bbochev

Just as one another of methods (we play it with (relative) success in our system), in which opener 1♣ rebid of 1♠ shows 12-14 balanced and 1NT - 15-17 bal. Any 5332 is OK. 2♣ from responder is used ONLY for invitational purpose (23-25 pts in combined hands). - 2♦ (artificial) accepts as well as jump to 3 in M (5332) or 3NT without major oriented hand. Continuation is Baron, any twice bid suit is 5th. - 2♥♠NT - nearest(or no) major with 4-5 cards, doesnt accept invit. NF, may play 4-3 or get to 2NT. 2♦♥ are trsfrs, 2♠ is automat to 2NT (balanced hand to be declarer) following with 3♣ Puppet. etc.

'[ "Average hand" - a hand containing 10 high card points (Milton Work) with no distributional values ]''

The point is definition of "average strength/hand". I'm in doubt whether Axxxxx, x, Kxx, xxx is weaker to Axxx, xxx, Kxx, Kxx. In fact in WBF SYSTEMS POLICY I found definition of "Average hand" - a hand containing 10 high card points (Milton Work) with no distributional values, weak - a high card strength below average hand (what about "distributional" values ?). For example: Axxxx, xx, Kxxx, Kx (10 HPC) = 3.5 TP (A+2Ks) + 1.5 TP ((5-2)/2) = 5 TP - minimum for openning KQxx, Qx, Qxxxx, Qx (11 HPC) = 3 TP (K+3Q) + 1.5 TP ((5-2)/2) = 4.5 not enough Question is whether: Axxxxx, x, Kxx, xxx (5 TP, 1spade opening) or Axxx, x, Kxxxxx, xx (5 TP, 2 Clubs opening) are weak hands (high card weaker than AVERAGE hand)? If we look at 5 TP as a summ of honors TP and distributional tricks, we'd find, that if no additional distribution values ( 0 TP ) participated, 5 TP from honors are made from 2A+2Ks (14 HPC) to 4Q3Ks (17! HPC) far beyond average hand :) PS. Hands depicted above represent lowest limit - and still too many controls plus distribution to be passed or opened as a week :)

1.) Would someone tell me what color (Green, Red, Blue, Yellow) following system is to be classified? 2.) Should be this system allowed and in what type of competition (and if Yes, pair using system what approach should follows - pre-alert etc.) System openings: Balanced hands 12+ are opened by 1♣ - 12+ Milton Work, no upper limit, max. 1 doubleton, Any 5332 is OK Evaluation of unbalanced hands is in Tricks points (TP) - A=1.5, K=1, Q=.5 TP and up to 2.5 TP for distribution - (Longest-Shortest suit)/2. All openings from 1♦ to 2♥ are unbalanced, min. 5 TP no upper limit. (If strength is bellow 10 HPC, hand has controls and very unbalanced distribution - i.e. Axxxxx, x, Kxx, xxx is minimum, in my opinion better than "average hand" - 10 HPC without distributional strength) 1♦♥♠ = always 4+ in the suit and one of three types: 1.) 6+ onesuiter 2.) twosuiter with lower suit 3.) Threesuiter with neighbor suits; 1NT is same as above for ♣suit 2♣ - 4♠-5+♦ OR 4♥-5+♣ 2♦ - 5+♥-4+♣ 2♥ - 5+♠-4+♦ 2 and 3♠ - preempt 5+-5+ minors 2NT3♣♦♥ - next suit (transfer) -> preempt -2/-3 OR 7+ AKQ Here is UFO pre-alert card I apologize if this topic misfit forum...

In fact "Tricks" are not exactly = 13-losers... Tricks evaluation is used only with unbalanced hand opening and with trump support. Opener: A=1.5, K=1, Q=.5 TRicks + (longest-shortest)/2 (up to 2.5) Responder: AKQ same + (Trumps-shortest)/2 (Singeton K,Q do not count, when count is not whole number rounding depends on correcting factors... UP: J with high honor in long suit, more than 5 difference - .6+void etc., Down: K, Q unsupported in short for BOTH hands suits, singleton A, support in shorter suit of partner) Shortnes opposite no waste K, Q adds 1 trick for good trumps fit. Summ of both hand Tricks = total tricks would be made playng on agreed suit Example: 1.) Opener: Axxxx,KQx, QJxx, x = 3.5 honors Tricks + 2 (♠-♣) = 5.5 rounded to 6 couse of J♦ Responder: xxxx, Axx, Kxxx, xx = 2.5 honors Trics + 1 (Trumps-♣) = 3.5 rounded to 3 2.) Opener: Axxxx,KQx, QJxx, x = 3.5 honors Tricks + 2 (♠-♣) = 5.5 rounded to 6 couse of J♦ Responder: Qxx, xxxx, Axxx, Kx = 3 honors Trics + .5 (Trumps-♣) = 3.5 rounded to 3 3.) (lowest limit to open) Opener: Axxxxx, x, Kxx,xxx = 2.5 honors + 2.5 distrib = 5 Responder: KDxx, xxxxx, Ax, xx = 3 honors + 1 distrib = 4 ----------- 1.) summ = 9 + 1 (singleton club opposite xx and good trump fit) = 10 -> 1.) against the odds, but reasonable game... 2.) summ = 9 (but if you know x opposite Kx clubs, less) 3.) summ = 9 + 1 (singleton ♥opposite no lost K,Q and good trump fit) = 10 It's not "silver bullet and exaples are somehow "deviced", but statistics showed very reasonable contracts.

You grasp the principles of the system - shape is more important than strength, espacialy in competative situations! It's relatively easier to add strength to hand after opps inervention (biding feature or using dbl). When you are "unshaped" there are more problems - how to show at once more strength and shape?

Not exactly... After opps 1♦ Dbl = overcall 5+ ♥, 1♥ = 5+ ♠, 1♠ = t/o dbl (incl balanced 16+ hand),1NT = Raptor 5+♣ + 4th M, 2♣=4441 singleton ♦, 2♦=5+-5+ both M etc., 2NT = good overcall ♣ (If ♣ hand is not good, why to mention it at 2nd level?). Of course there are cons and pro's - no silver bullet at all.

Hi, not bad intention! I just wanted to say,that I can't see question - IMO your post is incomplete... This only question looks for me without much sense - you meant i never bother myself about opps preempts?

I didn't read this remark... Exept you asking advise - please send me PM.

Thanks for comments. In fact 1♣ is most mature structure and worked extremely well! Structure is: 1♣ - ? 1♦ 5+ HPC,asks strength - 1♥ 12-13,1♠14-15 etc. (!note 1 point difference!) 1♥ 0-4PC 1♠NT2♦ 5+ cards ♣♦♥♠ (2 suits above) and 4-5 trics (like construction). Opener bid suit if no game interest and more other options if interest in higher contract. Strongest hands (6+ Tricks) go through 1♦. After overcall through 3♦ (incl) we play transfer responses 4+ tricks(incl. dbl). NT is balance with stopper, transfer to overcall is FG at least 1 4th M etc. Above 3♥ T/O dbls. (full schema is too long for post, yet simple enough, if interested, drop me email: bbochev@gmail.com) Philosophy of system is: Major oriented, Play to make contracts, while make opps life dificult just with informative and worth opening unbalanced hand. When hand is balanced - no need to be agressive. I have played bridge for more than 35 years and i'm still impressed how good "Trick" count is :) If contract is not best (from percentage point of view) it has at least playing chances.

Thank you for oppinion - it's good point to consider and reconsider! Remark is good (except eat alive - however some precooking is needed :rolleyes: :rolleyes: .

I moved this topic from "2-suited overcalls" becouse of applicability - it's look more general... I'd be glad to see other oppinons - approach is used in very narrow players circle (one explanation is obvious - garbage :unsure: ) Our pair use unlimited transfer bids combined with Raptor over 1st level suit openings (except against strong 1♣ - special defeance). Its deals well with most hands (including twosuiters) with cons of having to bid clubs at 3th level. Schema: Dbl and transer for two suits (exclude clubs and opened suit); 1♠ (or dbl on 1S) = T/O dbl or strong Balanced hand (after simple answer from partner new suit = 4 cards and 16-18, 2 NT=19-20 etc.) 1 NT - Raptor - 4M-5+m, outside opened suit 2 NT is good overcall with clubs, 3 clubs and above are preempts; Cue after minor - 5-5 both majors unlimited Cue after M - unlimited Michaels Jump 2 M -> 6 (7 Vuln) tricks AND good 6+ suit. We played transfer to opener's suit as 4441 t/o. It is matter of choice - for this shape "ordinary" t/o (1♠) could be used, and transfer to suit and major cue-bid could show exact twosuiter OM + lower/upper minor for example. On opponents dbl we use pass as weak hand without fit, bid transfer with 3+ support and weak hand. Jumps are showing suit+fit, 2NT after transfer to M is good 4+ support at least to 3 level (if there is opportunity, simple cue shows same but only 3 cards support), after m is natural and invit. Becouse of way we evaluate unbal hands (A=1.5, K=1, Q=.5 Tricks + (Fit-shortest)/2 Tricks), T/O dbl is promisisng 4+ tricks in support of non-bid suits. It make easy life of responder, who simply adds 4 to his Tricks (honors Tr. are same + (longest - shortest suit)/2) and bid to that level :) T/O dbler adds a level for evey trick above 4 after jump or free bid (non jump bids - 0-4 tricks are rised with 6+ Tricks 5+4=9 no need to rise). Same about transfers - lower limit is -2/-3 (non/vul), no upper limit. Jumps are -2/-3 based on winners. Pro's & Cons: Pros: Becouse of forcing nature of transfers, it's easy to show additional strength of hand later by entering biding at later stage (even using Dbl). It solves a lot of problems with strong one or twosuiter hands, and give oportunity to describe twosuiters at low level. Opener is on lead. Raptor solves (almost) problem with competative hands,having 4th Major and longer minor 1♠, despite of seeming unconvenient take-out,put additional pressure in part-score batle. 2 NT (good unlimited overcall with clubs) looks too high, but it's level if you compete with goods clubs. Simplicity of convention. Cons: Opponents have oportunity to dbl transfer or step in suit as cue at low level. It happens toplay contract from "wrong" side (it's depend...). You waste time to explain overcalls to non clever opps. You could play it with regular partners only. List is not full - just some major points...

Our pair use unlimited transfer bids combined with Raptor over 1st level suit openings. Its deals well with most hands (including twosuiters) with cons of having to bid clubs at 3th level. So: 2 NT is good overcall with clubs, 3 clubs and above are preempts; Dbl and transer for two suits (exclude clubs and opened suit); 1♠ (or dbl on 1S) = T/O dbl or strong Balanced hand (after simple answer from partner new suit = 4 cards and 16-18, 2 NT=19-20 etc.) 1 NT - Raptor - 4M-5+m, outside opened suit Cue after minor - 5-5both majors unlimited Cue after M - unlimited Michaels Jump 2 M -> 6 (7 Vuln) tricks AND good 6+ suit. We played transfer to opener's suit as 4441 t/o. It is matter of choice - for this shape "ordinary" t/o (1♠) could be used, and transfer to suit and major cue-bid could show exact twosuiter OM + lower/upper minor for example.

Right. Lowest hand limit is like Kxxx, x, xx, Axxxxx (note AK and 6+ suit); AKQx, A, AKQ, AKJ10x is below upper limit... 1 club.... All balanced hands (incl.all 5332), that worth opening (12-37 :) Milton Work) open 1 club. Unbalanced onesuiters have 6+ suit (of course, AKDxx, Ax, xxx, xxx may open 1 S and than try to mimic as 6223)

Average hand has NO DISTRIBUTIONAL power. To qualify unbal. hand with 7 points (K less) as good for open (5+ Tricks) hand should has MUCH DISTRIBUTION - 6+ cards and singleton AND AK :) Its not issue i think - look 1st definition.