[bd71]

Recently played with a new partner, who overcalled 2C after opponents had bid a Precision 1C.

He intended as Michaels showing the majors. I interpreted as a decent hand with good clubs to overcall at the two level.

Understanding that long-term partnerships should probably address this question specifically, what would the "standard"/default interpretation for new/pickup partners be here?

P.S. This was a rare instance where our bidding confusion fixed the opponents. My partner was bidding on KT9xx T8xxx Jxx void. With Jxx Jx xx 97xxxx, I raised partner to 3C after RHO bid something (can't recall what). With our confusion contributing, opponents couldn't sort out that they had 34 points and 13 top tricks, and they stopped in 3N.

[jillybean]

A simple and standard defense to Precision 1♣ is
(1♣) X showing majors 54 (stretch to 44 at favorable vulnerability)
(1♣) 1N showing minors 54

fwiw I would have taken 2♣ as natural too.

[vang]

standard default is clubs

[ArtK78]

Whatever defense you decide to use, you must have something. Otherwise, you are just guessing.

The default assumption about a bid in a suit never bid naturally by the opponents should be natural. Assuming that the "cuebid" was Michaels is an error unless you discussed that cuebids are always Michaels.

[vuroth]

ArtK78, on Jul 22 2010, 12:33 PM, said:

The default assumption about a bid in a suit never bid naturally by the opponents should be natural.

Yeah, that's what I would have said. A bid in their natural bid suit = artificial. A bid in their artifical bid suit = natural.

[hanp]

I think that you should not only be bidding on decent hands. Overcall over a strong 1C opening anytime you have a good suit, make it difficult for them!

After you overcall, it's commonly played that 2C by partner is still natural, it shows clubs. You can use 1NT as the cuebid instead when you have a good raise.

[bluecalm]

Quote

Understanding that long-term partnerships should probably address this question specifically, what would the "standard"/default interpretation for new/pickup partners be here?

Standard is clubs. As Hanp pointed out you don't need much but I think you should have a hand which you want partner to fight if he has decent support.

xxxx
x
xx
AQJTxx

is more than enough.

In our partnership we solved this problem by agreeing that 1♣ - 2♣ is always natural regardless of meaning of 1♣.

[hanp]

You solved which problem?

[bluecalm]

Quote

You solved which problem?

What 2♣ means after various 1♣ openers.
People play all kind of club openings. 2+, 3+, polish, strong, 4+ and more.

[the hog]

I had a long discussion with Onno Eskes about this. I prefer canape overcalls. They are by far the most effective method against a big C or a D opening that i have played.

[hanp]

Was this a live discussion or on some forum so that we can read it?

[Cascade]

The_Hog, on Jul 23 2010, 03:20 PM, said:

I had a long discussion with Onno Eskes about this. I prefer canape overcalls. They are by far the most effective method against a big C or a D opening that i have played.

Why do you think they are effective?

What are the advantages?

[the hog]

hanp, on Jul 23 2010, 10:29 AM, said:

Was this a live discussion or on some forum so that we can read it?

rgb some years ago. I believe I mentioned this some years ago here as well. This was probably when you were still wearing nappies and drinking formula.

[the hog]

Wayne, they basically give you the possibility of at least 2 places to play, while at the same time you may well be bidding one of the opps suits. It is also very hard for the opps to work out stoppers if you don't actually bid one of the suits held.
Canape overcalls are also excellent against "natural" 1C and 1D openers, particulary if you have a 5431 shape. If you have a 5422 with 4 of their opened minor, you have to bite the bullet and overcall in a doubleton. From memory, Bocchi and Duboin played them for some years

[jjbrr]

i lol'd

[helene_t]

What Jillybean says.

[hanp]

The_Hog, on Jul 22 2010, 10:43 PM, said:

hanp, on Jul 23 2010, 10:29 AM, said:

Was this a live discussion or on some forum so that we can read it?

rgb some years ago. I believe I mentioned this some years ago here as well. This was probably when you were still wearing nappies and drinking formula.

Maybe one of these days we should have a bridge duel on BBO. It would be tough to organize due to the time difference, but may still be worth it. If we agree that the loser doesn't get to post nonsense on the forums for half a year, it would be a service to the community too.