Modern Moscito limit openings

[shevek]

As you may - or may not - know, I don't much like the modern Moscito opening structure.

 

Last century, the limit openings denied one or both majors.

This avoided leakage, from responder not needing to search for a non-existent fit.

Responder could also diagnose the opponents major fit, maybe even psyche in it.

It allowed opener to use bids in the denied major in various ways.

 

That all seems to have been lost in modern incarnations.

 

Nowadays (correct me if I'm wrong) I'm expected to opened 2♣ with

 

♠xx ♥QJxx ♦x ♣AKxxxx

 

but paradoxically open 1♠ (diamonds) if we swap the red suits.

 

Seems weird in a "major-oriented" style. Prefer to show hearts, then bid 3♣. (And surely open 2♣ with 2-1-4-6)

Responder to 2♣ (or 1♠) shouldn't have to worry about the rare 4-4 major fit, which costs time and presumably steps.

 

♠Axxx ♥AKxx ♦xxx ♣xx

 

looks like a 1♦ (hearts) opening, but No. Am I supposed to throw this in with the 11-14 1NT? Is that right?

Apart from suppressing both majors, this requires responder to make a revealing search for a 4-4 fit.

 

We think the denied major is under-appreciated. Our opening structure focusses on majors, old-school:

1♦ = spades, ♥ = hearts, 1♠ = both, 1NT and above deny a major

 

1♦ (♠s) - 1♥/NT

2♥

 

we play as a max with 6♠s or 5-5.

 

♠xx ♥KTxx ♦QJxx ♣xxx

 

seems is an easy jump raise of a heart opening that denies 4♠s, etc.

 

1♦- (3♦) - X - (no)

3♥

 

Good to be able to bid this with 5-3-2-3 or similar.

 

 

Is it okay to post the following link?

 

https://masterpointpress.com/pages/bookinfo.php?prod=776&cat=142

[hrothgar]

Few quick points:

 

1. As I understand, holding a six card minor and four card major, you have the option to chose whether to show your major or your minor

 

The auction

 

2♣ - 2♦ - 2M shows the 6-4 pattern, as does

1♠ - 1N - 2M

 

For me, the current rule of thumb is that I don't show a major with Jxxx or worse, however, you can draw this line where ever you want.

 

2. You are quite correct that a 1NT opening no longer denies a major and that major suit openings no longer deny the other major

 

Tradeoff's abound.

[blackshoe]

Yes, it's okay to post that link, Shevek. IMO anyway. It's a very good book, but the systems it describes are not for the faint of heart (or those of us with CRS). B-)

[shevek]

Few quick points:

 

1. As I understand, holding a six card minor and four card major, you have the option to chose whether to show your major or your minor

 

The auction

 

2♣ - 2♦ - 2M shows the 6-4 pattern, as does

1♠ - 1N - 2M

 

 

 

Okay, makes sense, though it doesn't seem a good use of space.

Those 4M - 6m hands with four small in the major must be very rare.

Seems strange to set aside 2♥/2♠ rebids just for them. Means starting shape-showing for the 98% 1-suiters at 2NT.

I'd rather open the major or distort them, so that shapes start at 2♥ or 2♠.