book suggestions? (4 card majors and polish club)

[Vilgan]

I'm looking for books on 2 subjects if anyone has suggestions.

 

1) Guide on 4 card majors. Ideally focused on the nuances that would be unfamiliar to someone who typically plays 5 card majors. A partner of mine is interested in switching to 4 card majors but neither of us have much experience with them. Would still prefer to remain as close to American standard 2/1 as possible so I've been leery of investigating ACOL books as I've heard ACOL has other differences unrelated 5 vs 4 card major openings.

 

2) A book on Polish Club written in English. Preferably more than just a collection of what bids mean. I've felt somewhat off balance playing against PC in nationals and would like to play it some (online probably) to get a feel for it. Feel like I'll be more comfortable playing against it once I've had a chance to play it myself some.

 

Thanks for any suggestions! :)

[helene_t]

The Scanian system is maybe the closest you can get to modern SA if you want to play 4-card majors.

[Lobowolf]

I've never played it in a serious partnership, but I did pick up Jassem's book on the Polish Club, and I found it very readable and pretty well put-together.

[helene_t]

I liked his WJ2000 book much better than his WJ2005 book.

[Oren Goren]

It is "Goren's New Contract Bridge Complete" that tells you what to do, how to prepare for a convenient/helpful rebid (by picking right suit to open). © '42 - '57 in the copy I have in my hands.

 

It even works in my WELOS 2-bids which can be 4-cd suits and are minimum standard openers.

 

Also in my ones, which allow the MINI (8-11 total points) ones to rebid in a new suit sometimes.

[hrothgar]

I always liked Matula's book on Polish Club.

 

If you're seriously interested in 4 card majors, my recommendation would be to get ahold of the following:

 

1. Any of the old books on Blue Club

2. Major suit raises the Scanian way

[Siegmund]

One more vote for Matula 1994 as the best-written of the Polish Club books. Systemwise I like Matula > WJ2000 > WJ2005 too. That said, however, people playing in the (ACBL) Nationals are not going to be allowed to play Wilkosz, so you will probably find WJ2005 is closest to the system you will face.

 

So, if you're doing it just for some theory, read Matula; if you're doing it to study your opponents' likely style, WJ2005.

 

All three are available free in English at bridgewithdan.com/systems .

[Codo]

I prefer Jassem.

 

One reason is that WJ 2005 is nowadaysd more popular then WJ 2000.

 

The second is: I simply like the way it is done- and it is extremly well translated by DJNeill.

[Gerardo]

Even Matula's book has an appendix on Multi and 2M as 5-5 instead of Wilkosz, accounting for regulations against the latter.

[Vilgan]

Thanks for all the suggestions :)

 

Dan is also apparently doing a mailing list where he talks about Polish club/other things which I subscribed to. Will be tracking down (at the least) 4 card majors the scanian way and have been looking at Jassem/WJ2005. I guess people revert to 2♦ weak in ACBL Land pair events?

[spotlight7]

Hi:

 

Any old Goren book should give you the basics for 4M bidding.

 

One of the best books on 4M bidding structure was an English book by Squire.

 

You will not go far wrong with opening the suit 'beneath' your shortage

to prepare a rebid.

 

Most Kantar books would also be helpful.

 

Blue Club is a great system to help you to better bridge, however, it is canape

bidding and so not very helpful to learn 4 card major bidding. Blue Team opens 1M with 4M and 5+ in another suit.

 

Regards,

Robert

[Tola18]

The swedish "national system" Modern Standard is quite alike modern SAYC but based on 4M.

 

The philophy is very alike.

Rather strong NF answer 1NT, allowing up to 11 bad points - thus 2/1 constructive and strong although not GF. 15-17 nt. Etc....

Quite natural in its basic treatments.

 

Although those who wish can hang on almost any conventions and whistles they find useful and want.

They can even have their fancy changes.

 

 

If you find a good description in english it would be useful for you.

(PS. please tell us where youd did find it!)

 

I presume The booklet Major Raises Scanian Way is on the same ground. Although I suspect (= Im rather sure) there are some extra twitches comparing with the mainstream treatment.

[Old York]

You will not go far wrong with opening the suit 'beneath' your shortage to prepare a rebid.

On the subject of 4441 shape, this approach is fine with red suit singletons

With a black suit singleton, we now tend to open the middle suit, and with both majors 4432, we open 1♥

The general approach is to be reluctant to open a four card spade suit, this can be a factor of the chosen no-trump range, and the general strength of the hand and suits. Obviously, a 1NT/2NT opening is prefered within your nt-range.

With hands 4M/4m opinions differ, but I open the minor if it is considerably stronger, intending to make the appropriate no-trump rebid if expedient

Strong no-trumpers seem to have most difficulty with the system, often reverting to prepared minor openings, or insisting on extra strength for 2 level responses. Playing 12-14 NT, we have the added benefit of playing 4cM and 4cm, all suit bids are natural and promise 4+ cards

 

OP might try kibbing the most popular tables in the BBO Acol Club to see how the system fits together

 

Tony

[the hog]

Matula's book is best for understanding Polish Club. It is also one of the best books on system ever written.

I would suggest you also look at Idzdebski's PC system on Dan Neill's site. Idzdebski has some excellent ideas and is a leading Polish bidding theorist.