Balancing bids

[kgr]

What is the standard for bids in balancing position after (1x)-pass-(pass)-?

(This questions arised after reading other post where (1x)-pass-(pass)-2S is accepted as being strong...seems logic that it can't be weak).

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PS:

We play now after (1x)-? :

1NT: 15-17 and good stop

1Y: normal overcall (probably weaker then standard)

2Y no-jump: nomal overcall (probably weaker then standard)

2Y jump: weak (WJO's)

3Y: preemptive

2NT: 5-5 lowest suits; 10+ in long suits

2X: 5-5 highest suits ; 10+ in long suits

DBL: info DBL or strong (16+)

...At this moment we have no other agreements for balancing bids and that does not look optimal.

[Chamaco]

A very common reference scheme is:

 

1x-p-p-?

 

Non-jumpbid in a suit= 8-14, 5 cards, usually with a great suit we'd jump

 

Jumpbid in a suit = great suit (usually 6+ cards), very good opening (6-5 losers)

 

1NT = 10/11-14/15 balanced or so, NO STOPPER GUARANTEED.

- Some people play variable ranges according to whether the opened suit was a minor or major

- some people lower down to even 8-9 hcp for the 1NT in balancing seat

 

2NT = natural, about 21-22 hcp (nudge this as you like)

 

cuebid =

- Many people play that Michaels (to show a major-oriented 55 or better) is off in balancing seat, and the cue has just its original meaning, e.g. any quasiGF hand (you'd have opened it 2C)

- othe players argue that it should show the Michaels 2suiter even in balancing seat, because this shape is more common than the quasiGF hand , AND 55M are harder to show in a decent way

 

double= either a natural takeout OR hands too stroing for other bids (e.g. a strong 1NT opener would double first, or a good 15-16 hcp opener would double and bid the suit later)

[pclayton]

We play it similar to what Mauro is suggesting, except both the jump overcall and 2N calls are about a Q lighter.

 

Double followed by a new suit can be 'mini-ELC' (equal level conversion, which basically means a double followed by a new suit at the same level doesn't promise extras, like it would in the direct seat) which can show a moderate 2 suiter.

[Fluffy]

1♣/♦-pass-pass-1NT=9-12

 

1♥/♠-pass-pass-1NT=9-14

 

is how I play, no clue if it is standard.

[Al_U_Card]

Remember to establish if systems are "on" after the balancing 1NT overcall. Some like it, others not but both ways are playable. Also specify if they rebid their suit ie 1X-p-p-1NT-2X whether this is to be treated with systems on (lebensohl etc.) or not.

[Al_U_Card]

cuebid =

- Many people play that Michaels (to show a major-oriented 55 or better) is off in balancing seat, and the cue has just its original meaning, e.g. any quasiGF hand (you'd have opened it 2C)

- othe players argue that it should show the Michaels 2suiter even in balancing seat, because this shape is more common than the quasiGF hand , AND 55M are harder to show in a decent way

Do you play that the jump q-bid shows a good minor (like a balancing jump to 3C) but asking for a stopper in their suit? By corollary, the jump to 3 of a lower ranking suit tends to show a more broken suit with or without a stopper?

[han]

I also play the jump overcall a bit lighter than Mauro, more or less a sound opening bid with a nice 6-card suit. I think I learned this from Mike Lawrence's book on balancing.

[Winstonm]

Pard and I just went through this entire process and it is a lot of work. IMO, the first thing to discuss is the reasons to balance: compete for the partscore or bid your own game are the only reasons we found. These concepts have to then be balanced against the risk of balancing the opponents into a makeable game. So the first thing to decide is the minimum hands and go from there.

 

The designations of bid meanings stems from this basic step.

 

Winston

[Chamaco]

I also play the jump overcall a bit lighter than Mauro, more or less a sound opening bid with a nice 6-card suit. I think I learned this from Mike Lawrence's book on balancing.

Probably, when I said "very good" opening, I should give examples:

 

AKQxxx-Axx-xxx-x

 

Is a 6 losers hand, so it qualifies as "very good" opening

 

KQJxxxx-Axx-xx-x

 

is similar (6 losers).

 

I would not jump to 2S with

 

KQJxxx-Axx-xxx-x.

 

With such hand I'd bid and rebid spades, and if pard does not take the push, I'll have no regrets of losing game :-)