[vang]

regarding this system: http://forums.bridge...showtopic=35931 ("simplified meckwell for students")

how about using the 1H reply to 1C as any 12+ and the rest of the answers showing hands in 8-11 range? arguments for this are pretty obvious (frequency, game before slam etc). any cons?

[blahonga]

We play this:

1H 12+
1S 8-11 5+♥
1N 8-11 5+♠
2m 8-11 5+ unbal
2H 8-11 bal
2S 8-11 (4441)
2N 12+ (4441)

It's designed to be simple. It works well, but 2H is pretty high for 8-11 balanced.

After 1C - 2H - 2N we play

3C max without a major
3D both majors
3H 4♠
3S 4♥

After 1C - 2H - 2N - 3C

3D slam interest, no five card minor. Now 3H shows♣ and 3S shows ♦
3H 5♣
3S 5♦

And you need to fix your link.

[vang]

link fixed, thanks.

i was thinking at something like

1C -
- 1D = 0-7
- 1H = 12+ (not bal)
- 1S = 8-11, tranfer to NT (bal or 4441) -- or 15+ BAL
- 1N = 8-11 clubs
- 2C = 8-11 diamonds
- 2D = 8-11 hearts
- 2H = 8-11 spades
- 2S = ? 8-11 55 minors
- 2N = 12-14 BAL

[BEO]

This is how we play it:

1C-?
1H 11+ any, opener rebid as below
1S 8-10 5+M, but not 55
1N 8-10 bal
2m 8-10 5+m
2H 8-10 5+H 5+X
2S 8-10 5+S 5+m
2N 8-10 55+ms
3X 8-10 4441

1C-1S;
1N/2m the relay shows H, other bids are natural with S
2M jump rebids show 5c support, other bids are natural with other M

1C-1S;
1N-2H 5+S 4H

1C-1S;
2S-3m 5+H 4m

We revert to 1C-1M 5+M by a passed hand.

[bluecalm]

I think using 1♥ as 8-11 and other bids as 12+ is better idea than reversing it.
It's leaves space for opener to describe his hand on lower level. I find auctions which follows simple and accurate.
For example if you have say : xx Kxxx KQxxx xx you have to start with 2[♦) in your system and then bid 3♥ after expected 2♠ or 2NT. It doesn't leave much space for exploring. I find it less of a problem if I am at least 12+ for high response.

As to the initial structure we play it Greco - Hampson way: 1♠ = 5+♠. 1NT = 5+♥. They also play that 1♠ is 8+ (1NT/2♣/2♦ are ♥/♣/♦ 12+). I am sure playing 1♠ as 8+ is an improvement but I don't find it necessary. In the name of simplicity we play it as 12+ and it works very well.

Overall I highly recommend this system. Playing it is like a breeze after polish club in my case. System is simple, aggressive, effective and most auctions are very natural in principle.

[straube]

I think using 1H as 8-11 (or 12+) is a mistake. Sure, it has chances to win, but after the task of establishing a GF has been accomplished, I want to use space for showing distribution and 1H as a strength bid really hobbles that.