| Team: | OSMO | Last Updated | May 1, 2019 at 00:09 |
| Players: | Kathleen Wood - Mary Ose | ||
| No methods requiring advanced preparation. |
| Opening bids can be as light as 11 hcp in first and second seat. In third seat, they can be weaker (~8 hcp) especially at favorable vulnerability. Basically sound again in fourth seat unless length in spades (Pearson points used as guideline). Usually no more than 7 losers in first, second, and fourth seat.
Can open four card majors in third and fourth seat but will usually have several honors in the major suit and full opening bid (e.g., 13 hcp). Open 1NT with 15-17 hcp. May have singleton A or K if hand calls for it. May open 1NT with five card majors if shape and hcp justify that (will usually have a weaker major and NT'ish shape with outside stoppers). Rarely open drastically off shape hands 1NT but will frequently open 6332 or 5422 hands 1NT if spots and hcp justify that. With 44 or 45 in minors will sometimes open 1D (may open 1C if hand justifies a reverse to 1D later). Frequently upgrade or downgrade hands due to specific shape (e.g, may well open a 9 hcp hand if it only contains six losers and may not open a 12 hcp hand with eight losers). We have no unexpected artificial opening bids (though do play gambling 3NT). Weak two bids will very rarely be done with a five card suit in first and second seat (regardless of vulnerability). They (and 3-level preempts) will typically have two of the top three in the suit when vulnerable; nonvulnerable may not be disciplined. The preempter will not have a four card other major. Side honors are possible. In third seat, the requirements above are significantly eased. Five card suits and suits of poorer quality are now allowed. In fourth seat, a two level opening shows an opening hand with any six of the named suit. There are no specific negative inferences when preempts are not made and passing and then bidding a suit still suggests that suit as trump. There are no specific agreements when partner is a passed hand but the notes about "third seat" preempts apply. Third seat openers can be quite light; vulnerability is a consideration but we have no specific agreements. Always bypass 1D in favor of bidding a four card major with a weak hand. Will respond 1D to 1C with a weak (5-7 hcp) balanced hand (and no four card major). 2/1 responses are forcing to either game or the four level in a minor. 2C/1D is a game force. Typical forcing 1NT maximum is 12- hcp (most 12 hcp hands will be treated as game force hands). A response of 2C after a forcing 1NT always shows at least three clubs while a response of 2D may be made with only three diamonds. A response of 2M always shows six or more of the major. All other responses as expected. No special doubles. Doubles in competition tend to be "DSI" or takeout more than penalty. No specific rules governing this. Frequently use doubles of artifical bids as lead directing doubles. No special responses in competition. Psyche calls very rare. Most likely occur in opening third seat NV vs V. Occasional use of "tactical" bids in competitive auctions for lead suggestions and potential sacrifice opportunities. |
| Spot card leads standard and the same during the hand (to the extent possible). Honor leads (except K) Rusinow (lower of touching honors or shortness), standard honor leads during hand. Lead fourth best but might lead low or high from any holding depending on desire for switch of suit by partner (in general a low lead suggests continuation of the suit).
No specific defined exceptions to general rules but occasionally will violate lead conventions if something in the bidding/play suggests doing so. Lead K from AK. |
| Primary signal to partner's play is attitude (standard; high encourages). Primary signal to opponent's play is count. Frequently use BOSTON (i.e., Bottom of Something/Top of Nothing -- or attitude) signals to when breaking new suit (even on opening lead from three --or more -- small).
Play standard attitude and current count against suit contract. Also use Trump Suit preference against suit contracts (also on lead). High-low in trump suggests switch to higher suit while low-high suggests lower suit. |