" - "sohl is one of the best conventions ever invented, I'd say. Reasons? It solves a real and very frequent problem, how to differentiate strength when opps pre-empt. Also it gives up relatively nothing: 2NT as natural bid? Why on earth... better just pass and try to set them or gamble 3NT.
I count there are three different sohls available, each with it's own advantages and thus places to use. These are the old fashion Lebensohl, Rubensohl and the modern transfer-Lebensohl or "Rumpelsohl" as I heard it called. I'm trying to give a good write up for them all and places where to use them. I note here that I'm using here a nonstandard way regarding stoppers. I have direct 3NT showing a stopper, direct cuebid denying one, and via sohl they are opposite. This is because it seems practical often to just blast that 3NT, especially if your 3NT is based on some source of tricks and LHO might raise if you bid it slow. Do whatever you wish regarding stoppers, just so that you remember which way shows what.
For introductory purposes I'm now assuming 1NT opening that is interfered with natural 2 level overcall.
So we have 1NT (2C/D/H/S) ? sequences to handle with three different sohls.
Lebensohl:
Basic idea is that 2NT is a puppet to 3C to play in any suit lower than the opponent's suit, bid stayman showing a stopper by cuebidding or show depending on agreements, inv/gf in higher than opp's suit. Let's see the simplest auction where opponent bids 2S:
1NT (2S)
->
2NT = Lebensohl
3C/D/H = Natural and GF
3S = GF with 4H and no spade stop
3NT = GF without 4H and a spade stop
4x = Here you have some options, for example you might play system on. I play SA Texas so 4C/D would be transfers for me. You might also want to use some Leaping Michael's scheme here. Just agree on something.
1NT (2S) 2NT (P) 3C (P)
->
P = Weak/Competitive with clubs
3D/H = Weak/Competitive
3S = GF, 4H, spade stopper
3NT = GF, no spade stop or 4H
Again for 4lvl, you got another way to bid them, try to get some use of them. I suggest them being slammish when bid slowly, preferably some spade length so opps won't be wildly pre-empting after 2NT.
For lower opponent overcalls you get some extra bids to define.
1NT (2D)
->
2H/S = Weak/Competitive natural
2NT = Leb
3C = Nat, GF
3D = GF, stayman
3H/S = Nat, GF
3NT = GF with stopper
Going via 2NT, you get extra 3H/S bids. You can have many different meanings for these things. I guess the standard is that direct denies stopper and going via leb shows one. That's certainly playable. I'd prefer to have some invites available so I'd use direct bids for invites and go slow with GFs.
1NT (2C) (Note that very few play this as natural, so you hardly ever need this sequence)
Here we lose the second way to cuebid, but we can get along with one cue as it's so low:
1NT (2C) 3C (P)
->
3D = No club stopper, may have one or both majors still
3H = 4H, may have 4S, club stopper
3S = 4S, club stopper
3NT = No 4 card majors, club stopper
Rubensohl:
Basic idea is that every bid starting from 2NT up to one below opp's suit is a transfer to the next suit, either weak or GF. Starting with opp's suit, bids are transfers showing inv+ values.
1NT - (2H)
->
2S = Weak/Competitive natural
2NT = Clubs, weak or GF
3C = Diamonds, weak or GF
3D = GF, 4S, may or may not have a stopper (you have room to find out)
3H = Spades, inv+
3S = Transfer to 3NT, no 4S and no stopper but GF
3NT = To play
Transfer-Lebensohl:
The point is to take good from both of the above and get invite bids. Starting from 2NT everything is a transfer, similar to Rubensohl but 2NT in addition works as a multi-way bid including all the weak/competitive hands as well.
1NT (2H)
->
2S = Weak/Competitive natural
2NT = Transfer to C, either weak with C or D, or GF with clubs
3C = Inv+ with D
3D = GF, 4S
3H = Inv+ with S
3S = GF, transfer to 3NT, no 4S and no stopper
3NT = To play
1NT (2S) (This would be normal)
->
2NT = Transfer to C, weak with C/D/H or GF with clubs
3C = Inv+ D
3D = Inv+ H
3H = GF, 4H
3S = GF, no stopper nor 4H
3NT = To play
My preferred:
1NT (2S)
->
2NT = Transfer to C, weak with C/D or GF with clubs
3C = Inv+ D
3D = Inv+ H
3H = Weak/Competitive with hearts
3S = GF, 4H
3NT = To play
Point is to get the heart hand bid directly cause we might want to bid 4H sometimes and it's not possible if LHO bids 3S. We lose the stopper ask with GF and 4H and the really rare hand where you have no 5 card suit, no spade stopper, no 4H and a GF. I think I'll just try my luck in 3NT anyways.
Lebensohl is the basic and really easy version if you ask me. It gives you lot's of sequences but you miss on the chance of bidding invite hands. Opposite some narrowly defined NT opening it's not much of a problem, but considering a sequence like (2H) X (P) it has uses to be able to differentiate 3 ranges. Also Lebensohl has the problem that you are not telling your suit right away. This could especially be a problem for those hands you bid "slow" over the opp's suit. Leb does nicely give you another set of 4 lvl bids if you can put them to good use.
Rubensohl corrects the problem of showing the shape right away and gives you inv+ bids for suits over the opp's. Opponents get many chances to double for lead though and they can even psyche it with some support for partner's suit. You get better ways for bidding slam hands as you have whole lot of room after transfer acceptance. Just have to agree on some continuations. You also sometimes end up losing room after T/O double sequences: (2S) X (P) 3D, but you happened to hold monster with diamonds as the doubler. If you played leb, you could have bid 3D over 2NT. But if you work on continuations, it's definitely an improvement over Leb.
"Rumpelsohl" is the Swiss army knife of sohls. You get weak and GF bid for every suit and invitational bid for all but clubs. You're not showing your weak suit directly so partner can't compete fit like after Rubensohl, though on the other hand he knows you don't have a light invite so it might be better not compete anyhow. Similarly as on Rubensohl, you must work on continuations to take the most out of playing this version of sohl, but if you put in the work, I'd say it's definitely the best.
Sequences where to apply:
I already gave the two most common examples, after 1NT is overcalled and after opponent opens a weak two and partner makes a T/O double. Other sequences might be: (1M) P (2M) X (P), this is quite similar to opening weak two, though if they play constructive raises, scrambling might be better. Also over weak jump overcall after our minor opening: 1C (2M), is a good sequence to take advantage of sohl type approach. You must of course make some adjustments depending on the situation what each bid shows. If partner's 1C opening shows 4 cards, my 2NT doesn't show 5-6 cards like it would over 1NT opening. Then again for stopping in diamonds after club opening, I prefer to have that 6 card suit as partner hasn't promised any support. Keeping these in mind, you can apply sohl very frequently in many auctions.
Oh and one thing I haven't mentioned: Agree what it means if partner doesn't accept the transfer, ie. bid 3C over 2NT. It tends to depend on the context, after 1NT opening it should promise very good club support while after T/O double it should show some monster hand that was too strong to overcall in a suit.
tiistai 1. marraskuuta 2011
tiistai 25. lokakuuta 2011
Simple Gazzilli
Sure, now-a-days you can see version of Gazzilli on every site and about every expert's convention card. And there's a reason for it. It's made to handle some of the most awkward hands for the natural system. The focus is in getting to possibly worse partscores but never missing good games and having very accurate and good auctions on slam hands. This is partly my own, partly something I've read somewhere and in no way special version, but as I had to write it for system notes anyways, could as well write it here.
Three different sequences: 1H - 1S - 2C, 1H - 1NT - 2C and 1S - 1NT - 2C, last is similar to second so I'm not writing it out. 1S - 1NT - 2C - 2H = natural, weak.
1H - 1NT (SF)
->
2C = Gazzilli, 6+H, 10-14(15) or 14-16 balanced or various 17+ hands
2D = Nat, 10-16
2H = 5H, 4+C, 10-16
2S = 10-15, 5S6+H
2NT = 17-19 Bal
3C/D = 15-17, 55+
3H = 15-17, good suit
3S = Autosplinter
3NT = Solid suit, mildly slammish
4C/D = Autosplinter
1H - 1NT - 2C
->
2D = 8+, GF opposite any strong hand
2H = Weak preference, <8HCP, 1-3Hs
2S = <8HCP, 0-1H, long D
2NT = <8HCP, 0-1H, both minors
3C = <8HCP, 0-1H, long C
1H - 1NT - 2C - 2D
->
2H = 10-14, 6+H, NF
2S = Natural, GF
2NT = Natural, 14-16
3C/D = Natural, GF
3H = Natural, GF
3S = 56, GF
3NT = Solid hearts, strong slam interest
4C/D = Natural, at least 55, 3-4 losers
1H - 1NT - 2C - 2H
->
Note! With 14-16bal you are supposed to pass and hope for the best.
2S = Natural reverse, one round force with natural continuations (No leb applies)
2NT = Naturalish invite, typically some 5422 shape or 5431 with singleton honor.
3C/D = Natural invite, usually just 4 cards and hole in suit so no 2NT. Could be 64
3H = Natural invite
3S = Slammish Hs
3NT = To play, usually based on solid hearts
4C/D = 55+ GF
1H - 1S - 2C
->
2D = 8+
2H = <8, pref 1-2H
2S = <8, 5044 or similar (We have 1H - 2S as weak, so can't be weak 6+)
2NT = <8, 6+D
3C = <8, 6+C
1H - 1S - 2C - 2D
->
2H = 10-14, 6+H
2S = GF with 3+S
2NT = 14-16 bal
3C/D = Nat, GF
3H = Natural, GF
3S = 3S, 6+H GF
3NT = Solid hearts, strong slam interest
4C/D = Natural, at least 55, 3-4 losers
1H - 1S - 2C - 2H
->
2S = Contract improvement, 3S
2NT = Naturalish inv
3C/D = Natural inv
3H = Natural inv
3S = Natural inv
3NT = To play
4C/D = 55+ GF
Easy, simple, effective. I think the gains easily cover the losses. I might later add here some continuations for 1H - 1S - 2C - 2D - 2H, as responder is unlimited and there might be reason to add some artificiality.
Three different sequences: 1H - 1S - 2C, 1H - 1NT - 2C and 1S - 1NT - 2C, last is similar to second so I'm not writing it out. 1S - 1NT - 2C - 2H = natural, weak.
1H - 1NT (SF)
->
2C = Gazzilli, 6+H, 10-14(15) or 14-16 balanced or various 17+ hands
2D = Nat, 10-16
2H = 5H, 4+C, 10-16
2S = 10-15, 5S6+H
2NT = 17-19 Bal
3C/D = 15-17, 55+
3H = 15-17, good suit
3S = Autosplinter
3NT = Solid suit, mildly slammish
4C/D = Autosplinter
1H - 1NT - 2C
->
2D = 8+, GF opposite any strong hand
2H = Weak preference, <8HCP, 1-3Hs
2S = <8HCP, 0-1H, long D
2NT = <8HCP, 0-1H, both minors
3C = <8HCP, 0-1H, long C
1H - 1NT - 2C - 2D
->
2H = 10-14, 6+H, NF
2S = Natural, GF
2NT = Natural, 14-16
3C/D = Natural, GF
3H = Natural, GF
3S = 56, GF
3NT = Solid hearts, strong slam interest
4C/D = Natural, at least 55, 3-4 losers
1H - 1NT - 2C - 2H
->
Note! With 14-16bal you are supposed to pass and hope for the best.
2S = Natural reverse, one round force with natural continuations (No leb applies)
2NT = Naturalish invite, typically some 5422 shape or 5431 with singleton honor.
3C/D = Natural invite, usually just 4 cards and hole in suit so no 2NT. Could be 64
3H = Natural invite
3S = Slammish Hs
3NT = To play, usually based on solid hearts
4C/D = 55+ GF
1H - 1S - 2C
->
2D = 8+
2H = <8, pref 1-2H
2S = <8, 5044 or similar (We have 1H - 2S as weak, so can't be weak 6+)
2NT = <8, 6+D
3C = <8, 6+C
1H - 1S - 2C - 2D
->
2H = 10-14, 6+H
2S = GF with 3+S
2NT = 14-16 bal
3C/D = Nat, GF
3H = Natural, GF
3S = 3S, 6+H GF
3NT = Solid hearts, strong slam interest
4C/D = Natural, at least 55, 3-4 losers
1H - 1S - 2C - 2H
->
2S = Contract improvement, 3S
2NT = Naturalish inv
3C/D = Natural inv
3H = Natural inv
3S = Natural inv
3NT = To play
4C/D = 55+ GF
Easy, simple, effective. I think the gains easily cover the losses. I might later add here some continuations for 1H - 1S - 2C - 2D - 2H, as responder is unlimited and there might be reason to add some artificiality.
keskiviikko 3. elokuuta 2011
So went the ECs
I've been a bit lazy lately, but I doubt anyone really noticed.
I was playing in European junior championships. Didn't do so well, not that it was expected. Was fun and taught me a lot more about tournament playing. Midway I also got dehydrated and overheated and my game was totally out of the window. Took a day of and got myself together and also played quite well on my part for the rest of the matches.
I have no great tales from the bridge table other than that we finally got thanks from the swedes for beating Norway, letting them get ahead by 2 vps. We managed to miss all our slams (only 2 or 3 though) and one we bid I played in wrong strain and went down. But now I have a plan how to get to declare when partner opens 3NT minor pre-empt, 4D shortness ask + 6C.
This one deal I will bring up, mainly as an advertise. It was our last deal against Italy and pretty much the only deal where system managed to make difference.
Qxx
KJxxx
xxx
Kx
KJx Axxx
xxx x
AKJx Qxxx
QJx T8xx
T9x
AQxx
xx
Axxx
This is of course for the garbage stayman MSS twist. I sat east and after partner opened 1NT (15-17), I was very well placed to ask for majors. Over 2S I would have invited, over 2D and 2H I'm bidding 2S, nf minor suit stayman. I ended up playing 2S and made it easily, though with correct defense I think it could be hard.
Other table played totally hopeless 1NT. 5 imps for the good guys.
Btw, I've been tinkering with transfer walsh in Polish club. I guess I get back to wacky system writing.
I was playing in European junior championships. Didn't do so well, not that it was expected. Was fun and taught me a lot more about tournament playing. Midway I also got dehydrated and overheated and my game was totally out of the window. Took a day of and got myself together and also played quite well on my part for the rest of the matches.
I have no great tales from the bridge table other than that we finally got thanks from the swedes for beating Norway, letting them get ahead by 2 vps. We managed to miss all our slams (only 2 or 3 though) and one we bid I played in wrong strain and went down. But now I have a plan how to get to declare when partner opens 3NT minor pre-empt, 4D shortness ask + 6C.
This one deal I will bring up, mainly as an advertise. It was our last deal against Italy and pretty much the only deal where system managed to make difference.
Qxx
KJxxx
xxx
Kx
KJx Axxx
xxx x
AKJx Qxxx
QJx T8xx
T9x
AQxx
xx
Axxx
This is of course for the garbage stayman MSS twist. I sat east and after partner opened 1NT (15-17), I was very well placed to ask for majors. Over 2S I would have invited, over 2D and 2H I'm bidding 2S, nf minor suit stayman. I ended up playing 2S and made it easily, though with correct defense I think it could be hard.
Other table played totally hopeless 1NT. 5 imps for the good guys.
Btw, I've been tinkering with transfer walsh in Polish club. I guess I get back to wacky system writing.
maanantai 30. toukokuuta 2011
Spots in the wrong hand.
What is the contract you'd want your opponents to always be in? I'd say 5NT, although 2NT is a good candidate too. Well, this time we should have been in that 5NT.
Partner held Axx JT J8xx AKxx and my collection was QT AK9xx AKxx Jx. Bidding was quite interesting.
Partner opened in first seat all NV 1NT, 12-15, may have singleton diamond. RHO bids 2H showing majors. I pass, intending to go for blood. 2S, passed to me and I double for T/O. Now partner surprises me with a 3S call. I'm not really sure what it shows but a maximum and something in spades and I assumed both minors. RHO doubles and I pass cause I don't really know what to bid, maybe 4NT quantitative would be best. Well partner bids 4C and I just decide to jump to 5D, maybe partner can bid a slam with right cards. Well, he doesn't have to as it gets doubled by LHO. I'm tempted to redouble but leave it be.
Bidding:
1NT (2H) P (2S)
P (P) X (P)
3S (X) P (P)
4C (P) 5D (X)
AP
So, how do you declare 5DX after S3 lead?
Axx
JT
J8xx
AKxx
QT
AK9xx
AKxx
Jx
I think you as well as I can pretty much locate the cards immediately.
RHO holds K(J)xx(x) Qxxxx x xx(x), against 5-0 we stand no chance what so ever, so trumps must be 4-1.
Tough thing is that I couldn't make it at the table and I'm yet to see a way to make it.
I let the spade run to king, another I took with the Q, played DA and diamond. Q took a trick and another spade to ace, I discarded a heart. Now I have the tricks but no entries to take them, while I (partner actually) could easily make 5NT with very little effort.
Partner held Axx JT J8xx AKxx and my collection was QT AK9xx AKxx Jx. Bidding was quite interesting.
Partner opened in first seat all NV 1NT, 12-15, may have singleton diamond. RHO bids 2H showing majors. I pass, intending to go for blood. 2S, passed to me and I double for T/O. Now partner surprises me with a 3S call. I'm not really sure what it shows but a maximum and something in spades and I assumed both minors. RHO doubles and I pass cause I don't really know what to bid, maybe 4NT quantitative would be best. Well partner bids 4C and I just decide to jump to 5D, maybe partner can bid a slam with right cards. Well, he doesn't have to as it gets doubled by LHO. I'm tempted to redouble but leave it be.
Bidding:
1NT (2H) P (2S)
P (P) X (P)
3S (X) P (P)
4C (P) 5D (X)
AP
So, how do you declare 5DX after S3 lead?
Axx
JT
J8xx
AKxx
QT
AK9xx
AKxx
Jx
I think you as well as I can pretty much locate the cards immediately.
RHO holds K(J)xx(x) Qxxxx x xx(x), against 5-0 we stand no chance what so ever, so trumps must be 4-1.
Tough thing is that I couldn't make it at the table and I'm yet to see a way to make it.
I let the spade run to king, another I took with the Q, played DA and diamond. Q took a trick and another spade to ace, I discarded a heart. Now I have the tricks but no entries to take them, while I (partner actually) could easily make 5NT with very little effort.
tiistai 3. toukokuuta 2011
MSS continuations
This is mainly thought out for strong no trump range, such as 14-16 or 15-17. But I don't see any reason it shouldn't work with weaker ones when you know what you do.
This is a cramped auction and even though I could dedicate some more bids for minor hands, I don't think it's worth the cost as they are rather rare and everyone else faces same problems.
So all my minor oriented slam hands start with 2S over 1NT, MSS asking for better minor. 2NT is better D and 3C better clubs. Over both, 3m is a sign-off.
3M instead shows a shortness in that major but it tells nothing else about responder's hand type. He could still hold (13)(54), (12)55 or either long minor. It also isn't necessarily a slam invitational as you might be trying for 3NT in case partner has "waste" opposite your shortness.
3NT is a suggestion to play. It typically means that responder has a shortness in opener's better minor and a bad slam invitation. If as opener you happen to hold something like xxx xxx(x) in minors, you should definitely pull from 3NT. However 3NT could also be bid with a single suited hand without shortness that was slam worthy if opener fitted for his minor.
4C/D then are just single suited slam invites, not promising but not denying a shortness in other minor. How much the bid shows depends a bit on whether partner already showed a good fit for that suit. (Note that "good fit" might be just xxx, so it's not necessarily good)
4H/S These I reserve for 5 key exclusion bids (AKs of minors and major A) Mainly because it's a cool toy to have.
4NT is like stronger 3NT but it always shows shortness in partner's minor. It's quantitative, so not forcing.
5C/D shows a hand with a really long strong minor that was just too good to bid a direct 5m.
After 3M:
Opener's primary interest is to bid 3NT if there is waste opposite shortness. Any solid holding shouldn't be counted as waste obviously but it's a reason to downgrade. AQ isn't too bad holding either, so with it, you should only bid 3NT if you have bad support for minors.
Over 3H your situation is much nicer as you can bid 3S with all sorts of marginal hands. There responder can bid 3NT as nonserious. Over 3S you don't have such a luxury of waiting call before 3NT.
Over 3S when you don't have waste, I think it's important to let partner know if you fit the other minor too because that might be the partner's real suit. So 4C tells that you don't have too special hand and no good support for the other minor (xxx at most) 4D tells that you have better than Qxx support for both minors but you are quite minimum. 4H tells that you don't have a support for the other minor but you hold a great hand otherwise. 4S then shows a great hand and support for both minors. Over 3H your 4C/D responses show great hands with no wastage respectively and 3S is any non negative.
At this point I think responder should know pretty well about the slam potential, so he can just bid next step as RKC for opener's better suit and second step for the other. If the response was 4S, 4NT is 6 key RKC. (I think it rarely hurts although it's not always optimal)
After 3M - 3NT:
When the responder has enough to go on even opposite the wastage, I think it's important to just clarify the hand type for opener. 4C/D shows the suit. 4H/S are cuebids with two-suiter (rebidding singleton here is just saying that nothing else to bid), 4NT is quantitative with (31)(54), 5m shows 11(65). (Bid the minor you know partner fits)
Couple general rules:
After responder has shown two-suiter, following RKC from either side should be for 6 keys (but not necessarily for 2 queens).
When responder has shown a shortness and one-suited hand, responder's bid in the shortness suit is RKC.
This is a cramped auction and even though I could dedicate some more bids for minor hands, I don't think it's worth the cost as they are rather rare and everyone else faces same problems.
So all my minor oriented slam hands start with 2S over 1NT, MSS asking for better minor. 2NT is better D and 3C better clubs. Over both, 3m is a sign-off.
3M instead shows a shortness in that major but it tells nothing else about responder's hand type. He could still hold (13)(54), (12)55 or either long minor. It also isn't necessarily a slam invitational as you might be trying for 3NT in case partner has "waste" opposite your shortness.
3NT is a suggestion to play. It typically means that responder has a shortness in opener's better minor and a bad slam invitation. If as opener you happen to hold something like xxx xxx(x) in minors, you should definitely pull from 3NT. However 3NT could also be bid with a single suited hand without shortness that was slam worthy if opener fitted for his minor.
4C/D then are just single suited slam invites, not promising but not denying a shortness in other minor. How much the bid shows depends a bit on whether partner already showed a good fit for that suit. (Note that "good fit" might be just xxx, so it's not necessarily good)
4H/S These I reserve for 5 key exclusion bids (AKs of minors and major A) Mainly because it's a cool toy to have.
4NT is like stronger 3NT but it always shows shortness in partner's minor. It's quantitative, so not forcing.
5C/D shows a hand with a really long strong minor that was just too good to bid a direct 5m.
After 3M:
Opener's primary interest is to bid 3NT if there is waste opposite shortness. Any solid holding shouldn't be counted as waste obviously but it's a reason to downgrade. AQ isn't too bad holding either, so with it, you should only bid 3NT if you have bad support for minors.
Over 3H your situation is much nicer as you can bid 3S with all sorts of marginal hands. There responder can bid 3NT as nonserious. Over 3S you don't have such a luxury of waiting call before 3NT.
Over 3S when you don't have waste, I think it's important to let partner know if you fit the other minor too because that might be the partner's real suit. So 4C tells that you don't have too special hand and no good support for the other minor (xxx at most) 4D tells that you have better than Qxx support for both minors but you are quite minimum. 4H tells that you don't have a support for the other minor but you hold a great hand otherwise. 4S then shows a great hand and support for both minors. Over 3H your 4C/D responses show great hands with no wastage respectively and 3S is any non negative.
At this point I think responder should know pretty well about the slam potential, so he can just bid next step as RKC for opener's better suit and second step for the other. If the response was 4S, 4NT is 6 key RKC. (I think it rarely hurts although it's not always optimal)
After 3M - 3NT:
When the responder has enough to go on even opposite the wastage, I think it's important to just clarify the hand type for opener. 4C/D shows the suit. 4H/S are cuebids with two-suiter (rebidding singleton here is just saying that nothing else to bid), 4NT is quantitative with (31)(54), 5m shows 11(65). (Bid the minor you know partner fits)
Couple general rules:
After responder has shown two-suiter, following RKC from either side should be for 6 keys (but not necessarily for 2 queens).
When responder has shown a shortness and one-suited hand, responder's bid in the shortness suit is RKC.
maanantai 25. huhtikuuta 2011
Transfer Walsh and continuations
Setup: 1C natural without 4D or 14-19 balanced.
1D/H transfers to major, accepting shows 3 card minimum or 14-16 bal.
1S rebid is unbalanced hand. 1NT rebid is 17-19 without 4 card support.
2C rebid is 6 cards unless 1435.
2M shows 4 card minimum.
2H is natural reverse.
2S is natural GF jumpshift.
2NT is some 15-17 6+ clubs without 3 card support.
3C 15-17 with 6+ clubs and 3 card support.
3M 15-17 with 4 card support and unbalanced but no 6+ clubs.
3D 15-17 splinter with 6+ clubs.
3oM 15-17 splinter with 6+ clubs
3NT is 7+ solid clubs and short major with sidesuit stoppers.
4C 12-15, (14)17 or (15)16
4D 12-15, (52)06
4M 12-15, (50)26
This leaves 2D as a multipurpose strong bid ala Gazzilli. It handles 17-19 balanced 4 card raise, (16)18+ unbalanced 4 card raises and 18+ club hands. I think it's well over 50% of the time the balanced hand and because often there is need to bid transfers for contract improvement, I'll make 2M rebid NF. So it's like 4-7 pts with just 4 cards that doesn't necessarily want to be in game opposite fit. With 17-18 balanced opener can pass. The first step (2H/2S) shows 8+ points and is GF. Opener's 2NT is the balanced raise, 3C is clubs without fit and others show strong hands in similar fashion as medium hands showed directly.
If responder holds a shapely hand, he can bid something else than the first step. 2NT is some 64, 3m is 55 and 3M is solid 6 cards or semisolid 7+ suit.
Other responses:
1S = 5-7 bal or diamonds (drop dead or inv+)
1NT = 8-10 bal
2C = GF relay that tends to show 5+ clubs (inverted minor) but could be just slammish balanced hand.
2D = Multi, WJS in either major or balanced invite (11-12)
2H = Reverse flannery, 5S, 4+H, 5-9
2S = Reverse flannery, 5S, 4H, 10-12
2NT = Minors, weak or GF
3C/D = Pre-emptive
3M = ? Club splinters are possible but maybe too rare and can be handled via 2C anyways. Maybe showing shortness and 4 cards in other major? Or 4M and 6+ clubs.
3NT = 13-14 bal
Over 1S (and 1NT):
1NT = 14-17 bal/semibal
2C = 5+
2D = Artificial strong, 18/15+
2M = 10-15, 56+
2NT = 18-19 bal
3C = 6+
3x = autosplinter
3NT = solid clubs, game try
1C - 1D - 1H:
1S = Natural 4 cards or GF "relay"
1NT = 5-8 bal
2C = 5+ clubs, NF
2D = 5+ diamonds, NF
2H = 5 hearts, NF but mildly invitational
2S = 5+ hearts, inv+
2NT = 9-11 bal
3C/D = 55+, inv
3H = Strong invitation, 6+H
3S+ = Autosplinter
3NT = 13-15 Bal
1C - 1D - 1H - 1S:
1NT = 14-16 bal without 4S
2C = 6+C, 3H
2D = 14-16 bal with 4S
2H = Good spade raise (4315/4306)
2S = Bad spade raise
Note: with 54+ majors and GF, you can start with canape transfer to hearts first. When the transfer is accepted, you get a cheap GF sequence after 1S and you can handle all other auctions well too except maybe for some problems after 2NT/3C rebid by opener.
1C - 1H - 1S:
1NT = 5-8 bal
2C = 5+ clubs, NF
2D = 5+ diamonds, NF
2H = Artificial GF, 5+S
2S = 5 spades, NF but mildly invitational
2NT = 9-11 bal
3C/D = 55+, inv
3H = Strong invitation, 55+
3S = Strong invitation, 6+
3NT = 13-15 Bal
1D/H transfers to major, accepting shows 3 card minimum or 14-16 bal.
1S rebid is unbalanced hand. 1NT rebid is 17-19 without 4 card support.
2C rebid is 6 cards unless 1435.
2M shows 4 card minimum.
2H is natural reverse.
2S is natural GF jumpshift.
2NT is some 15-17 6+ clubs without 3 card support.
3C 15-17 with 6+ clubs and 3 card support.
3M 15-17 with 4 card support and unbalanced but no 6+ clubs.
3D 15-17 splinter with 6+ clubs.
3oM 15-17 splinter with 6+ clubs
3NT is 7+ solid clubs and short major with sidesuit stoppers.
4C 12-15, (14)17 or (15)16
4D 12-15, (52)06
4M 12-15, (50)26
This leaves 2D as a multipurpose strong bid ala Gazzilli. It handles 17-19 balanced 4 card raise, (16)18+ unbalanced 4 card raises and 18+ club hands. I think it's well over 50% of the time the balanced hand and because often there is need to bid transfers for contract improvement, I'll make 2M rebid NF. So it's like 4-7 pts with just 4 cards that doesn't necessarily want to be in game opposite fit. With 17-18 balanced opener can pass. The first step (2H/2S) shows 8+ points and is GF. Opener's 2NT is the balanced raise, 3C is clubs without fit and others show strong hands in similar fashion as medium hands showed directly.
If responder holds a shapely hand, he can bid something else than the first step. 2NT is some 64, 3m is 55 and 3M is solid 6 cards or semisolid 7+ suit.
Other responses:
1S = 5-7 bal or diamonds (drop dead or inv+)
1NT = 8-10 bal
2C = GF relay that tends to show 5+ clubs (inverted minor) but could be just slammish balanced hand.
2D = Multi, WJS in either major or balanced invite (11-12)
2H = Reverse flannery, 5S, 4+H, 5-9
2S = Reverse flannery, 5S, 4H, 10-12
2NT = Minors, weak or GF
3C/D = Pre-emptive
3M = ? Club splinters are possible but maybe too rare and can be handled via 2C anyways. Maybe showing shortness and 4 cards in other major? Or 4M and 6+ clubs.
3NT = 13-14 bal
Over 1S (and 1NT):
1NT = 14-17 bal/semibal
2C = 5+
2D = Artificial strong, 18/15+
2M = 10-15, 56+
2NT = 18-19 bal
3C = 6+
3x = autosplinter
3NT = solid clubs, game try
1C - 1D - 1H:
1S = Natural 4 cards or GF "relay"
1NT = 5-8 bal
2C = 5+ clubs, NF
2D = 5+ diamonds, NF
2H = 5 hearts, NF but mildly invitational
2S = 5+ hearts, inv+
2NT = 9-11 bal
3C/D = 55+, inv
3H = Strong invitation, 6+H
3S+ = Autosplinter
3NT = 13-15 Bal
1C - 1D - 1H - 1S:
1NT = 14-16 bal without 4S
2C = 6+C, 3H
2D = 14-16 bal with 4S
2H = Good spade raise (4315/4306)
2S = Bad spade raise
Note: with 54+ majors and GF, you can start with canape transfer to hearts first. When the transfer is accepted, you get a cheap GF sequence after 1S and you can handle all other auctions well too except maybe for some problems after 2NT/3C rebid by opener.
1C - 1H - 1S:
1NT = 5-8 bal
2C = 5+ clubs, NF
2D = 5+ diamonds, NF
2H = Artificial GF, 5+S
2S = 5 spades, NF but mildly invitational
2NT = 9-11 bal
3C/D = 55+, inv
3H = Strong invitation, 55+
3S = Strong invitation, 6+
3NT = 13-15 Bal
sunnuntai 24. huhtikuuta 2011
Garbage stayman twist
This is something I have made long time ago and played for almost as long with occasional good results.
Idea is simple, just put together stayman and minor suit stayman in a garbage auction. So for auction 1NT - 2C - 2D, your 2H is weak, both majors. Now you might use 2S as either invitational with 5S and 4H or maybe some forcing re-stayman or perhaps as weak sign-off with longer spades. However my idea is for it to be nonforcing MSS.
If you haven't played MSS, it's rather simple: 1NT - 2S: 2NT = better diamonds and 3C = better clubs. Now responder can bid either minor to sign off or bid 3M to show shortness and usually some slam ambitions. In these garbage auctions you never have slam ambitions but it works for the sign-offs.
So after partner opens 1NT and you hold weak hand with spades and a long minor or both minors you start with stayman and if partner delights you with 2S you pass. Over 2D or 2H you bid 2S to say that you have weak hand with 4S and long or both minors. Partner passes with 4 and usually with 3 cards and answers MSS with just 2.
Hand types like 40(54), 41(26), 42(16), 43(06) and 40(36) just found a way to search for 4-4 or 4-3 spade fit before committing to 3 of a minor.
Note that you also lose 1NT - 2C - 2H -2S bid for this purpose. (Whatever it might have been before)
One additional thing to note is that you can bid some marginal invites through this auction if you'd accept an invite for one fit but not for the other. I have also used it with 5044 shape finding 4-4 minor but that is more questionable.
Idea is simple, just put together stayman and minor suit stayman in a garbage auction. So for auction 1NT - 2C - 2D, your 2H is weak, both majors. Now you might use 2S as either invitational with 5S and 4H or maybe some forcing re-stayman or perhaps as weak sign-off with longer spades. However my idea is for it to be nonforcing MSS.
If you haven't played MSS, it's rather simple: 1NT - 2S: 2NT = better diamonds and 3C = better clubs. Now responder can bid either minor to sign off or bid 3M to show shortness and usually some slam ambitions. In these garbage auctions you never have slam ambitions but it works for the sign-offs.
So after partner opens 1NT and you hold weak hand with spades and a long minor or both minors you start with stayman and if partner delights you with 2S you pass. Over 2D or 2H you bid 2S to say that you have weak hand with 4S and long or both minors. Partner passes with 4 and usually with 3 cards and answers MSS with just 2.
Hand types like 40(54), 41(26), 42(16), 43(06) and 40(36) just found a way to search for 4-4 or 4-3 spade fit before committing to 3 of a minor.
Note that you also lose 1NT - 2C - 2H -2S bid for this purpose. (Whatever it might have been before)
One additional thing to note is that you can bid some marginal invites through this auction if you'd accept an invite for one fit but not for the other. I have also used it with 5044 shape finding 4-4 minor but that is more questionable.
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