SAYC - Basic or Full?

[Wsue601]

Can someone tell this BBO beginner (and bridge beginner) what's the difference between Basic SAYC and Full SAYC? I notice "basic" and "full" used in many BBO player profiles but don't know what conventions would change basic to full.

 

I'm studying Fred Gitelman's SAYC beginner tutorial downloadable at ACBL. I've also printed out the "ACBL Standard Yellow Card Booklet" from the ACBL site. Only difference between the two is Fred doesn't introduce Jacoby 2NT and the Booklet includes it as a typical SAYC response.

 

I had assumed if I learned the conventions in the ACBL Booklet I could claim I play SAYC.

 

Sue

[pbleighton]

There is only one SAYC, and very few people who say they play it actually play it. Those who say "full" mean that they play the whole thing. "Basic" means 5 card majors, 2/1 responses forcing for one round, and 15-17 NT, maybe major suit transfers over NT, and that's about it.

 

If someone just says "SAYC", it's probably basic :rolleyes:

 

Peter

[kenberg]

It is best to have a sense of humor with a random partner who says sayc, basic sayc, or full sayc. Playing pick-up is not life or death, so relax.

 

I often say: "SAYC with std over NT" in my profile. This is because Cappaletti is not SAYC but often believed to be. If at all possible, sort out basic understandings. Many believe 1D-pass-2NT is invit. In SAYC it is forcing (and natural). I suggest not arguing, but simply try to understand what it is they believe they are saying when they suggest SAYC or Basic SAYC.

 

If you plan on playing with a person for a while, then load a suggested card, or have them load a suggested card.

 

Generally speaking (I am taking you at your word you are new to all this, so this won't be trivial) I suggest using SAYC with pick-ups, but also keeping calm as mishaps occur. When someone says they want to play 2/1, God only knows what they mean. They may play Bergen raises, or not, Drury, or not, rkc, or not, etc. SAYC will lead to misunderstandings, but less often. In theory, SAYC means that 1S-1N is not forcing, 1D-2N is forcing, wk2-new suit is forcing, 1S-2C-2S requires you to bid again, transfers are on after 1N-pass-? but not after 1N-(2C= overcall)-? and not in 1D(them)-1N(pard)-pass-? and so on (you have the booklet).

 

Folks who have never read the booklet on SAYC say they play SAYC and mean they play whatever they think is standard. Relax. I enjoy pick-up games, but I don't go to pieces when partner says I am an idiot because I didn't understand his bid.

 

 

Welcome to BBO, I recommend it,

 

Ken

[plaur]

Many beginner / intermediates write SAYC without actually knowing SAYC. SAYC FULL means that you know sayc. You can then add deviations and add ons to your profile.

[Wackojack]

Having recently been tempted to play on-line, I put on my profile that I will play 2/1 GF, SAYC or Acol. I have played Acol for many years in f2f competition, and recently converted to 5-card major systems. I confess that I do not know what is standard in these systems and try and play to the published BBO standard. I would like to know if there is available a tabulated comparison of standard 5-card major systems. e.g Where sayc basic, sayc full, SEF etc differ.

 

As an aside Walsh structure, check back, xyz is currently being debated for on this forum for adoption by BBO Advanced 2/1.