[denemeist]

I am new and trying to learn bridge
But i have realized that there are different systems like sayc and 2/1
which one is more used by players

[Free]

sayc, but that doesn't mean it's the best system around...

[P_Marlowe]

denemeist, on Apr 6 2008, 10:22 AM, said:

I am new and trying to learn bridge
But i have realized that there are different systems like sayc and 2/1
which one is more used by players

Most likely 2/1.

Lots of peoble claim to play SAYC, but if they
say this, what they really mean is, that they
play some sort of standard american.

For that matter, there are also different flavours
of 2/1 out there.

The best you can do, is try to learn either system
and build up a group of peoble you like playing with
and sync your understanding.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Edmunte1]

My strong advice is to try learning some good stuff from the beginning (meaning a good 2/1 book), and SAYC is really bad stuff. It's really a shame that ACBL wasn't able to make a decent system for everyday beginner, like for example polish players have Polish Club.

[CSGibson]

Learn sayc, and when you are comfortable with the basics, convert that knowledge to 2/1.

There are many reasons I say this.

The majority of 2/1 players already know sayc, while a majority of sayc players are not comfortable with or willing to play 2/1. This will open a wider variety of partnership opportunities for you.

2/1 is an extension of SAYC. I would recommend learning SAYC as a foundation to build your bidding on. In fact, most 2/1 partnerships revert to SAYC in a competitive bidding situation.

Once you learn SAYC, switching to 2/1 is a fairly easy concept. Going the other way, from 2/1 to SAYC, would be harder.

That being said, switch to 2/1 as soon as possible, then explore other systems to see what you feel most comfortable with and just to see what is out there.

[matmat]

I would find my local live clubs and talk to the directors about which of the two is the more common system (this will greatly depend on geography). I would then work on that system as it will give you better flexibility when it comes to finding partners in your area. Once you get comfortable with that system, learn the other one.

Also -- a word of caution, not everyone who lists themselves as an expert online is, (quite the opposite often) so take with a grain of salt any "advice" you receive online, unless it is from a trusted source. Look into the BBO BIL (beginners & intermediate lounge).

have fun, don't worry about system too much yet, get a feel for the cards first.

[cherdano]

You should learn the system that most of the players you would like to play with are playing. If you are in North America, this would probably be SAYC. Did you check out the "learn to play bridge" program, btw?

[Cascade]

cherdano, on Apr 7 2008, 08:20 AM, said:

You should learn the system that most of the players you would like to play with are playing. If you are in North America, this would probably be SAYC. Did you check out the "learn to play bridge" program, btw?

This is the best advice.

If there was any choice with some playing one system and others playing another system then I would choose the simplest and most natural system as the first to learn.

[pclayton]

I think if you are learning a system from square one that 2/1 is better (and easier) than SAYC.

If you've started down the road of SAYC I'd stick with it.

[brianshark]

I learned sayc using the learn to play bridge program. It was great foundation for me. Start with sayc. 2/1 later.

[Trinidad]

I would start with SAYC. Not because SAYC is a good system (I consider 2/1 to be much better).

However, as soon as the auction starts to be competitive, the generally accepted standards in bidding start to look like SAYC. In competition, a 2/1 (two over one, e.g. 1♥-(Pass or 1♠)-2♦) is not game forcing, but forcing for one round.

My advice: Play a form of Standard American for at least three years. Don't play any conventions other than Stayman, Blackwood and the take out double (1x-Dbl). You will learn how to bid.

When you get genuinely frustrated by the problems that cannot be solved by this simple system, keep playing it for another half year (to get really fed up with it) and then switch to 2/1.

Rik

[vuroth]

Trinidad, on Apr 6 2008, 03:44 PM, said:

However, as soon as the auction starts to be competitive, the generally accepted standards in bidding start to look like SAYC.

My advice: Play a form of Standard American for at least three years. Don't play any conventions other than Stayman, Blackwood and the take out double (1x-Dbl). You will learn how to bid.

When you get genuinely frustrated by the problems that cannot be solved by this simple system, keep playing it for another half year (to get really fed up with it) and then switch to 2/1.

Rik

True. I really don't know how you could learn 2/1 without knowing like 99%+ of SAYC.

I also heartily endorse the idea of keeping gadgets to a minimum.

0.02

V

[jocdelevat]

My b/i opinion learn 2/1 you'll get the part of sayc while learning 2/1. The advantage that you will not get stuck in sayc. Once you learn sayc is not easy to switch to 2/1 if you your pards are playing sayc and not willing to change.

[Codo]

jocdelevat, on Apr 9 2008, 09:50 AM, said:

My b/i opinion learn 2/1 you'll get the part of sayc while learning 2/1. The advantage that you will not get stuck in sayc. Once you learn sayc is not easy to switch to 2/1 if you your pards are playing sayc and not willing to change.

I don't get this.

If your partner want to stick to SAYC, better use your brain to learn something more useful then a system your partners do not play.

(F..e. the Prescription for duck with bamboo or some carding signals)

[CSGibson]

jocdelevat, on Apr 8 2008, 04:50 PM, said:

My b/i opinion learn 2/1 you'll get the part of sayc while learning 2/1. The advantage that you will not get stuck in sayc. Once you learn sayc is not easy to switch to 2/1 if you your pards are playing sayc and not willing to change.

Don't be stuck playing with only one person. Play with many people, and one of them will already know 2/1 or be happy to learn it with you.

[fromageGB]

CSGibson, on Apr 9 2008, 02:26 AM, said:

Don't be stuck playing with only one person.

This is very true. If you play with just one (probably not very experienced) partner you will end up with all sorts of embedded misconceptions.

My advice would be play 2/1 immediately. I disagree with those that say it is a progression from a better starting point of SAYC. I play 2/1 having been brought up on 4 card major ACOL (2/1 is a vast improvement, but I stick to my weak NT ). I never learned SAYC as an intermediate step, and while I have to play it in online games with casual partners, I find SAYC suffers from many of the ACOL problems.

So from choice start with 2/1, but you are constrained to play the same system as your partner, and if that is SAYC ...