Marmic hand openings

[SRJ]

So-called Marmic-hands with a 4-4-4-1 distrubution can be a pain to bid.

With my regular partner I have agreed to open all 11-19 point Marmic hands with 1♦ - even if the singleton is ♦.

Depending on the answering bid from my partner, I am mostly able to show the hand in the next bidding round, either by supporting my partners suit, bidding a new suit or by bidding NT.

I am sure there are many similar agreements in other systems.

Naturally you have to alert the 1♦ bid, but my question is: is this kind of opening bid illegal (or what I think is called "highly artificial"), since the hand might hold a singleton ♦?

[manudude03]

I doubt it's illegal. You see strong club systems with short diamonds all the time (some even 0+ diamonds). There shouldn't be any problems provided you disclose it properly (is 4414 the only shape where diamonds can be short?)

[mgoetze]

Again, what jurisdiction are you asking about? In the BBO Main Bridge Club, everything is allowed.

[Siegmund]

It would be alertable in the ACBL (and most other places, I imagine) but legal. Artificial, yes. But not a Highly Unusual Method, as the WBF terms it.

 

The banned bids are generally ones that show extremely weak hands at the 1-level, or show weak hands but don't specify a suit at the 2-level. Bids to show full openings are legal most places, though artificial use of 1 of a major is sometimes allowed only in certain events. Almost any meaning of 1C or 1D is allowed.