Jump to content

Suggested Defenses


Recommended Posts

Anyone have suggestions for defenses to the following two conventions?

 

(1) Opening 3NT to show a sound preempt in either major (typically 8+ tricks)?

 

(2) Opening 2NT to show a weak hand with 5+ and a 5+ card (unspecified) minor?

 

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone have suggestions for defenses to the following two conventions?

 

(1) Opening 3NT to show a sound preempt in either major (typically 8+ tricks)?

 

(2) Opening 2NT to show a weak hand with 5+ and a 5+ card (unspecified) minor?

 

Thanks

2. 3H Michaels, overcalls natural, double is a strong notrump+, 3NT to play but based on a minor with a heart stopper.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone have suggestions for defenses to the following two conventions?

 

(1) Opening 3NT to show a sound preempt in either major (typically 8+ tricks)?

 

(2) Opening 2NT to show a weak hand with 5+ and a 5+ card (unspecified) minor?

 

Thanks

2. 3H Michaels, overcalls natural, double is a strong notrump+, 3NT to play but based on a minor with a heart stopper.

This leaves out takeout of hearts, which seems very important. I don't think passing first with that is very satisfactory. I would just make double takeout of hearts, but could be strong and balanced just like almost any takeout double.

 

Also for 1:, I don't think any defense is needed, just make double a good hand and suits natural, and have an agreement about what double then double is, and what pass then double is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It may also be important to have defenses after responder's call. Here are the responses I have for these conventions:

 

(1) 3NT - Pass... 4 asks opener to transfer to his major, 4 asks opener to bid his major, 4M is to play if it's opener's major or a slam try if opener has the other major.

 

(2) 2NT - Pass... 3 is pass/correct for the minor, 3 is a relay showing either a heart invite or a forcing request for the minor, 3 is to play, 3 is natural and forcing, 3NT is to play, higher minor suit bids are pass/correct and major suit bids are to play.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Re (2): From a thread about defending Wilkosz on RGB I mostly remember one quote (from someone whose team had given serious and practice of the issue), explaining that after a 5+/5 opening you don't go looking for 4-4 fits - either trumps break horribly or there is a ruff coming. "Without a big fit, we either play 3N or double them."

So while I agree with Josh that you can't pass with a takeout double of hearts this is more so that partner can bid his 6-card suit with moderate values etc., not so much to find the 4-4 fit to play 4.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It may also be important to have defenses after responder's call. Here are the responses I have for these conventions:

 

(1) 3NT - Pass... 4 asks opener to transfer to his major, 4 asks opener to bid his major, 4M is to play if it's opener's major or a slam try if opener has the other major.

 

(2) 2NT - Pass... 3 is pass/correct for the minor, 3 is a relay showing either a heart invite or a forcing request for the minor, 3 is to play, 3 is natural and forcing, 3NT is to play, higher minor suit bids are pass/correct and major suit bids are to play.

Well the obvious defense is: Natural, x's of the 4C or 4D bids show that suit and a hand that is interested in competing.

 

There is a case to be made after 3N-P-4C or 3N-P-4D to play x as strong balanced, and play pass and then x later as takeout (there is still a question of after making a strong balanced x, what advancers x should mean). Ideally you would want to do it the other way around, but since you don't know what their suit is yet, you can't make a takeout x of it yet.

 

I am not sure of the frequency merits of being able to distinguish takeout from balanced, relative to being able to introduce the particular minor 1 level lower (particularly when your opponent might choose between 4C or 4D based in part on which suit he didn't want xed). I suspect over a strong 4 of a major bid, the strong balanced hand isn't that common.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone have suggestions for defenses to the following two conventions?

 

(1) Opening 3NT to show a sound preempt in either major (typically 8+ tricks)?

 

(2) Opening 2NT to show a weak hand with 5+♥ and a 5+ card (unspecified) minor?

 

Thanks

 

*** EDIT *** Thought 3N was a preempt in a MINOR before.

 

(1)

 

Dbl = Any strong hand, suggesting to opps that they run. When they do, Dbl is PENALTY from both sides (how things change ... 4m is not 4M!)

4 = + Major (edited)

4 = + Major (edited)

4M = Natural

4NT = Minors

5m = normal 5m bid

 

(3N) p (4m): Treat as if 4m was the opening bid.

 

(2)

 

Dbl = TO of or any strong hand that does not wish to dbl 3 for penalty

3m/ = natural

3 = 2-suiter + hopefully other minor

 

2N p 3 p p X = penalty

Edited by Gerben42
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. Initial Double: Takeout of hearts. Delayed Double of 4 - penalty. Delayed double of 4 - takeout. 4 anything - natural.

 

After 3N - p - 4 / 4: Double - any good hand; else natural.

 

2. Double - Takeout of hearts; else natural.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone have suggestions for defenses to the following two conventions?

 

(1) Opening 3NT to show a sound preempt in either major (typically 8+ tricks)?

 

(2) Opening 2NT to show a weak hand with 5+ and a 5+ card (unspecified) minor?

 

Thanks

(1) pass = can be t/o of a major (dbl later); dbl = 15+ (semi-)balanced; overcalls natural; 4NT = any twosuiter (but not both majors!)

 

(2) pass = can be up to 18, but unsuitable to bid; dbl = t/o of or too strong to overcall; 3m = good 6crd suit (13-17); 3 = ask to bid 3NT with -stop (usually based on solid minor); 3 = very good 5crd suit (12-17); 3NT = to play; 4m = twosuiter m+ (Leaping Michaels); 4 = minor twosuiter; 4 = to play; 4NT = minor twosuiter, but weaker then 4.

 

Steven

Link to comment
Share on other sites

CASE 1

 

(3NT) ??

What gerben said, but subsequent dbl = take-out

 

(3NT) pass (pass) ??

Same as (3NT) ??

 

(3NT) pass (4M)

Treat as a 4M opener

 

 

CASE 2

 

(2NT) ??

dbl = 15+ bal

3x = nat

3 = minors

3/4NT = whatever u like

4m = leaping michaels

rest = natural

 

(2NT) dbl (3) dbl = if opener passes, it's take out. If he bids 3, it's pen. Let's call this corrective dbl

 

(2NT) dbl (3) dbl = responsive

 

(2NT) pass (pass) ?? = treat as direct seat

 

(2NT) pass (3) dbl = corrective

 

(2NT) pass (3) dbl = take-out

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...