[bootface]

Hello:

A few members of my duplicate club are using a 1D bid to signal 15-17 points with unbalanced distribution. The only rule that I am aware of (or that they care to describe) is that a 2D response is weak.

Has anyone seen this convention and do they know what it's called. I presume they use the old Short Club instead of the Convenient Minor.

Thanks

[steve2005]

 bootface, on 2017-January-19, 10:34, said:

Hello:

A few members of my duplicate club are using a 1D bid to signal 15-17 points with unbalanced distribution. The only rule that I am aware of (or that they care to describe) is that a 2D response is weak.

Has anyone seen this convention and do they know what it's called. I presume they use the old Short Club instead of the Convenient Minor.

Thanks

to show such a specific range is unusual. 1D can be used as your strong forcing opening with a usual range of 16+ or 17+. The idea being a nebulous 1C being easier to handle than 1D,
Can look up Magic Diamond for an example.

[mycroft]

I know of things like KlingerMiles' Unbalanced Diamond. Yes, the range is much wider than 15-17. What is frequently termed "Transfer Walsh" also frequently plays "1♦ is almost always unbalanced (some 6322s, rare 5422s, but we expect it to be unbalanced)". But again, full standard range.

I've played a really stupid system (5 rule club) where 1♦ was 13-15 unbalanced. Note that that was the entirety of the agreement (as I said, "really stupid" and "5 rules").

[Edit: Yes, of course I did. Just because I "know of" it, doesn't mean I can actually remember anything - like the author. Too much Keri on my mind I guess. Thanks PL.]

[PrecisionL]

 mycroft said:

I know of things like Klinger's Unbalanced Diamond.

Maybe you mean Miles Unbalanced Diamond?

[Zelandakh]

There are a few systems around that use 1♦ for a specified (non-minimum or open-ended) range and any shape. The best known is probably the Orient Bidding System, where a 1♦ opening shows 14-15hcp. Another that I have seen (but forgotten the name of) uses 1♦ for the 16-19 range. While these systems are workable, they tend to be much less homogeneous than the alternatives and suffer disproportionately in competition.

[PrecisionL]

We played a strong Diamond System for a season and then gave it up. Vanderbilt had it right, a Strong Club needs the extra step in the response structure. However, playing 5-cd majors with a Strong Club gives you an ambiguous 1♦ opening.

Then there is the AFM System (American Forcing Minor) by Lutz and Fink, where 1♦ is 98% forcing (15-20 hcp) with 4+ ♦ or a balanced 15-17 and 1 of a major is 4-cards or better and 1♣ is 17+ hcp with a 5-cd major.