2NT weak 5-5 major + minor

[Kungsgeten]

Has anyone of you tried using a 2NT opening as preemptive 5-5 with a major and a minor? So in total four combinations. If so, what's your experience and what continuations did you use?

 

Inspired by Glen Ashton's Polar Club system me and partner has been thinking of using a Mexican 2♦ (18--20 NT) in our Swedish Club system. 21+ NT hands will be handled by the 1C opening, and thus our 2NT opening will be free for preemptive purposes (previously we used 2NT as 20--21 NT). Non-vulnerable we're trying out 2H and 2S as in the Big Bang system (2H weak 5-4 majors, 2S weak 5-4 minors). Because of this we're thinking of using 2NT as weak with 5-5 major + minor. When vulnerable we use weak twos and 2NT will be 8--11 with 5-5 majors or minors.

 

My ideas so far:

 

2NT---

3C = Pass/correct

3D = Forcing, invitational+

3M = Pass/correct

3NT = To play

Higher = Not sure, but perhaps pass/correct here too?

 

2NT--3D;

3M = Natural minimum

3NT = Max with hearts (4C asks minor)

4m = Max with spades + minor

 

I know this opening is Brown Sticker and illegal in many places, but not here.

[Zelandakh]

Could you nt move the 18-20 point hands into 1♣, the 21-22 hands into 2NT and play Wilkosz?

[Kungsgeten]

That's basically what we do right now. Now we play 1NT as 14-16, 2NT as 20-21 and 17-19 NT is handled by 1♣. When non-vulnerable our 2♦ show 5M and 4+m or a bad 6 card major, so not Polish. When vulnerable we play natural weak twos. The reason for removing the "minimum strong NT" from 1♣ is to get better constructive bidding after 1♣, but also to make it a bit less awkward when opponents interfere (since 17+ "have to act" when they interfere, and I think removing 17-20 NT will help).

[Free]

That's basically what we do right now. Now we play 1NT as 14-16, 2NT as 20-21 and 17-19 NT is handled by 1♣. When non-vulnerable our 2♦ show 5M and 4+m or a bad 6 card major, so not Polish. When vulnerable we play natural weak twos. The reason for removing the "minimum strong NT" from 1♣ is to get better constructive bidding after 1♣, but also to make it a bit less awkward when opponents interfere (since 17+ "have to act" when they interfere, and I think removing 17-20 NT will help).

Wow that 2♦ is way too overloaded!

[Kungsgeten]

Yes, 2D is very frequent. We're treating it as a five card multi. We can not find out opener's minor unless we have GF values. We're only using it when non-vulnerable. So far the result has been okay.

 

After 2D we use 2M as p/c, but it may be inv if partner holds the other major. 2NT is a puppet to 3C, either to play there or inv with a major of our own or a GF with a suit of our own. 3C is GF and responder transfers to a five card major (then accepting the transfer asks for minor) and bids the step above their major with a bad six card suit. 3D is inv with support for both majors. 3M p/c, 4m asks for major (transfer/bid) and 4M is to play.

[benlessard]

We use 2NT as a 3m preempt weakish or 5-5 in Majors 3-4 losers.

 

3m is a good preempt. it not great but I like it, opening 3m instead of 1m is where the biggest gains are.

[Kungsgeten]

How do you define your bad preempts vs your good preempts Ben? I guess that 3m is a good preempt?

 

From your Chapi 8 FD at http://bridge.downagain.be/FD/main.php?vul=9&dealer=9&system=s2ftdw1w63o it seems that 2NT was only weak preempt in minor, and that opener did not have any forcing bids over this.

[benlessard]

The rule is 3m keep 3nt in the picture even facing a passed hand.

 

2NT is a serious warn against 3NT.

 

Of course vul we are not crazy and 2NT vul is still a decent hand but its one where we might not like our chances in 3NT.

3m vul is basically a hand that many will open 1m.

 

Over 3C i like to play 3M = 6 card suit and 3D ask for 3M (Rosenkraz)

A jump to 4M is asking for a control and keycards at the same time.

 

over 2NT-- 3C,3D,4C,5C are pass or correct. 4D & 4NT should be slammish but they never happen.

 

Im the type of player who like to double so I dont like to have no defense in my 1 level openings.

 

Weve change 2NT-3M to be forcing but it never happened i think. I think when the preempt is very weak new suit not forcing is not that a bad idea but its a bit pointless at the same time.

 

2nt with a weak preempt in unknown minor is midchart, add the 5-5 in the Majors and its not.

[Kungsgeten]

I wonder if it is possible to play 2NT as a preempt in any suit. Perhaps a bad preempt in a minor or a good preempt in a major. That way all 3X openings become better defined. The main downside I guess is that it'll be very hard to take the preempt further.

[benlessard]

I feel that in close call you can raise 3M to 4M and pray. Either 3M was going down or 4M is going to have decent odds.

 

But with a long minor if the suit is crappy 3NT will have no play while 3m may have some chances. S oi feel the positive from good or bad is more important in the minors than in a major.

 

But its not 100% clear.