[keylime]

Larry and I are practicing diligently for our first outing in three weeks' time for Raleigh, NC's sectional.

One of the four areas that we are reworking to enhance playability, is how we handle 2 suited interference after we open one of a suit (FYI: we play a strong club, and our diamond opening is often 4 cards, along with 4 card majors and canape).

We currently use lo-lo versus michaels and unusual NT overcalls, but wanted to ask if there were some other variants to consider.

[FrancesHinden]

umm... there's lots of things you can play. Our system file has 3 pages on the defence to 2-suited overcalls. How much time do you want to put into this?

I'm not used to a strong club context which may change things slightly. The 4CM base probably changes things even more, but it may make the distinction between 3- and 4-card support more useful. We play in summary as follows:

x shows interest in defending, forcing for one level, first double from either side doubleton take-out. If their bid includes the suit bid (e.g. 3C ghestem showing clubs & another suit) then double is take-out, no forcing pass. Pass then double as responder is trump stack penalties.

Where they have only defined one suit (e.g. 1S - 2S Michaels) we play transfers. For example:
1S - (2S) hearts & a minor:
2NT = clubs
3C = diamonds
3D = 3-card spade raise
3H = good 4-card spade raise
3S = weak
Higher = fit

Where they have defined both suits (e.g. 1S - 2S = hearts and diamonds) we may play
2NT = clubs
3C = 5 clubs, 3 spades, invitational
3D = 3-card raise
etc

But sometimes the amount of room has changed, e.g. 1D - 2D (majors) now
2H = forcing with clubs
2S = forcing with diamonds
2NT = both minors, constructive
3C = weak
3D = weak
3M = splinter

That's why we need 3 pages, because the exact methods depend on the level of their overcall, and the amount of definition in their 2-suited bid. As we play a 1C opening as 2+ clubs, they can play any defence so there's also the possibility of their 2-suited overall having no anchor suit (we play transfers then as well).

[Fluffy]

We also use transfer after michael's, for simplicity we still apply it even if 1♥-2♥ shows specifically spades and diamonds.

[keylime]

Frances,

Thank you for your gracious insight tendered.

We play xfers frequently in and out of competition, and also in our strong club structure, so conceptually, it would be normal running for us. We document often in our method, but we wanted to have a look around with this area of our system. We play xfer Lebensohl over our 1C interfered auctions already; we wanted to see if we could build a more logical mousetrap.

[Cascade]

I am not entirely sure what you mean by lo-lo.

What we do is:

When two suits (opponents) are known:

X = Strong - Subsequent doubles are penalties
Lowest Cue = Invitational Raise
2NT = GF raise
3-suit = constructive raise 5-8 or so

Highest cue = forcing bid in the unbid suit - bidding the suit is a negative free bid



When one suit is known:

X = Strong - Subsequent doubles are takeout

Cue = Invitational Raise
2NT = GF Raise
3-suit = 5-8 constructive raise

New Suit = negative free bid

[Cascade]

I forgot to add

the awkward one is:

1♣ (2NT) diamonds and hearts

now the invitation is above three of our suit.

Also when the bid is 2NT the GF raises we put into the cue.

I actually quite like using 3NT as the GF raise to resolve the strength ambiguity but that is hard on the memory. Natural 3NT bids go through a double.

[keylime]

Lo-lo as in, cheapest cue is LR or better in opener's suit, more expensive cue is the 4th suit forcing raise.

[TylerE]

What days are you gonna be there? I don't have any firm plans yet but I'll probably end up showing up in some form Saturday and/or Sunday.

[bid_em_up]

TylerE, on Jan 5 2009, 12:03 AM, said:

What days are you gonna be there? I don't have any firm plans yet but I'll probably end up showing up in some form Saturday and/or Sunday.

What are the dates for this tournament? Not sure if I will be in town or not.

[TylerE]

29th - Feb 1st. Was going to get up with you actually. I should be up for The 31st and Feb 1. Could also possibly be cajoled into the Evening session on Friday (It's ~1:20 to the playing site from my workplace, so it's pretty doable).

[keylime]

Chuck,

My understanding as of now, is that Larry and I are doing the entire thing - we find out Wednesday if the baptism of Larry's grandson gets in the way.

[PrecisionL]

Yep, we are going to be Raleigh

Larry