1h-p-2nt, what do SAYC partners actually mean?

[MomoTheDog]

Lots of people put a bare SAYC in their system card, but what does the average "intermediate/advanced" player mean when they bid 2nt over a partner's 1h?

 

I know the standard system says that this is Jacoby, but is the Jacoby 2nt absolutely universal for a standard pick-up SAYC partner? It's very tiring to be told off for misinterpreting their 2nt bids.

[Mr. Dodgy]

As I see it, according to the ACBL SAYC booklet, 1M-2NT is a forcing raise.

 

But then, 1m-2NT is 13-15 and almost NO-ONE actually plays it that way (10/11 is far more common).

 

Without making a specific agreement, you're just guessing. I'd probably ASSUME something like 10/11 balanced is the norm. It's wrong, but it's the norm.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

guess, and guess.

 

For that matter, if someone "tells you off"

because you misinterpreted the 2NT, be grateful,

you dont want to play wih this guy anyway.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[MikeRJ]

In my fairly limited experience in the Main Bridge Club, using "the help me find a game " feature, 1M-2NT has come up a few times when my partner and I both had SAYC in our profile. It has always been taken as/intended as Jacoby. Maybe I have just been lucky!

 

Mike

[DJNeill]

Hey,

Usually when it is bid slowly it is Jacoby 2NT, and when bid quickly it is a NT hand, in my experience.

 

Thanks,

Dan

[foo]

Lots of people put a bare SAYC in their system card, but what does the average "intermediate/advanced" player mean when they bid 2nt over a partner's 1h?

 

I know the standard system says that this is Jacoby, but is the Jacoby 2nt absolutely universal for a standard pick-up SAYC partner? It's very tiring to be told off for misinterpreting their 2nt bids.

Most players learn Jacoby 2N fairly early in their Bridge life.

 

If a player is not playing J2N, then "the book" definition of 1M-2N depends on whether you are playing with someone from NA or if they are from mainland Europe.

 

In NA, the "natural" meaning of 1M-2N is a balanced minimum opening bid, say

12-14 HCP or 13-15 playing points, usually w/o 4 card support unless in a 4333.

 

Most Europeans would consider "natural" for 1M-2N to be an Invitational hand, say ~10-11 HCP or ~11-12 playing points. Again, usually w/o 4 card support unless in a 4333.

[johnallen]

Maybe this sounds pedantic, but the ACBL summary of SAYC (January 2006) says 1M-2N is Jacoby, so it's Jacoby. SAYC is well-defined, which is its strength.

 

Let's play it as defined, and educate those who play it incorrectly. Maybe there should be a category like "Strict SAYC".

 

Does this sound too idealistic?

[Trysalot]

When I play SAYC online with a pickup partner, many of whom don't use the inside of the convention card bids, if I don't see Jacoby 2nt in the notes on the front page, then I ask before the game starts if 1 major 2nt is Jacoby raise or if instead it means 11-12 and promises 2 in the suit in case opener has a 6 card major or I ask if P is using the bids and responses on the inside of the convention card and go by that answer. I have avoided many disasters by asking one of those questions.

[johnallen]

Thank you. Are there any other common bids to clarify in SAYC?