plh@ukma.UUCP (Paul L. Hightower) (03/05/85)
One too many 19-point hands being passed out at 1C led me to concoct the
following system, which I have played successfully for about two years:
1) All opening bids are standard, five-card major style (15-17 1NT) except
that, with a minor two-suited hand, open 1C only with 17+ HCP and open
1D with 16- . (Either bid still promises at least 3 cards.) For rebid
purposes, opening 1C requires 17+ HCP, or a 4-card major, or 5+ clubs.
Flat, 12-14 hands are opened 1D even with a 4-card major, to aid giving
preference after 1C-1D-{1H,1S} .
2) Responses are standard except to 1C :
(a) 1H and 1S are usually at least 5 cards, inviting 3-card raises.
(b) 1D is made on any length and any strength where no other response
is appropriate, including all hands which would ordinarily pass.
We alert this as "possible negative."
3) 1C Opener's rebids after 1D response:
(a) 1H or 1S , up-the-line 4-card suits. Note a mild transfer effect,
responder has given you first crack at naming a major.
(b) 1NT : 18-20, balanced. We now bid exactly as over 1NT opening,
using Stayman and Jacoby transfers.
(c) 2C : Natural, at least 5 cards. Sometimes forced on 2-3-3-5 or
similiar with 12-14, since 1NT is unavailable.
(d) 2D : A "reverse" , 17+ with both suits 4+ cards, either longer.
This helps limit the awkward sequence 1D-1X-2C.
(e) 2H or 2S : Jump shifts.
(f) 2NT or 3NT : 17+, semi-balanced with 6+ clubs. 3NT might be a
AKQxxxx with two side aces, i.e., chance for 9 tricks in hand.
(g) 3C : 17+, 6+ clubs, unbalanced.
None of these rebids is considered strictly forcing (since responder might
be broke.) I suppose 3D, 3H, 3S, and 4C could be defined as forcing.
4) 1C Opener's rebids after 1H or 1S response:
Standard; in particular 1NT shows 12-14, while 2NT is used for 18-20.
(The 1NT rebid may be needed over 1C-1S with 2-4-3-4, and is also
available for 2-3-3-5 hands.) Raises should be made freely with 3-card
support. Note that a 2D rebid is the same as after a 1D response, but
is now considered forcing (since responder cannot be broke.)
5) Responder's rebids after 1C-1D-{1H,1S} :
If responder would have passed a normal opener, he must pass or bid
a minimum number of clubs. Assume opener is 4-4 and put him in the
best combined length.
All other actions by responder indicate 6+ HCP, normal bidding follows.
If responder has 6+ HCP but fewer than 3 diamonds, he will usually be
able to raise a major, return to clubs, or bid notrump. Opener will
rarely have diamonds, let alone insist on playing there.
Notes:
(1) Negative doubles are a must, and 1C-P-1D-{1 or 2 of suit}-Double
is for takeout.
(2) We tried opening 1C with 18-20 and a doubleton club; I don't
recommend it. We still handle 80-90% of 18-20 hands better
than the field.
Paul Hightower
University of Kentuckyrsg@cbscc.UUCP (Bob Garmise) (03/06/85)
Have you ever used this convention/system competitively? One of the problems with systems that are non-standard is that they not only slow down a duplicate match significantly, but tend to frost the opponents. While this latter condition is not always bad, I've always considered it "bad form" to make up strange systems and then use them in duplicate matches. After all, your convention card must look like the rough draft of War and Peace by the time you're through with it. ...bob garmise...at&t bell labs, columbus...