Midchart defenses

[straube]

So we're preparing for the Grand National Teams and we have to submit our Midchart agreements and suggest defenses. It's pretty obvious that...

 

1S-2D (showing hearts) needs a defense...

.....dbl-takeout or big hand?

.....2H-5+C/4+D

.....2S-5+D/4+C

.....2N-5+D/5+C

 

1S-2H (good raise)

.....dbl-takeout of spades

.....2S-Michaels

 

but are the following Midchart and if so, what defense should we propose? Our 1D is artificial and promises no diamonds....

 

1D* (1H) 1S shows diamonds

1D (1H) 1N shows 5+ spades

1D (1H) 2D shows clubs

 

1H (1S) 1N shows clubs

1H (1S) 2D shows a good heart raise

 

I'm thinking of suggesting that their double should be takeout so that...

 

1D (1H) 1S dbl is responsive showing spades and clubs

1D (1H) 1N dbl is responsive showing minors

1D (1H) 2D dbl is responsive showing spades and diamonds

 

1H (1S) 1N dbl shows whatever their double ordinarily does after three suits have been bid

1H (1S) 2D dbl is responsive showing minors

 

So are these Midchart?

[PrecisionL]

 

but are the following Midchart and if so, what defense should we propose? Our 1D is artificial and promises no diamonds....

 

1D* (1H) 1S shows diamonds

1D (1H) 1N shows 5+ spades

1D (1H) 2D shows clubs

 

1H (1S) 1N shows clubs

1H (1S) 2D shows a good heart raise

 

So are these Midchart?

 

Yes, these are all Midchart. I have no idea what defenses you should propose.

[awm]

They are mid-chart, although there is some fuzziness about the competitive ones.

 

However, none require a defense. If you read the mid-chart, defenses are only required for methods not authorized by #1-#5, one of which is allowing all constructive responses and rebids. Further, there is never a time when ACBL asks you to provide opponents with your own written defense; those methods requiring a defense require the official ACBL defense.

[straube]

That makes a lot of sense because if the ACBL relied on folks to suggest defenses to their own Midchart agreements, they may not arrive at optimal defenses.

[Phil]

Adam's right. I think you'll create more problems for yourself by inventing your own defenses when you don't have to provide any in the first place.