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9.18.08, 5:08a - Completed NT openings, updated Style & Overview to include general approach in 2/1 auctions.
system style & overview
We play a gadgety, mostly natural 100% game-forcing 2/1 with five card majors, 14+ to 17 notrump. Opening bids can be on the light side, seldom very light. We open some unbalanced 11’s (3 controls) and all balanced 12’s. We tend to fall back on the rule of 20 when in doubt about opening any particular hand. Overcalls are moderately aggressive (can be lead-directional), preempts are generally sound though vulnerability is a consideration.
Two-over-one is 100% game forcing. Partner’s 2C response to 1X could be a three card suit; 2D guarantees four or more, 2H shows five.
A few treatments are unusual:
- 1M opener’s 2C rebid may be artificial (Gazzilli)
- Invitational jump-shifts by 1M opener
- 1M opener’s 2NT rebid shows strong 5-4-4-0 pattern
- In ACBL midchart team games, 2D shows hearts and 2H shows both majors
- In ACBL superchart events and WBF events, 2D shows both majors
- 1m opener’s reverses and jump-shifts are game forcing
- Modified Ghestem, specific 2-suited jump overcalls
no trump openings
Our 1NT opening shows 14+ to 17 hcp, balanced. If we have a 5 card major we almost always have exactly 15. We may open 1NT with 5-4-2-2 if our five-card suit is a minor. We may open 1NT with a 6-card minor, particularly if the suit is weak and the hand is notrumpish. We avoid 6-card minors with good controls. We always open 1NT with a hand within range. More …
major suit openings
We open 5 card majors, though we could have only 4 in 3rd position and/or at favorable. Second-seat openers can be lighter than first seat openers. We tend to fall back on the Rule of 20 when determining whether to open light. In general, we open balanced 11 and 12 counts when they include three or more controls. 2/1 is 100% game forcing. Jumps in game forcing auctions usually show less than going slow. 1NT over 1M is not forcing; opener’s rebid of 2C may be artificial (Gazzilli). When cue-bidding, we show first and/or second-round controls, including shortness. More…