Strong 1D system

[Flame]

I like mickB's siege 1♣ opening structure, I believe it give you an advantage, but like most polish systems, the big benefitor is the 1♦ and as much as i like nat 1♦, i dont think this is were i need my advantage, in this major game called bridge.

Trying to switch the advantage to the major hands, i got to awm system, where 1D/1H/1S show H/S/D respectively. This is nice but i dont like forcing openings, and therefore I thought of a strong 1D system.

1C - siege

1D - X+ hcp unbalance

1H - 5 card suit X- hcp

1S - 5 card suit X- hcp

1NT - 14-16

2C - 4+C 5+D X- hcp (might change this one)

2D - 6+D X- hcp

 

Anyway I never played strong 1D system, and would be happy if someone can help me with the 1D structure, also i like to hear your opinion about how strong should the 1D be, keep in mind that the 1D is unbalanced, so it can maybe be lower then normal D systems.

[kenrexford]

Years ago I played a strong diamond system that was OK.

 

1D was, I believe, 19+.

 

1H or 1S showed either a minimum opener with standard 5-card majors OR a maximum non-1D opening canape'. 2C was any 4441, 10+ (2D asked the range, in steps). 2D showed 5-5 in majors, split range. 2M was that major (5+) and a minor, and 2NT the minors (added 3C as weakish with minors).

 

1C, then, showed a maximum under 1D five major, 4+ minor, OR one minor OR maxi minor two-suiter OR a weak NT. 1NT was 16-18.

 

I think it was called the Leghorn Diamond.

[MickyB]

I don't think a Siege 1♣ opener (natural or balanced, includes 5♦332 but not 4♦5+♣) would fit well with a strong ♦, because I don't see much merit in defining a strong artificial opening as unbalanced - when I play a strong ♣ I quite like it when I've opened it on 16-18 balanced, because I'm now happy to pass in most competitive auctions.

 

You also haven't suggested a way of opening hands with 4♦5+♣ or 4M5+♦. You could make it something like

 

1♣ 11-13 balanced or 11-16 ♣+another (could have longer ♦), transfer responses

1♦ any 17+

1M 5 cards or 4M5+♦

1N 14-16

2♦ single suiter

 

2♣ would probably be best used to remove hands from 1♣ - 4♣longer♦ and ♣ single suiter would both be reasonable meanings. Don't think there is much between this and a similar strong club system, you lose one step for the strong hands (when opps will often bid anyway) and gain one for the more nebulous opening.

 

Coming back to Siege... I think you need to think of the 1♦ opener not just as a better defined bid than in Standard, but as an aid to auctions after the (frequent) 1♣ opener - knowing that partner can't have an unbalanced hand with a 2nd suit in ♦ is useful both in constructive and competitive auctions.

[Flame]

You are right about most things, but i still want my edge at the major part.

[csdenmark]

Years ago I played a strong diamond system that was OK.

 

1D was, I believe, 19+.

 

1H or 1S showed either a minimum opener with standard 5-card majors OR a maximum non-1D opening canape'.  2C was any 4441, 10+ (2D asked the range, in steps).  2D showed 5-5 in majors, split range.  2M was that major (5+) and a minor, and 2NT the minors (added 3C as weakish with minors).

 

1C, then, showed a maximum under 1D five major, 4+ minor, OR one minor OR maxi minor two-suiter OR a weak NT.  1NT was 16-18.

 

I think it was called the Leghorn Diamond.

You are right Ken - but there are others too.

 

Diamond systems