[PhilKing]

jallerton, on 2014-September-02, 15:42, said:

Are these pairs playing ferts at all vulnerabilities? What's their full opening call structure?

The 1♥ guys are playing 0-10 all vuls (omg).

The 1♦ guys are 5-10 nv, which has some clout with more safety.

[the hog]

jallerton, on 2014-September-02, 15:42, said:

Are these pairs playing ferts at all vulnerabilities? What's their full opening call structure?

They are probably not playing ferts in 3rd and 4th seat.

[wank]

who's playing this stuff, the garvey brothers?

[paulg]

wank, on 2014-September-02, 19:51, said:

who's playing this stuff, the garvey brothers?

Yes, but actually both partnerships in the Small team are playing the 1♦ fert, so everyone will have to face this. In the Pryor team, Casselton-Graham are playing the 1♥ fert so everyone will have seating rights and choose whether to face it or not.

[the hog]

paulg, on 2014-September-03, 00:56, said:

Yes, but actually both partnerships in the Small team are playing the 1♦ fert, so everyone will have to face this. In the Pryor team, Casselton-Graham are playing the 1♥ fert so everyone will have seating rights and choose whether to face it or not.

Are you allowed to play this in the UK? How civilised.

[paulg]

the hog, on 2014-September-03, 05:07, said:

Are you allowed to play this in the UK? How civilised.

The English Premier League is the only English event were you can play HUMs. You can play a restricted number of Brown Sticker conventions in almost every tournament.

In Scotland, you can play HUMs in the Scottish Cup, the premier knockout event, and in the Scottish National League. However no-one has yet.

In the UK, you can play HUMs in the semifinal and final of the Gold Cup (the premier British knockout event) and in the Home International Series, for which the English and Scottish leagues are trials for.

[whereagles]

I can also play that where I live. Just not on 99% of the tournaments

[gnasher]

paulg, on 2014-September-03, 05:12, said:

The English Premier League is the only English event were you can play HUMs.

HUMs have been allowed since the inception of the event in 2008. Curiously, this is the first year that anyone has actually played one.

[whereagles]

maybe I should consider getting a job there? lol

[RMB1]

jallerton, on 2014-September-02, 15:42, said:

Are these pairs playing ferts at all vulnerabilities? What's their full opening call structure?

1H fert at all vulnerabilities 0-10,
Pass/1C/1D are 3+/3+/5+ in the suit above, 1S is nat 5+, 1NT is 11-13
So a 5-card major/better minor (5/5/3/3) system with 1C/1D/1H shifted down by one.

1D fert NV only, 5-10.
Pass is 0-4 or 11-13 BAL no 4+ M or 11-15 5-4 minors, 1C strong, 1M nat 4+, 1N 14-16
(V: Strong club with 1M 5+)

[Cameron_1]

All I can say is this is going to be tremendous fun.

It will be super interesting to see the various schemes people design all if which have to contain compromises.

My guess is next year we will see considerably more system innovation which can only be productive. I strongly want this to be a good experience for all concerned.

[mugsmate]

I wouldn't worry about preparing.
Anyone stupid enough to play a 1D fert is clearly so bad as to not have a chance anyway.

Probably best is to forget its a fert, overcall liberally, overbid to game and go for 1100.

[PhilKing]

It's time to take this thread to the dark net.

[gnasher]

mugsmate, on 2014-September-05, 07:24, said:

Probably best is to forget its a fert, overcall liberally, overbid to game and go for 1100.

So you're not expecting to gain anything from playing this method?

[mugsmate]

I think it will be fun for us all to be facing unusual situations all the time. Practising online has really rekindled my enthusiasm for the game. It's thegarve s concept and it has genuine bridge merit. I hope you all enjoy thinking about how to defend it and await the pl with interest.

[hrothgar]

mugsmate, on 2014-September-06, 11:17, said:

I think it will be fun for us all to be facing unusual situations all the time. Practising online has really rekindled my enthusiasm for the game. It's thegarve s concept and it has genuine bridge merit. I hope you all enjoy thinking about how to defend it and await the pl with interest.

I have a copy of Enterprising Tales sitting around somewhere...
Look forware to hearing about the match.

[shyams]

RMB1, on 2014-September-03, 07:00, said:

1D fert NV only, 5-10.
Pass is 0-4 or 11-13 BAL no 4+ M or 11-15 5-4 minors, 1C strong, 1M nat 4+, 1N 14-16
(V: Strong club with 1M 5+)

How about something like this?

Defense:
0. Our usual structure applies when opps are vul, or when they open a non-vul 1C, 1M or 1NT

1. Over their NV pass (0-4 or 11-15): Meaning of our [over]calls are unchanged – except
- a. NV vs NV, we expand our 1NT opening range to 5 points (i.e. 12-14 becomes 10-14; 15-17 becomes 13-17)
- b. NV vs NV, 2M opening shows 5-6 card suits and intermediate point count (9-14)
- c. NV vs NV, 3M openings are pre-empts, can be with 6 card suits
The idea is to (i) create some ambiguity in responder’s mind as to whether opener is 0-4 or 11-15 AND (ii) make the FP side stick their neck out if they hold the balance of power.

2. Over their 1D fert opening, a possible suggested defence is:
- a. X to show 15+ unbal (at least 2-suited) or 16-17 bal
- b. 1M shows 4+ (usually 5+) denies 4-cards in other major but can have longer minor suit. Approx. opening values.
- c. 1N shows both majors (at least 4-4) and 11-14 HCP.
- d. 2m shows 6 card suits and 11-15 HCP
- e. 2M shows 6 card suits and 11-15 HCP
All hands b. thru e. have a good ODR (some judgement involved). With distributed values or defensive hands, choose f.
- f. Pass shows any 0-10 hand, or a diamond suit or distributed values (11-14)
It is possible to refine for NV vs NV 2M as 5 cards and 9-14 HCP

3. In the passout position - i.e. (1D) pass (pass) ?? – the system above applies except:
- a. X shows 12+ unbal or 13-14 bal
- b. 1M does not deny other Major
- c. 1NT is 15-17 balanced
- d. 2C is our big opener (even if you play strong club)
- e. 2D is both majors (two suiter)
- f. 2M shows 6 card suits and 11-15 HCP