Defense against Moscito

[semeai]

Thanks for the history.

 

Shortly after the single transfer opening defense was approved, the C&C Committee put a moratorium on new methods. I followed the minutes of the C&C Committee for a couple of years after this. At some point, the C&C Committee removed some methods that had been approved and this was one of the casualties. I received no notice (and in fact the defense remained online for about a year after the Committee revoked the approval).

 

It's still there: ACBL Defense Database

 

As Richard states, the Committee was never going to approve any defense to a MOSCITO style transfer opening (I was cc'ed on some e-mails that may have been intended for Committee members only that made their views clear). How close they were going to get was never ascertained because they dragged their feet and then instituted the moratorium. They effectively waited until I got bored.

 

I did once have a real desire to play a method where one of the minor suit openings showed exactly 4 spades, not quite a transfer opening, but something for which a defense to a transfer opening could have been easily adapted. Alas, I never put the method into play because of the resistance I knew I would receive from the C&C Committee.

And, I feel like the Committee members would put up a small cheer if they heard this.

 

Very sad.

 

For this last method, though, isn't a 1m bid showing spades even GCC legal? The GCC allows "all-purpose" "artificial or natural" 1m bids. I suppose showing 4 spades exactly doesn't fit the description of "all purpose"?

[TimG]

Thanks for the history.

 

 

 

It's still there: ACBL Defense Database

 

They did thank me for letting them know when I informed them it was still there in error. . .

 

Very sad.

 

For this last method, though, isn't a 1m bid showing spades even GCC legal? The GCC allows "all-purpose" "artificial or natural" 1m bids. I suppose showing 4 spades exactly doesn't fit the description of "all purpose"?

Yes, this 1m opening would be "single purpose" or some such rather than "all purpose". Even if technically a 1m opening could be used to show exactly four spades, it would be counter to the spirit or intention of the GCC. And, although I am not above breaking rules to make a point, it didn't seem worthwhile in this case.

[32519]

Those forum members looking for a more in-your-face defence to MOSCITO, need to read this thread as well. The thread that you are currently reading contains most of the crap. The other thread contains plenty of significant improvements to what you are currently reading. Two requests have been made to merge the 2 threads into 1.

[manudude03]

Who decided that my 2♦ bid needs to be 5/5? The definition says “a hand willing to bid to level 3.” What is stopping me from setting a trap for the MOSCITO players?

 

Back to BBO’s deal generator, this interesting hand was dealt:

 

West has a 7-card ♦ suit and openers ♠ suit covered from every conceivable angle. Out comes the 2♦ bid from West over Souths 1♥ bid, alerted as a 2-suited hand willing to compete to level 3. Whatever North does N/S are DOOM(ed). Count how many tricks you are down. West is going to X a possible 4♠ contract for penalties (pulling 4♠ to 4NT would show a hand looking to sacrifice). East sitting with a singleton ♠ may be the only person who knows what is going on.

 

[hv=pc=n&s=skj97ha92d54ckj86&w=saqt2hdkqt9862c52&n=s8653hqj754da3cqt&e=s4hkt863dj7ca9743&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=1h(4+%20Spades)2d(2-suited%20hand)]399|300[/hv]

 

I wonder if you even considered what would happen if West played a natural 2D overcall. I don't see N/S's bidding change at all, AND it is much easier to penalise.

 

Also, if it was just a 5/5 hand with a double fit, you could easily be defending 4S undoubled while cold for slam! (give West xx AQxxx AKxxx x, is that really a 4N bid if they launch it into 4S?

[glen]

I wonder if you even considered what would happen if West played a natural 2D overcall ...

This is terrible, using natural bidding over artificial openings in the non-natural forum. To answer your question, I don't think he considered it because there doesn't seem to be any reference to trying to bid the hands with, gasp, natural bidding.

 

Generally, the simple and effective approaches to defending Moscito were already given (natural bidding, including a bid of the major). However complex methods can be more effective, but they would involve trap passing with opener's major. The reason they are complex is that a whole slew of sequences need to be discussed, including 1red-pass-pass-? (what fourth hand needs to reopen with to protect against a trap pass), and 1red-pass-2M-pass-pass-X, and 1red-pass-1NT-pass-2m-X. An example would be:

pass: no good bid or 5 or longer in opener's major with values

X: balanced or quasi-balanced, opening bid values, only range for 1NT overcall if without a stopper

1M: like a takeout double of 1M, never balanced, can be light

rest: as over a natural 1M opening, mostly natural!

[mrdct]

As a practical matter, if anyone ever offers you a handful of magic beans in exchange for a cow, don't do it!

(Its a scam)

Hang on, in the only documented instance where that transaction took place it actually worked out very well for the recipient of the magic beans when he scored a hen that lays golden eggs!