System Summary Form (SSF), 2019 Michael Seamon Junior USBC - U26


Team: Rockoff Last Updated Dec 14, 2019 at 23:42
Players: Kyle Rockoff - Sarik Goyal

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Bids that Require Advance Preparation

We play different systems by vulnerability (and to a lesser degree, seat).

Vulnerable, we play a modified Australian variant of 2/1.

non-vulnerable, we play what's known as a Swedish or Hybrid club (technically Skrot club based, similar to Polish Club), with canape style 1D, 1H, 1S bids. Below are specifics which you may wish to discuss a defense:

Vulnerable:
-2D shows an preemptive single-suiter in either major
-2H shows a preemptive hand with both majors (5+ Hs, 4+ Ss)
-2S shows a preemptive single-suiter in either minor
-3C and 3D both show a constructive preempt with both minors
-1N (15-17) may be opened with a small singleton if 33(61) by player's judgment. It's not an obligation by any means.

Our 1H and 1S opening are natural 5+ cards, and tend to imply holding two doubletons, or a singleton or void somewhere. Our 1C is 2+, and could contain a minimum balanced hand with a 5cd major. Our 1D opening is usually 4+ unbalanced, but is technically 2+ short (same style as 1C-- could be a big 18-19 hand with or without a 5cd major).

Responder's rebid in the sequence 1C-1D and 1C-1H is artificial, and shows 4+ cards in the major-suit above.

Non-Vulnerable:
-1C is Artificial, and shows 11+-13 balanced with at least one 4 card major, 4=4=(4-1) dead min, or 17+ any shape. 1C when 11-13 balanced could contain a 5cd major.

-Our 1D, 1H and 1S openings are all 4+ cards, and may contain a second suit that is as long, or longer than the suit we opened (Canape-style). These openings are usually 4 cards with a 5+ side suit, or 6+ cards. The opening will always be semi-balanced or unbalanced.

-Our 1N opening is 12 to a bad 16 balanced ("Modified Carrot NT"). It is usually in the 14 to a bad 16, and is only 12-13 HCPs if we don't have a 4 card major. Like when we're vulnerable, it may be opened with a small singleton if we're 3=3=(6-1) by bidder's discretion. Per ACBL regulation, we cannot upgrade 11s into the range, so you will never see any upgrades on the lower end.

-Our 2D opening shows 13-16 4=4-(4-1), or 20-21 balanced.
-Our 2H and 2S opening are 11-15 showing 5+ of the major, and 4+ Cs.
-Our 2N opening shows a maximal 2H or 2S opener with extra length in the major.

In the auction 1D-1H, 1D-1S and 1H-1S, responder's 1M response is artificial and only promises 3+ cards in the major. This is because if opener has support, it always is a minimum of 5 cards.

After a 1D, 1H and 1S opening, our negative doubles don't promise length in the unbid major (are just takeout oriented, suggest tolerance for new strains).

General Bidding Style

We open basically all 11s Non-vulnerable in all seats, upgrade some 10s (typically only with a good suit or little wastage in our shortness).

While Vulnerable, everything is about a point firmer. We typically will not open balanced hands less than 12.

In 3rd seat, everything gets a bit lighter, we open most 10 counts, but can open as light as 8 favorable, particularly if we want to get in lead direction or have an easy way to get out low in the auction.

With the strong 15-17 NTs, we do upgrade some good 14s. Kyle upgrades a little bit more frequently than Sarik. Kyle is probably also more likely to open 1N with 3=3=(6-1) shape with or without a small singleton (as mentioned in the above section).

Non-vulnerable, we don't strive to open preemptive three-level openings in 1st and 2nd seat. We exchange the ability to open preemptive two-level openings for the ability to handle more hands at the one-level, as a general principle.

Opening Leads AND Leads in the Middle of the Hand

3rd/low on opening leads versus suit. 4th best versus NT.

Tend to lead attitude mid-hand:
-4th/low from interest (only low from 5 versus suits, otherwise 4th best.)
-Second best, top, or MUD (from 3 cards) from a suit we don't want lead back.

At NT, we lead the AQ for power (unblock) with AKJT or QJ98 or similar, and the K for count. At the 5-level or higher versus a suit contract, K is lead for count, A for attitude.

Defensive Signals

Our carding is upside-down count and attitude. We play standard current count. We play reverse Smith Echo versus NT, and trump suit preference.

Our priority of signals is first attitude, second count and third suit preference.

We signal actively, though of course either partner may false-card/discard neutrally to conceal information from declarer if they think it's right.