🚀 go-pugleaf

I've used spare time over the break to jot down some ideas on System Regs.
Here are some ideas on systems. Current Regs are dated 1998 but they are
really 13 years old. Read the pdf at
http://www.abf.com.au/events/tournregs/sysregs.pdf

Issues
1) Lining up with the WBF
2) Overhauling our categories
3) Guidelines on when the different colours are allowed

1) Lining up with the WBF
Go to:
http://www.ecatsbridge.com/bib/static/files/Systems%20and%20Systems%20Regula
tions/2002%20WBF%20Systems%20Policy.pdf

The WBF basically has the same 4 categories as us, plus "brown sticker".
Strong pass is HUM, RCO twos are brown sticker, multi 2D is unclear
(currently okay but the Yanks want it brown sticker) We are supposedly
preparing our national teams to compete overseas so perhaps our Regs should
be as close as possible to theirs.
Not sure about this. If this were the aim, then surely we would have bidding
boxes in all finals. This could (should?) have started 20 years ago. Then
again, I'm glad we don't allow those dreadful WBF convention cards.


2) Categories
Currently we have:
1.2 Definitions
 "Balanced" expanded to include all 5422s & 6322 with a long minor.

Prefer that "Balanced" retains its normal meaning. 5-4-2-2 (in that order)
is a strange shape to open 1NT. More later.

 "Bid" = opening bid from 1C through 3S.

Bid means Bid. One failing of current Regs is that they don't address
overcalls, the Jim-Ziggy problem. More later.

 "Natural" basically means 4+, not canap�.

Not keen. "Natural" means Not conventional. Thus a weak 2 is natural while
2H = H & a minor is not. See Opening Points.

 "Opening Points" definition is fine.

It has some use but it's a small problem in third seat. More importantly,
it's illegal (contrary to 40D)to restrict NATURAL bids in this way. It's a
bit embarrassing that the ABF's System Regs have been illegal for 13 years.
See following.

1.3 Green Requirements

 1) 18+ OPs for 1-level, 15+ OPs & a 5-card suit for 2-level, etc

Because of 40D, nobody can stop a pair from agreeing to open 1H on Axx,
Axxx, xxx, xxx. Or 2H on QTx, QJxxx, xx, xxx, or 3C on xx, xx, xxx, KQTxxx.
So this restriction can only apply to conventional openings.

I particularly HATE the ACBL "solution" to this, which is to ban
conventional responses to light openings. They used the "regulate" loophole
in 4OD to hobble natural methods that they did not approve of ("If you want
to open a mini-notrump, partner must respond naturally. Blackwood can only
be used by people wearing hats ...")

Need to consider 3rd seat and overcalls.
Overcalls are a problem. Surely it's okay to overcall a STRONG CLUB with
Kxxx, Kxxx, xxx, xx. Even less. If you play 1H = majors, this 14 OP hand
should be okay but I don't mind having some base line for conventional
overcalling (& 3rd seat opening). 15+ OP? (a bit arbitrary)

You may want to allow more freedom over an artificial opening but I'm
against that. If someone can overcall 1H to show 2 suits of the same rank
(as quite a few do over our strong club) they should be allowed to do it
over any 1C opening (as some do). Seems strange to be allowed RCO overcalls
of a short (2+) 1C but not over a better minor (3+) 1C. I wouldn't allow
them over either. Should be Brown Sticker - see later.

 2) Suit bids must show 4+ in the suit bid.

Okay but I'd prefer 4+ majors, 3+ minors.

 3) Notrump bids must show a balanced hand.

Again, I'd prefer "opening bids and overcalls".
For balanced, prefer "balanced or semi-balanced." Maybe can rule out 5-4
majors or 6-card majors from 1NT openings but surely not 2NT openings.
Overcalls likewise. Singletons are a problem. I know a pair who opens or
rebids 1NT on all 4441s (so opener's suit rebid can guarantee 5-4). Not
clear that this should be enough to turn their system Red.

 4) Pass shows weakness.

Only if we open.


Green allowances: All natural openings, plus

 1) short 1C (2+)

Well over half Australia plays this way. Groan. Since this 1C opening is a
convention, should maybe make it Blue. Don't panic because we should be able
to effectively do away with Blue.

 2) better minor 1D
 3) strong 2C
 4) Benjamin 2C/D

This is "line in the dirt" thinking. Look at what people do and admit it's
too late to turn back the tide. To me, there is no cataclysmic difference
between a strong 1C system and a strong 2C system.

And if some fool wants to open a strong and artificial 2H, why not? The
answer is a desire to preserve THE SANCTITY OF THE MAJORS, quite a laudable
aim, actually. There must be a line somewhere. The question is Where and
When.


Blue allowances: Add

 1) forcing 1C (any shape)  (WBF refers to "strong 1C/D" meaning 13+)

 2) Precision 1D (or "similar")

Here's a thorny one. In 1970s Precision, 1D showed 4+. There are a number of
modern variations. Say you play 1NT = 13-15, 2C/D = 6+ suits or 5-4 minors,
no major. That leaves you with:
 1D =  11-12 balanced, no 5-card major; OR
  11-15 unbalanced, usually 4+ diamonds; OR OCCASIONALLY
  0-3 diamonds with long clubs & a 4-card major
Not useful as a basis for "similarity". What am I getting at? Say you want
to update further, playing 1NT = 11-14 balanced, NO MAJOR. This subtle
change produces a good method. What does it leave for 1D?
 1D = 10-14, 4 hearts or 4 spades (or 4-4 majors), maybe canap� with a long
minor.
Is that "similar" enough to 1D? If that's okay, what about 1D = 4+ hearts?
If anything, an opening that shows a known major should be more acceptable
than one that shows either.
So "Improved" Precision features a "Multi 1D". If you scroll to YELLOW
system allowances, you see:
 1.6.3) 1-level suit bids may confirm 4 cards in an unspecified suit or
suits. That makes Improved Precision Yellow. If you wish to keep things as
they are, you need to decide which characteristics of a Precision 1D that
make it acceptable, and what "similar" means.

Naturally I would prefer OPEN SLATHER on minor openings. Play a Myxo 1D (=
hearts or blacks) if you wish. Silly system tweakers like me can be kept in
check by maintaining restrictions on major openings.

 3) canap� okay

Okay but brings up a Green point. What do you open with
Txx,   x,   AKJx,  KJxxx ?
On OKbridge at any rate, everyone opens 1D and rebids 2C. Does that make
them Blue?

 4) 1NT can be unbalanced if 25+ OP

This illustrates what a joke it is to have TEMPORAL regulations. Surely this
is just a fob to Romex?! Nobody here played that in 1989 and they don't now.
Just something we lifted from the WBF Regs at the time. We need to decide
which TYPE of conventions to in/exclude, ignoring fashion.

 5&6) 2-bids+ that shows 4+ in a particular suit are okay.

Transfer pre-empts, Flannery, Rubin 2s, unusual 2NT, etc.

 7) Standard Euro Multi 2D is okay: 15+ OP & 5+ in a major, or some strong
hands.

Opening Points are not enforced. Do YOU call the director after you find out
that someone opened a Multi 2D on AJTxx, xxx, xx, xxx ? You'll get called a
wank/wowser. (No, I haven't either)

This Multi 2D exception came in when more events were "No Red systems" and
congress players found their simple Multi had rudely been taken away from
them. I guess there's no going back but hate making exceptions. Why should
Multi 2D be Blue while Multi 2C (showing the same hand) be Red? A few Sydney
pairs DO play 2C = weak 2 in a major.

Again, I prefer open slather on minors. Something like:

"no shape restrictions on 2C/D openings. 2H/S must show 4+ cards in a
specific suit if weak"

Actually, I prefer "2H/S must show 4+ cards in the BID suit."

Green and Blue can be combined. Like the WBF, we make no legal use of the
distinction. Blue should only be to alert the opponents to dust off their
strong club defence. In other words, Multi 2D should be Green.

Here's a little summary of my suggestions so far (opening bids only at this
stage):

Green systems:
1C/D can be any shape, provided 18+ OP if conventional
1H/S must show 4+ cards in bid suit, canap� okay
1NT natural (an offer to play, essentially* balanced)
2C/D/NT totally unrestricted provided 15+ OP if conventional (give them
their unusual NT) 2H/S must show 4+ in THE BID suit & 15+ OP if conventional
(eg, hearts & a minor)

* but 4441, any semi-balanced okay

Blue systems:
Any that feature a FORCING 1C or 1D (Burgay!!) opening


Red allowances
This is where you put transfer 1-level openings, RCO twos, etc. Currently we
have:

 1) 1H/S openings have to show 4+ cards in a specific suit. *

So Marston's current Moscito (1D = H, 1H = S, 1S = D) is Red. Our "Improved
Precision" is still Yellow though, until the minors are freed up completely.
George Cuppaidge wants to open 1S as some balanced hand but we have him
covered.

Not sure of the status of 3-card majors (extreme canap� as per Ron Mann).
Personally, I think we should allow them as Red: (* or 3+ cards in the bid
suit?)

 2) 1NT+ can be anything, provided 15+ OP

The 15+ OP is why Andy Braithwaite, etc, lodge a Yellow system. In fact,
many pairs break this rule but couldn't care less. Transfer pre-empts get in
here & Moscito 1NT = majors, 2S = minor pre-empt, 3S = solid minor, & of
course RCO Twos.

Personally, I find some of these a bit heavy and wouldn't mind having them
Brown Sticker, if we go that way. (Red = Brown Sticker) I simply want them
to have a defence on the card (and naturally pre-alert).

I think exactly the same restrictions should apply to overcalls.
Incidentally, the Americans make an attempt to restrict responding
conventions but that's mean and complicated. Let people play Relay Goren if
they must (nobody but Gallus would).


Yellow system allowances
Don't see the need for any of this. Surely Yellow means anything goes?
Anyway ...

 1) Don't have to follow 15/18 OPs.

Here's a good system:
1C = 13+; 1D/H/S = 4+ suits, 8-12 pts; 1NT = 9-12 no major. This is Blue (or
will be once the Regs are made legal). Then there's the minor "improvement"
of swapping Pass & 1C.

 2) Pass "need not deny the strength to open"

This is confusing and unnecessary. This part of the Regs was written by
someone with no understanding of strong (or medium) pass.

 3) 1-level suit bids may show 4+ cards in an unspecified suit.

That�s our Multi 1D in Improved Precision.

 4) 1-level bids can show shortage in some suit.

Regres? Delta? Who cares?

 5) Overcalls (!!) may include "non-descriptive" overcalls.

Well, when Ziggy overcalls 1H it shows "a 1H opening or an overcall in any
suit." Personally, I couldn�t care less what they come up with but somebody
should rule (has ruled?) on whether this makes their method Yellow.



3) Guidelines on when the different colours are allowed.
A handful of pairs still play Yellow systems. Good on us. See separate
email!

Apart from that, it should be Red systems (Brown sticker) and below in all
open ABF events. Or you may wish to keep Red Conventions out of events with
4-board rounds or less (MP Pairs). Actually, I think that's a good idea -
make Marston change his opening structure again, make Terry Brown drop his
RCO Twos, temporarily.

How about Novice events? Just saying "Green or Blue" is not enough. Need to
restrict conventions further (Stayman/Blackwood/transfers?) but that's a
separate issue. Certainly, strong club systems should be okay.

Running out of energy. Bye for now.

Nick