Does anyone have a simple suggested defence to Magic Diamond, specifically the 1♣ opener that shows any 12-16 unbalanced hand or 15-17 balanced?
Thanks
Paul
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Defence to Magic Diamond
#2
Posted 2008-May-14, 14:10
I don't have one myself, but I have contacted Sven-Olov 'Tjolpe' Flodqvist and Lars Andersson who devised the system with Hans Göthe. It's not at all certain that they want to reveal a defence against their own opening bids, but it's worth a try.
I will keep you posted as and when I get a reply.
Roland
I will keep you posted as and when I get a reply.
Roland
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice
#3
Posted 2008-May-14, 15:31
That was quick! I already got a reply from 'Tjolpe'. It's all in Swedish, but here is an English translation:
Against
1♣: Your defence against a Precision 1♦, alternatively against strong club.
1♦: Your defence against strong club.
1M: Natural openings.
2m: Natural openings.
2M: Dbl is take-out of the suit 'bid', or any powerhouse.
With a take-out of the other major, pass for now.
All overcalls, even in the 'opening suit', are natural.
...
'Tjolpe' who used to live in Stockholm for decades has now moved to the county of Skåne in southern Sweden.
'No one plays Magic here'
, he writes.
Roland
Against
1♣: Your defence against a Precision 1♦, alternatively against strong club.
1♦: Your defence against strong club.
1M: Natural openings.
2m: Natural openings.
2M: Dbl is take-out of the suit 'bid', or any powerhouse.
With a take-out of the other major, pass for now.
All overcalls, even in the 'opening suit', are natural.
...
'Tjolpe' who used to live in Stockholm for decades has now moved to the county of Skåne in southern Sweden.
'No one plays Magic here'

Roland
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice
#4
Posted 2008-May-15, 01:29
I used to play the following after 1♣ (now nobody plays magic ♦ over here):
Dbl = 15+ any (power double)
1♦ = 5+♥
1♥ = 5+♠
1♠ = one minor or both Majors (at least 4-4)
1NT = both minors (at least 4-4)
2m = 4+m and an unknown 4 card M
2M = natural weak
Overcalls from 1♦ to 2m are constructive (usually 10-14HCP) with values in the suits.
This works ok, and you can have nice followups. Also you don't have to worry about cuebids and stuff like that. Dunno about the legallity in your country...
Dbl = 15+ any (power double)
1♦ = 5+♥
1♥ = 5+♠
1♠ = one minor or both Majors (at least 4-4)
1NT = both minors (at least 4-4)
2m = 4+m and an unknown 4 card M
2M = natural weak
Overcalls from 1♦ to 2m are constructive (usually 10-14HCP) with values in the suits.
This works ok, and you can have nice followups. Also you don't have to worry about cuebids and stuff like that. Dunno about the legallity in your country...
"It may be rude to leave to go to the bathroom, but it's downright stupid to sit there and piss yourself" - blackshoe
#5
Posted 2008-May-15, 12:42
The main point of defending against Magic ♦ is that when you overcall, you don't have a cuebid. My rule is:
The cuebid after a 1-level overcall is 2♣ until they bid a suit. If they Dbl our 1M overcall, the major responder is supposed to have (i.e. the other one) is the cuebid.
Example:
(1♣) 1♥ (Dbl negative) 1♠ = Cuebid
Also if you are a Raptor NT fan, don't play that after the Magic ♦ 1M openings! After the light opening, a natural 1NT opening is tougher to double, and the likelyhood of a game on our side is much higher than when defending "standard".
OTOH, 1NT after the 1♣-opening as natural is not that useful.
The cuebid after a 1-level overcall is 2♣ until they bid a suit. If they Dbl our 1M overcall, the major responder is supposed to have (i.e. the other one) is the cuebid.
Example:
(1♣) 1♥ (Dbl negative) 1♠ = Cuebid
Also if you are a Raptor NT fan, don't play that after the Magic ♦ 1M openings! After the light opening, a natural 1NT opening is tougher to double, and the likelyhood of a game on our side is much higher than when defending "standard".
OTOH, 1NT after the 1♣-opening as natural is not that useful.
#6
Posted 2008-May-16, 13:49
I play something very similar to Free against any split range club.
1C-x Str hand
1D Hearts Constructive
1H Spades Constructive
1S Clubs Constructive
1N and Up start Suction Hands. (1N 2 untouching)
2C (D Constructive or H&S)
Over 1C-x-P-
1D 4 hearts (any strength)
1H 4 spades (any strength)
1S Relay to 1NT
With Clubs, you can pass the double.
1N 5 card Diamonds
2C 6 Card Diamonds
2D 5+ Hearts (any strength)
2H 5+ Spades (any strength)
1C-x Str hand
1D Hearts Constructive
1H Spades Constructive
1S Clubs Constructive
1N and Up start Suction Hands. (1N 2 untouching)
2C (D Constructive or H&S)
Over 1C-x-P-
1D 4 hearts (any strength)
1H 4 spades (any strength)
1S Relay to 1NT
With Clubs, you can pass the double.
1N 5 card Diamonds
2C 6 Card Diamonds
2D 5+ Hearts (any strength)
2H 5+ Spades (any strength)
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