Interference over a strong club

[Cyberyeti]

I play strong club once a year, so am looking not necessarily for the best methods, but something simple and workable. Weak NT if it matters.

 

What do people recommend over:

 

1♣-(1M)-

1♣-(2♣)-

 

and over 3/4 level stuff ?

 

Problems we faced:

 

10xxxxx, void, xx, QJxxx 1♣(16+)-(4♥)-?

 

KJ10xx, 9xxx, Jx, J9 1♣(16+)-(2♣nat)-X(any 5-8 or stronger if ToX shape)-P-2N(16-18)-P-?

[PrecisionL]

Simple continuations: pass with 0-5 hcp, double with 6+ hcp and show a natural suit with Hxxxx and 6+ hcp. Bids at the 3-level are forcing to game.

[Cyberyeti]

Simple continuations: pass with 0-5 hcp, double with 6+ hcp and show a natural suit with Hxxxx and 6+ hcp. Bids at the 3-level are forcing to game.

 

So:[hv=pc=n&s=s82hakq2da743ca52&n=skjt63h9653dj5cj9&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=1c(16%2B)2c(nat)2sp2n(16-18%20bal)ppp]266|200[/hv]

 

Seems to get us into the same hole we got into by ourselves, opening leader has ♣KQ10xxx and ♠A, -1 with 3♥ cold and 4♥ demanding smart defence to beat.

[ldrews]

So:[hv=pc=n&s=s82hakq2da743ca52&n=skjt63h9653dj5cj9&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=1c(16%2B)2c(nat)2sp2n(16-18%20bal)ppp]266|200[/hv]

 

Seems to get us into the same hole we got into by ourselves, opening leader has ♣KQ10xxx and ♠A, -1 with 3♥ cold and 4♥ demanding smart defence to beat.

 

In the version of Precision Club that I play, LD Precision Club, responder would pass with <8 hcp. If the Advancer passes, then opener bids a balancing double. If responder has clubs he passes converting double to penalty, otherwise bids best suit, in this case Spades. Opener, aware that responder has < 8 hcp, passes.

 

In LD Precision Club, responses after interference to 1C open are:

1. <8 hcp, Pass
   
2. 8-11 hcp, Double
   
3. 12+ hcp, natural bid
   

 

We use this through the 2 level.

[straube]

If 2S is nf then why rebid 2N?Just pass 2S! 2N should be forcing, whatever meaning you assign it because this bid is too valuable to dead end.

 

Many here (awm being an advocate) use transfers at the two level. After 2C interference 2S would be gf with diamonds. Using transfers, dbl is takeout, so responder has to decide between dbl or 2H as a transfer. On this hand a double works best and you probably play 2H. On other deals a transfer would do better, often resulting in a 2S contract.

[nige1]

I play strong club once a year, so am looking not necessarily for the best methods, but something simple and workable. Weak NT if it matters.

What do people recommend over:

1♣-(1M)-

1♣-(2♣)-

and over 3/4 level stuff ?

Problems we faced:

10xxxxx, void, xx, QJxxx 1♣(16+)-(4♥)-?

KJ10xx, 9xxx, Jx, J9 1♣(16+)-(2♣nat)-X(any 5-8 or stronger if ToX shape)-P-2N(16-18)-P-?

High-level interference is a pain but you can virtually ignore low level interference (Double 1♦ 1♥) -- defining meanings for (re)double and pass.

To counter overcalls from 1♠ upwards there are traditional treatments:

• Pass = 0-4 or overcall suit.
• Double = 5-8.
• Notrump = NAT 8+ with stop.
• Suit bids = NAT 8+ 5+ suit.
• Cue - depends on meaning of overcall.

[Cyberyeti]

If 2S is nf then why rebid 2N?Just pass 2S! 2N should be forcing, whatever meaning you assign it because this bid is too valuable to dead end.

 

Many here (awm being an advocate) use transfers at the two level. After 2C interference 2S would be gf with diamonds. Using transfers, dbl is takeout, so responder has to decide between dbl or 2H as a transfer. On this hand a double works best and you probably play 2H. On other deals a transfer would do better, often resulting in a 2S contract.

 

2♠ is forcing. I suspect if I was in a regular partnership we would use transfers, for a once a year partnership we keep it pretty simple and natural.

[PrecisionL]

So:[hv=pc=n&s=s82hakq2da743ca52&n=skjt63h9653dj5cj9&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=1c(16%2B)2c(nat)2sp2n(16-18%20bal)ppp]266|200[/hv]

 

Seems to get us into the same hole we got into by ourselves, opening leader has ♣KQ10xxx and ♠A, -1 with 3♥ cold and 4♥ demanding smart defence to beat.

 

Since partner has two places to play, maybe he should double for takeout?

[Cyberyeti]

Since partner has two places to play, maybe he should double for takeout?

 

Fine on this hand, but if the clubber is 3-2 or 3-3 in the majors you're unlikely to persuade him you have KJxxx spades having failed to bid them

[awm]

This is really a problem of playing free bids which are forcing but don’t promise a second call. For example in standard bidding:

 

1D-2C and responder has:

 

KJTxx

Axxx

xx

Kx

 

If you bid 2S, partner may rebid 2NT with 2443 and you miss a heart fit. If you double you may never convince partner you have five spades. If you bid 2S and then rebid hearts you reach a lot of 23 HCP games with no fit. No option is great.

 

In general I think it’s better to either double (hope for a 4cM) or just game force (hope partner is a little better than min, or that the 23 HCP game happens to make).