weak 2D

[DonMario]

Dear BBO users,

 

My partner and I have recently altered our system to use 2D as weak 2 in majors. During a speedball tournament

my 2D bid was refused. Opponents originally thought it was a psychic Flannery, then called it a multi. The tournament director agreed with them and we got a 40-60 split.

I am not arguing about the director s decision. It is his privilege and prerogative to take such decisions. I am merely seeking clarifications.

First about multi, I was under the impression that multi were bids with more than two meanings. I guess I was wrong.

More specifically, regarding the weak 2D bid, I was directed by the director (that s his job..) to check the Convention-Chart.pdf on ACBL website. I did so and I found the following

 

quote

weak two-bids which by partnership

agreement are not within a range of 7 HCP and do not show at least five

cards in the suit.

unquote

 

Now, english is not my mother tongue but to me the way it is written means that both conditions have to be breached for the bid not to be allowed. If the bid shows at least five cards in the suit OR is within the range of 7HCP, then it is allowed.

 

I guess it should read

 

are not within a range of 7 HCP OR do not show at least five

cards in the suit.

 

In fact the ACBL MID-Chart states the following as disallowed

 

quote

8. Any weak opening bid which promises an unknown suit may not

include as the unknown suit the suit named (the suit opened).

unquote

 

which by inference suggests that weak two bids can be for unknown suits as long

as the bid suit is excluded.

 

Any comments are welcome.

 

Mario

[awm]

The ACBL speedballs are governed by the ACBL General Chart. What it says on the mid-chart is not relevant.

 

The important rule is the one that says "methods not specifically allowed are disallowed." In general bids that could be weak (less than 10 hcp) and do not show the suit bid will not be allowed on the general chart. This includes your 2♦ opening.

[inquiry]

I am assuming you are talking about a ruling in a BBO sponsored ACBL game. The BBO ACBL games are ruled by the ACBL General chart.

 

 

If you check that docuement (only the general chart), you will find that under the opening bid section that item's 4 and 5 deal with your problem.

 

 

5. TWO DIAMOND ARTIFICIAL OPENING BID indicating one of:

 

a) a strong hand.

b) a three-suiter with a minimum of 10 HCP.

 

6. OPENING BID AT THE TWO LEVEL OR HIGHER indicating two known suits, a minimum of 10 HCP and at least 5–4 distribution in the suits.

 

 

You will also note that the instructions on the ACBL General Convention Chart states: Unless specifically allowed, methods are disallowed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So those of us who would like to open 2♦ as weak in either major simply can not, as it is illegal to do so in an ACBL General Convention Chart event.

 

 

 

[mycroft]

Or even 2D as weak with both majors, which is how I read the OP.

 

Edit to add: Of course, what it is is irrelevant, and what the opponents thought it was is particularly irrelevant; it's only whether it is one of the three acceptable meanings or not that applies. Me, being somewhat attune to that particular sense of humour when confronted, would probably think "No, it's not Multi, it's Ekren. Unfortunately, it's still not allowed in this event". But I try to avoid saying so, as hospitals are so dreary.

[the hog]

Easy solution - don't play in events where the rules don't allow bridge.

[blackshoe]

Well, I guess, living where I do, I'll just have to give up the game.

[Quantumcat]

Easy solution - don't play in events where the rules don't allow bridge.

 

lol ... I thank the heavens every time I sit down to play that I was born in a free country :-) (i.e. Aus)

[whereagles]

I have a better solution, which is probably even allowed: play 2♦ as a weak 2. Last time I opened that opps ended up in a silly 6♥ slam, 4 down :)

 

2m nat pree openers are very, very underrated.