French System SEF

[InTime]

Where can one locate an English version of this system on the Internet?

If have seen it a lot on BBO, but could not locate an English version of it.

I will appreciate if someone can let me know please.

Regards

[Kaje]

I am not aware of anything about SEF in English, sounds almost alien to ME :(

 

SEF : 5 card major openings.

Longer minor : with 4C and 4D : 1D normally.

with 3C and 3D : 1C

With 5-5 : open the higher-ranked suit.

Except with 5S and 5C : weak hands = 1S.

With average to strong = 1C, then Opener will bid 1S over 1D/H

with average (14-15-16HCP) and then will repeat SPADES at the lowest level. With good hands (17-18) + Opener REPEATS SPADES with a jump and with strong hands 19 + opener jumps directly to 2S over 1D/H and THEN repeats SPADES. If the response is 1NT, opener just bids 2S which is forcing. (The debate has raged in France for years about how to open black 5-5, though I know from experience that the above is widely used I would not venture to say that a solid consensus has been reached).

 

The system usually requires 17H for a reverse with 5-4 and 15-16 for good 6-4.

When responder is not a passed hand a 2/1 response is forcing 1 round as responder owes opener a bid, which means that opener can NEVER pass a 2/1 bid under ANY circumstances (i.e it is an entirely different matter when responder is a passed hand). That is why repeating your major at level 2 over 2C/D or 2S over 2H does not guarantee 6 cards at all, there MIGHT be 6 cards and responder is not supposed to lean on that possibility for his future bidding...

A 2/1 response does not change the basic value of a reverse (same as above, of course reassessing, upgrading is always possible as an evaluation is always progressive, i.e in context).

 

 

1NT = 15-17 : stayman, 4 suit X fers, smolen at level 3 only. No afican texas (4D for H and 4H for S). 4D = both majors at least 5-5 no slam intention. The system has very precisely codified ways of describing major 5-5 depending on their strength.

2NT = 20-21 : stayman, major X fers (correct = at least 3 cards = as long as responder bids over 2NT he's bound to be in game except when p corrects; that means if you got 5H and 2HCP and you bid 3D opener will systematically bid 3NT if he's got just 2 cards in H!!!! The system thinks that a weak responder has absolutely no means of knowing which contract is better 2NT or 3 in the major and that this situation has nothing to do with the one that may take place over a 1NT opening), smolen.

 

Weak 2's : majors only

 

2C = Artificial forcing 1 round : 2 types of hands :

a) 22-23 balanced (rebid = 2NT over 2D most frequent relay-response)

:) Strong Acol type "C D H S" (rebid = 2H, 2S, 3C, 3D over 2D waiting/relay-

response).

 

 

2D = Artificial : Any game forcing hand, asks for aces :

Responder : 2H = 0 ace, less than 8HCP or 2 kings.

2S = 1 MAJOR ace

2NT = 0 ace, 8HCP + or 2 kings +.

3C = Ace of C

3D = Ace of D

3H = 2 reds or 2 blacks (same colour).

3S = 2 aces : DC or SH (same rank).

3NT = Shape : 2 aces : any 1 minor + any 1 major.

***There are variations but hey proceed from the same basic strategy.

 

 

MAJOR SUPPORT (1NT is not forcing) : THE FOURTH TRUMP IS A CAPITAL ASSET (hmmm :) )!!!!

No direct jump support without 4 trumps at least :

1H 3H = invitational, 11-12 support, less than 12HCP. At least 4 trumps.

1H 4H = PRE-EMPT : usually 5 trumps + shortness somewhere.

With 13 support + a 2/1 forcing bid is necessary : the system strongly dislikes saying 2H over 1S with just 4 cards with or without S support. So 2C/D will come to the rescue as sacrificed suit (sometimes just 3 cards).

The cue-bid of opp's suit is game forcing with at least 4 trumps after a MAJOR opening. Double will cover all the other positive support = More and more jump supports after opp's overcalls are weak. Still many continue to play level 3 jump major supports as if no overcall.

 

BLACKWOOD : 30/41/22 : RKCB + QUEEN.

 

Leaping specified Michaels : 2NT = always 2 lower unbid suits.

cue-bid of the major = other major + C

3C over a major = D + other major

 

Usual defense over 1NT = Landy but lots of different stuff have flourished recently.

 

I will stop here and if you found that of any interest I will make it more complete if so you wish.

[InTime]

Thanks. Appreciate. I think this covers the Basic System I am looking for.

Yes, I am Alien - from Africa :)

Regards

:)

[Kaje]

Thanks. Appreciate. I think this covers the Basic System I am looking for.

Yes, I am Alien - from Africa :)

Regards

:)

Forgot 2 important basic features :

 

1) 1H/S 2NT = 11-12 support, 3 trumps invitational.

 

2) After a major opening no bid and if responder is a passed hand, absolutely no

bid, is forcing unless it shows some form of ARTIFICIAL support for the major.

Hence :

 

2C : drury = artificial (doesn't show clubs at all) guarantees support ( 11-12 at

least 3 trumps). OPENER : 2 diamonds is waiting with weak and bordeline

opening. Any other bid is game forcing at least. Opener can also bid game

directly.

 

2NT : 11-12 support, 4 + trumps + shortness somewhere.

 

Jumpshifts = 4 + trumps and good side suit (possible source of tricks if opener

can contribute/is interested).

 

3 in major = pre-empt with shortness somewhere

 

2/1 with the exception of 2C = NON FORCING :

 

p p p 1S

P 2H = NON FORCING.

 

 

P P P 1S

P 3H = good hearts with 4 trumps +