[Kungsgeten]

Hi!

I've been working on a strong pass system (which should be allowed in Swedish tournaments). The opening scheme currently looks like this:

pass - 15+ hcp any (except 21-23 balanced)
1C - 0-7 hcp any non preemptive. May be 8 balanced when vulnerable.
1D - 4+ hearts, may have longer minor. Not 4333 or 4432. 8-14 hcp
1H - 4+ spades, may have longer minor. Not 4333 or 4432. 8-14 hcp
1S - 8-11 hcp (semi)balanced
1N - 12-14 hcp (semi)balanced
2m - 5+ suit, unbalanced, no 4 card major. 8-14 hcp
2M - 3-7 hcp, 5+ suit
2N - 21-23 balanced

Over the "unbalanced" openings we play game forcing relays. After the strong pass 1C is negative and the rest is game forcing transfers, similar to the openings. Over the weak club 1D is strong (ca 18+) and others are non-forcing (2C shows both minors and 2 of a major is invitational based on distribution). Over the major showing transfer openings we play transfers. Over the balanced openings we play a standard 1NT response structure.

The worst part of the system probably is the 2 of a minor openings, since all responses are game-forcing (the relay) or at least invitational (the rest). The pass is also vulnerable to the opponents entering the bidding, as is any strong opening. Therefore I have thought about another structure, with inspiration from the "Swedish club":

pass - 8-11 balanced or 15+ any
1S - 5-4 or 5-5 in minors, no 4 card major. 8-14 hcp
2m - 6+ suit, no 4 card major. 8-14 hcp
others - as above

Over the minor showing 1S you could play 1N as a weak/strong relay (bid your longer suit, I will pass or relay), 2m would be non-forcing and 2M should probably be invitational with a 5+ suit.

Now over the two way pass opening you could use the same structure as the opening bids (but 1C shows 0-8 and the others 9+). The relay could show the strong hand and other bids could show the weak hand.

Comments appreciated!

[Gerben42]

Maybe you will find this link helpful:

Magic Pass System

Pass won't be the big problem bid, but 8 - 14 HCP is quite a large range for 2-level opening bids, though.

[dake50]

pass - 15+ hcp any (except 21-23 balanced)
***
This seems too much to untangle against opponents
who know to get to 2M or 3-level quickly.
I suggest a different partition: Heart suit shows;
strong with spades can pass first.
Minors get to 3m quickly.
So pass has
1. strong bal: 17+; (I like even more 19+)
2. strong spades: 16+; (of course playing tricks)
3. very strong hearts or minors: 18+.
This scheme insulates the pass from preemption.
Strong hands can show even at 3+level with some clarity.

[glen]

Kungsgeten, on 2012-April-16, 01:26, said:

Hi!

I've been working on a strong pass system (which should be allowed in Swedish tournaments). The opening scheme currently looks like this:

pass - 15+ hcp any (except 21-23 balanced)
1C - 0-7 hcp any non preemptive. May be 8 balanced when vulnerable.
1D - 4+ hearts, may have longer minor. Not 4333 or 4432. 8-14 hcp
1H - 4+ spades, may have longer minor. Not 4333 or 4432. 8-14 hcp
1S - 8-11 hcp (semi)balanced
1N - 12-14 hcp (semi)balanced
2m - 5+ suit, unbalanced, no 4 card major. 8-14 hcp
2M - 3-7 hcp, 5+ suit
2N - 21-23 balanced

Over the "unbalanced" openings we play game forcing relays. After the strong pass 1C is negative and the rest is game forcing transfers, similar to the openings. Over the weak club 1D is strong (ca 18+) and others are non-forcing (2C shows both minors and 2 of a major is invitational based on distribution). Over the major showing transfer openings we play transfers. Over the balanced openings we play a standard 1NT response structure.

The worst part of the system probably is the 2 of a minor openings, since all responses are game-forcing (the relay) or at least invitational (the rest). The pass is also vulnerable to the opponents entering the bidding, as is any strong opening. Therefore I have thought about another structure, with inspiration from the "Swedish club":

pass - 8-11 balanced or 15+ any ...

Generally in two-way 1♣ openings, you want the strong hand types to start at 17+ unbal, 18+ bal, to have the chance to bid again if the opponents compete.

IMO, you are better off "trash compacting" (putting junk hands together), by changing your 1♠, 2m and 2NT openings:

1♠ - 8-11 hcp (semi)balanced or 5-4/4-5 in the minors 8-11
2m - 5+ suit, unbalanced, no 4 card major. 8-14 hcp, 6+ suit if 8-11 (now if opening is minimum it has playing value from long minor)
2NT - 5-5+ in minors, 8-11