[Free]

I've had a closer look on notes of the Fantunes system (notes are from a while back). Since then they changed some of their responses over 2X openings. I have some questions, hopefully someone can help me:

- the 2♣ opening also has 4441's with 4♣s. They started with a 2♦ relay, 2♥ response (showing 3-4♥), a new relay and 3NT to show a 4441 with 4♥. However, there seems to be no difference between a 4-4-1-4 and a 1-4-4-4, which is imo quite strange. 4-1-4-4's are no problem since they start with a 2♠ rebid, denying ♥.
- they now use 2♣-2NT to show an invitational hand with 5+♠ and 4+♥. Anyone knows how they continue?
- they switched the 2♠ and 2NT responses after a 2♥ opening. How do they continue after 2♠ relay?
- they show a 3 card OM prior to a 4 card m suit after a 2M opening. But some combinations with a 3 card OM can't be shown. How do they handle this?
- on what bases do they decide to open 2X or 1X with less than 14HCP? Is it controls, shape, intermediate cards, all of these together,...?

I also have a question about their 1M openings: responder is able to show 55+ hands with 10-14HCP, but not with both minors. They have a bid available for that (3OM), but they seem to prefer to show support with 8-9HCP and 4+ trumps. Why don't they include these hands in the 2NT response, showing support with invitational values?

[Chamaco]

Free, on Jan 4 2006, 02:45 PM, said:

I also have a question about their 1M openings: responder is able to show 55+ hands with 10-14HCP, but not with both minors.  They have a bid available for that (3OM), but they seem to prefer to show support with 8-9HCP and 4+ trumps.  Why don't they include these hands in the 2NT response, showing support with invitational values?

Hi Free,
this is what I know in general terms about their previous system versions.

1) 4441 hands not worth a 1-level opening tend to be passed unless a very good 12 or 13. Also, it is acceptable to open them 1NT.

I cannot answer the questions you refer to (BTW, I'll be interested in any contributions)



2) over a 2 level opening, there are 3 kind of hands that responder will keep the auction open:
....a. 14+ hands that will drive to game
....b. (11)12-13 hands that will invite game opposite the advertised 10-13 by opener
....c weaker hands (say 8/9-11 or worse) inmisfit, with a long rebiddable own suit (or tolerance to pass any opener's rebid), that will seek to improve the partscore
....d. weak misfit hands (say 8/9-11 or worse) but with no rebiddable suit (nor tolerance to pass pard's rebid) at the 3 level are forced to pass, possibly landing in a poor partscore.

Basically, over a weak 2 opening you'll keep the auction open only with a hand with game potential, or with a good own rebiddable suit (of course direct raises are always semipreemptive)

Quote

- on what bases do they decide to open 2X or 1X with less than 14HCP?  Is it controls, shape, intermediate cards, all of these together,...?

3) The main criterion is that you can open at the 1 level everytime you think it's ok to be i game if responder has a 10 count, even in misfit.

So a good 13 or a great 12 can be ok.

[Gerben42]

Sorry I cannot be of assistance. This is a dark area I'm afraid

Just that it is sensible to play 2♠ as artificial and 2NT as ♠ after opening 2♥, this is true after a weak two also.