[Free]

Not sure if this belongs here or in non-natural. The start is natural, but the continuations may be artificial.

In one of my partnerships we play 1♦ openings like in sayc (4+ cards except with 4=4=3=2), but you can also have longer ♣s with less than 16HCP (4♦-5♣ or 5♦-6♣, not 4-6 for example).

We respond 2♣ showing 10+HCP with 4+♣, pretty basic. I'm looking for a good structure, and detailed continuations.

At the moment we play the following:
2♦ = any hand with 5+♦
...responder shows where he has values, usually natural. 2NT is the only NF call, 3♣ shows GF with 6+♣ (we show INV with 1♦-3♣)
2♥ = GF, either ♣ support or balanced 13+-14
...2♠ = relay without 4M
......2NT = 13+-14, bal, GF
......3♣ = GF, 4+♣ support
......3M = extra's, ♣ support, singleton/void M
...3♣ = GF, 6+♣
2♠ = any strength, 4=4=4=1
...2NT = NF
...3♣ = puppet to 3♦ to start slam investigation in whatever suit
...3♦/M = GF, support but no extra's
2NT = min, bal, NF
3♣ = min, ♣ support, NF
3♦ = solid 6+♦
3M = 18-19, bal, 4M, 3OM, 4♦, 2♣
3NT = 18-19, bal, 4=4=3=2

In another thread we found out that the 1♦-2♣-2♦ contains some problems: finding 4-4M fits, showing extra's both as opener as responder, finding 3NT,...

Does anyone have suggestions to improve this structure? Would it be better to play 1♦-2♣ GF? If you play it GF, don't you have problems with invitational hands? Help!

[marcD]

you may want to have a look at http://www.melihozdi...ish/esystem.htm .

[Codo]

We play this structure:

1 ♦ 2 ♣

2 ♦ 5+ Diamond
2 ♥ 4441- natural afterwards.
2 ♠ forcing Club raise
3♣ non forcing
2 NT depending on your overall system, for us it is very strong balanced

After 1 ♦ 2 ♣ 2 ♦ anything but 3 ♣ or 2 NT is GF
2 M nat. Partner raises with fit- after this Serious 3 NT from both sides helps to limit the hands.
3 ♦ forcing
3 M Splinter with Diamond fit
3 NT to play
4 m Minorwood

So the problem is an ivitational hand with 3 or 4 diamonds where you decide to introduce the clubs first. But we did not have a problem with this in practice, so...

[gwnn]

Honest question here, if you play 1♦-3♣ as invitational what non GF hands do you need 2♣ for? Only 11-12 balanced? If true, why make 3♣ non forcing by opener?

[Free]

gwnn, on May 6 2010, 01:48 PM, said:

Honest question here, if you play 1♦-3♣ as invitational what non GF hands do you need 2♣ for? Only 11-12 balanced? If true, why make 3♣ non forcing by opener?

1♦-2NT shows 12+-15HCP or 19+HCP, balanced, rightsiding.
1♦-3♣ shows INV with good 6+♣
1♦-2♣ is 10+HCP, 4+♣ (*)
INV with 4M-5+♣ start with 1♦-1M

(*) Basically, with an BAL INV without 4M (bid 1M) or 4♦ (bid 2♦) => so 4-5♣, we start with 1♦-2♣. That's pretty much the only case where the situation is not GF. In this case we want to stop in 3♣ if opener is minimum with 4♣ support. Say responder has 3-3-3-4 INV, he'll start with 2♣ and rebid 2NT, or pass on opener's 3♣ rebid.

Btw, responder can decide to start with 2♣ with GF balanced hands, in case he wants opener to play the hand. That's the reason why the auction started 1♦-2♣ in the other thread: responder had AKJ-xxx-Ax-T9xxx and wanted opener to play any NT contract. That makes me think: should rightsiding 3NT here really be a priority?

[awm]

Elianna and I play the following very simple structure.

2♦ = any minimum opening, or a hand with 6+♦ but a poor suit
.... 2M = semi-natural (could be location of values); establishes a game force
.... 2N/3♣ = invitational NF
.... 3♦ = GF, usually 4♦
.... 3M = splinter with 4♦
.... 3N = to play opposite normal minimum
2M = natural reverse, 4M and 5+♦, at least game values
2N = natural (or maybe 4441♣), at least game values
3♣ = GF club raise, 4♣
3♦ = 6+♦, GF values, good suit
3M = splinter raise of club

Something much more complicated might be better, but it's a lot more memory work for a small gain I think.

[straube]

Free, on May 6 2010, 06:36 AM, said:

Not sure if this belongs here or in non-natural.  The start is natural, but the continuations may be artificial.

In one of my partnerships we play 1♦ openings like in sayc (4+ cards except with 4=4=3=2), but you can also have longer ♣s with less than 16HCP (4♦-5♣ or 5♦-6♣, not 4-6 for example).

We respond 2♣ showing 10+HCP with 4+♣, pretty basic.  I'm looking for a good structure, and detailed continuations.

At the moment we play the following:
2♦ = any hand with 5+♦
...responder shows where he has values, usually natural.  2NT is the only NF call, 3♣ shows GF with 6+♣ (we show INV with 1♦-3♣)
2♥ = GF, either ♣ support or balanced 13+-14
...2♠ = relay without 4M
......2NT = 13+-14, bal, GF
......3♣ = GF, 4+♣ support
......3M = extra's, ♣ support, singleton/void M
...3♣ = GF, 6+♣
2♠ = any strength, 4=4=4=1
...2NT = NF
...3♣ = puppet to 3♦ to start slam investigation in whatever suit
...3♦/M = GF, support but no extra's
2NT = min, bal, NF
3♣ = min, ♣ support, NF
3♦ = solid 6+♦
3M = 18-19, bal, 4M, 3OM, 4♦, 2♣
3NT = 18-19, bal, 4=4=3=2

In another thread we found out that the 1♦-2♣-2♦ contains some problems: finding 4-4M fits, showing extra's both as opener as responder, finding 3NT,... 

Does anyone have suggestions to improve this structure?  Would it be better to play 1♦-2♣ GF?  If you play it GF, don't you have problems with invitational hands?  Help! 

I think your 1D-2C, 2S-2N nf is a wasted sequence.
Also 1D-2C, 2H as bal or GF clubs is overloaded.

We use the following for a strong club system.

1D-2C, 2S-shows a distributional raise of clubs.

1D-2C, 2D as 4+ diamonds without club fit

Then 1D-2C, 2D-2H can create a GF relay

1D-2C, 2D-2S is a weakness showing relay (threatening to pass 2N or 3c)

1D-2D, 2D-3D is nf

These things work best if 2C is not gf and you use the MAFIA approach.

[Phil]

Discussed this last year.

Gwnn?

[gwnn]

There is this thread by awm from 2 years ago:

http://forums.bridge...topic=23261&hl=

and this

http://forums.bridge...showtopic=34047

[Fluffy]

I used to play 2♦ = min (maybe 3 cards) 2M natural reverse, 2NT (13)14 balanced GF

This was handy when 1NT was 16-18 and 1♦ could be 15 balanced, but after we moved to 15-17 a decade ago we have seen it is not worth it and now play the more common 2♦ nat (4)5+ and 2NT any 12-14 balanced without 4 clubs.

[lowerline]

This one is simple (and you can use 1♦-3♣ for something else):

2♦ = waiting
--2♥/♠ natural reverse
--2NT/3♣ NF
--3♦ natural GF
2♥/♠ = natural reverse (GF)
2NT = 13-14 balanced NF (but now 3♣ is GF)
3♣ = natural GF (tends to deny shortness)
3♦ = natural GF
3♥/♠ = splinter with club support
3NT = 18-19 balanced

4-4-4-1 rebid either 2♦ (min) or 2♥ (15+)

If you decide to go for 1♦-2♣ GF, you will need to play 1♦-2NT and 1♦-3♣ as invitational. It makes life easier, but it will often wrong side NT after 1♦-2NT.

Steven