[jdonn]

rogerclee, on Sep 26 2008, 01:50 PM, said:

Of the two pairs in the challenge, one plays strong club, so they had a huge system gain: 1♣-1♦; 2♣-2♦

Which pair? Surprising they play that as non-forcing, or for that matter that they play it as natural.

[rogerclee]

jdonn, on Sep 26 2008, 11:52 AM, said:

rogerclee, on Sep 26 2008, 01:50 PM, said:

Of the two pairs in the challenge, one plays strong club, so they had a huge system gain: 1♣-1♦; 2♣-2♦

Which pair? Surprising they play that as non-forcing, or for that matter that they play it as natural.

David Rowntree - Dougin Walker

[awm]

Definitely 1♣...3♣ for me. Opening 1NT on this hand seems quite bad. In addition to having too much playing strength, this hand is heavy on controls (easy to have game or slam opposite a mild fit; even x xxxx Kxxx xxxx is virtually cold for a game). And you don't even really have tenaces to protect -- if 3NT is the right contract it will likely play as well or better from partner's side.

1♣...2NT is better on values, but still has the risk of missing a fitting club game/slam or wrong siding a contract. I admit I'm never going to reach game opposite my example 3-count (barring a strong club system perhaps) but at least I'd like to get to game if we give partner an extra queen somewhere on top of that. Rebidding 3♣ should prompt a raise from four-card support and a side singleton, whereas rebidding 2NT will prompt a pass from a five-point hand without a long suit (since four-card support for opener's "could be three card" minor is not a huge bonus).

[P_Marlowe]

rogerclee, on Sep 26 2008, 01:50 PM, said:

<snip>
Elahmady and Sadek was the other pair, playing a fairly natural system. He opened 1♣ and rebid 2♣! This got them to 3♦, the next best spot.
<snip>

Some switch the meaning of openers
2C / 3C rebid.
A method I like, but I did not get p to
play it.

With kind regards
Marlowe