Defensive method with 5-4 hands

[mikestar13]

One method I've always been interested in but never played is Max Hardy's two-suiter method:

 

1. Equal Level Conversion
2. Top and Bottom Cue Bids
3. (1♣)-2♦ and (1♦)-3♣ as showing the minor and hearts

In the last two cases the major is 4 cards or a bad 5 and the minor is longer or substantially stronger if the bidder if 5-5.

 

I've been unwilling to give up Michaels and especially the 3♣ natural WJO. But after some recent threads discussing two-suited preempts, I find myself rather less enamored with them. So for partnerships willing to give up on both Michaels and the Unusual NT an improved Hardy-like method is possible:

 

 

1. With the two highest suits, use ELC.
2. With the highest and lowest suit, cue bid.
3. With the two lowest suits, bid 2NT.

In all cases, the higher suit held is 4 cards or a bad 5 and the lower suit held is longer or substantially stronger as above. With a decent 5 cards in the higher suit, overcall in the higher suit and if not raised, bid the lower suit on the next round if expedient.

 

Comments?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cthulhu D]

Zelandakh's method here is very clever. The cues are a bit overloaded making it hard to extend, but everyone is usually in the dark.

 

http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/topic/52797-canape-overcalls/page__view__findpost__p__633114

 

The simplest way (imho) to get specific 2-suited as well as weak jump overcalls is to use a multi-2m.

 

Over 1♣

=======

2♣ = wjo in either major or strong with spades and diamonds

2♦ = wjo

2♥ = weak, both majors

2♠ = weak, spades and diamonds

2NT = weak or strong, hearts and diamonds

3♣ = strong, both majors

 

 

Over 1♦

=======

2♦ = wjo in either major or strong with spades and clubs

2♥ = weak, both majors

2♠ = weak, spades and clubs

2NT = weak or strong, hearts and clubs

3♣ = wjo

3♦ = strong, both majors

 

 

The weak 2M overcalls I play as 5+ in the suit bid and 4+ in the other but playing a 5-5 style is also fine. Your 4-4 assumed fit style looks pretty risky as an overcall!

[relknes]

I always thought it would be fun to play this scheme:

 

(1♣)-2♣ = 4+ spades with 5+ in a red suit

(1♣)-1N = 4+ hearts with 5+ diamonds

(1♦)-2♦ = 5+ clubs with a 4+ major

(1♦)-1N = 4+ spades with 5+ hearts

(1♥)-2♥ = 5+ diamonds with 4+ spades or 5+ clubs

(1♥)-1N = 4+ spades with 5+ clubs

(1♠)-2♠ = 5+ hearts with a 5+ minor

(1♠)1N = 5+ clubs with 4+ diamonds

 

The ambiguity in the cuebid will never prevent advancer from giving perfect preference if the opponents decide to try to set you. For instance, after (1♥)-2♥-(P):

 

2♠ = wants to play in spades if overcaller had diamonds and spades (overcaller passes or bids 3♣ to allow advancer to give preference between minors)

3♣ = wants to play in clubs if overcaller has diamonds and clubs, but in diamonds if overcaller has diamonds and spades

3♦ = wants to play in diamonds regardless

 

These are easier to remember than it seems: the cuebid always promises the suit below and one of the two suits above, while the 1N overcall always promises the two suits above opener's suit.

[kgr]

I play:

(1♣)-1♦/1♥=transfer

(1♣)-1♠=4c♠/5+♦

(1♣)-2♦=6c♦-intermediate

(1♣)-2M=Preemptive (intermediate when vuln against not)

(1♦)-1NT=4+♥/4+♣

(1♦)-2♣=4c♠/5+♣

(1♦)-2♦=4c♠/5+♥

(1♦)-2M=Preemptive (intermediate when vuln against not)

(1♥)-1NT=4+♦/4+♣

(1♥)-2♣=4c♠/5+♣

(1♥)-2♦=4c♠/5+♦

..

[dake50]

Jump other minor improves on Raptor 1NT:

4xH(unless 4xS over 1H) w 5+minor how?

Or do you insist 1NT natural?

Or Raptor not allowed?

[PrecisionL]

I played the Hardy Scheme for 3 years, but the bids rarely came up, certainly not as often as in his examples from a tournament.

 

Another scheme is Roman Jump Overcalls (giving up WJO).

 

See the Overcall Structure on the web. There are several write-ups.

 

http://www.fernside.com/bridge/TheOvercallStructure.html#TSOATOL

[awm]

I've played the Hardy method for a long time. My observations:

 

1. The top and bottom cues are a huge winner, and relatively frequent. It's very good to have a way to show these hands.

2. I haven't missed Michael's cues at all.

3. The 1c-2d jump works well. Having to bid 1d or 3d on hands where the field bids 2d weak is only a small loss.

4. The 1d-3c jump is really past the level of safety for 4/5 hands. Also, this leaves no bid on a weak hand with clubs. This is a lot more problematic the 1c-2d.

5. ELC is a mild loser, especially when opponents raise after the double. You have to either pass some advancer hands with the lowest suit (possibly losing when double is "normal") or risk some bad results overbidding opposite the ELC double on not much fit. The situation is worse at MP than IMPs.

 

Having said this, I find that being able to show these 4/5 hands is extremely valuable. I'd rather sacrifice Michael's cue for this than my 1nt overcall (raptor) or my major suit WJS (roman).

[mikestar13]

Thanks for the many helpful replies. My main concerns are keeping WJO's and (gasp!) GCC legality. Raptor is legal and worth a try but I will need some experience to evaluate the tradeoffs. 4-4 assumed fit was never in the picture for me, I assumed at least 5-4, and it's reasonable to insist on 5-5 on minor two-suiters. Virtually any use of the cuebid is legal. Avoiding the use of ELC would be a plus, but using it is not a deal-breaker. I would be willing but reluctant to sacrifice the 2♦ WJO but absolutely must keep the 3♣ WJO. I will carefully examine the suggestions with my constraints in mind, and would give due consideration to any other suggestions which may be forthcoming. Thanks again to all for the fine discussion of this topic.