[blml] Atlanta NABC Mischief

[Marvin French]

From: "Gordon Rainsford"

>
> I don't think the original post I was replying to specified such a
> particular hand. Nevertheless, playing a 4 card major system, a
> biddable major is 4 cards or longer - hence the name of the
system.

Actually, most of us who play a "pure" four-card major system say
that a biddable major is headed by at least A, K, Q10, or J10. On my
convention card is a prominent "Weak majors often bypassed." That
makes bidding a 9xxx suit a psych in your opinion, I suppose, but as
a matter of "style and judgment" it really isn't.
>
> To start by bidding a suit you don't hold, in preference to
> bidding one you do hold, is a gross distortion of your hand
> description.
>
> Before Marv starts misinterpreting me again, let me say that it
> doesn't follow that I think it's wrong, illegal or fattening to
> deliberately do so, but I do think it's a psych.
>
Sorry if I ever misinterpreted you, but I don't regard even an Axx
suit as a "gross distortion" in a four-card major system, especially
one that frowns on bidding a 9xxx suit. When I bid a three-card
major it is because there just isn't a satisfactory bid in the hand
and in my judgment it represents the least of evils. An outside
singleton (always held) gives it ruffing value, so it has the
trick-taking potential of a four-card suit. How is this "gross"?.

In third seat a light opening is supposed to be lead-directing, so I
bid 1H with x  AKx  Jxxxx Kxxx, taking a chance. I do such things
maybe once in 20 sessions, so partner does not expect it, and
opponents would do well not to expect it. See Law 75B.

The ACBL does not allow me to do it more often as a part of system,
because three-card majors as system bids are forbidden. Illegally,
since these are not conventional bids (as defined by the Laws, which
permit the control of conventional calls only).

Marv
Marvin L. French
San Diego, California
www.marvinfrench.com