[patchesp11]

Wife and I getting into duplicate bridge after being casual and infrequent rubber bridge players. We were taught many years ago a 12 HCP,4 card maj system opening higher of touching and lower on non touching. With 15-17 one NT,
limit raises with 4 cards in support (2 raise = 6 to 9 hcp, 3 raise = 10-11hcp and 4 raise is weak with 5 to 6 cards in support). Also 2 NT is 4 card suppt with 12 HCP and forcing.

Since we are at a crossroads and want to devote serious time to study and play should we continue with the 4 card system as our foundation or change to something else like sayc.

Notice not many people use 4 card maj here in Calif. but that may be to our advantage.

In any case has the 4 card system proven to be inferior and if so
what is a better alternative?

Thanks

[hrothgar]

A 5 card major based system offers a number of advantages for new players

1. Very few people in the US play 4 card major based systems. This means that most of the teachers and teaching materials are designed around an assumption that new players will use 5 card majors. You'll also find it much easier to find partners who play 5 card majors.

2. 4 card majors requires a lot more judgement than 5 card majors. 5 card major based systems use a fairly simple rules set based on shape. With shape XYZ open 1♠. With shape ABC, open 1♦. In constrast, if you're playing a 4 card major system the rules set often includes a combination of shape and suit quality considerations. As a result, there's a lot more stuff to consider...

Please note: I've deliberately avoided making any comments regarding technical superiority. I don't think there is any clear consensus whether 5 card majors or 4 card majors are more effective.

[pat 260z]

Here's a website that discusses 4 cd maj vs 5 card:

http://homepage.mac....ch5vs4Major.pdf

I personally prefer 4 card majors - I think at the end of the day it is personal preference

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

5 card majors with strong NT (15-17) have won the war of the
systems.
That does not mean, that those systems are better than the
system you are playing.

My suggestion is, that you switch because

#1 the number of partners increases, because there will be
sitiuations, where either you or your wife cant play, but you
would like to play.
Also: You can ask discuss with local (better) players, what
they would have done in your place, which is also helpful,
at least too a certain degree.

#2 The available material is larger, it is easier to find a suitable
text book by amazon or even in your local library.

#3 Playing with the field will help your scores, the contracts you
reach and the contracts the field reaches will be similar, this will
help you judging, if you did something wrong or not.
If you are playing antifield methods you need to posses an already
developed judgement that the things you did are not completly
garbage.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[dicklont]

Westra and Leufkes were playing their version of four card majors in the Dutch team that won de Bermuda Bowl in 1993.
Nothing wrong with that.

I've played it because over here in Holland it is taught to all new players.
Teachers like it for it´s simple basics.

After I switched to 5-card systems, now playing 2-1, I found that a four card system is much more difficult to play.
The 5-card system is more helpfull to clubplayers and it is the standard all over the world.