1S present at the table

[SteveMoe]

Meckwell is an interesting description of that double - last time I saw their CC they were playing Mathe; but I guess you mean their 1NT defence. There may be even more 1♣ defences out there than 1NT defences!

 

Yes - reference ot the 1NT Defense - a memory aid for us - note the 2-level bids are Meckwell too.

 

Here's another approach I like but takes a bit more memory. Played with Norm Coombs, one of Cincinnati's GLMs:

 

Coombs Crash Defense against a Strong 1♣, 1♣– 1♦ and artificial 1♦opening.

Basically Crash at the one level with bad hands < 1 ½ defensive tricks, ≤ 2 tricks vulnerable. 1NT for 1- suited hands when available. Brozel at the 2 level plus double with good hands ≥1 ½ defensive tricks ( >2 tricks vulnerable). Brozel bids relatively sound though maybe 5-4. Crash bids not so sound promise 3+ in second suit, maybe 6-3, even 4-3, slightly more reasonable vulnerable or equal vulnerability. Agreed to avoid penalty double when vulnerable.

 

1♣ - X shows good hand with ♣s and ♠s. responder takes preferance at the level he wishes to compete to.

1♣ - 1♦ limited hand 2 suits of the same color. May be 6-3 even 4-3 NV, 4-4+ vul. Responder takes preference at the level he wishes to compete to allowing to correct to other pair.

1♣ - 1♥ limited hand 2 suits of the same rank. 1 ½ or less defensive tricks NV. Responder takes preference at the level he wishes to compete to allowing to correct to other pair.

1♣ - 1♠ limited hand 2 suits of the same shape. > 2 defensive tricks vul. Responder takes preference at the level he wishes to compete to allowing to correct to other pair.

1♣ - 1N shows one suited hand any hand strength.

1♣ - 2♣ shows ♣s and ♥s. Brozel bids are sounder.

1♣ - 2♦ shows ♦s and ♥s. 1 ½ defensive tricks not vulnerable.

1♣ - 2♥ shows ♥s and ♠s. more than 2 defensive tricks vulnerable.

1♣ - 2♠ shows ♠s and ♦s. 5-4 or better in suits.

1♣ - 2NT shows ♣s and ♦s. some slight discretion both white.

 

1♣ - P – 1♦ - X shows good hand with ♣s and ♠s. responder takes preference at the level he wishes to compete to.

1♣ – P – 1♦ -1♥ limited hand 2 suits of the same color. May be 6-3 even 4-3 NV, 4-4+ vul. Responder takes preference at the level he wishes to compete to allowing to correct to other pair.

1♣ – P – 1♦ - 1♠ limited hand 2 suits of the same rank. 1 ½ or less defensive tricks NV. Responder takes preference at the level he wishes to compete to allowing to correct to other pair.

1♣ – P – 1♦ - 1NT limited hand 2 suits of the same shape. > 2 defensive tricks vul. Responder takes preference at the level he wishes to compete to allowing to correct to other pair.

1♣ – P – 1♦ - 2♣ shows ♣s and ♥s. Brozel bids are sounder.

1♣ – P – 1♦ - 2♦ shows ♦s and ♥s. 1 ½ defensive tricks not vulnerable.

1♣ – P – 1♦ - 2♥ shows ♥s and ♠s. more than 2 defensive tricks vulnerable.

1♣ – P – 1♦ - 2♠ shows ♠s and ♦s. 5-4 or better in suits.

1♣ – P – 1♦ - 2NT shows ♣s and ♦s. some slight discretion both white.

 

1♦ - X shows good hand with ♣s and ♠s. responder takes preference at the level he wishes to compete to.

1♦ – 1♥ limited hand 2 suits of the same color. May be 6-3 even 4-3 NV, 4-4+ vul. Responder takes preference at the level he wishes to compete to allowing to correct to other pair.

1♦ – 1♠ limited hand 2 suits of the same rank. 1 ½ or less defensive tricks NV. Responder takes preference at the level he wishes to compete to allowing to correct to other pair.

1♦ – 1NT limited hand 2 suits of the same shape. More than 2 defensive tricks vul. Responder takes preference at the level he wishes to compete to allowing to correct to other pair.

1♦ – 2♣ shows ♣s and ♥s. Brozel bids are sounder.

1♦ – 2♦ shows ♦s and ♥s. 1 ½ defensive tricks not vulnerable.

1♦ – 2♥ shows ♥s and ♠s. more than 2 defensive tricks vulnerable.

1♦ – 2♠ shows ]spades]s and ♦s. 5-4 or better in suits.

1♦ – 2NT shows ♣s and ♦s. some slight discretion both white.

[kayin801]

Many years ago I played the following:

Pass = 4+ spades

1S = 0-3 spades

Rest = whatever you want, can have any numner of spades

 

This way you can overcall 1S a lot. Biggest problem is when you're V and don't have 4+ spades ofcourse ;)

 

Maybe you could frequently psyche the pass while vul or just alert it as "pass shows 4+♠ or a hand that doesn't want to bid" ;P

[Quantumcat]

Maybe you could frequently psyche the pass while vul or just alert it as "pass shows 4+♠ or a hand that doesn't want to bid" ;P

The only problem is when your partner has a lot of spades - they'd love to bid 4♠, but are they going to find a good dummy with four or five spades, or a bad hand without many spades? These hands are very different to each other!