Wednesday, April 27, 2005 4:39 PM

System Checklist

 

PITBULLS:

 

          Preparing for a big tournament , I find discussion is far better than playing. Playing involves random events and does not cover all the bases. Events like CNTC & GNT are long and many areas of Bridge bidding may come along. Make your mistakes now not later.  Here is a check list of “big ticket” items that should be discussed by partnerships before an important event. Warning to lazy Bridge players , studying may be required. Established partnerships are made not born.

 

          All the fields on an ACBL convention card . These are just the basics for experts though as understandings and treatment are not covered on a convention card. Lets discuss these :

 

1.    2♣      what is 2♦ , 2♥ , a jump in a suit by responder , interference , a jump in a suit

               by opener , 4-4-4-1hands ? handling psyches by the opponents ? a jump

to 4 of a major after opening 2♣ , 2♣ forcing to 3 of a major or game ?

Balanced hands 22-24 , 25-27 , 28-30

 

2.    2NT   rebids .    Any bids like checkbacks ? relays , or transfers ? Do we have a way

 out of 2NT ?  Identifying minor slams early. Can we bid 2NT by

 suppressing 4 card majors ?

 

3.    Strong Jump Shifts -  4 level reserved for Q bids ? How do you show limit raise

                                         hands ( 1NT forcing ) ? Principle of fast arrival ? Any

 relays or other understandings ?

 

          4    Reverses    An Ace above an opener ?  Lebensohl as a response , 4th suit

    understandings ,    a leap to 3NT ( meaning ) , jump shift reverses

    showing under a reverse values (6-5)

 

          5.   2/1            Serious 3NT , 2/1 in competition what changes , rebid of suit not

forcing ? , jump to 3NTshow strong NT range , rebid of 2NT by

either side show minimum and/or 18-19 , principle of fast arrival ?

1♦-P-2♣ understandings ( Kokish ? ) , pulling 3NT to a minor is slam try

 

          6. Inverted minors       Limit raise or better , game force only , suppress 4 card

     majors ? , Minor KCB ? , Kokish treatment

     ( only responder can find 4-4 major fit )

 

          7. Majors Structure        Jacoby 2NT refinements ? simple raises , jump raises ,

 game bids , splinters , 4 card majors occasionally ?

 

          8. Passed hand                What understandings do not apply ? Any new

understandings ( fit showing jumps ) NMF on as

passed hand , Inverted minors ? Whats 2NT as a passed hand 

                                   

          9. NMF                              2 way NMF , apply in competition ? as a passed hand ?

recovering strong jump shift as responder , any toys ,

jumps invitational or weak ?

 

         10. 4th suit Forcing          4th suit forcing to game , all jump preferences invitational ,

no jumps allowed during 4th suit forcing auctions ,

raise of 4th suit , NT bids and their ranges

jumps to game ( meaning )

 

          11. Forcing Pass Theory   When we own the auction , religiously followed as per

  Bridge World Standard

 

12. Penalty Doubles            Competitive Doubles ( D.S.I.P.) or always trump stack

 doubles. Penalty doubles depending on the

 context of the auction or “never pull my penalty doubles” .

 Re-opening doubles always D.S.I.P.  , Play the

 over/under rule re penalty doubles ?

 

          13. Overcall Style                2 level overcalls disciplined ( good suit , opening bid ) , one

   level overcall lead directing or just getting in there. Trap with

   opponents suit or make off shape  NT or doubles , vul dependent ?

   equal level conversion ?

 

           14. Balances                        2NT in balancing 18-20 HCP’s , Balancing 1NT , Michaels in balancing or

                                                      Goren Q bids , Jumps in balancing ?

 

          15. Pre-empts                      Disciplined 1st & 2nd ?  4♣ two  control KCB ?   , vulnerability respected ?

   4 level pre-empts ( majors or minors) understandings ? Slam try tools ?

 

          16. KCB                                Minor suit KCB , void showing . specific suit asks , specific Kings ,

    4NT quantitative , 4NT to play  , Queen ask sequences ,

    splinter sequences    Grand Slam Force understandings ,

    Identifying minor KCB sequences ,  Kickback ,

    Exclusion Blackwood ( 5 level & 4 level ) , KCB Interference

 

           17. Lead Directing Doubles   Negates the obvious lead or guarantees the obvious lead ,

 understandings ?

 

           18. NT openers                   Minor slam tries after 2NT , slam tries after Stayman ,

   Texas Transfer understandings , Re-Stayman or other toys ?

    Quantitative sequences , Gerber , KCB