[Phil]

Ralph's discussion about mini-flannery reminded me of something that happened at Day 1 of the NA Swiss.

Two nicely dressed gentlemen sat down at our table and announced that they play these two bids:

"A 2♦ / 2♥ or 2♠ opening shows an ACOL 2 in the suit opened or a weak 2 in the next higher suit".

They had a very professional looking prepared defense that was very basic. Brian and I came up with a preferable defense before the match but these bids never came up.

I told them this system was not mid-chart legal and they insisted that it is allowed in regionals.

I asked a director later in the day to look into it. She hadn't had a chance but said she would. I'm not holding my breath.

By the way, we won this match 43-0

[nige1]

The version of Tartan two bids that we used in the 60's: 2♣/♦/♥/♠ show ...

• Big flat.
  
• Strong with the bid suit or ...
  
• Weak with the next suit up or ...
  
• Weak with the next two touching suits after that

2N shows a weak ♣/♥ or ♦/♠ two suiter
There is room for 2♣ to include strong 3-suiters but I don't think we used it.

[the hog]

Yes, Tartan Two bids are great fun. The doyen of Australian Bridge, Keith Mcneill loved them. They are not so well known these days however, as most LOLs play Multis and other two suited openings nearly all of which are deemed to be too hard for players in the US with which to cope.