BBO Discussion Forums: Competitive actions over Flannery - BBO Discussion Forums

I hardly see Flannery anymore, but it comes up now and then.

What meanings do you give in the direct seat over a Flannery opening?

As it's an opening strength bid I'd expect something like:

X - opening hand, 44 or better minors
2♥ - opening hand, 5+ clubs
2♠ - opening hand, 5+ diamonds
2NT - 16-18 natural, stoppers in majors
3♣ - preemptive clubs
3♦ - preemptive diamonds
3♥ - asking for stopper for 3NT with a minor to run to
3♠ - asking for stopper for 3NT with a minor to run to

I could be entirely off base. Is there a standard treatment? If or if not, what agreements do you have in your partnerships?

hautbois, on 2013-September-11, 10:48, said:

To the best of my knowledge, the "standard" defense against Flannery is x=strong NT; 2♥ is a takeout of hearts, 2NT is minors and everything else is natural. In fact, if I were playing with an experienced player, I would assume these meanings without discussion.

x = a strong nt
2♥ or 2♠ = a takeout double of the suit bid (gets your major stopper and hole in play)
2nt = minors
3♣ or 3♦ natural, opening plus
3nt = semi gambling with a good long minor and usually 1 1/2 major stoppers keying on a heart stop since they can only take 4 spades most often.

That's the very old version that I haven't used in 15 years and I doubt that anyone bothered to improve on it. The big Flannery advantage today may be that very few pairs know or remember the defence but it was good enough to chase the convention away.

pass and let them tell you more works well on marginal hands as it does against mini-roman but I once had the auction 2♦ - p - p to me holding QJTxx, AKQJTx, x, x us red them white. I shot 3nt but would have been sunk if I was in 2nd seat instead of 4th.