[hrothgar]

 jillybean, on 2021-June-13, 20:21, said:

Yes I understand, my question was poorly phrased. I hear some treat the 1M opening as "likely 5 cards", I don't really understand how they play this. We still don't want to be pushing to the 3 level on a weak 4 card raise.

I prefer to play 4 card majors (and do so with a major's first opening style so we open with a 4CM lots of the time

We happily raise to the 3 level with 4 pieces.
It works out fine.
4-4 fits play really well and, if we're higher than the LAWS suggests, well its not like the opponent's know whether we're in an eight card fit or a 9+ card fit.

[jillybean]

 Winstonm, on 2021-June-14, 11:36, said:

I can’t speak for others but from my experiences a true 4-card major devotee will open 1H holding xx, AJxx, KQxxx, Ax so the issue becomes how to take preference when responder is weak and 2-2 in opener’s suits.

The issue 4-card majors solved is always having as opener a rebid. More often than not a major opener holds 5 even playing 4-card majors. Bergen can be used as long as you realize the occasional 4-4 fit won’t be LOTT protected

 hrothgar, on 2021-June-14, 11:47, said:

I prefer to play 4 card majors (and do so with a major's first opening style so we open with a 4CM lots of the time

We happily raise to the 3 level with 4 pieces.
It works out fine.
4-4 fits play really well and, if we're higher than the LAWS suggests, well its not like the opponent's know whether we're in an eight card fit or a 9+ card fit.

Thanks. So there seems to be no reason we shouldn't continue with 1M:3M preemptive, and Bergen style raises. Opener can put the breaks on with a 4-4, as opposed to a 5-4 fit.

[nige1]

G uthrie
O utred methods...

1♥ -

• 2♣ = ART REL (Opening values).
• 2♦ = ART 3-card raise 8+ HCP.
• 2♥/3♥/4♥ = PRE 4+ card raise.
• 2♠ = ART 4+ card raise to 3/5. 2N asks. Then 3♣/3♦/3♥ = SPL singleton ♣/♦/♠.
• 2N = ART 4+ card raise to 3/5. 3♣ asks. Then 3♦ = BAL 4-card raise, 3♥ = void ♠.
• 3♣ = SPL 4+ card raise to 3/5 with void ♣.
• 3♦ = SPL 4+ card raise to 3/5 with void ♦.
• 3♠ + = Similar to above with good raise to 4♥.

1♠ -

• 2♣ = ART REL (Opening values).
• 2♦ = TRF 5+ ♥.
• 2♥ = ART 3-card raise 8+ HCP.
• 2♠/3♠/4[4SP = PRE 4+ card raise.
• 2N = ART 4+ card raise to 3/5. 3♣ asks. Then 3♦/3♥/♠ = SPL singleton ♦/♥/♣.
• 3♣ = ART 4+ card raise to 3/5. 3♦ asks. Then 3♥ = BAL 4-card raise, 3♠ = void ♣.
• 3♦ = SPL 4+ card raise to 3/5 with void ♦.
• 3♥ = SPL 4+ card raise to 3/5 with void ♥.
• 3N+ = Similar to above with good 4 card raise to 4♠.

Features:

• Comprehensive, consistent and simple.
• Distinguishes pre-empts, game-invites, and slam-tries.
• Distinguishes 3-card from 4-card raises.
• Distinguishes balanced raises from splinters.
• Distinguishes singletons from voids.
• Opener can sign-off or bid game without needing to reveal responder's singleton.

[johnu]

 Winstonm, on 2021-June-14, 11:36, said:

I can’t speak for others but from my experiences a true 4-card major devotee will open 1H holding xx, AJxx, KQxxx, Ax so the issue becomes how to take preference when responder is weak and 2-2 in opener’s suits.

As somebody who plays a canape system, that is a very legitimate question about making the right preference. Sometimes you will get it wrong. You can reduce some of the guesses by introducing some complexity.