Support for 4cM 1S

[Flame]

Hi everyone

Im intrested in strategy and structure for a 4CM opening.

We play 1S showing 4S that could be bal 10-13 or unbal 9-15 canape or not.

Currently we use

2S = premptive raise which mean, we dont have a game unless partner has a super maximum, opener is expected to pass most normal max hands. 2S can be bid with a 3 cards support if the hand is unbal otherwise it needs 4 cards support.

 

2H - anything stronger then 2S, should show 4 card support (we have a varient when it can show either 4S or 10-11 hcp and 3Ss)

3D/3H/3S are mini splinter in D/H/C respectively (we gave up the nat 3S)

with other 3Ss we bid 1NT nf and might support on the next round.

 

What i want is either a structure or a strategy like should we raise on any 3 cards , should we distinguege between 3 card and 4 card support. should we go to the 3 level with 4 card support bal ?

Thanks in advance to who ever help.

[hrothgar]

Here's the response structure that I am most comfortable with:

 

The auction

 

1♠ - 2♠ promises precisely three card support and ~ 7 - 11 HCP.

 

I prefer that the raise promises some values and precisely clarifies trump length. This makes life much easier if the opponents decide to balance or pre-balance.

 

The auction

 

1♠ - 3♠ shows (roughly) the same strength, but promises 4+ Spades.

 

1♠ - 2NT is used for a limit raise+ with 4 card trump support.

 

Jump shifts are fit showing. Responder has a six card suit with three card support for opener's major. The bids are best used as a constructive fashion. If you prefer, you can use the jump shifts to remove some of the hand types from the 2NT response (for example, you could play a classic fit jump scheme with a 5-4 pattern. Alternatively, you could play mini-splinters or some such). As I recall, the condition probability that responder has a 6-3 pattern give a MOSCITO type 1S opening is higher than either a 5-4 or a mini-splinter.

[dake50]

4 pieces or 3 pieces need only be sorted out on gamish hands. 4-3S is fine in 2S - just pile up 6,7,8,9 tricks. But often need to keep trump control for 9,10+ tricks, so avoid S4-3 (allow only 3cS takes needed ruff).

 

Use 2/1 F1 bids with 4SF for 3cS invites+; raises, jump raises with 4cS.

Essentially 4SF asks 'partner do you want to try S4-3 game?'

Raises tell him the 2/1 'stuff' is right and spades is right.

[Robert]

Hi everyone

 

Blue Team Club used to open 4 card majors very often. They raised with 3-4 card support(three card raises tended to have Hxx plus a ruffing value) the range was @ 7+-10. The Orange(Black?) club played for several of the last decades by Bob Hammon also uses much the same bidding. With 11-12 dummy points and 4(+) card support they made a 3M limit raise.

 

The Blue Team won buckets of IMPs by finding their 4-4 major fit and later playing 3NT.

 

Regards,

Robert