Suggestions for a strong club sequence

[Chamaco]

Hi all ! :P

 

With my current team we play a version of Precision with control responses (uncontested; if opps stick in, we revert to more or less natural methods).

 

Here is the outline of the structure :

 

1♣

.....1♦ = 0-7 OR positive unbalaced with 6+ controls

.....1♥ = positive unbalaced with 0-2 controls

.....1♠ = positive unbalaced with 3 controls

.....1NT = positive unbalaced with 4 controls

.....2♣ = positive unbalaced with 5 controls, WITH at least a 4+ card major

.....2♦ = "Multi" = weak 2 in a major (say 3-6+/7- hcp or so) OR positive unbalaced with 5 controls, NO MAJOR

.....2♥,♠,NT = positive balanced, 8-10/11-13/14+

.....3X = various shapes and ranges for positive 4441's

 

Other important features of the system are:

- 1♣:1♦:1♥ is a strong relay (usually 19+)

- 4-losers 2 suiters (say 16-18 55xx) are opened directly at the 2S and higher level, so these hands won't be opened 1C

- 3- losers 2 suiters (e.g. 19+ 55xx) shall open 1C and over a negative response shall jump rebid 2S or higher.

- 1NT opening is (12+)13-15, and 1♣:1♦:1NT is 16-18

- we play "real" 1D opening, usually unbalanced, might be (14)=3=5 with bad clubs

- we open 2D "Multi" = weak 2 or (16+) 17-20 three suiter 4441's

- 2H opening is for minimum openings with short diamonds

 

I might have missed some points but more or less you get the idea of what the system looks like

 

================================

 

Now that I have described the premises,

HERE IS THE QUESTION

 

Opener's 2nd round rebid after a 1D response:

 

1♣:1♦:

.......1♠

.......1NT

.......2♣♦♥

 

Are all non forcing, showing a minimum 1C opener.

 

Now, in traditional precision, responder has already limited his hand to 0-7.

In this case, instead, responder might still hold a positive unbalanced hand 6+ controls, with good slam prospects.

 

I would like, ideally to be able as responder to do both of the following:

- bid my suit, encouraging, nonforcing

- have a GF bid available, to tell pard, "Hey, I am not negative, i have indeed a 6+ controls hand, and slam is still in the picture".

 

This is not a big deal in the sequence 1♣:1♦:1NT, because by using common tools as transfers, and staymanic relays, it is still possible to stay in familiar ground.

 

But, I am lost especially in the sequences 1♣:1♦:2♣♦♥, where I'd like to be able to bid a suit nonforcing at the 2 level, but also to be able to probe for slam.

 

Any suggestions without introducing major changes to the system ?

(I know some shall argue this is badly flawed, but at this point in time i cannot get my teammates to change it, so if you mean to respond, please do it under the above premises :( )

[whereagles]

I've actually played a similar thing once:

 

1♣ 1♦ = 0-8 or 13+

 

Then 1♠...2♥ were natural, min. Much like yours. The way to show strong hands of 13+ was to relay and bid new suits, e.g.

 

1♣ 1♦

 

1♠ ..? = now 1NT was forcing and other bids nat 5-7. Resp next bid at 2/3 lev after 1NT = very weak/strong.

 

1NT ...? = simple. Just system on.

 

2♣ ..? = now 2♦ was relay. New suit after relay = very strong. Other sequences weakish 0-7.

 

2♦ ..? = now 2♥ was relay. As above.

 

2♥ ..? = now 2NT was relay. As above.

 

So basically the way to force was "relay + new suit", and other sequences showed the 0-7 variant.

 

Did I like this scheme? NO, I HATED IT. I played it just for pard's sake. My main issue with is is the gigantic waste of space on strong hands. It would be a PAIN just to support pard's suit with the 13+ hand.

[mikestar]

I don't know how major a change this is, but how about this possibility: put the 6+ control hand in with 1♥ rather than 1♦. Then your 1♦ response is traditional and after 1♥ you are in a game force situation--you can search for your fit and then take control afterwards. There should be various bids that a 0-2 control "game but no slam" hand would not make--these will show 6+.

[Chamaco]

I don't know how major a change this is, but how about this possibility: put the 6+ control hand in with 1♥ rather than 1♦. Then your 1♦ response is traditional and after 1♥ you are in a game force situation--you can search for your fit and then take control afterwards. There should be various bids that a 0-2 control "game but no slam" hand would not make--these will show 6+.

Ty a lot Mike !

Yes, I think your suggestion sounds quite appealing to me (effective without messing up the largest part of the system), I'll talk about that with my buddies. :-)

 

And thx also to Nuno for sharing his experience :-)