Do you ever interfere over a strong 2C opening?

[22tango2]

What do the experts think? Do you interfere after opps open a strong 2C? What criteria do you use? Does this open fairly often or rarely?

[johnu]

What do the experts think? Do you interfere after opps open a strong 2C? What criteria do you use? Does this open fairly often or rarely?

 

Didn't you like the answers you got in this thread in the intermediate and advanced forum:

 

https://www.bridgebase.com/forums/topic/80530-do-you-ever-interfere-over-a-strong-2c-opener/

 

or are you assuming that posters in the other thread weren't experts?

[pescetom]

or are you assuming that posters in the other thread weren't experts?

 

I'm not, but Mikeh certainly is, and I thought it showed in his post B-)

[miamijd]

Interference is more effective over a strong 2C than just about any other opening, because responder has no idea what sort of hand his partner has, and now there is less room to describe things. The same holds true over a Precision 1C opener (especially if you can get the bidding up a bit quickly).

 

This is especially true when you can prevent the opener from making the most common rebid -- 2NT. If you can get the bidding to the three-level, then if opener has the balanced NT hand (by far the most common 2C opener), all his systems are out the window.

 

Moreover, it's difficult for the opponents to double you. Most pairs play X over interference as a bust and pass as waiting. If responder Xs, opener can't very well leave it in unless he has a stack in your suit (very rare). If responder passes and opener has a one-suiter, he'll bid his suit. If opener has the balanced NT hand, he'll be forced to bid NT (responder will never be able to do so). With a two- or three-suiter, opener probably reopens with a X, but these hands don't open 2C that often, and even if opener Xs, responder probably won't leave it. Bottom line is that it will be a rare day in Hades that the opponents can wield the hammer.

 

There are two main hand types where you want to bid. One is the sort of hand where you would have opened 3x or 4x. If you would have preempted in first seat, do so after 2C. Even stretch a little if you have to.

 

The other is a hand where you are two-suited. There are many conventions to address this, but I like CRASH, which stands for Color / Rank / SHape. It was designed to work vs. a strong 1C opener, but it works well over a strong 2C, too. It's really effective if advancer can go to the three level immediately.

 

Suction, Reverse Suction, and TWERB are also very playable.

 

Whatever you choose, get in there are fight!

 

Cheers,

Mike

[PhilG007]

What do the experts think? Do you interfere after opps open a strong 2C? What criteria do you use? Does this open fairly often or rarely?

 

Speaking for myself the short answer is "Yes I do" If I have something to say. If I have a good suit to show

partly to compete and hinder the opponents bidding and partly to direct a lead from partner.

My decision is even more influenced when the suit in question is spades. The pre-emptive nature

of the emperor suit gives me an advantage that must be exploited to the full

You hold ♠AQJ9876 ♥xx ♦xx♣Qx and 2♣ is opened on your right.

Only a coward would pass with that hand Non vul i Overcall 3♠ Vul I overcall 2♠

[vreemde]

The ACBL allows Suction vs strong club openings, and it is the best method I've seen. My pard & I try to use it at matchpoints nonvul with moderate shape or vulnerable with extreme shape.

 

Over 2c, 2d shows either hearts or the blacks, 2h shows either spades or the minors, 2s shows either clubs or the reds, 2n shows clubs and hearts, 3c shows diamonds and spades. Vert destructive at little cost when used judiciously.

 

Similar structure over Precision 1c.

[Bob McC]

All of what miamijd said.

 

I've regretted being too timid way more often than being too aggressive in this situation.

[croquetfan]

TWERB really works well in this situation. In club level play it's rare to encounter a penalty double as opps "know" they have a contract, often getting too high.