defense requested

[hanp]

Next weekend my team will play against a pair that plays the following brown sticker convention:

 

Every hand with 4-6 losers and 6-5 distribution or more will be opened with 2NT. This can vary from

 

x

Qxxxx

x

QJxxxx

 

to

 

AKJ109

AKJ1098

K

K

 

What would be the best way to defend against this convention?

[hanp]

I should note that 2NT - 3C is a relay, they cannot play 3C.

[Free]

Do you have any idea about their continuations in competitive auctions?

[pooltuna]

Cappelletti could serve in a pinch

[gwnn]

first x (be it over 2NT or 2NT-p-3♣)=balancedish valuesish

second x=takeout

third x=penalty

 

?

[hanp]

I'd like to have something a little more complete. We have a full description of their methods, and we are allowed to use our notes when playing.

 

I'd like to have good agreements about what a double of 2NT or 2NT - p - 3C is. Doubling 3C on "values" is a little dangerous as opener might have clubs. Should that double show clubs then?

 

How good should a double of 2NT be?

 

Should we use anything as a 2-suited bid ourselves? 3C? 3NT? Jumps to 4m? I was thinking that 3NT could be spades and a minor and 4m could be hearts and that minor.

[JLOGIC]

I would double 2N with a strong NT+ and I would play a 3C overcall for the majors.

[TylerE]

I'm tempted to say the best defense is to always pass and let them try to find this best contract...

[glen]

... We have a full description of their methods ...

how do they define their pass of 2NT?

[Phil]

It seems you should be able to exploit the fact they can't play 3♣. Or, perhaps if they have clubs, they need a slightly stronger hand, which reduces the frequency of hands with clubs.

 

Seems right to start with a double as power showing (15+, usually balanced). Doubles by responder are takeout as well.

 

3N isn't needed to be a natural overcall I think. Perhaps it is the majors, dunno.

 

Delayed doubles of opener's 1st bid are definitely takeout.

 

Doubles of responder's 3♣ call is definitely cards too.

[gnasher]

It sounds like something they put on the card to encourage you to waste your preparation time on thinking about countermeasures.

 

One of your opponents will be 6-5 or longer 2.9% of the time, which is one in every 37 deals. On some (not many) of those deals they will be outside the 4-6 loser range; on some of them another player will have opened first; on some of them you won't have any interest in bidding; on some of them any method will work.

 

Unless you're going to be playing a very long match against this pair, I think that the best thing to do is to agree some simple but imperfect method and spend the rest of the week reading a Kelsey book.

 

FWIW, my impression (not supported by any analysis) is that when one player has a two-suiter, the other hands tend to be one-suited or balanced. Hence I would play double as strong balanced and all suits as natural. Perhaps pass and double should be a two-suiter.

[the hog]

I wouldn't bother. The chances of an appropriate hand coming up are remote. If it does and they play such a wide range they may well stuff up anyway.

[hanp]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

They play that any 6-5 hand with 4-6 "losers" must be opened with 2NT. I don't think they ever pass it.

 

We'll play them only 20 hands so indeed the chance that this comes up is not very large.

[Cascade]

Where does this convention come from.

 

A pair were playing this in the PABF in May this year.

 

For what it is worth (it doesn't appear to be a great defense to me) here is their proposed defense on their Brown Sticker Form:

 

"As the bid is 100% forcing, defenders have the option of passing initially and entering the auction later as appropriate when opener’s hand is known. We therefore suggest:

 

1. An immediate double is penalty&oriented, suggesting a strong balanced hand;

 

2. Immediate overcalls at any level are natural;

 

3. An immediate 3NT is a very strong 2 suiter;

 

4. Pass by 2nd hand and then double is for penalties of the suit bid;

 

5. Pass by 2nd hand and then cue bid one of opener’s suits is take&out;

 

6. All bids by 4th hand are natural (with double of the 3♣ enquiry showing that suit), with subsequent doubles largely penalty&oriented.

"

[glen]

... I don't think they ever pass it. ...

Since 2NT is either never passed and/or 100% forcing, I suggest that power hands pass first.

 

That is 2NT-Pass then later double is power and passable takeout, and 2NT-Pass-3♣-Pass then later double is power and passable takeout. By passable takeout it suggests a hand with 2 or 3 cards in the suit doubled - with singleton/void in suit later doubled, bid naturally to show suit bid and flexible power hand.

 

Over 2NT:

X: Single suited based on power

3♣: ♥s and another, if both majors better/longer ♠s

3♦: ♠s and another, if both majors better/longer ♥s

3♥+ (3♥ or higher) suit bid: natural based on length, not power

3NT: Minors

 

Over 2NT-Pass-3♣-?:

X: ♥s and another, if both majors better/longer ♠s

3♦: ♠s and another, if both majors better/longer ♥s

3♥+ suit bid: natural

3NT: Minors