[awm]

It seems that 2/1 GF is de facto expert standard these days. While there are some good players who still prefer non-GF 2/1 bids (as well as good players who prefer a strong or multi-way club), these systems tend to require more discussion and specific agreements.

At one time there were basically two competing versions of "2/1 GF" -- one detailed in Mike Lawrence's writing and one in Max Hardy's. At this point the Lawrence version seems to have won out, in part because he's a much easier writer to read, in part because of his superior reputation as a player, and perhaps in part because the methods are better thought out. Anyways if you're looking for a "book" on expert standard I think Lawrence is the place to start.

[pclayton]

foo, on Dec 22 2007, 11:31 PM, said:

2= BWS does not use minorwood.

4= BWS does not use odd/even 1st discard.

LOL

[nick_s]

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

I /do/ understand that there's no such thing as a definitive "expert standard". The very idea is ridiculous when you think about it. That would imply that everything has been completely worked out and all experts agree that there's no room for improvement. Absurd.

It's pretty clear that I need to learn 2/1, and I had been wondering whether Lawrence or Hardy was the way to go.

The emphasis on the LOTT is new to me. I had heard of it before, but at the time nobody paid it much attention. Now it seems that the pendulum has swung from one extreme to the other and we've reached a new equilibrium. It's no magic bullet, but it does have its uses.

Nick

[han]

Don't read Hardy, read Lawrence.

[mike777]

nick_s, on Dec 23 2007, 12:48 AM, said:

Hi,

I'm returning to the game after a 25-year hiatus.  I'm also now playing in the US as opposed to the UK.  Much has changed and I have much to learn and relearn.

In another thread it was suggested that "The Bidding Dictionary" does not define the current "expert standard" for bidding (if it ever did).  Doubtless the same could be said about many other works.

I'd like a few suggestions for reading material to get caught up on the current state of the art.

Right now I'm reading "Partnership Bidding at Bridge - Robson/Segal", and back issues of "The Bridge World".

Many thanks
Nick

I also came back from decades long period of not playing bridge.
Yes you at least need to learn 2/1 if you play in the USA or online. It gives you a base with pickup partners.

This is a simplification but perhaps the biggest difference is:
1) Is 2/1 100% game forcing or not?
2) After a 2/1 does a rebid of major very often just promise 5 cards or does it very often promise 6 cards?
3) Do reverses after a 2/1 promise extras or just shape:
1s=2d=3c?
4) At least understand Bergen, whether you think it is wonderful or silly.
5) At least understand LOTT, whether you think it is wonderful or silly.


BWS is a great place to start. Hard to go wrong if you play most of what is called BWS.

[han]

Agree with all that mike777 said.

[UDBlueHens]

Hi, I'm new... Does anyone know if there's a place to get a better formatted copy of the BWS document (found here online)?

I'd like to get familiar with BWS before diving into learning 2/1. I've learned the very basics from a couple standard/SAYC books. As much of a geek as I am, I find the web version of the BWS explanation incredibly hard to read.

Thanks!

PS - Would love to meet other collegiate players!

[dburn]

Hannie, on Dec 23 2007, 09:48 PM, said:

Don't read Hardy, read Lawrence.

Oh, I don't know. I always thought "Jude the Obscure" was a better novel than "Sons and Lovers" myself.

[barmar]

It seems to me that Nick doesn't need to learn the "best" system. As he said, he's just trying to learn modern bidding styles. He needs to learn enough popular conventions so that he can sit down with a new partner and have a reasonable discussion of system.

If you're in the US, "2/1 Game Force" is the general approach used by most experienced tournament bridge players. Some players like Bergen Raises, so it might be useful to learn them. Inverted Minors is very common. So is Reverse Drury. And just about everyone uses Splinter Raises. For slam exploration you should be familiar with cue bidding, particularly the Italian style (showing either 1st or 2nd round controls) and Roman Key Card Blackwood.

There are a wide variety of defenses to opponent's 1NT openings, Capalletti/Hamilton and DONT being pretty popular. Lebensohl is frequently used when opponents interfere over your 1NT opening, and when partner doubles a Weak 2 opening.

You should know Negative Doubles, Responsive Doubles, and Support Doubles.

If you learn all these conventions you'll be in pretty good shape to play with most US experts and many internationals.

[kenrexford]

You want to find concensus among experts? Not possible. LOL

Finding a write-up is equally impossible.

There are concepts that I have run into over the years that would blow many people's minds.

I mean, would you consider "suit slash lead support doubles" something that could be included in a write-up of "expert practice?" Do you even know what that means? If you do, do you agree?