[jillybean]

Over the opps 1nt (15-17) opening, what does your hand look like for a Capp 2♦'s showing both majors?

Vulnerable?
Not vulnerable?

[Trumpace]

Matchpoints? IMPS? I would think that would matter too.

[jillybean]

Trumpace, on May 13 2010, 04:09 PM, said:

Matchpoints? IMPS? I would think that would matter too.

both please

[MarkDean]

For me, it is extremely dependent on seat, scoring, and colors. As a passed hand in balancing all white at MPs, I would bid it with almost all hands with 44 (and even be tempted with some 43s).

In second seat, red/white at IMPs, I would want 55 with a reasonable hand or a 45 with really strong suits.

I know you did not ask this, but I think playing 2♦ for the majors is a bad idea. If you play 2♥ as majors, LHO has to act right away. If you play 2 minor shows the majors, then s/he can double to "train the guns," or get into a cooperative doubling environment. However, at least if you play 2♣ as the majors, if you are 45, partner can bid 2♦ to ask for your better major.

[hanp]

2D showing the majors is BAD! 2C is quite a bit better.

I agree that the hands with which you would bid here depend tremendously on the vulnerability, and to a lesser extend also on the form of scoring. All white at matchpoints I might do it holding 4-4 in the majors, especially if the suit are good. For example with KQJx KQ109 xxx xx, I would overcall 2C.

With two decent 5-card suits I would always overcall, at any colors. Number of HCP is really not that important. For example with KQ109x QJ10xx xx x I think overcalling red against white is automatic.

With one 5-card major and one 4-card major it is especially important to play that 2C shows the majors. Partner can then bid 2D asking for your best major if she has equal length.

[peachy]

5-5 and reasonable suits vulnerable. 5-5 or rarely 5-4 (if 5-4, hearts should be five cards in case partner bids hearts). If your direct seat Dbl is penalty (as it is in Capp) and not just Equal Values, then balancing seat depends much on vulnerability but should be pretty aggressive, even 4-4 on occasion.

As others have said, Capp is not ideal, not against strong NT anyway.

[jillybean]

We are playing modified capp where,
2♣ = single suit minor or minor + major
2♦ = majors
2♥ = ♥
2♠ = ♠

How can we improve on this?

[gwnn]

2C majors
2D one major
2H hearts+minor
2S spades+minor

2C is much better for majors than 2D.

[Fluffy]

MPs non vul anything 5-4 goes that isn't a yarborough, 4-4s are possible (but rare) if partner has already passsed once.

Vul MPs at least AKJxx/QJxx

IMPs non vul about the same MPs Vul

IMPs vul only 5-5s with at least 3 top honnors (from ♠AKQ♥AKQ) KQxxx QJxxx being the minimum.

[Elianna]

gwnn, on May 14 2010, 05:13 AM, said:

2C majors
2D one major
2H hearts+minor
2S spades+minor

2C is much better for majors than 2D.

Depending on where exactly she plays (I know it's ACBL somewhere) that's not GCC.

Here's another one:

2C=majors
2D=diamonds
2H=hearts
2S=spades

You could also add that X=major+minor, but it's not necessary.

[gwnn]

And this
2♣ = single suit minor or minor + major
is GCC?

[Elianna]

gwnn, on May 14 2010, 06:17 AM, said:

And this
2♣ = single suit minor or minor + major
is GCC?

Yes. 2D is restricted, 2C is not.

From http://www.acbl.org/assets/documents/play/...ntion-Chart.pdf

Quote

natural notrump opening bids and overcalls, except that direct calls,
other than double and two clubs must have at least one known suit.

[TylerE]

It's not the 2♣ = majors that's not gcc, it's the 2♦ = one major bit. 2♣ can be basically anything non-destructive, where as 2♦+ need at least one known suit.

[gwnn]

Oh I was then quite ignorant about this. Wow, doesn't seem like a reasonable restriction albeit I can see how it makes sense (you can play systems on over their weird 2c bid).

[TylerE]

Remember...if it smells like multi, burn it.

[jillybean]

Elianna, on May 14 2010, 07:16 AM, said:

Depending on where exactly she plays (I know it's ACBL somewhere) that's not GCC.

Yep, she plays in ACBL games - club games, tournaments, as far as I know its all GCC.

[Elianna]

jillybean, on May 14 2010, 06:49 AM, said:

Elianna, on May 14 2010, 07:16 AM, said:

Depending on where exactly she plays (I know it's ACBL somewhere) that's not GCC.

Yep, she plays in ACBL games - club games, tournaments, as far as I know its all GCC.

Some locations (basically the Western Conference, but you would have to check specifics) have added that any defense to 1NT is GCC. So where I play one is allowed to play Gwnn's suggested defense, but I don't know where precisely you play, so I don't know if your district/unit/club has allowed these defenses to be added to GCC.

[blackshoe]

jillybean, on May 14 2010, 09:01 AM, said:

We are playing modified capp where,
2♣ = single suit minor or minor + major
2♦ = majors
2♥ = ♥
2♠ = ♠

How can we improve on this?

Hello.

2♣: ♦ or Mm two suiter
2♦: ♥
2♥: both M
2♠: ♠
2NT: ♣
3♣: both m
3♦: both M, forcing.

Clubs, saith the ACBL, can do whatever they like wrt conventions. Units and Districts, otoh, have to get permission from Memphis to modify the charts. Or so I understand from my reading of the rules. Of course, those who have modified the charts may well have obtained such permission.

[wank]

you people must be a lot more patient than me if you're all sat waiting for 5-5 hands.

as others have said, playing 2♣ as the majors is infinitely better so you have a2♦ response available to ask for the longer major. if due to the regulation arrangements you kan't do anything more produktive, just play 2♦/♥/♠ as natural

[bluecalm]

I agree. Capp is probably the worst possible defense against NT (close contest with DONT but at least DONT is reasonable in reopening seat). No wc players use it.
If you want something reliable just copy from pairs who played in bb finals or something like that.

Simple reasonable choices are:
a)
2♣ majors
2♦ one major
2♥/2♠ nat + minor
dbl penalty (top Italians and Norwegians play it)


2m = nat +major
2M = natural
x = one minor or both majors or any very strong hand
(Meckwell and Greco-Hampson play it)

c)
2C = majors
2D = D + major
2H/2S = natural
dbl = penalty
(Helgemo used to play it; Zia - Hamman play it)

d)
2C = majors
2D = weak major overcall
2M = good major overcall
(Brink - Drijver play it)

Why is Capp so bad ?
1)2♦ majors is not effective because you can't ask for longer one and it's not preemptive enough (it's better to use 2♥ as majors if anything)
2)2♣ bid is garbage if they find a major you can't compete because you have no idea what partner have; even playing 2♣ = one major rest as in Capp would be much better but obviously it's not optimal;