[SimonFa]

This is for an EBU jurisdiction.

I'm putting some basic bidding notes together for a new partner who is a beginner and tends to learn by wrote. She wants to play weak NT and I have found that we are more susceptible to interference and more likely to have to have agreed responses (not found a problem having played strong NT for a year).

As a general rule I want to play "system on" where possible to reduce mental strain so in these responses are the bids alterable as opposed to announced?

1NT-(2C) -? System on

P! - No interest in proceedings. I wondered about this because we do play system on and this bid conveys a meaning to partner
X! - Stayman - I'm fairly certain this is alerted
2D!/2H! - transfers as normal
2S! - transfer to minor then bid 3C! for usual pass or correct
2NT to play

I'd also be interested to know opinions on whether this is a good approach or if there is something better for B/I?

Thanks in advance

Simon

PS Most of the club wouldn't know or care but we have some good players and they will ask or challenge and if she isn't sure partner gets flustered so its important for her benefit we get the rights

[gwnn]

If 2N is indeed to play, i.e. signoff, you must alert.

[mgoetze]

I think it's quite fine to play systems on over 2♣ and double, but you must play systems off when the interference is higher. (My personal recommendation: Lebensohl is a must, and double is for takeout.)

[ggwhiz]

mgoetze, on 2011-August-24, 14:14, said:

I think it's quite fine to play systems on over 2♣ and double, but you must play systems off when the interference is higher. (My personal recommendation: Lebensohl is a must, and double is for takeout.)

Agreed. Simple Lebensohl (the 2nt relay bit vs. 3x forcing) and negative doubles are enough.

[helene_t]

2NT is not "to play", if you play system on. I suppose you mean "invitational".

You will have to alert (not announce) transfers over interference. Also you might have to alter the double. I am not sure if a double meaning "stayman" is alertable if 2♣ was a natural bid (it may be sufficiantly similar to a t/o double on clubs to count as such) but if 2♣ was artificial, the default meaning of double is that it shows clubs. Also, if a 2♦ response to the double denies majors (as in Stayman) you must alert.

You don't have to alert transfer accepts, though.

[aguahombre]

On your first one--if the meaning of PASS is that it has no meaning, that is not alertable anywhere, I hope. The mere fact that the pass denies certain holdings which different calls would show should not make it alertable.

If the pass requires a redouble after 1NT is doubled, that is tougher. It is not simple, because we are moving toward explanation of what actual calls mean -- not what the person doing the alerting is going to do.

A long time ago, 1N (X) P! was alerted by nearly all weak notrumpers because it required opener to keep the auction alive.

[Zelandakh]

System on with X = Stayman is an excellent approach for B/I over a 2C overcall. Unfortunately it does not work over higher-level interference. If you can cope with Lebensohl or Rubensohl over a 2DHS overcall then this is recommended, if not then just play 2bids weak, 3bids game-forcing and a take-out double.

[Porreankel]

Well i actually don't agree.
Your argument wanting to play system on, would also fit if you were to play system off.

Playing a (11)12-14 1NT you will see that your opp's will interfeer a bit looser than you are used to. You will also see a lot of modified defence systems on 1NT when playing 12-14 instead of 15-17. So a lot of players will X instead of bidding. That means that converting to 12-14NT your escape system are the most important. You have several to choose from, but Nilsland is great imo.

So to the actual question. I think system should be off when opp's interfeering. X should be penalty no matter what they bid (due to looser bids from opps as described above)
Overcalling opp's bid should be kind of stayman (Atleast when opps bid a minor)
Partners bid also on 2 level should be "I want to play here" - if you have a hand that wants to play game on top of the 1nt opening you have to jump to 3 level.
Lebensohl is btw a must!

Well this post was written really fast from my work, so prolly some spelling errors. And if you you want more info I can deepen it later.



www.bridgetime.org

[wank]

in blighty, X, 2D/H/S as described all need to be alerted. 2NT to play doesn't need to be alerted, nor does pass.