🚀 go-pugleaf

	I'm really enjoying the hand problems and bidding discussions on
	this newsgroup.  I started this newsgroup up around 2 to 2 1/2 years
	ago when I was at duke.  It's nice to see it start to pick up again.

	On the topic of 2D openings, let me say that my favorite common
	2D opening is mini-Roman.  If 2C is your BIG bid, then play 2D as
	11-15 points and a three suited hand with an uspecified singleton
	or void.  This bid is then used on any hand with 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0
	shape and 11-15 HCPs.  Responder's bids are simple enough.  Any
	simple suit bid asks opener to pass UNLESS that suit is his short suit,
	he will bid the next higher suit if it is, in an attempt to find a
	fit.  Responder will pass or bid another suit.  If the responder does
	bid a new suit, opener will pass at this point, knowing that at least
	at 4-3 fit has been found.  If responder rebids his suit, knowing that
	opening is short in that suit, opener must still pass trustfully.
	If responder jumps in a new suit, he is asking opener to go to game
	if that suit is NOT his short suit, pass otherwise.  Responder's
	only forcing bid is 2NT, which asks opener to bid his short suit.
	(Some play that opener should bid the suit under his short suit.)
	The auction is natural after that.  Methods of handling interference
	vary from partnership to partnership.

	My true favorite though is part of a home-brewed system I play
	with some friends.  It's called the Bozo Club.  I won't go into
	the whole thing here, except to say that it is a big club system.
	Our 2 level bids are as follows:

		2C - 11-15 HCPs with a 5+ clubs
		2D - 11-16 HCPs mini-Roman with short major
		2H - 11-16 HCPs mini-Roman with short minor
		2S - 17+ HCPs maxi-Roman (4-4-4-1 hands only)

	As you can see, we have given up Weak 2 bids entirely.  Instead we
	the ULP (Unspecified Light Preempt) 2NT bid.  More on that later.
	The 2D and 2H opening are nice because responder can PASS when he
	knows he has a fit, or correct, knowing that opener cannot be short
	in the new suit.  This helps avoid mini-Roman's greatest flaw, the
	habit of playing the hand in your opponent's misfits when they have
	all the points. OUCH!

-- 

	Bob Fabrizio
	..!{seismo,mcnc,we13,allegra}!rlgvax!bob