effervesce, on May 8 2008, 02:50 PM, said:
With a 1♣ as 18+, how do you propose to deal with the increased point range of the minor openings? 2♣ as 11-17 seems unplayable to me, and a 11-17 nebulous 1♦ still usable but more difficult to use.
Well, I have no actual experience of these openings, however, AUC doesn't have the problems to which you allude.
1D always shows 4D
2C is not 11-17, it covers the sort of hand you'd open 1C and rebid 2C in an SAYC/Acol style system.
1C covers strong hands, also
a) 4414 shape (no virtually wasted 2D bid as in Precision)
5C4M shapes (no awkard 2C for MP again as in some types of Precision)
c) 15-17 bal, no 4 diamonds
d) Jump rebid types with long clubs.
This makes (or must make) it (the 1C opener) hard to handle in competition. But Polish seems to work OK hiding a weak NT in the 1C opener, so there must be hope
At least the weaker options in this sort of 1C mostly mean clubs, so there ought to be some play. Indeed, as I am not wedded to 5 card majors, or certainly at least not 5 card hearts, then the 15-17bal no 4 diamond option could become 15-17 bal, no 4 card red and thus guarantee at least 3 clubs - and even that would be quite uncommon as you'd really only be catering to 4=3=3=3 shape specifically.
Nick
"Pass is your friend" - my brother in law - who likes to bid a lot.