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PrecisionL, on May 23 2010, 12:13 PM, said:
TimG, on May 23 2010, 11:33 AM, said:
It has long been held that item #1 under Definitions implicitly permits natural methods, but that is not strictly the case: a 2S opening which shows 5+ spades and a 4+ card minor is not allowed in GCC events despite it being natural by the given definition.
As you point out, under the most recent Laws, there is no longer a definition of conventional and a Sponsoring Organization may designate any method "special" and regulate those methods even if natural.
Well, the CC is a mess and I often get conflicting rulings from rulings@acbl.org, but 5♠ and 4♣ hands can be opened 2♠ if 10+ hcp.
From the allowed section:
6. OPENING BID AT THE TWO LEVEL OR HIGHER indicating two
known suits, a minimum of 10 HCP and at least 54 distribution in the
suits.
So, it would appear that your method (promising spades and clubs) is GCC legal. If it was 5+ spades and 4+ in either minor, or if the bid could be made on fewer than the 10 HCP, the method would not be GCC legal.
Item 12 from the mid-chart is:
12. Opening two hearts or two spades showing a weak two bid, with a
4-card minor. (2)
So, a weak opening 2S showing 5+ spades and an undisclosed 4+ card minor is mid-chart legal. But, there does not seem to be a provision for playing a constructive 2S opening showing 5+ spades and an undisclosed 4+ card minor.
The charts are indeed a mess. And, you are not alone in getting conflicting rulings depending upon whom you ask at ACBL (or upon what day of the week you ask).