Defence to Submarine Club

[Finch]

On the 'closeness' to BS or HUM methods: the opinion of the English regulators is that this type of method - where the opening bid absolutely promises one particular suit - is easier to defend against than 'nebulous' openings such as Polish Club, Percision 1D, or even a standard american 1m opening. Why is it harder to play against a 1S opening promising 5+ hearts, than it is to play against a 1C opening which might have clubs, might be balanced, or might be 16+ points with no clubs?

 

I think the best defensive methods depend on how many boards you are going to play against the method. If it's only a short set or two, as in the Camrose, you are best off staying within your comfort zone. Jan's suggestion of Astro-type overcalls may be a good theoretical idea, but if you aren't used to playing these you will forget the inference when you don't make one and/or get confused over what is natural, what is a cue bid etc. With that in mind, I have to play against these openings extremely rarely (they are usually team-mates), but if I do, I play

 

(1H) -

x = hearts, typically a 1-level overcall (5 hearts) or a good hand without a good suit which will act again

1S = take-out double of spades

1NT/2C/2D/2H = as over a 1S opening

2S = Michaels

3C+ as over a 1S opening

 

It might be theoretically better to double on the Michaels hands and use 2S as natural given the strict 4CM possible canape nature of the opening, but again that is less likely to be a 'comfortable' way to play.

 

I used to play double as take-out of spades and 1S as natural, but I've decided that in spite of the 4CM approach, you are still more likely to want to show hearts cheaply than spades cheaply.

 

Similarly:

 

(1S) -

x = take-out of hearts. This may include 5S.

2H = Michaels

2S = natural, may well be only a 5-card suit.

 

Whether you double or overcall 2S is the same decision as what to do over a 1S opening with five hearts.

 

If you were going to play a Bermuda Bowl final or something, then take the time to practise bidding a lot of hands and come up with the best, not the easiest, defence.

 

 

 

p.s. IMO the 1 major openings are not the hardest thing to defend against in their system. Have a think about the 2C opening and/or their defense to a short 1C opening....

[Finch]

As we'll have a full record of every board they play those who are interested will be able to analyse how specific defences would, or would not, have succeeded.

 

Paul

As I think you already know, they play a lot on BBO anyway, sometimes even against people who've discussed a defence.