[ClaceyJ]

If you were forming a new advanced partnership, what would you say are the 10 most common sequences in constructive bidding that you need to have agreements about? System is Benji ACOL, but feel free to answer for SAYC if not familiar with BENJI ACOL.

Thanks

Joe

P.S. Have posted a smiliar question in the intermediate section, I'll be very grateful for any responses

[cherdano]

1x (how light do we open)
(1x) 1M (how light do we overcall)
1x 1M 2M (frequently 3 cards?)

is a start.

[helene_t]

Which suit do we open with two four-cards? If opening the minor, do we play Walsh?

Excactly what strength does
1x-1y
2N
show? Would 3N show a stronger balanced hand or would it show 18+ one-suited with shortness in p's suit? Is
1x-1N
2N
different?

Is
1M-2♣
2♦
forcing?

What kind of jumpshifts do we play? Especially if strong: what are the follow-ups?

When is FSF a game force? If not a game force, which follow-ups can be passed?

Check-back structure?

Inverted minors?

Forcing raises of major suit openings?

Notrump structure?

[hrothgar]

Agree with the comments about opening style, overcalling style, responding style, and the like. If we are restricting outselves to actual bidding sequences, here are three (related) sequences that I would want to understand

1♠ - 2♦
2♠

1♠ - 2♦
2NT

1♠ - 2♦
3♣

[han]

Maybe I'd talk about reverses for a second, those can be dangerous when you assume different agreements.

[ArtK78]

I second the thought about reverses. Once my partner and I were on an entirely different wavelength and we produced this auction:

1♦ - 1♠
2♥ - 3♦
Pass

He thought that we had agreed that 3♦ was passable, and I thought it was forcing. When diamonds split 4-0, we ONLY made 12 tricks.

This silly result was a pickup of 6 IMPs against 7♦ down one at the other table.

The point is that you have to agree to the meaning of the follow-up bids after a reverse, or some very bad things can happen.

[han]

My most memorable reverse accident was when partner rebid spades with 4 (thinking that was the only weak call) and I raised on a stiff king, thinking that my partner had at least 6.

Partner played the 4-1 fit well, taking ruffs in both hands.

[vang]

to my mind, the best start for an expert partnership is 'Bridge World Standard' (www.bridgeworld.com). if I have to start a new 2/1 partnership, i'll start from there.

unfortunately, the system is probably too far from Acol, still probably worth for competitive auctions.

besides this, the easiest point to start in any (semi)natural is the full structure after our 1NT opening (including competition).

[bid_em_up]

1) One level opening bids strength requirements.
2) Weak 2/3 level preempt expectations.
3) Reverses
4) Responses to opening 1N/2N bids. (jacoby, texas, 4-way?) and the meanings of follow-ups.
5) 4SF, g/f or one round?
6) NMF, same thing
7) Types of raises in partners 1M openings (Jacoby 2N, preemptive, limit, constructive, bergen, support X/XX etc.). This would include whether or not you tend to raise on 3 card support to 1M response.
8) Overcall tendencies (sound, occasionally light, any 13 cards?)
9) Puppet stayman and its subsequent calls (if you are playing it).
10) Splinters, checkback sequences, carding agreements, requirements for strong opening bids, and anything else thats left over.

[paulg]

My blog has some thoughts in these areas:

Bidding balanced hands - a question of style

Bulding a partnership for the evening (sorry, there are 13 items in the list, but not all bidding)

At least these are in the Acol context.

Paul

[ArcLight]

I would like to know their premepting style.

- 2♠ = J5432 or AJT853


(- 2♦ is a weak 2 in ♦?)