[Chamaco]

Hi all,
some people play the 2C opening (or other openings) as minimum opening values (11-15) 3-suiter, unspecified shortness.

Does anyone have a DEFENSE (edited by Mauro after Free's post) scheme he is happy with and that he has applied successfully in practice (not only in theory LOL).

Also, any suggestion from your experience in playing vs these kind of openers is extremely appreciated: I have played against it just a few times and had a hard time evaluating my hands and the best strategy (pass, bid, double, etc), especially at MP, when the partscore fight (or partscore protecting) was needed.

Thanks all !

[Free]

keep it simple:
2X = P/C, no invitational hand
2NT = general relay
3X = invitational with X and a higher suit

[Chamaco]

Free, on Sep 20 2005, 10:11 AM, said:

keep it simple:
2X = P/C, no invitational hand
2NT = general relay
3X = invitational with X and a higher suit

Frederic,
is it possible you have misunderstood my question ?

I was asking a defense scheme AGAINST the 3-suiter, not a scheme for responding if pard opens a 3-suiter.

Did I miss something ?

[helene_t]

Hey Frederick, Mauro asked for a defense, not a response scheme!

Oh Mauro said the same at the same time.

This post has been edited by helene_t: 2005-September-20, 04:14

[Free]

Woops sorry, the post implied a response-structure, but the topic is clear Sorry, I don't have a decent defense against such openers...

[Gerben42]

Defense against this:
Rule 1: Bid naturally, Double shows ♣.
Rule 2: Don't look for 4-4 fits.
Rule 3: Later doubles are penalty.
Rule 4: Lead trumps.

[Chamaco]

Gerben42, on Sep 20 2005, 11:15 AM, said:

Defense against this:
Rule 1: Bid naturally, Double shows ♣.
Rule 2: Don't look for 4-4 fits.
Rule 3: Later doubles are penalty.
Rule 4: Lead trumps.

What shall I do with strong balanced hands (say 18+ or 20+) with short clubs ?
Just pass ?

[Gerben42]

Sorry meant double as "natural or very strong".
Maybe not working THAT well. Anyway, it never comes up

I found this link:
http://www.slospin.net/Duplicate%20Bridge/...miniroman2D.htm

Suggestion:
Dbl = 15+, suggest defending (sort of balanced)
Overcall = natural
2NT = Invitational to 3NT, suggest a long minor

[Al_U_Card]

You might try this modified Flannery-type defense

dbl= strong NT (over 2C, transfers are on, 2NT is invitational and 3C is stayman.
2D=majors
2M=opening hand, 5+ card suit
2NT=relay to 3C (long suit, weak)
3C=minors

[1eyedjack]

You might want to consider the implications on your defensive structure if opener promises the suit opened. In some partnerships I open 2H = 4H441 with any singleton except H, limited to about 12-16. In defence a double should probably be fairly specific as to Heart length (in that example) - probably takeout, I suggest, but open to contradiction.

[Chamaco]

1eyedjack, on Sep 20 2005, 03:42 PM, said:

You might want to consider the implications on your defensive structure if opener promises the suit opened. In some partnerships I open 2H = 4H441 with any singleton except H, limited to about 12-16. In defence a double should probably be fairly specific as to Heart length (in that example) - probably takeout, I suggest, but open to contradiction.

No, my question was referred to the defense vs 3-suited opening with absolutely unknown shortness

[awm]

Take a look at the following:

http://ducat.caltech...ml/rubicon.html

In general these "unknown three-suiter" conventions are rather silly, in that they bypass 1NT (which is fairly often the best contract) and you generally can't even play two of a minor. Perhaps they help with other systemic issues, but my experience is that people playing 2♦ as any three suiter generally get bad results. Perhaps 2♣ is slightly better as you are one level lower. Anyways, a simple defense would seem to be:

X = 13+ hcp, usually balanced
Else = natural

I have found that most frequently I will get an excellent result by either passing throughout the auction and leading a trump, or (if I have a lot of points) doubling the final contract and leading a trump.