[fampaaske]

Pattern – new ways in bidding

The basic concepts of the system
Pattern is based upon the principle that opener directly show his hand pattern by the opening bid.

In bidding we have 4 classes of hands:

Balanced (including 5332)
3-suited (4441 - 5440)
2-suited (at least 5-4)
Single suited (+6suiters)

In this system we start to show the hand pattern and nothing about specific suits. The opening schedule is:

1C 2-suited (10-21) or 3-suited (11-16)
1D One suited +10
1H Balanced +18 or 3-suited (17-22)
1S Balanced 12-14
1NT Balanced 15-17
2C Forcing with 2 suited pattern – answers basically as to the opening 1C

The other 2-openers are free of choice. 2NT is open for business.

Basic answering structure
One of the basic principles which has been built into the system is positive relay and the W-M-S (weak must speak) principle. This means that weak single suited or unbalanced hands is allowed to bid in the first round, while stronger hands holding +8HCP normally bids by using the relay. This goes for all openings including the balanced ones (transfers for weak hands).

After the relay opener normally limits his hand and starts a natural description. The hands are easily handled with fairly natural methods. See the next section.

Another general principle is how to act against interference: We are using High/low doubles and negative free bids. A double normally shows the same strength as a positive relay +8HCP and will normally be relatively balanced in the low area 8-11HCP and unspecified from opening hand and up. The negative free bids (including jumps) is natural and shows 5-11 point and some distribution.


Arguments for the system
The theory behind this opening system is rather self explanatory, if partner knows openers hand pattern, he will very often be able to conclude if the hands are fitting or not.

We all love No-trump openings because they give the partnership nice control. So why not open as high and as often as possible with balanced hands? These openings have a very high frequency and partner rules from now on. It must be very disturbing for the opponents to have these openings all the time. This is the great difference to the natural systems where half of the balanced hands normally are mixed into the unbalanced ones.

The single suited opening is also a strong asset. Answerer will normally also control the situation. If answerer holds a balanced hand he can compete in opener’s suit. The opening hand is pretty easy to describe – in fact we can use the relay as a kind of Ogust on all hands from 6 to 22 points.

The 2 suited 1C opening is the most intriguing part of the system. Also here partner often know where to go.

Some would say it is the weak spot regarding the high risk of missing a major fit on interference.

Well ..we have to disagree to these arguments for a number of reasons. Answerer knows that partner is two-suited and the bidding will normally reveal openers suits. If the opponents find a fit and answerer is balanced or 2-suited, he knows that a fit is present on our side. Of cause we can set up examples where we are hurt be aggressive preemptive bids, but my examinations shows, that in just as many cases a natural system would also be hurt.

Of cause we have to be prepared against interference – this opening opens the battle. But who will prevail in the end – normally the pair with better sight from the gunsmoke.

If we have an undisturbed auction after 1C og 1D the bidding seem to be more accurate than in a natural system. The main arguments for the higher precision are the relay and the limitations. Also the WMS structure enables the system to stay low in the right suit.


The further structure of the system

Answers to the opening bids

1C 2-suited (10-21) or 3-suited (11-16)

1D is a positive relay and covers all hands is this area.

The bid can also be a blasted hand, which would have passed to a natural 1 level opening. (Passes normally next time)

1Ma/1N is natural 4cards (3-7)
1NT/2NT is natural denies 4card major (3-7). 2NT shows 55 in minors and (4-7)
2X/3X natural weak (3-7)

1C-1D-
1MA natural 4cards limited (10-16) – can be longer minor
1NT/2NT both minors (10-16)
2x GF +17 natural (5/6suiter- but denies 5-5)
3x GF +16 5-5 (suits from below)

After openers rebid of 1MA, the bidding follows normal principles. 1NT shows 8-11 and 2/1 is absolute game force.

We recommend 2C as GFR (Game force relay) to reveal openers distribution. Answerer has either clubs, or has balanced hand or support. 2NT could be a limit supp bid. Jump to the 3 level could be 5-5 hands.

After openers rebid of 1NT (both minors) 2C is also GFR. All other bids are invitational.

After openers rebid on the 2 or 3 level we already have a GF situation and the bidding should follow the normal fast arrival principles.



1D One suited +10

1H relay
1S/1NT natural weak (3-7) very unbalanced hands
2X/3X Weak single suited hands

1D-1H
1S unknown suit (15-19) – 1NT relay
1NT unknown suit (20-22) – 2C relay
2NT unknown suit Absolute gameforce –3C relay
2X natural (10-14)
3X/4X natural with nice 7carder on a 5 looser hand (10-14)

After opener has shown his suit the system a relay bid asks for openers hand, and the steps follow the Ogust principles. Other bids are F1. Jumps are splinter. Opener can also make a self-splinter by jumping to the four level in a void and hence 7330.

The basic charm of this opening is that all single-suiters from 6HCP and up is treated the same way. We believe the Ogust treatment is OK as long as we are dealing with true single suiters.


1H Balanced +18 or 3-suited (17-22)

1S Relay denies long suit and very weak hand
1UT 0-4 HP at least +5C
2C transfer +5D 0- 4
2D Jacoby +5H 0-4
2H Jacoby +5S 0-4
2S transfer +6C 0-4
3X +5-+5 8-12

1H-1S
1UT 18-20 balanced
2C 17-19 4441
2D 20-22 4441
2H 23-24 Balanced
2S 25-26 Balanced
2UT 21-22 Balanced
3C 27-28 Balanced

This opening bid covers all balanced hands nicely, including the vicious strong 4441 hands.

After rebid of 1NT the 1NT-structure is used. After the 2 level NT the 2NT-structure is used.

When openers show a 3-suiter the relay is at least invitational and asks opener to bid the suit ABOVE the singleton. 2NT substitutes the highest step. All other bids are Pass/correct.

The 1NT and 2NT structure is free of choice, but it should be able to handle 5card majors.

1S Balanced 12-14

This bid is treated like a 1NT opening. Except that answerer can choose to pass or bid 1NT. All other bids follow the NT system.

1NT Balanced 15-17

Natural as we all know it.

2C Forcing with 2suiter.

We recommend to use the same system as used on the 1C opening, 2D is GF +5 points and
all other bids are weak hands with 0-4.


Please comments
I am very interested in comments because i think we are close to something rather powerfull.

I am working on the detailed system handbook (translating) so email me if you
want a copy

Anyone care to try plying it on BBO ???

Frank Paaskesen (DK)

[hrothgar]

I'm skeptical, to say the least.

If there is one rule to modern bidding, its that you need to be prepared for competitive auctions. I think that this scheme is going to place you at a severe disadvantage compared to other possible systems.

Over the years, I've seen a lot of ridiculous systems get proposed that using the opening structure to describe the strength of a hand.

1C = 6-8 HCP
1D = 9-11 HCP
1H = 12 - 13 HCP

and so on.

These systems get proposed all the time. They never work well because responder is never in a good position to raise a suit to 2M.

I think that your making exactly the same mistake; you're just moving in the opposite direction. You're using a vast number of completely artificial bids to describe shape without any thought to showing which suits you hold.

I'm not saying that its wrong to employ a small number of specialized bids that describe shape. Virtually all systems use a specific bid (or set of bids) to announce that they hold a balanced hand with a given range. Many systems have used other specialized bids to announce that they have some kind of three suiter. Please note: Both balanced hands and three suiters have a very important charactisitic: Its EASY for responder to judge whether or not the partnership has a fit. You can't say the same thing for an opening that announces a single suiter hand or even a two suiter hand.

[whereagles]

Richard, it's not really that responder is in a bad position to act. It's more that systems like 'pattern' and the other one you posted go against the theoretical priorities of bidding, which are:

1. Shape
2. Strength
3. Controls
4. Location of high cards

Natural systems like 2/1 have therir openings geared to have a go at 1, while stuff like strong club openers try to combine 1 & 2 together. 'pattern' and others don't prevail because they don't adress these priorities correctly.

[hotShot]

You open 1C for a two suited hand (10-21), your LHO bids 3♦ showing 5-10 HCP and 6+♦.

What are the options you partner has, to show his hand.
Since he can't support your unknown suits, how strong must he be to answer.
Since he does not know your strength, how can he avoid a min-min situation and how can he avoid missing game if you are max?

[mike777]

fampaaske, on Dec 30 2006, 05:18 AM, said:

Pattern – new ways in bidding

The basic concepts of the system
Pattern is based upon the principle that opener directly show his hand pattern by the opening bid.

In bidding we have 4 classes of hands:

Balanced (including 5332)
3-suited (4441 - 5440)
2-suited (at least 5-4)
Single suited (+6suiters)

In this system we start to show the hand pattern and nothing about specific suits. The opening schedule is:

1C 2-suited (10-21) or 3-suited (11-16)
1D One suited +10
1H Balanced +18 or 3-suited (17-22)
1S Balanced 12-14
1NT Balanced 15-17
2C Forcing with 2 suited pattern – answers basically as to the opening 1C

The other 2-openers are free of choice. 2NT is open for business.

Basic answering structure
One of the basic principles which has been built into the system is positive relay and the W-M-S (weak must speak) principle. This means that weak single suited or unbalanced hands is allowed to bid in the first round, while stronger hands holding +8HCP normally bids by using the relay. This goes for all openings including the balanced ones (transfers for weak hands).

After the relay opener normally limits his hand and starts a natural description. The hands are easily handled with fairly natural methods. See the next section. 

Another general principle is how to act against interference: We are using High/low doubles and negative free bids. A double normally shows the same strength as a positive relay +8HCP and will normally be relatively balanced in the low area 8-11HCP and unspecified from opening hand and up. The negative free bids (including jumps) is natural and shows 5-11 point and some distribution. 


Arguments for the system
The theory behind this opening system is rather self explanatory, if partner knows openers hand pattern, he will very often be able to conclude if the hands are fitting or not.

We all love No-trump openings because they give the partnership nice control. So why not open as high and as often as possible with balanced hands? These openings have a very high frequency and partner rules from now on. It must be very disturbing for the opponents to have these openings all the time. This is the great difference to the natural systems where half of the balanced hands normally are mixed into the unbalanced ones.

The single suited opening is also a strong asset. Answerer will normally also control the situation. If answerer holds a balanced hand he can compete in opener’s suit. The opening hand is pretty easy to describe – in fact we can use the relay as a kind of Ogust on all hands from 6 to 22 points.

The 2 suited 1C opening is the most intriguing part of the system. Also here partner often know where to go.

Some would say it is the weak spot regarding the high risk of missing a major fit on interference.
 
Well ..we have to disagree to these arguments for a number of reasons. Answerer knows that partner is two-suited and the bidding will normally reveal openers suits. If the opponents find a fit and answerer is balanced or 2-suited, he knows that a fit is present on our side. Of cause we can set up examples where we are hurt be aggressive preemptive bids, but my examinations shows, that in just as many cases a natural system would also be hurt.

Of cause we have to be prepared against interference – this opening opens the battle.  But who will prevail in the end – normally the pair with better sight from the gunsmoke.       

If we have an undisturbed auction after 1C og 1D the bidding seem to be more accurate than in a natural system. The main arguments for the higher precision are the relay and the limitations. Also the WMS structure enables the system to stay low in the right suit.


The further structure of the system

Answers to the opening bids

1C 2-suited (10-21) or 3-suited  (11-16)

1D  is a positive relay and covers all hands is this area.

The bid can also be a blasted hand, which would have passed to a natural 1 level opening. (Passes normally next time) 

1Ma/1N is natural 4cards (3-7)
1NT/2NT is natural denies 4card major (3-7). 2NT shows 55 in minors and (4-7)
2X/3X natural weak (3-7)

1C-1D-
1MA natural 4cards limited (10-16) – can be longer minor
1NT/2NT both minors (10-16)
2x GF +17 natural (5/6suiter- but denies 5-5)
3x GF +16 5-5 (suits from below)

After openers rebid of 1MA, the bidding follows normal principles. 1NT shows 8-11 and 2/1 is absolute game force.

We recommend 2C as GFR (Game force relay)  to reveal openers distribution. Answerer has either clubs, or has balanced hand or support. 2NT could be a limit supp bid. Jump to the 3 level could be 5-5 hands.

After openers rebid of 1NT (both minors) 2C is also GFR. All other bids are invitational.

After openers rebid on the 2 or 3 level we already have a GF situation and the bidding should follow the normal fast arrival principles.



1D One suited  +10

1H  relay
1S/1NT natural weak (3-7) very unbalanced hands
2X/3X Weak single suited hands

1D-1H
1S unknown suit (15-19) – 1NT relay
1NT unknown suit (20-22) – 2C relay
2NT unknown suit Absolute gameforce –3C relay
2X natural (10-14)
3X/4X natural with nice 7carder on a 5 looser hand (10-14)

After opener has shown his suit the system a relay bid asks for openers hand, and the steps follow  the Ogust principles. Other bids are F1. Jumps are splinter. Opener can also make a self-splinter by jumping to the four level in a void and hence 7330.

The basic charm of this opening is that all single-suiters from 6HCP and up is treated the same way. We believe the Ogust treatment is OK as long as we are dealing with true single suiters.


1H Balanced +18 or 3-suited (17-22)

1S Relay denies long suit and very weak hand
1UT 0-4 HP at least +5C
2C transfer +5D 0- 4
2D Jacoby +5H 0-4
2H Jacoby +5S 0-4
2S transfer +6C 0-4
3X +5-+5  8-12

1H-1S
1UT 18-20 balanced
2C 17-19 4441
2D 20-22 4441
2H 23-24 Balanced
2S 25-26 Balanced
2UT 21-22 Balanced
3C 27-28 Balanced

This opening bid covers all balanced hands nicely, including the vicious strong 4441 hands.

After rebid of 1NT the 1NT-structure is used. After the 2 level NT the 2NT-structure is used.

When openers show a 3-suiter the relay is at least invitational and asks opener to bid the suit ABOVE the singleton. 2NT substitutes the highest step. All other bids are Pass/correct.

The 1NT and 2NT structure is free of choice, but it should be able to handle 5card majors.

1S Balanced 12-14

This bid is treated like a 1NT opening. Except that answerer can choose to pass or bid 1NT. All other bids follow the NT system. 

1NT Balanced 15-17

Natural as we all know it.

2C  Forcing with 2suiter.

We recommend to use the same system as used on the 1C opening, 2D is GF +5 points and
all other bids are weak hands with 0-4.


Please comments
I am very interested in comments because i think we are close to something rather powerfull.

I am working on the detailed system handbook (translating) so email me if you
want a copy

Anyone care to try plying it on BBO ??? 

Frank Paaskesen (DK)

Take a look at the "Simple Club" listed in the bridge encyclopedia. It also divides the hands up by this pattern but adds a strong club. Much is borrowed from Roman and Neopolitian Club.

[the hog]

Sorry but this is not going to work. I have played relay systems for years, but this one is going to be far too vulnerable to intervention in terms of your opening bids. The continuations are reasonable.

[fampaaske]

Hi guys

Thx for your replies.

As I see it all boils down to the following Question:

Will the system be more or less competitive than natural systems ?

I think "pattern" follows the priorities

1 shape , 2 strength, 3 controls, 4 locations of high card

more correctly than most systems. The shape is just different than we are used to.

The knowledge we have when partner opens a natural 1suit is:

A major opening - 5 in a specific suit. 10-21 (longest suit)

A minor opening - 3 in the suit and balanced with 12-14 or 18-19 or
+4 ubalanced 11-21.

The Knowledge we get from pattern is:

1C To suiter unknown 11-21
1D Single suiter unknown
1H-S-NT Specific balanced hands

Lets try to use this knowledge with an example

Lets take 1C-(3D)- ?

You have 4432 and 8 points.

What do you do in a natural system:

D ? - you should probably pass - right ?

What do you do in pattern.

Well you know you got a major suit fit. So
you make a Double. Aggessive but you know partner has shape !
Well you could also pas and partner could reopen in his longest suit.
Still you could make preference til the fitting spot.

I find it very hard to prejudge on what is the most efficient. What I know is, that We all are used to natural system evaluation. Pattern forces us to use another logic - I am not concinved are in worse shape here. In fact studying numorous World Champion ship hands has at least shown to me that the structure is viable also in highly competitive bridge.

I am not trying to prove anything just trying to say that this system is not bad at all !!

BTW the system as so much fun to play !

Have a nice new year - Se You on BBO

Kind regards Frank

[awm]

My observation has been that bids which show an "unknown two suiter" usually work pretty well in competition. The reason is that when the opponents are bidding aggressively over it, the suit they bid is almost never one of partner's suits. So over 1♣-3♦ in this system for example, we pretty much know partner doesn't hold diamonds (well okay, unless we're super-short in diamonds ourselves). Most of the time responder has a hand that can stand two of the remaining suits, and can safely double and scramble to the right spot.

Another way to say it is, suppose the opponents preempt some suit. In general I will have one of: (1) length in their suit, in which case partner has shortage. I can safely pass with "in-between" hands and partner will reopen (2) shortage in their suit, in which case I surely have a fit for at least two of the three outstanding suits; I can safely double, leaving partner to convert if their suit is one of his, or bid on otherwise (3) some intermediate number of cards in their suit, like say 3; in this case I am virtually certain partner doesn't hold their suit (okay unless 3♦ was on a five-bagger I suppose); often I will have a fit for at least two of the remaining suits and can safely double.

On the other hand, bids that show an "unknown one-suiter" seem not to work nearly as well. Again suppose the auction starts 1♦ (one-suited) - 3♦ (nat). Responder can tell that diamonds is not opener's suit. But there are many intermediate hands with patterns like 2-4-3-4 or even 1-4-3-5 where we really want to compete if opener holds a round suit but it's best off to pass when opener holds spades. Note the difference is that holding "intermediate length" in the enemy suit pretty much guarantees support for two other suits (unless holding an extreme one-suiter) but by no means guarantees support for three other suits.

Personally I've only played something like "Pattern" very briefly, but I have a lot of experience playing (and defending against) various defenses to notrump openers which make use of bids showing either an "unknown one-suiter" or "unknown two-suiter" and have certainly observed this tendency.

[the hog]

" find it very hard to prejudge on what is the most efficient. What I know is, that We all are used to natural system evaluation. Pattern forces us to use another logic - I am not concinved are in worse shape here. In fact studying numorous World Champion ship hands has at least shown to me that the structure is viable also in highly competitive bridge."

That is actually where you are very wrong. There are at least 4 people who post regularly here who are long time relay exponents. This even includes using forcing pass systems.

[dake50]

Test vs intervention by asking 'how many cases to sort out with one call at 3-level?'
(2 calls if super playing case) If as precision vs 3D: bal, bal+, S, S+,H,H+,C, C+, SH, SH+, SC, SC+, HC, HC+ shortD, shortD+ the whole next level gets used to clarify. But if only 3-4 cases that overlap, simple.
1C <3D> ?? how to inform partner H yes, S no, game ok, slam no.

[inquiry]

A couple of issues...

This system reduces the opening bids of 1♣ and 1♥ and increases bids of 1♦, and particularily 1♠. There is some advantage of opening 1♠ with a balanced min hand rather than 1♣, as it steals the entire one level. IT will be interesting to see how this works. Also the frequent 1♦ opening on an anyone suiter will cause problems for everyone until an adequate defense is determined.

It will be interesting to see how the system does. Fampaaske do you play this with bbo members other than nielsfoged? So far there is not enough hands played using this method on bbo to draw conclusions yet. Also, there seems to be a huge "surprize" value for this method as people are not familiar with it.

[fampaaske]

To the Hoq

I dont see Pattern as a relay system. Of cause we have an initial relay, but later the bidding is fairly natural.

Its true i recommend a GFR after 1C-1D-1MA-2C , but its not a relay that completely disolves openers hand - just a sort out.

If someone want to develop a relay structure upon this opening structure i dont mind, but it was not my intention.

[fampaaske]

To dake50

In my notes on inteference i have written:

1C-(2X)-D-(p)

D shows extra strength +14 (but normally 14-16)
2MA/3MI natural show longest suit 10-13
2NT shows stopper / maybe intervener has hit my second suit
Cue - GF
4X 5-5 from below

After D i recommend a lebensohl treatment

1C-(1/2X)-D-(2/3X)

Pass dead minimum or lenght in opps suit
D shows extra
2NT both minors concurrent
Suit bid concurrent 3mi also show unbid major
nor . 3ma 5 suiter
4X 5-5
Cuebid - GF

As you can see a fairly natural method.

[mike777]

come on guys, assuming non relay system..how is this better than "simple club"?

You seem to just make random comments....not critical ones!

[Free]

Dunno what simple club is, but I'm used to play Weiss Club (some sort of canapé club) in 3rd and 4th seat. 1♣ is strong, 1♦/1♥/1♠ are natural 2-suiters (normal with ♣ or any canapé), 1NT is balanced, 2♣ is any 3-suiter, 2♦/2♥/2♠ are singlesuiters and 2NT+3♣ show a ♣ singlesuiter max/min. This works particularly great with the passed partner, but I guess it's quite solid as a main system as well. It defines shape immediately and also limits some hands, which is great for competitive action. The 1♣ opening is a disadvantage, you can't have it all. At least we know a suit from the 1-suiters and 2-suiters...

Imo it's just hard to handle the unknown singlesuiters after preemption. After a 2-suited opening without a known suit, there's still no real harm done, since responder can double for takeout and opener can show some suits.

[hotShot]

Free, on Dec 31 2006, 12:57 PM, said:

The 1♣ opening is a disadvantage, you can't have it all.

I disagree, the strong 1♣ opening is what makes this system work. If limits the range of all the other bids.

The main problem in Franks Pattern based system is, that after a weak jump interference his partner has to guess opposite a 10-21 range. Holding 7 HCP he might miss game opposite partners 17+ hand, or he might enforce a hopeless 8 card fit, 3 level contract with just 17 combined HCP.
If this range would be limited to e.g. 10-15 or 10-17, the 3rd seat decision is much easier.

If the range is not limited, you need to be sure to have a 9 card fit if you are weak.

Balanced => 48%
2-Suited => 29 %
single suited => 19%
3 suited => 4%

Upsides of Franks system:
He can play 1NT with both strong and weak opening hands.
Opening 1S or 1NT a lot (48%) keeps opps from 1 level interference.

Downsides
Openings with unbalanced hand (52%) may suffer from opps interference.
1♥ opening is to rare 9.75% (18+) + ~0.1% for 3 suited 17


Suggested improvement:
Include 4441 to balanced and define 5440 as 2 suited.
Now balanced is about 51% and 2 suited is 30%
1♣ 2-suited with 5 card minor (15%)
1♦ 2-suited with 5 card major (15%)
1♥ single suited 10+ (19%)
1♠ balanced 12-14
1NT balanced 15-17
1♥,1♠,1NT make about 70% so opps have little chance to act at 1 level.
This would make the 3rd seat decision easier as partner can often guess the major or minor you hold after interference.
By bidding the lower/upper minor/major as pass or correct, he can show min/max and support, and dbl can show strength without fit to the 5 card suit.

[dake50]

When does shape information change a decision(partial/game, G/slam)? That's when it is needed, rest is blabbing to help defenders count. So, the partitions you suggest bal/2-s/3-s/1-s may be incorporated when partner asks for that.

[helene_t]

While I have never played something even remotely similar to this Pattern system, I do have so sympaty for the idea.

1) Grouping distributions per pattern is mathematically elegant. The number of distributions per pattern is always either 4, 12 or 24. Unlike characteristics like lenght or shortness in specific suits, which causes overlaps with distribution with two long suits or two short suits, patterns can easily be defined to be non-overlapping. I can imagine that one could exploit those facts to make a very simple relay structure.

2) The probabilities of having and 8-card fit, a 9-card-fit, a double fit or no fit are functions of the pattern. It could be argued that the higher the probability of having a good fit, the higher the opening bid should be and the more aggresive the reponse scheme should be as well.

3) Some argue that such a system is vulnerable to interference. I'm not sure if this is necesarilly true. For example, if opener has allready anounced a two-suited hand, his next bid "must" be either the cheapest or the second-cheapest suit as he must have one of those; hence, any other bid could be defined as showing extra strength. This would apply whether he's forced to bid or not and whether the auction is contested or not. It's my feeling that one could, using such simple rules, develop an extremely symmetric structure for handling contested as well as uncontested auctions.

[fampaaske]

Hi Hotshot

Your suggestions sounds OK, but i would like to change a few things though
I think 4441 NT opening is OK...God... I hate these 4441´s

1♣ 2-suited with minor 5
1♦ singlesuited
1♥ 2-suited with major 5
1♠ 12-14 bal
1NT 15-17 bal

Then we need a bid for +18bal

2♣ bal +18 (18-19) or +22
2♦ Strong 2-suited
2NT 20-21

The reason for this structure is that the request structure seems more stable

Still working on the answering schedule, there will be a lot og pass or corrects here


In the meantime i suggest we try out the original structure, which i truly love because of its simplicity. I dont think its a distarter to find a 4-4 fit on the 3 level if the hand are unbalanced. In fact we are in the hardboiler game area.

Who is in for a game one of these days ?

Btw Happy new year