[babalu1997]

the auction is 1 suit-pass-pass- BALANCE

I was readinf robert ewen`s defensive bidding quiz book and he had the following footnote:

An alternative approach devised by edgar kaplan is superior... but has not achieved widespread popularity. It works as follows:

simple overcalls, jump overcalls and cuebids are precisely the same as in direct position

dbl is 10+b points and some support for all unbid suits

1nt is 10-12 balanced and does not promise stoppers in opps suit and is a protection bid in case partner has trap passed.

13-16,opps suit stopped bal, dble then rebid cheapest nt level

17+, dble then jump in no trump


I know this is dated, and i am not that old but, since i do trap pass, i was wondering whether i should adopt this-- and yes, the long suffering partner will likely agree.

my problem is this, i suspect kaplan did not use michaels or unusual not trump , or weak jumpshifts, and dont know how that would fit with the current scheme of things.

should i use s different set of meanings for these bids in passout seat?

thanks

[helene_t]

This sounds very similar to standard methods, providing that Kaplan played intermediate jump overcalls.

The NT range is somewhat aggressive. I don't think it's a good idea to bid 1NT with 10 points. If your hand isn't suitable for a double then you have enough enemy trumps to pass.

Also, dbl followed by a jump must be strong than a direct 2NT overcall, in case p responds at the 2-level so the jump rebid would be 3NT.

[Fluffy]

its a good method except for the 17+ range wich is too wide. standard method is 2NT nat 17-19 and double then jump 20+

I have played 8-12 balancing reopenings, and they work ok... for hand dealt hands. For serious bridge they are too agressive.

[peachy]

Since nowadays "everybody" plays jump overcalls in direct position as Weak, it makes no sense to play them in the balancing position the same as in direct position.

Compose a set of agreements that are more or less standard TODAY. Something like
2NT=11-14 [lower the range to 10 if you like], Dbl=takeout, jump in a suit=intermediate with good six-card suit, simple overcall=same as in direct position, Dbl then NT=15-17, etc.

[kenberg]

I read Ewen's book a long time ago but there is one part here that stands out especially: "1nt is 10-12 balanced and does not promise stoppers in opps suit and is a protection bid in case partner has trap passed."

As I recall the book, not only does 1NT not promise a stopper, partner should expect that there very frequently not be a stopper and so, if lacking a stopper himself, he is expected to get you out of NT, especially if the opening bid was a major. He will expect at least some sort of support for all other suits and he needs to act.

I suggest that you discuss this feature with partner before trotting it out at the table. I think most players, after 1S-P-P-1NT-P will freely pass even when they hold no spade stopper unless thet are aware of this usage.

[babalu1997]

kenberg, on Feb 22 2010, 06:26 PM, said:

I read Ewen's book a long time ago but there is one part here that stands out especially: "1nt is 10-12 balanced and does not promise stoppers in opps suit and is a protection bid in case partner has trap passed."

As I recall the book, not only does 1NT not promise a stopper, partner should expect that there very frequently not be a stopper and so, if lacking a stopper himself, he is expected to get you out of NT, especially if the opening bid was a major. He will expect at least some sort of support for all other suits and he needs to act.

I suggest that you discuss this feature with partner before trotting it out at the table. I think most players, after 1S-P-P-1NT-P will freely pass even when they hold no spade stopper unless thet are aware of this usage.

yes i think that was the idea, run if you do not have the stopper.

sometimes a trap pass is required because you do not have a suitable overcall or double.

[aguahombre]

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