What is best system

[PrecisionL]

I would play almost any Strong Club with canape (FCF: four cards first). It is fun and you can add as much science as you like (and your partner can stand).

 

Larry

[shevek]

Strong pass.

Either you bid or you have a good hand. Irresistible.

I have a short attention span and get bored easily.

[han]

If I had an infinite amount of time I wouldn't waste it thinking about bridge systems. I'd probably play some form of precision.

But Han if your time is infinite, how would you be wasting it?

You mean, I could sit here readings the forums all day and it would be a day well spent?

[MickyB]

I'd be playing something that varied greatly by conditions, especially seat.

 

First seat, I'd be playing something akin to MOSCITO. Something designed to reach your final contract in two bids to really pressurise fourth seat. This is more important to me than any of the factors that I'm about to mention for the other seats, partly because, when we are in first, there's no chance that someone will have opened in front of us, so we'll always have the opportunity to use our openings when our hand is suitable.

 

Second seat, I'd be playing a 17+ strong club. There's less advantage to having sharply-defined limited openings than in first, but having the strong club means we don't have the problem of showing 17-19 bal at our next turn, without resorting to a 2C/2D opening showing this hand. Another option here would be Polish Club.

 

In third, I'd stick with the strong club, despite it gaining less on slam-bidding when opposite a passed hand. The structure I have in mind has 9-13 2m openings and can open 1M on 4M5m 9-13, both of which are especially suited to third seat.

 

In fourth, I'd play strong NT and five-card majors or Polish Club. No need for preemptive four-card majors or 2D openings here, and only low-level competition anticipated.

 

SAYC and Acol having one vote between them is one vote too many. SAYC has literally no advantages when compared with 2/1 GF except rebid.

[Gerben42]

Having played almost all existing systems and some that don't, I don't know what is the BEST system, but I'd probably play what I play now: An agressive Fantunes-type system with 2-level 9-12, 1-level 13+ and forcing.

 

I think it is the kind of system that naturalists like Fred would like also, because it focuses on natural bidding (oh, and we use "improving 2/1 GF" :))

 

Alternatively the other extreme:

 

Pass 14+ (or 13 with shape)

1♣: 8 - 13, 4+♥

1♦: 8 - 13, 4+♠

1♥: 0 - 7 (8)

1♠: 8 - 13, 5+4+ minors or 6+♦

1NT: 9 - 13 bal., usually no 4M

2♣: 8 - 13, 6+♣

2♦: 4 - 8, any 5 - 5 except both minors

2M: 4 - 8, 6+card

2NT: 4 - 8, 5 - 5 minors

 

Semipositive responses to Pass, and symmetric relays.

[Cascade]

If I had an infinite amount of time I wouldn't waste it thinking about bridge systems. I'd probably play some form of precision.

But Han if your time is infinite, how would you be wasting it?

That was a favourite saying of one my school mates when a teacher told him he was wasting time (which seemed to happen frequently) he would respond "you can't waste time it is infinite"

[csdenmark]

Btw do you know that if you refer to this as a FP system that this is in fact a misnomer. The pass is strong and technically forcing. However I have seen it passed. Bobby Richman, Aust international picked up a 23 count. His rho passed, 13+, Richman tanked and lho with a 0 count passed! Puts pressure on 4th seat, doesn't it?

Sure - please tell more. Looks very interesting.

[the hog]

If I had an infinite amount of time I wouldn't waste it thinking about bridge systems. I'd probably play some form of precision.

But Han if your time is infinite, how would you be wasting it?

You mean, I could sit here readings the forums all day and it would be a day well spent?

Absolutely. Its what I do for the first half hour at work. :)

[the hog]

Btw do you know that if you refer to this as a FP system that this is in fact a misnomer. The pass is strong and technically forcing. However I have seen it passed. Bobby Richman, Aust international picked up a 23 count. His rho passed, 13+, Richman tanked and lho with a 0 count passed! Puts pressure on 4th seat, doesn't it?

Sure - please tell more. Looks very interesting.

Not much to tell. Passed out and 23+ hand and partner were cold for 4Major. Nothing the other way.

[ulven]

I don't, however, recommend relay for anyone with a real job :) Too much work.

The notion that relays, per se, is really memory heavy and complicated is widespread. I don't agree at all. It's all in the design - as with any system.

 

My own relay strong C system is light weight, symmetric and fits in 13 pages. That's the complete system (except defensive methods) and my new partner, without any experience of relays previously, has easily adapted. And this is a system aimed for international competition.

 

Of course many relay systems are complicated, but that's because the implementation of the relay approach and the other addons. Any system can be a real pain when gadgets start to stack up.

 

Strong C with relays are technically superior IMO. That much said, not everyone will get their best results using that. It's important to be comfortable with the methods and that outweighs many other factors. If you're uncomfortable, other areas of your game will invariably suffer.

[PeterGill]

Marston's Weak Opening Relay (with Forcing Pass),

as long as we were allowed to practice it in every bridge event that exists.

That, more so than time, is the limiting condition for me.

 

Peter Gill

[helene_t]

I was afraid of admitting that I voted for Precision but given that thirteen other suckers did the same I probably shouldn't be ashamed of it.

[wclass___]

From this list only strong club+relays!

Interferences problems are trivial(bullshit) comparing to advantages you get through other bids in system.

 

Some mentioned forcing pass, but i would better not comment those who suggest, Pass as 13+ 14+ Do Sounds nice only in practice. Works mainly vs. poor opponents <_< .....Living in dream world? Even without absolutely no opponent bidding, still, there are better systems, since, for perfect (with no opponent bidding)system pressure on 1/2 seat and 3/4th seat should be equal.

 

Natural, also is no good, wide ranges and so on....

FN is also far from perfect 1♣+1♦+1♥+1♠=overall is sth like 20%

1N is, i dount know, 15%?? 2x are also far from perfect, i see too many disadvantages in on bidding and competitve bidding.

 

Polish club is really dreadgul method.

Comparing to strong club where majority of opps try to use destructive interference(and loses), here such interference if used would lead to much more bad scores for 1C bidders.

I dount really know, why so few use their defenses to polish club and play simplified natural approach.

[rbforster]

The notion that relays, per se, is really memory heavy and complicated is widespread. I don't agree at all. It's all in the design - as with any system.

 

My own relay strong C system is light weight, symmetric and fits in 13 pages. That's the complete system (except defensive methods) and my new partner, without any experience of relays previously, has easily adapted.

I agree - relays are often memory intensive, but that's usually because they weren't designed well (or at least with simplicity as a goal). Specifically over strong openings (1♣, pass, whatever), it's pretty easy to design symmetric transfer relays that are both easy to remember and get the strong hand to declare. I design these for fun, and it doesn't usually take more than 5-10 minutes to get a basic response structure figured out to fit whatever goals you might have. PM me if you like this kind of stuff <_<

[brianshark]

I like strong club which has a weak option (Polish or similar). At the moment I play carrot club, 10-15 openings and 1C is 11-13 balanced or 16+ and I find it really easy to play and effective.

[Codo]

I think there are two questions for the price of one:

 

1. What is the best system?

Like Ulven said: Everybody must play the system that helps him most.

But the most frequent system in the knock out phase of the BB is still 5 card major, strong NT. Polish club and precision are used often too, but significant less.

Acol is an strong outsider, the rest more or less non existent.

So this method should be better then most want to accept.

 

Most put a lot of effort into the later bidding, with relays and other gadgets, maybe this will spread even further, or it will die after the defence is able to develop good counters.

 

2. What is my personal preferred system?

 

I played several difficult systems in earlier times (difficult for me), but now I am happy to have anything said on 10 pages. This frees up so much memory that I play better and I need to use more judgement then memory, which works better then expected too.

 

So for me SEF is better then any brand new toy like Fantunes etc. I grew up with it, it is in my flesh and blood, it is logical and sturdily.

 

However, there is one system I prefer even more (despite it needs some more pages...): Wj2005. It is theoretically sound, logical, sturdily and has limited openers.

[H_KARLUK]

Bridge game partners may sentimentally disposed to harmony no matter the bidding language they use; the matter is they really capable of a tune or not.

So the question is resulting from reason or realism.

[dake50]

Forcing pass. Simply because the choosing of which hands are IN forcing pass(not just a moronic 'all 13+) fascinates me. The hands not IN forcing pass are freed for any nefarious mind --maybe simmed to justify a particular type.

Try to choose moderately easy to reveal shapes assuming forcing pass and opponents barrage.

I try S-one suiters, 16+ IN Pass; 9-15 open 1S; H-one suiter, 14-18 in 2H; 9-15 open 1H; 19+ in Pass.

Even consider a second forcing opening. Say 1C force/ Pass force/ 1D fert.

 

 

The mind reels --- if only allowed by sanctioning bodies.

[HeavyDluxe]

I am wondering what system people would prefer to play if given an infinite amount of time to practice and learn it and with any partner they desire.

Bah! Systems!

 

I'd play everything natural... The rest of these gadgets are a blight on the purity of bridge. :rolleyes:

[han]

If I had an infinite amount of time I wouldn't waste it thinking about bridge systems. I'd probably play some form of precision.

But Han if your time is infinite, how would you be wasting it?

That was a favourite saying of one my school mates when a teacher told him he was wasting time (which seemed to happen frequently) he would respond "you can't waste time it is infinite"

Did the teacher accept the premise that time is infinite?

[Cascade]

If I had an infinite amount of time I wouldn't waste it thinking about bridge systems. I'd probably play some form of precision.

But Han if your time is infinite, how would you be wasting it?

That was a favourite saying of one my school mates when a teacher told him he was wasting time (which seemed to happen frequently) he would respond "you can't waste time it is infinite"

Did the teacher accept the premise that time is infinite?

Not for the purpose of excusing him of wasting it.

[the hog]

Actually when I posted, I forgot about NZ international Andy Braithwaite's T-Rex. Now THAT is what I would like to play.

[jdonn]

Actually when I posted, I forgot about NZ international Andy Braithwaite's T-Rex. Now THAT is what I would like to play.

Can you summarize it pls?

[effervesce]

Actually when I posted, I forgot about NZ international Andy Braithwaite's T-Rex. Now THAT is what I would like to play.

Can you summarize it pls?

 

A summary would probably take dozens of pages. Just the opening bids below (as played by Michael Ware and Andy Braithwaite in Maastricht in 2000):

 

 

OPENING BIDS

 

1st & 2nd Seat

Pass 0-4 HCP Any, or 5-6 HCP (not vul) or 5-7 HCP Bal (vul), or 15-20(21) HCP

Bal or Minor(s) with no biddable 5 card Major

1C (10)11-20 HCP 5 Hearts or 4/4 Maj 3 suited, or Any Game Force

1D (10)11-20 HCP 5+ Spades, or (21)22-23 HCP Bal (May be any 5332)

1H 5-10 HCP Hearts or Diamonds Unbalanced, or 7-10 HCP (not vul) or 8-10

HCP (vul) Balanced or any 4441

1S 5-10 HCP Spades or Clubs Unbalanced but not 4441

1NT 11-14 HCP Balanced (May be any 5332). Occasionally singleton or off-shape

 

2C (10)11-14 HCP 5+ Clubs Unbalanced (Can be 4 if 1444 or 4144)

2D (10)11-14 HCP 5+ Diamonds Unbalanced

2H (3)4-7 HCP 5+/5+ S&D or H&C (Odd)

2S (3)4-7 HCP 5+/5+ S&C or H&D (Colour)

2NT (3)4-7 HCP 5+/5+ S&H or (5)6-9(10) HCP D&C (Rank)

 

3C/3D Std Preempt – may be a six card suit with good suit quality

3D/3H Std Preempt – may be a six card suit with good suit quality

3NT 4 Level minor Preempt

 

4C Namyats - A good 4H opening (8/9 PT)

4D Namyats - A good 4S opening (8/9 PT)

4H Preemptive

4S Preemptive

4NT Specific Ace ask

 

3rd / 4th Seat

P 0-4 HCP

1C 5-17 HCP Unbalanced (can be 8-10 HCP with a 6 card suit or a 5/5 with stuff

Outside suits)

1D 5-17 HCP Balanced (may have any 5332)

1H (3)4-7 HCP “Comic” Either 6+ card suit, or any 5+/5+ Unbalanced

1S 17+ HCP, Either a) Any GF (9+PT), :) Strong Two Suiter

1NT (17)18-20 HCP Balanced (May be any 5332). Occas. Singleton or off-shape

 

2C “Benji” 8 PT in any Suit or 21-23 Bal

2D (7)8-10 HCP Six card suit in either major (non-forcing – esp nv)

2H 8-10 HCP 5+/5+ Odd (S&D or H&C)

2S 8-10 HCP 5+/5+ Colour (S&C or H&D)

2NT 8-10 HCP 5+/5+ Rank (S&H or D&C)

 

3C/D 6-9 HCP, 7 card suit or 8-10 HCP Good 6 card suit

3H/S 6-9 HCP, 7 card suit or 8-10 HCP Good 6 card suit

3NT 4 Level minor Preempt

 

4C Namyats - A good 4H opening (8/9 PT)

4D Namyats - A good 4S opening (8/9 PT)

4H Preemptive – Good Suit

4S Preemptive – Good Suit

[whereagles]

I like the one I'm playing right now. Has 5-cards weak 2s in all suits and a 9-11 1NT.

 

You can't get more preemptive than that :(