Double multi and strong 2M

[Kungsgeten]

I played against a team recently which played the following two level openings:

 

2C = 10--13 with 6+M or natural strong or 22+ balanced

2D = 6--9 with 6+M or natural strong

2M = Natural strong

2NT = 20--21

 

Perhaps they but a strong balanced variant in 2D too, I can not remember. Have anyone seen something like this before?

[straube]

Sounds like they want their strong two diamond hands to declare and they want partner's hand to declare weak two heart hands. Haven't seen it before, but I don't think it's worth entangling the 2C and 2D openings.

[whereagles]

Never seen it.

[Siegmund]

Haven't seen this particular variation, but the general idea is related to 'Rubin Two-Bids.' They didn't try to cover two different weak ranges, but were just 2C=weak diamonds, or various strong meanings, 2D=weak hearts, or various strong meanings, 2S=weak spades, or various strong meanings.

[straube]

If they want to have two 6M ranges, how about just

 

2C-strong, not diamonds (possibly 22-23 bal?)

2D-6-9M or strong natural (or 24+ bal?)

2H-10-13 natural

2S-10-13 natural

 

I suppose then 1M-1N, 2M is 14-17 or so

 

At least 2C is always strong.

[Zelandakh]

If they want to have two 6M ranges, how about just

I had precisely the same thought and think this is an obvious improvement. This is a little bit like the difference between reverse Benji 2s and Strong 2Ms + multi.

[Kungsgeten]

If they want to have two 6M ranges, how about just

 

2C-strong, not diamonds (possibly 22-23 bal?)

2D-6-9M or strong natural (or 24+ bal?)

2H-10-13 natural

2S-10-13 natural

 

Yes, this is a very common treatment in Sweden. I'll have to ask them if I play against them again. I played strong twos with a lady on a couple of competitions, but only got to use it once (and according to her my 18 count with nice distribution was not enough), so I haven't had that much experience with them. I guess they're better (than opening 2C) if the opponents decide to interfere, but on the other hand they're rare. My guess is that these guys just like multis. Perhaps they use some kind of responses after their 2C so that responder can show more hands (like 2D waiting, 2H semi-positive, 2S+ transfers)..

[Kungsgeten]

And while on the subject of double multis I've toyed with some ideas where both 2C and 2D are overloaded and 2M is used as 10--13. I tried to fit all GF hands, 20+ balanced, weak twos in diamonds, hearts, spades, intermediate 10--13 in the majors and all weak 5-5 two-suiters (most will have to play at the 3-level) in the 2-level opening structure. In practice I think it would be unplayable, and hard to further the preempt (you just have to settle for removing the 1-level).

 

It looked like this:

 

2M opening = 10--13

 

2NT opening = 22--24

 

2C opening

 

a) GF with a major as the longest suit

b) 20--21 balanced

c) 25+ balanced

d) Weak with diamonds

e) Weak with spades

f) Weak with 5-5 hearts and a minor

 

2D is waiting and non-forcing, 2H is an aritifical force.

 

2C--2D;

pass = Weak with diamonds

2H = Kokish relay, but may be weak in spades (intending to pass the relay)

2S = GF with spades

2NT = 20--21 balanced

3m = Weak with hearts and the minor

 

2C--2H;

2S = Weak with spades or diamonds, then 2NT asks for more information

2NT = Strong

3m = Weak with hearts and the minor

3M = Natural strong (may choose 2NT instead)

 

 

2D opening

 

a) GF with a minor as the longest suit

b) Weak with hearts

c) Weak with spades and a minor

d) Weak with 5-5 in the majors or the minors

 

Now the 2H response is non-forcing and the 2S response is forcing.

 

2D--2H;

pass = Weak with hearts

2S = Weak with spades and a minor

2NT = Weak with the minors or the majors

3m = Strong

 

2D--2S;

2NT = 5-5 minors or majors

3C = Weak with hearts, now 3D asks min/max

3D = Spades and diamonds, min/max (3H asks)

3H = Spades and clubs, max

3S = Spades and clubs, min