[mtvesuvius]

I regularly play precision, with a limited 1M opening of course... I was just wondering if there was a modification or variation of Jaocby that had no redundant bids, given that opener is limited to 15 HCP. Thanks...

AJK

[Fluffy]

I play 2NT as lmit or more, then its easy because you just split ranges into minimum and maximum, and your maximums are better defined, but are not redundant.

[Tola18]

Swedish Jacoby (=Stenberg) can be played both as a GF or Inviting+.
Myself I suggest some inviting variation: The frequence is higher. You can also use it or Jordan in contested auction and you dont need to relearn your thinking much.


So, here goes a common Swedish, good structure.

1. 1M - 2NT inviting Jacoby.
2. 3C - 3M minimum, respective sign-off, should be passed
2. 3C - 3D lets try once again, do you perhaps have singeltons after all? for answers look further down.
2.3C - 4M is of course to play.
2. 3D is more then minimum, but no singeltons. GF
2. 3H is club singelton, more than minimum. GF
2.3Sp is diamond singelton, more than minimum. GF
(the old formula hearts are kin of clubs, and spades are kin of diamonds)
2.3NT is singel in the other major, GF.
2. 4-level bids: 4M natural to play - probably a longer suit...
sidesuits: most play it as void, but can surely be played as a good extra suit, á la Jacoby....


Hope it is clear now. It isnt difficult once you get through the motions for yourself as the structure is very logical.


There is a another question typical of Jacoby/Stenberg: Playing 5 cards openings, is it OK with 3-cards support or should it be always 4 cards?
Most are probably satisfied with 3-cards. My advice is though, having only 3-card, dont go automatically into Stenberg sequence. If you have GF and a good sidesuit, consider bidding the sidesuit first.
There are situations where you do have excellent small slam in minor on 54 or even 44, but only 11 sterile tricks in your major.



You can also use a very much easier scheme. Easier, and you can use it also in Jordan (=contested auction).
This scheme is good enough and works fine also with inexperienced partners.

1. 1M - 2NT invit+
2. 3M is minimum, may be passed.
2. 3-level Sidesuit is natural, some extras, GF
2. 4-level sidesuit is singel/void, GF


...................................

Playing inviting+ Jacoby, the classical limit-sequence 1M-3M disappears.
Many plays it as purely preemptive, promising not much more then 4-cards support (= trumph of at least 54).
Some play it as semiconstructive: the usual 1M-2M hand but promising 4-cards.
While 1M-2M will be usually on 3-cards support.

One advice: Having not very promising 10 points, or even 11 bad points, DONT play it as inviting Stenberg. Bid 2M. If partner has extras, shehe will invite. If partner dont has extras, there is no game anyway... (Thus work out a schema for invites after 1M-2M; which invites are strong invites, and which are only mild one).
One memorable example; partner had AKQxx in trump opposite my 5 cards opening.
We bid eventually game, 1 sterile down. The trumph too heavy; the D totally useless...
He should bid 2M.

.....................................

Hope I made myself understood.... If not, ask!

[mtvesuvius]

Thanks Tola... This really helps