[zasanya]

If a pair plays 2NT as a 'strong' preempt in either minor (say ♠Qxx ♥x ♦AKQxxx ♣ xxx) will it be legal in your country?
My P and I tried to play it but were told that it is illegal.We were told the suit should be known.We were also told that if we open 2NT with 'opening hand' values and describe it as either minor it is allowed.Now the hand that we have in mind for opening 2NT is 10-12 hcp long minor (6+) with most of the points in minor suit which many people might consider opening 1m.So would we be justified in describing our 2NT as opening hand values and either minor?

[TylerE]

Under ACBL guidelines, the proposed method would be illegal under the General Convention Chart, which governs a large percentage of events, but would be Mid-chart legal PROVIDED there is an approved suggested defense, which I wouldn't bet on.

[Free]

In Belgium we use the WBF color codes.

The opening you describe is somewhere between red and brown. It depends if your opening is worth a minimum opener or not.

The hand you post seems like an opening to me. Here we use the rule of 18 (HCP + length of your 2 longest suits) to determine legally if you describe an opening or not. So even 9+HCP with 6+m is considered an opening (you have 9hcp+6+3 = 18). If you'd allow 8HCP with 6322 or 6331 it becomes a BSC.

So outside the ACBL (and probably other countries where lots is banned), it depends on what is considered opening values.
It also depends on how high level you play. For example, here in the first 2 divisions BSC's are allowed. In most tournaments however they're not.

[blackshoe]

TylerE, on Jun 25 2009, 02:22 AM, said:

Under ACBL guidelines, the proposed method would be illegal under the General Convention Chart, which governs a large percentage of events, but would be Mid-chart legal PROVIDED there is an approved suggested defense, which I wouldn't bet on.

I would.

[hrothgar]

The ACBL has approved a defense to a 2NT opening which is a weak preempt in either minor.

http://web2.acbl.org...database/2d.htm

It's unclear whether you could use this same defense versus a 2NT opening which is a strong preempt in either minor.

Unclear how this would be treated in WBF events.

The shape requirements make this look like a Brown Sticker Convention; however, the strength description might be enough to let you squeek bye.

[paulg]

hrothgar, on Jun 25 2009, 02:46 PM, said:

The ACBL has approved a defense to a 2NT opening which is a weak preempt in either minor.

http://web2.acbl.org...database/2d.htm

It's unclear whether you could use this same defense versus a 2NT opening which is a strong preempt in either minor.

Unclear how this would be treated in WBF events.

The shape requirements make this look like a Brown Sticker Convention; however, the strength description might be enough to let you squeek bye.

Specifying the range as 10-12 HCP means it is (at least) an average hand, and hence not weak. So it is not a Brown Sticker Convention.

If you played 9-11 HCP then we can discuss squeaking by

This appears to be legal in England, Wales and Scotland.

Paul

[gwnn]

I think this might actually work pretty well. You could then make 1m-1M, 2m constructive (with a non preempt you pass or rebid nt)

[blackshoe]

Actually, when I posted earlier I was thinking of the weaker variant. I think that if you have a "preemptive" minor where you would be happy for the partnership to play in 3NT if he has the right hand, you usually want him to declare.