System Revision?

[relknes]

So far, the strong club system that my partner and I have been working on has tried to make the 1♣-1♦-1M auctions mirror our 1M opening auctions. For instance, after 1♥ (showing 5+ hearts, 10-15 HCP, and 5-8 losers) responses would be:

 

1♠: 4+ spades, 8+ points (or a good 7)

1N: 10-13, 0-2 hearts, 0-3 spades

2m: 4+, GF values

2♥: 3+ support, 6-9 HCP or the ability to cover 2-3 losers (so a hand like a side singleton and an outside ace would qualify)

JS: mini-splinter, singleton with 10+ working HCP and trump support

2N: GF with good trump support, but no singleton or void

3♥: limit raise, no singleton or void

 

And after 1♣-1♦-1♥ (showing 16-~21 HCP, possibly an upgraded hand with 4 losers, 5+ unless 4441 shape) the responses would be:

 

1♠: 4+ spades, 5+ points

1N: 5-6 points, 0-2 hearts, 0-3 spades

2m: 4+, 7-8 points

2♥: 3+ support, 3-6 HCP or the ability to cover 1-2 losers (so a hand with nothing but a side singleton would qualify)

JS: mini-splinter, singleton with 4+ working HCP and trump support

2N: 7-8 points with good trump support, but no singleton or void

3♥: preemptive

 

So any sequence that was GF now shows ~7-8 points (or a hand that upgrades to that strength).

I am, however, concerned about the mini-splinters. I am basing the numbers around the assumption that the strong club opener should have a 6 loser or stronger hand: thus, if my hand can cover 2 losers we are safe at the 3 level (analogous to splintering oposite a 8 loser or stronger hand when you figure you can cover at least 4 losers with your 10 HCP and a singleton)

 

We did this for simplicity, but I am not sure that they are analogous because opener could have only 4 hearts. Then again, I hate to add a whole lot of complexity just to cater to the occasional 4441 hand...

What do people think? should I redesign these sequences completely, or just make slight tweaks (such as requiring 4 card support for the mini-splinters)?

 

Thanks in advance.

[straube]

I think a 1M bid should be forcing (whatever its meaning) or opener will have to jump around to force.

 

Also there's a big difference between 1H-2C which shows clubs and is forcing and...1C-1D, 1H-2C which shows clubs and is not forcing. I think you'll have a narrow target for responding hands that really want to offer to play 2m. They probably would have to promise a 6-cd suit.

 

I'd try something like Meckwell or TOSR.

[rbforster]

You don't need preemptive 3M jumps on the second round of the auction either.