20230321 Tue

Hand 3: Opening 2C 2/ 3 losers, the rule of fast arrival
Hand 14: Staying out of slam opposite a weak 2H

[@harrisbobroff9813]

Thanks

[@puffinbasher]

Hand one is such a hand to bid for those of us with the 2c 2d 2h 2s 2n relay.

[@norahdean5252]

I was wondering Rob, how you view the modern style with quite a few ' national ' standard players of opening 2D showing either major and possibly a 5 bagger, 3 tom10 poinys. Then they play 2H or 2S as a genuine 6 carder with no more than 1and a half losers in the major, 5 to 9 points.

[@durhamdbc]

An excellent player once said to me: "A convention should solve a problem" So what problem is this conventions solving? Being able to distinguish between crappy preempts and disciplined preempts? Seems unnecessary. Comparative vulnerability is far more important. Furthermore, by declaring to everyone that you have a crappy weak 2 in either major (opening 2D) opens you up to very aggressive overcalls that are difficult to field and/or penalty doubles that can send you for a big number. It seems to me that this convention is designed to catch/surprise players who have never seen it. Not a good reason to play it. The multi-2D (and all similar variants such as this one) are restricted conventions in North America. So, unless you are playing at the top levels, you can't play it. I have played it and defended against it and I just can't get that excited about it. I find that once you understand the nuances, its 'destructive' effect is not up to the hype. I understand the feeling among top players that a 2D preempt is a waste of time, but I would rather replace it with something that enhances my bidding system and 'solves a problem'. I do play a large number of conventions, but I would skip this one. Cheers, Rob

[@coolpapabell22]

At some point in my life I was taught not to open weak with a void. I don't know if this is good advice - it clearly didn't work out well for the robots here!

[@durhamdbc]

Initially I chose this hand because I expected the robot to open 2S with the East hand. There were some interesting bidding and play issues. But I forgot the robots generally open preempts with 8-11 hcp and good suits. This hand doesn't qualify for the robots. When I am deciding to open a preempt, I pay special attention to these items: - vulnerability (always the top consideration) - Is it in the range I use (5-9 hcp) - I never open a preempt with an outside 4-card major - suit quality - Is partner a Passed hand? I must admit that I won't open a preempt with a hand that has a great suit, is top of range, and has a void. Its just too much to ask for partner to field all of that. I would have opened the East hand 2S. The suit is okay, but not great and the vulnerability is equal. Cheers, Rob