[frank0]

Hmm, most bridge players more or less use some two-suited conventions in competitive bidding. For example, michael, unusual NT, complicated convention aganist 1NT or artificial 1C, etc.

The problem is I really don't know what's the minimum strength requirement of those conventions. Bridge books usually give me answers like, it depends on vulnerbility, seat, agreement, T/9 in your suit, wasted value in short suit, blablabla...

Yes all of these are true but that's probably not enough for me to understnad. I'm wondering why there is no simple rule like rule of 2-3-4 for single suit preempt.

For example if someone told you minimum michael 2C over 1C white vs. white is KJ932 KT864 32 2 (a random hand I make)then how do I know whether JT9876 QJT98 2 2 is enough? Or should I accept partner's 3S the invitation with AK543 A5432 32 2 ?

So can anyone tell me
(a)What's the way you evaluate the strength of the two suited hand?
(b)How do you answer if I ask you(assume I'm your regular partner) what's the minimum hand of red vs. red unusual 2NT over 1S open?(e.g. you give a few example of hands, you simply give HCP range, you teach me some mysterious formula on evaluating playing strength of two-suited hand, etc.)

[han]

I think about possible hands partner can have and how many tricks we might take. I don't mean that as a joke, it's not like that with all hands but with 2-suiters, especially with very strong 2-suiters, it often gets to the point where that's the only sensible way.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

you can use the LTC to evaluate the playing strength of 2-suiters,
and than you can use the 4-3-2 rule.

The LTC works reasonably well under the assumttion, that you have a fit,
if you have a 2-suiter the probability, that you have at least a 8-card
fit increases with the freakness of your 2-suiters.

The 4-3-2 rule should be applied for the worst case scenario, say you play
Michaels, and the cue showes spade + minor, say, you overcall make a 2H
Michaels Cue, that the worst case scenario is, that you play your contract
on the 3 level.

Of course even if the LTC tells you a certain level is safe, using common
sense to modify the outcome is not forbidden, but you may get a rough idea.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[whereagles]

Simple evaluation method:

1 loser per each lack of A,K,Q in the main suits
1 loser per each lack of A,K in a side suit

then

6+ losers: min hand
5 losers: intermediate
4- losers: big hand

Examples:

min hand (6 losers)
AKxxx
Qxxxx
xx
x

intermediate (5 losers)
Kxxxx
KQxxx
Ax
x

max hand (4 losers)
AQxxx
AKxxx
Kx
x

Jacks, tens and stuff like that count as "plus-values", i.e. deciders on a close call. The method is, admitedly, slightly optimistic, but it works quite ok in practice.