Tuesday, February 21, 2012

postscript

No sooner do I post something than I have to amend it. There is a small system change for Agent 99 and me.

We play the weak NT (12-14 in all seats) with 4-suit transfers. Five card majors are quite acceptable, and 5-3-3-2 hands with 11-13hcp should certainly be opened 1NT if they are to be opened at all. We used to play that 2S transferred to clubs and 2NT transferred to diamonds, with acceptance. We are now playing that 2S is Baron, 2NT transfers to clubs, 3C transfers to diamonds, and 3D is Optional Stayman, looking for a 5-card or very chunky 4-card major.

We lose the acceptance on the minor-suit transfers, but gain a couple of bids in return. 2S as Baron provides a route to playing 6minor in a 4-4 or 5-4 fit. I'm not sure we're going to keep it, but it's in for now. 3D as Optional Stayman is definitely a good idea. If we are opening 1NT with a 5-card major quite frequently, as indeed we are, it makes sense to give Responder extra tools to handle the situation.

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