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lenv1I met Les Bart at a nationals. He gave me a handout on his convention, and I'd heard good things about it, so I read a few Bridge World articles and decided to give it a try. I moved a few calls around, and here's what I play now.
a) 1S-1N is semi-forcing, so I can pass if I won't accept a balanced invite or a three card limit raise.
b) 1S-1N, 2C can be 5=3=3=2. 1S-1N, 2D promises four.
c) 1S-1N, 2C-2D asks opener to rebid as if I had a weak hand with at least six hearts. If he bids above 2H, it shows interest in game opposite that hand. If he bids 2H and I pull, different bids show different hand types (duh) and cancel the previous message.
d) 1S-1N, 2C-2H shows five hearts and another place to play (2 spades, 5 diamonds, 4 clubs or, maybe, 1=5=4=3). Opener pulls to 2S with short hearts, then responder tries another strain. 1S-1N, 2C-2H, 2S-2N shows 1=5=4=3, and wishes partner luck on finding a decent home.
e) If you have 1=4=5=3 you are in trouble. I recommend you pass 1S, even with a seven count, especially at matchpoints. I just watched some juniors land in their 5-1 spade fit, down three, and they were LUCKY because of the random pull from their 3-2 club fit! Seriously, if you're lucky pard will pass 1N, or rebid something other than 2C, or have at least four clubs. I'm not usually that lucky.
f) I prefer to play 1S-2N is game forcing, balanced. Then 1S-3C is a forcing raise, 1S-3N is a strong notrump, and 1S-1N, 2C-3N is the "Invite" with long clubs and 0-1 spade.
Here's what the bids through 3N mean. A "bid" of 2C after 1S-1N, 2C is really just a pass. Hope that's not too confusing:
a) 1S-1N is semi-forcing, so I can pass if I won't accept a balanced invite or a three card limit raise.
b) 1S-1N, 2C can be 5=3=3=2. 1S-1N, 2D promises four.
c) 1S-1N, 2C-2D asks opener to rebid as if I had a weak hand with at least six hearts. If he bids above 2H, it shows interest in game opposite that hand. If he bids 2H and I pull, different bids show different hand types (duh) and cancel the previous message.
d) 1S-1N, 2C-2H shows five hearts and another place to play (2 spades, 5 diamonds, 4 clubs or, maybe, 1=5=4=3). Opener pulls to 2S with short hearts, then responder tries another strain. 1S-1N, 2C-2H, 2S-2N shows 1=5=4=3, and wishes partner luck on finding a decent home.
e) If you have 1=4=5=3 you are in trouble. I recommend you pass 1S, even with a seven count, especially at matchpoints. I just watched some juniors land in their 5-1 spade fit, down three, and they were LUCKY because of the random pull from their 3-2 club fit! Seriously, if you're lucky pard will pass 1N, or rebid something other than 2C, or have at least four clubs. I'm not usually that lucky.
f) I prefer to play 1S-2N is game forcing, balanced. Then 1S-3C is a forcing raise, 1S-3N is a strong notrump, and 1S-1N, 2C-3N is the "Invite" with long clubs and 0-1 spade.
Here's what the bids through 3N mean. A "bid" of 2C after 1S-1N, 2C is really just a pass. Hope that's not too confusing:
| Over 1S | Over 1S-1N, 2C | Over 1S-1N, 2C-2D, 2H | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1N | Semi-forcing | ||
| 2C | GF | To play | |
| 2D | GF | Marionette to 2H | |
| 2H | GF | Flexible | To play |
| 2S | 3+ spades, about 7-10 | 2+ spades, about 5-7 | 2 spades, about 8-10 |
| 2N | 4 card game forcing raise | Balanced invite, 1-2 spades, 2-3 clubs | Balanced invite, 4+ clubs |
| 3C | Invite, long clubs, 0-1 spade | 5+ clubs, about 8-9 | 5+ clubs, about 10-11 |
| 3D | Invite, long diamonds, 0-1 spade | 6+ diamonds, weak | Invite, long diamonds, 2 spades |
| 3H | Invite, long hearts, 0-1 spade | Invite, 6 bad hearts, 2 spades | Invite, long hearts, 2 spades |
| 3S | 4 card limit raise | 3 card limit raise | 4-3-3-3, choice of games |
| 3N | 13-15, flat, 3 spades | 6+ clubs, 0-1 spade, lots of shape, about 8-9 | "Invite", long clubs, 2 spades |
