Red Flash "Multi"

[Kungsgeten]

Some like to play 2H as a preempt in hearts or spades (Wagner 2D, but bids 2H instead). The convention is sometimes called Major Flash.

 

Have someone tried to do something similar with a 2D opening, where 2D shows a weak two in diamonds or a weak two in hearts? I have actually seen 2D as a weak two in hearts, spades or diamonds, but not just the "one of the reds" version. The full two level could be:

 

2C = Whatever you need 2C for

2D = Weak two in diamonds or hearts

2H = Weak with both majors (Ekrens)

2S = Weak

 

If playing a system where 2C is strong, one could use Glen's idea of 2C as strong/weak diamonds/weak spades to get good/bad weak twos in hearts, diamonds and spades :)

 

2C = Strong / 8-11 with 6 diamonds / 0-7 with 6 spades

2D = 0-7 with 6 diamonds or 6 hearts

2M = Good weak two (8-11)

[Phil]

A few years ago it was popular to play a 2♥ opening as hearts or spades.

[ulven]

Yes, I played this for a couple of years in the 90's. About break-even when having H, good success rate when having D.

[newroad]

Hi Kungsgeten.

 

Short answer - no.

 

Slightly longer answer - those who I have seen try to do this and similar need to be particularly honest with themselves and then fully disclose (the actual style) to the opponents.

 

Longest answer - I played something similar and even more expansive, back in the 90's (like Ulf). I would still play it today with the right partner and system, I would have to check the notes, but in short believe it was something like ...

 

• 2NT: Sound ♠ pre-empt or aggressive ♣ pre-empt
  
• 3♣: Sound ♣ pre-empt or aggressive ♦ pre-empt
  
• 3♦: Sound ♦ pre-empt or aggressive ♥ pre-empt
  
• 3♥: Sound ♥ pre-empt or aggressive ♠ pre-empt
  

Clearly, 3♦ has similarities to your proposed 2♦ use.

 

Playing such a style, especially if combined with a light/weak opening system (meaning you can choose to pre-empt only at the three level with "pure" values) markedly improves the accuracy of high level bidding - in particular whether to sacrifice or not.

 

Regards, Newroad

[nullve]

• 2NT: Sound ♠ pre-empt or aggressive ♣ pre-empt
  
• 3♣: Sound ♣ pre-empt or aggressive ♦ pre-empt
  
• 3♦: Sound ♦ pre-empt or aggressive ♥ pre-empt
  
• 3♥: Sound ♥ pre-empt or aggressive ♠ pre-empt
  

Recently I've been toying with something similar against 2-level preempts, e.g.

 

(2♠)-?:

 

X = takeout, but 15-17 or 21+ (instead of 18/19+) if bal. without tolerance for all unbid suits

2N = bad C overcall / 18-20 bal.

3♣ = good C overcall / bad D overcall

3♦ = good D overcall / bad H overcall

3♥ = good H overcall / ?

(....),

 

which makes the overcall ranges more manageable as long as Advancer can cope with not knowing partner's suit with absolute certainty to begin with.

Edited December 12, 2016 by nullve

[newroad]

Hi Nullve,

 

Interesting - I haven't (and wouldn't have) considered using the technique in that situation.

 

My instinct is that it wouldn't be advisable. When WE open with the (two-way) pre-empt, our responder is arguably the best placed person at the table to know the possibilities on the deal, and therefore to take a view if needed (by, say, passing at risk). Further, the opposition are relatively inclined to come in on marginal hands, for fear of being locked out - which typically helps us (especially if a DBL).

 

Conversely, if THEY open a pre-empt, the same applies to their responder ("in spades", as their pre-empt is not two-way usually). When we overcall such a two-suiter, their responder will have minimal incentive to come in on marginal hands and perhaps clarify the situation for us. Hence, the guessing burden is likely to fall most heavily on our advancer.

 

Regards, Newroad

[helene_t]

There was once an English pair figuring in Bridge World bidding contest who played red flash, one of them was called Hidgins or something like that I think. Just tried to look them up but I can't find them.

 

Edit: Robin beat me, it was indeed Liggins. Do you know who his partner was? It's about nine years ago.

[RMB1]

Glyn Liggins

[Kungsgeten]

Haha, I didn't realize that this was on Chris Ryall's page and that he calls it Red Flash :) I just decided to refer to it as Red Flash since it shows one of the red suits, since 2H as one of the majors is called Major Flash.