back to that 2D thing
Our favorite 2D opener shows 7-11 high card points, both majors (at least 9 major suit cards divided at least 5-4). Does that scare you? Make you nervous? Bother you particularly? It shouldn’t. The best defense goes like this: double shows a good hand with stuff in the majors (willingness to defend 2 of a major doubled). 2NT shows a more trick-taking no-trump hand, and everything else is natural — including 2H and 2S). If the bidding should go 2D (p) 2H (the most frequent, 2H is a simple preference to play), double shows a balanced 15-18, 2S is both minors and everything else is natural. Pass and double? Takeout.
Easy, don’t you think? Never mind, we’re not allowed to play it during the Round Robin phase of the Team Trials. It’s too … um … complicated. Other pairs can open 2M, showing that suit and an unknown other. Or 2D showing a weak 2 bid in either major. Or 2D showing either a weak 2 bid in a major OR any strong hand. Or a completely destructive weak 2 promising only 5 cards and 0-10 high card points. But 2D showing both majors? No can do.
The ACBL Mid-Chart rules include these two:
- Any call that promises four or more cards in a known suit. (See item #6 in DISALLOWED below.)
- Opening two diamonds showing a weak two-bid in either major may include additional strong (15+ HCP) meaning(s).
That disallowed #6? “Opening one bids which by partnership agreement could show fewer than 8 HCP. (Not applicable to a psych.)”
Apparently the situation is this: The ACBL Mid-Chart allows any call that promises four or more cards in a known suit, except 2D showing 4 or more cards in TWO known suits. Go figure.
I don’t try to play my 2D gadget at local club games, regionals or in pair games (where Multi 2D is still and always allowed). But at the team trials? Where only eight teams are vying for the right to represent the United States at the world championships? Once we get to Shanghai we don’t have to pre-alert, or provide defenses, or protect our opponents from any but the most highly unusual methods. It’s my opinion that if we’re entering the Trials, we should be governed by the WBF rules regarding systems and conventions. Luckily (for somebody), my opinion doesn’t count.
Next week we’ll play transfer preempts and 2H weak with both majors and bring our pages of defense to the table and thus our problem will be solved. But I’ll still think it’s ridiculous.
May 27th, 2007 at 12:10 am
If you upped the range by a point to 8-11, isn’t it legal? (It’s almost Flannery, no?)
June 1st, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Are you sure it’s illegal? The restriction listed is for “opening one bids”. I’m pretty sure the “one” is intentional. Your opening is a “two” bid.
June 2nd, 2007 at 7:40 am
Yes, sadly, I am quite sure it’s illegal.