[CSGibson]

Howdy. My partner and I are compiling defensive bidding agreements to systematic stuff we might see in Louisville that we don't see much of locally (D20). Our list of things we need a plan for include:

Flannery
Mini-Roman
Transfers to 1C openings/bidding over transfer advances
Ghestem/other two known suit bids
Various NT defenses including Multi-Landy and Suction.

We're playing in NABC+ events. Does anyone have any additional conventional stuff that they think we'll need to prepare for ahead of time? How about a good defense to Suction?

[mtvesuvius]

Suction over Suction is fun, but leaves for plenty of guessing... My advice would just be X is general values, and pass then X is penalty... After passing, most calls should be forcing IMO

Adding to your list as well, defenses to transfers in many situations, polish club etc might also be useful.

[Gerben42]

My defense against Polish Club is here:
http://gerben.homepa...tems/def1c.html

I wouldn't worry too much about Flannery (assume the known 5-card suit, ♥, is their suit, i.e. a 2♥ overcall shows both minors if available, the rest is natural), or Mini-Roman with short ♦ (3♣ is a good ♦ overcall, rest natural).

A thing to think about is what you do when the opponents open a weak notrump and run after your double. Contrary to Flannery and Mini-Roman, that WILL come up.

Other than Jacoby transfers, any other transfers that are common around there? I thought Transfer Walsh and Kaplan Inversion weren't allowed in the US...

EDIT: Another important question to answer: Are there any interventions to 1NT after which you will play "system on"? Candidates could be an artificial Double or Capp 2♣. It's up to you but better decide before it comes up.

[Phil]

I think pairs overprepare for these types of treatments, and don't spend enough time on the nuts and bolts of their own system.

Flannery is remarkably easy to defend against, and you won't play against any mini-roman except the Precision variant. Transfers over 1♣ are becoming more common and I would prepare a basic defense. I doubt if you encounter any Ghestem or any other two suited overcalls except Michaels / U/U, and if you play a team game you'll know. The chances of seeing this in a pair game and having it come up isn't worth the effort.

By far the most important thing to prepare against are the mid-chart defenses to 1N like multi-landy / woolsey and suction. These are very tricky to play against and you need to be prepared since it will come up.

[rogerclee]

I wouldn't practice this, since a lot of time on almost anything else would be more beneficial. But if you just wanted some quick agreements:

Multi: play option 2, but I would make the adjustment that x = 14-16 bal or strong opp a PH
Flannery: X = like a strong NT or any strong hand, 2H = takeout of hearts, 2S = natural, 2N = minors
Mini-Roman: you probably won't play against this
Precision 2D: X = like a strong NT or any strong hand, 2M = natural, 2N = tricks (usually with long diamonds), 3C = very strong with diamonds, 3D = diamonds, 3M = stopper ask
Transfers to 1C: X = that suit but could just be a lead director with 4, bidding the suit they have = takeout of that suit (Justin posted a different defense awhile ago but I forgot it, and anyway this one is easy)
Kaplan Inversion 1H-1S: 1N = takeout of hearts, X = spades
Kaplan Inversion 1H-1N: X = takeout of the majors, 2H = strong minors

I would discuss what to do also if they bid, over your 1N opener:

2C = majors; 2D natural, 2H = minors, 2S/2N = like 4 suit transfers, but you bid stoppers instead of shortness after the transfer, 3 level systems on
2D = majors; same as above, but 3m is natural and weak
2D = 1 major; x = cards and 1 round forcing with all subsequent doubles penalty, 2M natural and weak, 2N lebensohl

Also make sure you have all your continuations over their weak NT discussed. How long are you in a force? Do you want to play transfers?

Some of these defenses are not the best. My feeling has always been that that's fine, it's more important to just be able to easily remember what you are playing, and these are simple.

[paulg]

Roger has covered your question well.

I would add that if you are not experienced at playing NABC+ events then one big difference is that people bid a lot more. So it is worth going over your competitive bidding agreements, understanding your doubles, when 2NT is natural or not, etc, because this will get tested.

[CSGibson]

rogerclee, on 2011-January-28, 17:13, said:

I wouldn't practice this, since a lot of time on almost anything else would be more beneficial. But if you just wanted some quick agreements:

Multi: play option 2, but I would make the adjustment that x = 14-16 bal or strong opp a PH
Flannery: X = like a strong NT or any strong hand, 2H = takeout of hearts, 2S = natural, 2N = minors
Mini-Roman: you probably won't play against this
Precision 2D: X = like a strong NT or any strong hand, 2M = natural, 2N = tricks (usually with long diamonds), 3C = very strong with diamonds, 3D = diamonds, 3M = stopper ask
Transfers to 1C: X = that suit but could just be a lead director with 4, bidding the suit they have = takeout of that suit (Justin posted a different defense awhile ago but I forgot it, and anyway this one is easy)
Kaplan Inversion 1H-1S: 1N = takeout of hearts, X = spades
Kaplan Inversion 1H-1N: X = takeout of the majors, 2H = strong minors

I would discuss what to do also if they bid, over your 1N opener:

2C = majors; 2D natural, 2H = minors, 2S/2N = like 4 suit transfers, but you bid stoppers instead of shortness after the transfer, 3 level systems on
2D = majors; same as above, but 3m is natural and weak
2D = 1 major; x = cards and 1 round forcing with all subsequent doubles penalty, 2M natural and weak, 2N lebensohl

Also make sure you have all your continuations over their weak NT discussed. How long are you in a force? Do you want to play transfers?

Some of these defenses are not the best. My feeling has always been that that's fine, it's more important to just be able to easily remember what you are playing, and these are simple.

Thank you very much, this is exactly the type of thing I was hoping for when posting my OP.

[rogerclee]

rogerclee, on 2011-January-28, 17:13, said:

2C = majors; 2D natural, 2H = minors, 2S/2N = like 4 suit transfers, but you bid stoppers instead of shortness after the transfer, 3 level systems on
2D = majors; same as above, but 3m is natural and weak

Fixed my post, I'm not sure what caused me to write this.