New system for responding to weak NT

[TylerE]

2C - Weak or GF

-2D - Eq majors or better spades (Max 4)

--2H / 2S - To play (2H is converted with better spades)

--2N - GF Relay

---3C - 3/3 Maj

----3D - Xfer H

----3H - Xfer S

---3D - 4/4 Maj

----3H - Xfer S

----3S - Relay 3N (Various follow ups??)

----3N - To play

----4C - 6KC

----4D - Xfer H

---3H - 3S/2H

---3S - 4S/2-3H Min

---3N - 4S/2-3H Max

----4C - ? Hearts

-----4D - 2

-----4H - 3

-2H - Better hearts (Can be 3-2, can be 5H-3-3-2)

--2S - Some sort of GF relay

-2S - 5S-3-3-2

2D / 2H - Weak or Inv transfers (GF hands start with 2C)

2S - Clubs or Diamonds or both minors (Weak / GF)

-2N - Better D

--3C - to play

--3D - to play

--3h GF clubs

--3s GF diamonds

2N - Inv Stayman, passible (all responses show an acceptance)

-3C - No 4M

-3D - Both 4M

-3M - 4M only

3m - Strictly Inv, something like Kxx xx KQJxxx xx maybe

3H/3S - Fragment / Splinter, GF

 

Just an idea that's been kicking around in my head for a while, mainly intended over 10-12 or similar.

 

Goals are as follows

 

Seperate GF and INV hands, so it is clear when it is our hand on tight competitive auctions.

Allow inv hands with a 5M to make game trys, without forcing to game

[benlessard]

I think my sytem is perfectly designed for your need. However its bad for slam bidding because like yours its a system without transfers and without a 100% GF stayman at a low level.

 

 

Here a quick summary.

 

3 level are GF with spades

3C is MSS

2NT is GF with H

2M to play

2D multi invitationnal. (or slammish with both majors)

2C almost a force to 2D.

 

1Nt-------2D

???

 

2H Pass or correct I want to play there if you have 5 or longer H inv.

2S i want to play there if you have 5 or longer S inv. But if you have H i supperaccept.

 

2Nt i super accept both M but i reject a balanced INV.

3C I accept all INV please respond in romex.

 

1Nt-------2C

???

 

2D almost forced

2H 5H and a minimum hand.

2S 5S and a minimum hand

 

1Nt-------2C

2D-------???

 

2H inv with 4H

2S inv with 4S.

2Nt GF with clubs

3C GF stayman.

rest is GF with diamonds.

 

This system worked so well for invitationnal hands that we decided to play an elastic weak nt and an elastic strong Nt. Send me a PM if you want the complete details.

[Gerben42]

The biggest disadvantage of your method is that you still use transfers for the hand types that are bad with transfers. Consider opposite 1NT 10-12:

 

[hv=s=saq5ha9743d6cq732]133|100|[/hv]

 

Clearly if partner has 3-card ♥ support, you want to explore game, but probably not when he doesn't.

 

1Nt-------2D

???

 

2H Pass or correct I want to play there if you have 5 or longer H inv.

2S i want to play there if you have 5 or longer S inv. But if you have H i supperaccept.

 

This is a condensed transfer. Good to hear you like it :D

[benlessard]

This is a condensed transfer. Good to hear you like it

Not really because 2D doesnt show H. 2D is balanced INV or INV with a long M or a long m or those semi balanced hands without 4M. Its similar to the Hitchiker 2D but its never GF (it could be slammish with both M) Its more of a range ask with M superacceptance than a relay. Keri is pretty pathetic compared to what we play.

 

All INV hands with 4M (except 4M+6M) go into 2C---2D----2M

 

AQ5

axxxx

x

q7xx

 

This is near perfect for my method.

 

1Nt-----2D

???

 

here partner with a dead minimum (10-11) or an intermediate hand (12) with 2H will bid 2H and we will play there. With any other hand (13-14 or 12 with 3 card support) we will reach 4H,4S or 3Nt. The 3rd & 4 trump are very valuable but a dead minimum without ruffing power is still a dead minimum and the game we might missed are compensated by the time we are playing 2M making and 2Nt 3M is off. The bottom line when it come to invitationnal hands is if you avoid 2Nt and 3M contract as much as possible and play in the best game when game might be there you will do well.

 

The downside is that

 

1Nt----2D

2S!----2Nt (showing a balancedINV without 4M)

pass

 

You know that responder has no M and that opener superaccept H but not S so its scream for a S lead.

 

1Nt----2D

2H-----2Nt (showing a balancedINV without 4M)

3Nt

 

here opps know they have a H fit.

 

 

At first we were playing 11-14 but since we didnt missed that much game and almost never go overboard (except with balanced inv) that we decided to play 10-14 with 5M this is a move ill never regret. We are opening 1Nt way more often than 12-14 weak Nt and are burying opps fit by the tons.

 

There is no doubt in my mind that NV the wider weak Nt range 10-14,11-14,10-13 12-15 are the best range as long as you dont missed too much games and have a way to invite and stop low.