Bridge in your local area

[Fluffy]

Just curious about what systems are common in your local area.

 

In mine everybody play 5 card majors & best minor (and I mean EVERYBODY). T

 

There are many people (mostly over 60) who still play 16-18 NT (french style from the 70s.

 

Some others play 15-17 NT sayc/french standard style

 

And another group who is growing who is playing 2/1 15-17 NT.

 

There is exactly 2 pairs in the 10 million people area who play weak NT, the only ones to play strong club (one of them is still learning and play an unplayable 1♣ strong, 2♣ stronger)

 

And a pair of polish players who play a kind or wj unsurprisingly.

[mtvesuvius]

Just curious about what systems are common in your local area.

2/1, Best Minor, Strong NT and Std. Discards for Intermediate/Beginners, UDCA for "experts".

 

In mine everybody play 5 card majors & best minor (and I mean EVERYBODY).

There are maybe 2 or 3 weak NT players and 1 precision pair (other than me)

 

There are many people (mostly over 60) who still play 16-18 NT (french style from the 70s.)

I only know of one pair (Husband and Wife at least 80 y/o) who play 16-18... The average age at my club is around 70, so I bring the average age down alot! :)

 

Some others play 15-17 NT sayc/french standard style and another group who is growing who is playing 2/1 15-17 NT.

SAYC is declining in my area, however many people still play it... 2/1 is relatively standard.

 

There is exactly 2 pairs in the 10 million people area who play weak NT, the only ones to play strong club (one of them is still learning and play an unplayable 1♣ strong, 2♣ stronger)

See above, me and my partners, and 1 other precision pair only. Extremely few Weak Notrumpers.

 

And a pair of polish players who play a kind or wj unsurprisingly.

No polish in my area :D.

 

BTW, I live in Tampa area FL, and play in the Clearwater DBC and Spring Hill DBC... This is what I have based my answers on... I'm curious to hear other responses also from other areas :).

[JoAnneM]

I would say 1/2 Standard American and 1/2 2/1 with the odd few playing precision. Most play 15-17 (I don't understand the reference to France), but weak is growing in popularity, which I think is funny. Weak nt comes and goes and I have lived through several cycles of it being in "fashion".

 

The big controversy is those opening nt with 5 card major, or not. I do, if the hand is right, and most of the better players do, but we have some players who haven't even got past needing every suit covered.

 

It's all a matter of style and it's what makes looking at the results fun and interesting.

[awm]

Here in Los Angeles: at the club level it's mostly a mix of "standard" and 2/1 with strong notrump, five-card majors, better minor. For some reason 1♦ promising five and 1♣ "could be short" with Montreal relay is becoming popular in the clubs (mostly due to people copying one pair that wins regularly in the club games).

 

In local tournaments we see only a bit more variety (although 2/1 is more common than standard among the better players) -- there are two strong club pairs, three or four pairs using weak or variable notrump in a 2/1 system (one of which uses a short ♣ and transfer responses). We actually have lost a number of pairs using unusual methods pretty recently -- our only swedish club pair moved away, one member of a canape club pair moved away, one member of a four-card major (not canape) strong club pair moved away, and so forth. We do have several pairs playing overcall structure as part of their 2/1-ish methods (this seems to be more popular here than in most other places).

 

And then there's me, in two partnerships that play Gazzilli (one based loosely on standard, the other on 2/1) and one partnership that plays a strong diamond system. :D

[Vilgan]

48% 2/1 and 48% SA in my area. Since I quit playing precision locally, we have 2 precision pairs as well as 1 Schenken pair. There are also 2 pairs who play a system they built, and neither system/pair is very impressive. Oh yeah, also 1 ACOL pair.

 

We have around 4-5 weak NTers as well. Typically a 14 table session will have 1 pair playing weak NT. As the average age here is around 69, there are also some 16-18 NT openers but not as many as might be expected.

 

The surprising thing (to me anyway) though, is how few people play certain conventions. The majority do not play support doubles. Kickback is crazy rare (not sure if any other partnerships use it). Fit Showing Jumps do not exist. Many claim they play RKC, but only 4% (or less) know about the followups like the Q ask. Obviously everyone plays stayman, but nobody knows how to do followup bids to it. Lebensohl over NT interference is played by a few, but the other incarnations of Lebensohl (like over 2M - x) do not exist.

 

Not saying my area is crazy weak. We have solid players that tend to do reasonably well in regional events both locally and at other tournaments. However, pretty much all of our solid players are of the "old, experienced, play almost no conventions" type.

[awm]

Kickback and fit-showing jumps are actually fairly uncommon even at the national level. They just enjoy a great deal of popularity among the younger crowd.

 

Support doubles, on the other hand, are played by the vast majority of 2/1 pairs (in my observation). Typically in a serious event I will be one of the only people not playing them.

[jdonn]

Kickback and fit-showing jumps are actually fairly uncommon even at the national level. They just enjoy a great deal of popularity among the younger crowd.

I think fit-showing jumps are hugely popular among American experts. I would say it's the most common treatment for jumps in competition.

[Cascade]

At the club we have a mix roughly evenly divided between standard american with a 16-18 1NT and Acol with a weak 1NT. There are a couple of pairs including the strongest partnership at the club who play strong club systems.

 

At tournaments there have been many more weak NT and a few more Precision players. Although there is a renaissance or strong (15-17) NT.

[Codo]

Here in northern Germany, I would guess 75 % SEF, 10 % polish club, 5 % acol, mostly with weak NT, 3 % precision and 5 % a "big" club system, where 2 ♣ is even stronger then 1♣. 2% do not understand the word system.

[Mbodell]

I'd say our area at the clubs and local tournaments it is about 40+% SA, 40+% 2/1, and 20-% other (mainly strong club but some of everything from ACOL to Goren to homegrown).

 

I'd say our NT range is about 60% 15-17 or 14+-17 and 25% 12-14 and 15% other (counting variable as other).

 

std carding is probably more common than others but a fair number of UDCA and UDA+stdC and discards are split with reasonable numbers of std, upside down, laventhal, and odd-even. Probably 80% play 4th best leads with most of the rest doing 3/5 and only very rarely do you see attitude leads. Most honor leads are standard, very occasional rusinow leads, although a decent minority do coded T and J.

[Ant590]

Locally we have about

 

50% playing Benji-Acol (2♣ and 2♦ both strong openers)

30% playing Acol (2♣ strongest, other 2-level bids strong)

15% playing Acol with three weak 2s

All the above playing 4 card majors and a weak NT.

 

Not many have a clear idea of how the bidding goes after one of their strong openings, but luckily they don't come up too often. Surprisingly almost a half play NFBs, but horrendously wide-ranging ones.

 

 

There are the odd SA, no 2/1 that I am aware of and one WJ2000. There are also a pair playing Vienna Club...

 

Just down the road in the next county we have

4 pairs playing Tarzan-style Symmetric relay

one pair playing a strong diamond system

a few playing 2/1 with gadgets

with the remainder split as above.

[kenrexford]

By far, the most common oddity locally is the "Montreal Relay."

[Hanoi5]

Everybody plays 5 card majors & best minor (some people open on a two-clubs holding with the 4=4=3=2). Most people play 2/1.

 

There are many people mostly over 60, almost all of them play 15-17 (and those below 60 also do). There is a couple who play 16-19 :)

 

There are no Polish players. I wish we could import some.

[helene_t]

Most Lancaster pairs play something akin of modern English Acol, various 2-openings abound but Benji is most popular. Some do not necessarily open the 4-card major with 4432-types but have some more complicated rules or no rules. 5-card majors, either with strong or weak a variable notrump is not uncommon either. A few 5-card majorites play 2/1 but I think most play Acol-like follow-upps. 5-card majors means 5542 here. We have a single precision pair at the club, and one pair playing some weird, probably unplayable, strong club system.

[y66]

In the DC area, many play a roll-your-own subset of Washington Standard 1N=15-17, 5 card majors, forcing 1N response, 2/1 GF, 2C=strong, weak 2s in other suits.

 

Steve Robinson, who authored Washington Standard, is a local player.

 

Interestingly to me, it seems that many pairs play 2N=catchall even though Washington Standard suggests playing 2M=catchall (as do Lawrence, Hardy and Kokish). Interesting because I don't understand why so many deviate from a well documented local standard without compelling reasons.

 

Some pairs play Precision (maybe 1 pair in 30) and at least one young pair plays a strong diamond system.

 

One of our stronger, established local pairs play a simple, natural 5-card major system with 1M 3M = forcing. I heard one of them say recently to a somewhat younger player who was advocating support doubles "what the hell do I need that for?" which is not atypical. These guys are fierce competitors and they bid and play every hand for all it's worth. Pretty inspiring actually, but not widely imitated.

[brianshark]

In Dublin clubs I play in and the Irish competitive scene:

 

-Lots of variation between weak and strong NT (a few playing 13-15 or 14-16). I haven't come across any 16-18. Quite a few playing 3/4 NT, especially those from more rural areas funnily enough.

-Lots of variation between 4 and 5 card Majors, some playing better minor, some playing the club can be short, and some pairs who play that short club as forcing for 1 round. A good few pairs play 5 card spades only, and one or two pairs play 5 card spades, hearts and diamonds.

-A few pairs play transfers over 1club.

-A few pairs play polish.

-A few pairs play precision or strong club like systems.

-I bumped into a pair the other day in the Cork congress playing Fantunes.

 

As for 2 level openings:

-Most people play strong 2C. Some play strong 1C.

-Around 80% of pairs seem to play multi. Those that don't usually play benjamised acol (2C = not quite GF, 2D = stronger, or some variation thereof).

-Weak 2D is rare enough, as are other treatments of 2D. A few pairs play ekrens 2C, 2D or 2H.

-Some play weak 2s in hearts and spades, some play strong 2s, some play weak 2-suiters. I'd say the ratio of these is around 30:30:40.

[keylime]

I've played bridge in some interesting locales:

 

Started in Tampa - definitely agree with the poster. I do remember the Jacobs playing Precision tho.

 

Huntsville - Flannery, Mini-Roman, Capp. Very standard fare.

 

Oklahoma City - At the time, we were the oddballs. You know, that precision thing.

 

Nanaimo - interestingly enough, a bit of diversity if you traveled to Victoria and Vancouver as well. A couple of Precisioneers, Polish Clubbers.

 

D.C. - Agree with the poster, lotta Washington-ites and their pet treatments.

 

And today until Sunday, Raleigh. It sounds as if we will definitely be the "odd couple".

[blackshoe]

Kickback and fit-showing jumps are actually fairly uncommon even at the national level. They just enjoy a great deal of popularity among the younger crowd.

 

Support doubles, on the other hand, are played by the vast majority of 2/1 pairs (in my observation). Typically in a serious event I will be one of the only people not playing them.

I'm not in the younger crowd anymore (well, maybe amongst bridge players), and I like both kickback and fit jumps. Getting my partners to play them is something else, though.

 

"one of the only" is a construct that grates on my ear. Sorry, pet peeve # 3789.

[shintaro]

:P

 

In UK i would venture that most play 'Acol' or a variation;

 

Some do play Sick And Yellow Colour

 

Some Precision

 

Some parts of England have their own Strong Club systems Nottinghan Club In Nottinghamshire ;)

[mtvesuvius]

Kickback and fit-showing jumps are actually fairly uncommon even at the national level. They just enjoy a great deal of popularity among the younger crowd.

I don't use fit showing jumps, but I'm a big fan of Kickback... Despite all the ambigous and weird auctions it creates... (And yes, I am in the younger crowd :P)

[skjaeran]

I'm playing in the Oslo area in Norway.

 

Norwegian Standard is the predominant standard system. It's natural, 15-17 NT, 5443 min suit length for openings at the 1-level. Some play Walsh, some open 1♥ with 44M/5+♥.

 

2/1 is growing in popularity, mostly among top players.

 

Transfer responses to 1♣ is also gaining popularity, it started to evolve 5-6 years ago in the Trondheim area, I and my partner adopted it early on, else it was mostly juniors playing it.

 

2-level openings vary. You can see normal Multi and 2-suiters M+m or garbage Multi combined with constructive wk2M and other variations.

[Free]

Belgium - French side: because of the French influence, almost everyone plays 5 card Majors, 4 card ♦, short ♣, 2♣ semi GF, 2♦ GF

 

Belgium - Dutch side: since the system regulations are very flexible, you can encounter all sorts of stuff. However, the biggest majority plays 5 card Majors, longest minor, strong NT. Playing 1M-1NT forcing is also quite popular, but for some reason 2/1 GF is not. Some strong ♣ systems and Polish Club variants are also quite popular. In some areas a mini precision 2♣ opening (Weak with 6+♣ or 5♣-4M) is popular, but I have no idea why...

[Gerben42]

Local area: Nuremberg

 

The experts play 5-card majors, light openings with light 2/1 bids and weak NT.

Most others play either German teaching standard (basically French std.) or good old Acol.

[DRWTAHOE]

It is very interesting to read what's going on in your world or your neck of the woods. Of all the varaitions of bridge language and how we get to where we want to be and which vechicle to use is mind boggling. What has not changed and never will is the "deck" the 4 suits and the 13 cards in those suits.

 

What is paramount is playing with a steady partner. Get your story together, tell no lies and use the cards and the opponents to your best advantage. Try to make a purse out of a sows ear and trying to beat the odds, try Vagas you may have a better chance. Vegas they don't care about your stupity or embarrasment. They love your money.

 

I have been there. Enjoyed the buffet and shows. :huh:

[sireenb]

Local Area: Amman, Jordan

 

The 'Standard' system taught to everybody is Natural, French Style. It is based on 5 card Majors, ♦ by 4, short ♣ and a 15-17 1NT. 2♣ is strong Ace asking. 2♦ opening shows an intermediate one-suited hand and again asks for Aces. 2♥/♠ weak. Upside down attitude and normal count are common though there are a few who either never heard of signals and/or do not bother with them.

 

The Multi combined with two-suited 2M openings is gaining popularity. Some players have shifted to natural responses to 2♣ with 2♦ relay. Many players have also added Bergen raises and forcing 1NT.

 

A few players are shifting to 2/1. One or two pairs play weak NT. There are some pairs who like to experiment with new systems or conventions but the majority tend to stick to what they have always played.

 

Precision is virtually non-existent. Some pairs play a variation of Precision but with no relays or asking bids. My partner and I are the only Precision players who use asking bids and relays.