has 3 controls then once you get to know he has control in ♦ and ♠, but not in other suits there is only one possibility how you can get 3 controls and it is: ♦ K and ♠A.

2nd auction = invite to 3N

IMPs 1N (15-17) - 3N ♠ xxxx ♥ KJTx ♦ ♣ JTxxx What if bidding were 1N-2♠-3♣-3N?

Hmm, not really. But in ambra you can find a nice write up of 2♦ as ♥ weak or strong. I find it effective and more logical.

Wow. It is an excellent amazing and free software that i didn't know about. Thanks for sharing. I don't really care about DD, but ''filter deals'' is a monster.

I liked it a lot.

I think that those who play Flannery typically play 4♣ = ♥ slam try and 4♦ as ♠ slam try, over that : openers +1 = last train. What does 2♦-4m mean for you? Simple way would be RKCB with ♥/♠. There ain't magic answer, spend some time thinking what you think is best.

♣Jhttp://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

I would be delighted if this gets moved to non-natural system discussion.

Both Martel and Nystrom went down after the same auction and lead although they could (should) made. [hv=pc=n&s=sqj76hkq87dj4c954&n=s52hat9432dk95caq&d=e&v=b&b=10&a=pp2s3hp4hppp]266|200|North is declarer. [/hv] Lets say that East leads ♠K followed by ♣ switch, west puts K. Bring it home!

Ok, am enhusiactic about this idea in various situations. It is hard to get the whole picture and assess, because I don't know how people would defend against this. How would you defend vs.: 1♦ =bal or 5m+4M 11-15- ..........................1♠ = 4♥+ F1 1♠ (5♥+ 11-15 NV) - 1♠ = 5♥+ 0-3♠ 14+ F1 ?

♦A-♥A-♥K-♥Q-♣A? I must be missing something.

I suggest you take a look at ambra or Fclub. Similar main idea, but much more detailed and thought over.

After re-reading tysen2k posts I got intrigued by other his ''Silent spade'' openings. Later on other meanings changed, but Pass=♠ and 1♣=bal stayed the same. Here is one version of his silent spade: OK, in most systems 1♠=5♥+ probably would not be feasible. (Maybe strong club+flannery NV) Now, how crazy It would be to play 1♠ as F1 14+ 5♥+ 0-3♠ not bal? It seems like there are some competitive advantages, you have taken away 1♠ bid which opponents might need more than you do.

Yes, that was my initial though, but that is by far the worst one. At first it sounds like a very good idea... 8-11 - limited+frequent+preemptive effect, but it just doesn't work. Often you have a hand like 9 points with 6♠322 with decent suit and just want to bid 2♠. And then there are plenty of hands you expect to score better by passing. There is a study by Richard Pavlicek "Which light opening bids work" and his analyses clearly suggest that openig light 1♣, 1♦, 1♥ works, but 1♠ doesn't. There was some interesting study by tysen2k and from his abstract system design one could also realize that with ♠ one should go low. I went through many deals and 1♠ as 8-11, these hands do just fine by passing (or bidding 2♠ if you have 6). Not to mention that it puts pressure on other opening bids. In other words it preempts both sides and i'm not sure that it has +EV at all compared to pass. Btw. i'm not realy sure what you mean by backward strategy, but it doesn't sound anything good.

This is a mixture of a lot of systems. The key bid is 1♣ and I was trying to set meanings for others bids as well as possible. 1♠ was the tough one, initianlly i thought about 5♠+ 8-11, then 6♠ 11+ then 4♥5m+12+ and now it something else. Suggestions? 1♣ = F1 12+ 4♠+ not 4♠333 1♦ = F1 12+ 4♥5m+ or 16+ with 4♥4m or 16+ with 5♥332 1♥ = F1 14+ 5♥+ not balanced, not 4♠ (unless 6-4 or very strong I guess) 1♠ = F1 16+ balanced or minor hands ...........1N = would have passed natural 1N opening ........................ Pass = 16-19 bal-semibal ........................2m = 5m+ 1N = 13-15 2♣ = 11-15 6♣+ or 5♣4♦+ good ODR else pass/1NT 2♦ = 11-15 6♦ or 5♦4♣+ good ODR else pass/1NT 2♥ = 5♥+ 10-13,unbal, common sense 2♠ = 6♠+ like 7-11 2N = 20/21 P.S. I'm looking for a pd who want to play this. http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

Why is this a problem? run ♠J.. or whatever you think is the percentage line in ♠ considering that ♦ could be 5-1.. btw, 4♠ .... very aggressive?!

And what if dummy has 2/1/0 spades? Or they are in 5-4 fit? Or declarer can play loser on loser? And why would declarer play ♥ from top? If dummy has short ♣ (likely given that 4♦+3♠3♥) declarer will probably want to score some ♣ ruffs 1st.

I think this is clear cut 1♦ I have quite defensive hand with those 2 aces and I don't see necessity to jump somewhere. If partner has some number of ♥ and short ♦ I really don't want to be in ♦. 4♠ might be another possible contract if partner has good-quality 6 card suit. It would be different if my suit was KJTxxxxx as that would have far less defensive value, but doesn't play that bad if partner is short opposite.

I would lead a ♦ I'm not afraid that ♠ trick(s) are going somewhere and ♠ might serve as an entry to get ♦ ruff(s). I don't think this is one of those cases where forcing trumps by playing ♠ will work because my own trumps are weak and they rate to be in 9 card fit. ♥? Better try to get a ruff on your own.

If I read it correctly and LHO has ♠ xxxxx, then ♣Q followed by ♣ duck seems like the best chance to make this. Going down more that one probably isn't a big issue...other likely partscores most probably make.

Are you sure that ♦T isn't suit preference? Although previous poster was reluctant to take into account that declarer may still guess wrong with KJT and didn't mention that with hand like ♠ QJxx ♥ KJx ♦ AQx ♣ ATx declarer will still be down (even if he guesses correctly) ♣ return is probably slightly better than ♥, but it won't make you rich. Trust your partner. Situation was quite clear for him and he might have made an excellent play.