[awm]

Anyone have suggestions for defenses to the following two conventions?

(1) Opening 3NT to show a sound preempt in either major (typically 8+ tricks)?

(2) Opening 2NT to show a weak hand with 5+♥ and a 5+ card (unspecified) minor?

Thanks

[Apollo81]

awm, on Jun 9 2007, 01:47 PM, said:

Anyone have suggestions for defenses to the following two conventions?

(1) Opening 3NT to show a sound preempt in either major (typically 8+ tricks)?

(2) Opening 2NT to show a weak hand with 5+♥ and a 5+ card (unspecified) minor?

Thanks

2. 3H Michaels, overcalls natural, double is a strong notrump+, 3NT to play but based on a minor with a heart stopper.

[jdonn]

Apollo81, on Jun 9 2007, 02:10 PM, said:

awm, on Jun 9 2007, 01:47 PM, said:

Anyone have suggestions for defenses to the following two conventions?

(1) Opening 3NT to show a sound preempt in either major (typically 8+ tricks)?

(2) Opening 2NT to show a weak hand with 5+♥ and a 5+ card (unspecified) minor?

Thanks

2. 3H Michaels, overcalls natural, double is a strong notrump+, 3NT to play but based on a minor with a heart stopper.

This leaves out takeout of hearts, which seems very important. I don't think passing first with that is very satisfactory. I would just make double takeout of hearts, but could be strong and balanced just like almost any takeout double.

Also for 1:, I don't think any defense is needed, just make double a good hand and suits natural, and have an agreement about what double then double is, and what pass then double is.

[awm]

It may also be important to have defenses after responder's call. Here are the responses I have for these conventions:

(1) 3NT - Pass... 4♣ asks opener to transfer to his major, 4♦ asks opener to bid his major, 4M is to play if it's opener's major or a slam try if opener has the other major.

(2) 2NT - Pass... 3♣ is pass/correct for the minor, 3♦ is a relay showing either a heart invite or a forcing request for the minor, 3♥ is to play, 3♠ is natural and forcing, 3NT is to play, higher minor suit bids are pass/correct and major suit bids are to play.

[cherdano]

Re (2): From a thread about defending Wilkosz on RGB I mostly remember one quote (from someone whose team had given serious and practice of the issue), explaining that after a 5+/5 opening you don't go looking for 4-4 fits - either trumps break horribly or there is a ruff coming. "Without a big fit, we either play 3N or double them."
So while I agree with Josh that you can't pass with a takeout double of hearts this is more so that partner can bid his 6-card suit with moderate values etc., not so much to find the 4-4 fit to play 4♠.

[joshs]

awm, on Jun 9 2007, 02:25 PM, said:

It may also be important to have defenses after responder's call. Here are the responses I have for these conventions:

(1) 3NT - Pass... 4♣ asks opener to transfer to his major, 4♦ asks opener to bid his major, 4M is to play if it's opener's major or a slam try if opener has the other major.

(2) 2NT - Pass... 3♣ is pass/correct for the minor, 3♦ is a relay showing either a heart invite or a forcing request for the minor, 3♥ is to play, 3♠ is natural and forcing, 3NT is to play, higher minor suit bids are pass/correct and major suit bids are to play.

Well the obvious defense is: Natural, x's of the 4C or 4D bids show that suit and a hand that is interested in competing.

There is a case to be made after 3N-P-4C or 3N-P-4D to play x as strong balanced, and play pass and then x later as takeout (there is still a question of after making a strong balanced x, what advancers x should mean). Ideally you would want to do it the other way around, but since you don't know what their suit is yet, you can't make a takeout x of it yet.

I am not sure of the frequency merits of being able to distinguish takeout from balanced, relative to being able to introduce the particular minor 1 level lower (particularly when your opponent might choose between 4C or 4D based in part on which suit he didn't want xed). I suspect over a strong 4 of a major bid, the strong balanced hand isn't that common.

[Gerben42]

Quote

Anyone have suggestions for defenses to the following two conventions?

(1) Opening 3NT to show a sound preempt in either major (typically 8+ tricks)?

(2) Opening 2NT to show a weak hand with 5+♥ and a 5+ card (unspecified) minor?

Thanks

*** EDIT *** Thought 3N was a preempt in a MINOR before.

(1)

Dbl = Any strong hand, suggesting to opps that they run. When they do, Dbl is PENALTY from both sides (how things change ... 4m is not 4M!)
4♣ = ♣ + Major (edited)
4♦ = ♦ + Major (edited)
4M = Natural
4NT = Minors
5m = normal 5m bid

(3N) p (4m): Treat as if 4m was the opening bid.

(2)

Dbl = TO of ♥ or any strong hand that does not wish to dbl 3♥ for penalty
3m/♠ = natural
3♥ = 2-suiter ♠ + hopefully other minor

2N p 3♥ p p X = penalty

This post has been edited by Gerben42: 2007-June-14, 08:37

[pclayton]

1. Initial Double: Takeout of hearts. Delayed Double of 4♥ - penalty. Delayed double of 4♠ - takeout. 4 anything - natural.

After 3N - p - 4♣ / 4♦: Double - any good hand; else natural.

2. Double - Takeout of hearts; else natural.

[lowerline]

awm, on Jun 9 2007, 12:47 PM, said:

Anyone have suggestions for defenses to the following two conventions?

(1) Opening 3NT to show a sound preempt in either major (typically 8+ tricks)?

(2) Opening 2NT to show a weak hand with 5+♥ and a 5+ card (unspecified) minor?

Thanks

(1) pass = can be t/o of a major (dbl later); dbl = 15+ (semi-)balanced; overcalls natural; 4NT = any twosuiter (but not both majors!)

(2) pass = can be up to 18, but unsuitable to bid; dbl = t/o of ♥ or too strong to overcall; 3m = good 6crd suit (13-17); 3♥ = ask to bid 3NT with ♥-stop (usually based on solid minor); 3♠ = very good 5crd suit (12-17); 3NT = to play; 4m = twosuiter m+♠ (Leaping Michaels); 4♥ = minor twosuiter; 4♠ = to play; 4NT = minor twosuiter, but weaker then 4♥.

Steven

[whereagles]

CASE 1

(3NT) ??
What gerben said, but subsequent dbl = take-out

(3NT) pass (pass) ??
Same as (3NT) ??

(3NT) pass (4M)
Treat as a 4M opener


CASE 2

(2NT) ??
dbl = 15+ bal
3x = nat
3♥ = minors
3/4NT = whatever u like
4m = leaping michaels
rest = natural

(2NT) dbl (3♣) dbl = if opener passes, it's take out. If he bids 3♦, it's pen. Let's call this corrective dbl

(2NT) dbl (3♥) dbl = responsive

(2NT) pass (pass) ?? = treat as direct seat

(2NT) pass (3♣) dbl = corrective

(2NT) pass (3♥) dbl = take-out

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

#1 one option, would be to play a similar defence
as against Multi 2D, i.e. e.g. X vs. 3NT is bal. 12-14
or +18.

#2 One could again play X as bal. 12-14 or +18, but
it is also possible to play X as t/o against hearts.

With kind regards
Marlowe