Posted on 04/19/2022 9:25:33 AM PDT by CptnObvious
Minor Revamp for Advanced Bridge Players (Chapter 1)
April 14 2022 by Scott Merrell
Warning: This is a dual system, employing ones original knowledge of the minors in Bridge in some cases and the new system "Revamp" in others. Therefore it is for Advanced and well matured Intermediate Bridge players only. For instance, the "Revamp" system is off under Strong Bids like 2C, after pre-emptive openings and all overcaller-Advancer overcalls.
NOTE: The Minor revamp always starts with a 1 level bid in the minors by Opener and is answered with a minor or the equivalent of a minor for the "Revamp" to be on:
1C or 1D (by Opener) a minor Response or equivalent of a minor for the "REVAMP" to be ON.
THIS SYSTEM IS NOT FOR BEGINNERS
You, as North as declarer Open 1 Club with this hand and Responder has this hand. What does a Beginner as partner bid and why? (SHDC, and Opponents Pass in all examples unless otherwise noted):
North
xx Kx AKQx Jxxxx (SHDC)
South
AKJ AQJ xx xxxxx (SHDC)
1C ?
Opener bids the Short Club showing 3 Clubs minimum and Responder(R) has 5 Clubs to make the fit. Responder assumes 13 High Card Points (HCP) in Opener(O) and adds the points with distribution as a good beginner should. 15 HCP plus 1 for the Doubleton= 16. 13+16=29, just enough for game in that Minor:
1C 5C
R bids correctly as a beginner with 5C. We will see why this is correct with Os rebid:
1C 5C
6C
O has 14 HCP, 2 points for the doubletons and maybe 3 extra for the extra trump cards=19. 19+16=35, well into the small slam range but not enough to go into Grand Slam range (37+). Beginner bid the small slam and GOES DOWN TWO! WHY?
BECAUSE NO SLAM CHECK IS AVAILABLE TO BEGINNERS HERE! 4NT was not available and it would have detected the BAD SLAM. But ths is just the beginning of the Woes.
Let's show you the first part of the Revamp in advance and give our Advanced or mature intermediate opener the chance at 4NT:
1C 3S! Game in Clubs 29-30 Combined
4NT 5H
?
3 Spades Alerted by O, signals Game in that minor. It signals the fit in that minor, the combined points with distribution, and is forcing for one round. Opener seeing 35 points combined is happy to bid 4NT but is very sorrowful to find just two Keys cards or 2 Aces and is PAST 5C (Game in the Clubs) after seeing the 5H bid.
What does O do? Well, 6C as 5NT would ask for Kings - the best of bad bid choices common to the minors. ARG!!
Well lets go one STEP FURTHER INTO THE REVAMP. (remembering that I did say Advanced and Mature Intermediate players only) WITH REDWOOD:
1C 3S! (Game in Clubs)
4D! REDWOOD 4S (Two Aces or 2 Keycards for SC used)
5C Pass
REDWOOD (described later and seen in http://www.wikipedia.com) says 4D! is the Slam check equivalent of 4NT for Clubs (Slam Check [SC]). Two bids up the bidding box -4S- is the equivalent of 5H after 4NT. Opener sees the BAD SLAM AND BAILS OUT SAFELY TO GAME!
Of course, if R had 19+ initially 3S! would not be used and we would go to SC immediately:
1C 4D! (Club equivalent of 4NT)
as there are more benefits to REDWOOD than have been shown here.
Many partnerships do not use REDWOOD than 4NT in the minors but you can see the obvious pitfall.
TAKEAWAYS: Minor slam checks are not available to beginners in many cases. Something must be used to make Slam Checks available. The Minor Revamp is highly suggested. Even after enabling 4NT for the minors in these cases, 4NT is often NOT YOUR FRIEND.
Next: More minor Slams that others might miss.
Ping for comment later. I began learning bridge at age 9 watching my parents play, now at age 82, I still play regularly on BBO.
The "Minor Revamp" even helps with Party Bridge, when it is clear that you are stuck in the minors. Chapter 2 explains the use of WALSH to know this whether in Duplicate or Party. WALSH is a main requirement in ones "Minor Revamp".
I should have better formatting for the next Chapter,
Best Regards
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