Sunday,
July 09, 2006 4:31 AM
Playing The Vulnerability - System
PITBULLS:
All the pros in the write ups of Spingolds
, Vanderbilt & World Championships “play the vulnerability” . This means
when they are nv vrs vul
their mission
is to destroy the opponents auctions. If partner is a passed hand , they also
get in the auction at any excuse. Of course , when the opponents own the
auction , they try not to give them a free
ride when they have suitable
hands. Meckwell , unlike most of them,
seems to go for the throat nv vrs nv , the vulnerability they call the
“sewer vul”. I do not like that, but they get away with it sometimes.
Playing the vulnerability should not be just light openers , overcalls &
pre-empts although that is the major part of their tactics. The vulnerability
should effect your
system also. For example,
partner opens 1NT & they overcall at the two level naturally or
naturally with another suit. I think this is a time to play the vulnerability. All doubles are penalty except when they are not & you
are vul. Your double is now D.S.I.P. on that one vulnerability. Getting to your proper vul game or slam
should take precedence over a penalty double of a nv bid.
I
like the Thrump doubles added to
your negative double understandings at the 3
level. If they pre-empt in the sandwich position at the 3 level , again
playing the vulnerability should be the guiding factor. If they are nv & we are vul , the double should be asking partner to bid 3NT with a
stopper in their suit. On all other vulnerabilities , the double should be penalty.
When
partner responds a forcing NT over
your major and they pre-empt at
the 3 level in the sandwich, a double should show cards if we are vul & they are not. On all other
vulnerabilities , the double is penalty.
Same with partner responding 1NT to your minor & they pre-empt at the 3
level. Penalty on all vulnerabilities except you vul and they not. You are just
showing cards on that one.
Vulnerable , just bid 3NT with their suit and the required
HCP’s.
Negative
double theory is vulnerability dependent.
Go for the throat on all vulnerabilities but one. If you are vul & they are
not , bid 2NT or 3NT rather than
the juicy set. Do not put pressure on partner to re-open on that one vulnerability.
Partner now can bid her own hand & not yours in the re-opening position
with that vulnerability.
If
the terrorists are playing the vulnerability , you must play the vulnerability
right back . Ignore them when you are vul & they are not , otherwise
wield the axe. Anti-terrorism
defenses are needed in the modern game. If they do not
respect the vulnerability , reap the rewards.