System Summary Form (SSF), 2017 Women's USBC


Team: OSMO Last Updated Apr 12, 2017 at 18:27
Players: Teri Smoot - Brenda Pugsley

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Bids that Require Advance Preparation

None

General Bidding Style

Opening bids tend to be sound in first, second, and fourth seat. Probably 12+ hcp though exceptions made when distribution is right (e.g., open all 7 loser hands regardless of hcp). Third seat major suit opening bids can be weaker. Usually always five card majors in all seats.

1NT openers will be 15-17 hcp (may open good 14 hcp hands 1NT as well). May well 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.

With 44 or 45 in minors will usually open 1D (will open 1C if hand justifies a reverse to 1D later).

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 will typically have two of the top three in the suit or three of the top five cards (again, mostly regardless of vulnerability). In the first two seats, the preempter will almost never have a four card other major nor any 6-5. A 6331 distribution is possible. Side honors are also quite possible.

In third seat, the requirements above are significantly eased. Five card suits and suits of poorer quality are now allowed. And in fourth seat, a two level opening will usually promise an opening hand with six of the named suit.

There are no specific negative inferences when preempts are not made and passing and then bidding a suit still suggest 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 (8 hcp or so). Vulnerability is a consideration but we have no specific agreements. (These are the only "tactical" type bids we have.)

Frequently 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). Minimum Ace or 5 hcp to respond.

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 normally shows six or more of the major. Exception is 4S, 5H, 2D, 2C, response may be 2H or one of the minors.

All other responses as expected.

No special doubles. Doubles in competition tend to be takeout more than penalty. No specific rules governing this. Do frequently use doubles of artificial bids as lead directing doubles.

In competition, 2/1 bids become invitational+.

No special responses in competition.

Have not made a psychic call in the past, but may in the future. Most likely would occur in third seat NV vs V. Rarely use "Tactical" bids in competitive auctions for lead suggestions and potential sacrifice opportunities.

Opening Leads AND Leads in the Middle of the Hand

Spot card and honor leads standard and the same during the hand (to the extent possible). Lead 4th but might lead low or high from any holding depending on desire for switch of suit by partner.

No specific defined exceptions to general rules but occasionally will violate lead conventions if something in the bidding/play suggests doing so.

Generally lead A from AK when we want partner's attitude towards suit. Will lead K from AK if we want count in suit (suit contracts) or an unblocking action (against NT). If partner leads K from KQ, will still give count/unblock unless location of A obvious.

Defensive Signals

Primary signal to partner's play is attitude (upside down; low encourages) unless obvious suit preference situation (e.g., dummy has shortness in led suit after lead of ace or king). Primary signal to opponent's play is count. Use BOSTON signals to when breaking new suit (even on opening lead from three --or more -- small).

Play upside down attitude but standard current count against suit contract. Use Reverse Smith Echo against NT contracts only (low indicates continue led suit, high suggests switch). 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.