{"id":12852,"date":"2020-01-07T06:00:16","date_gmt":"2020-01-07T04:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/?p=4028"},"modified":"2021-02-09T15:17:50","modified_gmt":"2021-02-09T13:17:50","slug":"funbridge-exclusive-tournament-milan-macura-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/funbridge-exclusive-tournament-milan-macura-18\/","title":{"rendered":"Are 18-19 HCP enough for strong 2♣? – by Milan Macura"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The first tournament of 2020 broke the records.<\/strong> For the first time, we have reached over 1,000 players in one tournament and we were close to over 2,000<\/strong> in both tournaments combined: 811 players participated in the MP tournament and 1,163 players in the IMP one. <\/p>

MPs results<\/a>

IMPs results<\/a>

Are 18-19 HCP enough for strong 2♣?<\/a>

Videos<\/a> <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n



MPs results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was possible to reach over 85%<\/strong> with the cards but you had to hit the jackpot on at least 4 boards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lordy (FR) was the most successful in making the best decisions and won the first tournament of the year with 80.28%<\/strong>, followed by Bruno (BR) with 79.86%<\/strong>. Third place goes to Luc Barbier (FR) with 77.51%<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lizzzy (USA) was the best among my friends with 66.31%. The minimum percentage needed to get on the list \u2013 54.56% \u2013 shows how difficult the boards were. I didn\u2019t make the right decisions on several boards<\/strong> and finished with 48.04%.

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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General ranking <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Milan’s friends ranking <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n



IMPs results <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The IMP tournament was quite standard and with a bit of luck and a good decision <\/strong>on board 6, it was possible to make +41 IMPs. Shay Cameo (IL) managed to do that and won the first IMP tournament<\/strong>. Herv\u00e9 (FR) finished second with +37 IMPs<\/strong>, followed by Vincent (FR) with +36 IMPs<\/strong>. I am happy to top my friends\u2019 list with +28 IMPs.

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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General ranking <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Milan’s friends ranking <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n



Let\u2019s have a look on the key decision in IMPs on board 6<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You open 1NT with the following hand, LHO overcalls 2♠ and partner doubles for takeout. What do you do?<\/strong>

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For me, it was even questionable to open 1NT, but the 5-card club suit and the sequences in hearts and clubs pushed me into it. North\u2019s double is takeout and shows 8+ HCP and minimum 4♥. Even vulnerabilities are in favor of passing the double, we cannot be sure to beat the contract, especially because of the doubleton ♠Q. The lack of primary values is another indicator that you should bid your clubs at the 3-level<\/strong>. If you do so, partner bids 3NT and you can make all 13 tricks after a small spade lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is the full board:

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Since North has 15 HCP and 4 cards in spades, 2♠ goes down four for +1,100 for NS. The bold decision to pass can bring you +11 IMPs instead of losing 2 for a standard 3NT<\/strong>. Passing takeout doubles without long and good trumps is a risk and will benefit only rarely \u2013 better not try it too often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are 18-19 HCP enough for strong 2♣ or is it better to just open at the 1-level? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we\nlook at the hands from the MP tournament, we should discuss the meaning of the 2♣ opening and the strategy after it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2♣ opening is the strongest bid in a lot of systems.<\/strong> If you play natural, you can also use 2♦ for even stronger hands and use 2♣ for almost GF hands. It has pros and cons to use both bids and if you don\u2019t have a better option for 2♦, I recommend using it. The definition of 2♣ is more than 20-23 HCP but you can open weaker, starting from 18 HCP if the hand fulfills some requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requirements for the 2♣ opening with 18-19 HCP<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
  • 1-suited hand, near-solid 6+ or better<\/li>
  • minimum two aces<\/li>
  • 4 losers where maximum 3 are on A or K<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    PROS for both 2♣ and 2♦ strong<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    • Balanced hands from 18 HCP are\ndivided into several HCP ranges: 1X-1Y-2NT = 18-19, 2NT = 20-21, 2♣-2X-2NT = 22-23, 2♦-2X-2NT = 24-25, 2♦-2X-3NT = 26-27.<\/li>
    • Unbalanced hands can be divided by\nnumber of losers \u2013 1-level = 5-7 losers, 2♣ = 4 losers, 2♦ = less than 3 losers.<\/li>
    • The 1-level opening is limited to maximum\n19 HCP or 5 losers so can be passed even with K and Q. Describing the opener\u2019s\nhand is easier since you don\u2019t need to artificially force to game.<\/li>
    • Slam bidding is easier since you can\nrespond after 2♣\/♦ based on your strength and number of key cards (controls): 2♣-2♦ = 1-2 useful honors (A, K, QQ or\nbetter), 2♣-2♥ = 0 honors (Q+J or less), 2♣-2♠ = 3 useful honors (AQ+A, A+K+K and better), 2♦-2♥ = no Ace or two kings, 2♠ = major ace, 2NT = two kings or 8+\nHCP, 3♣ = minor ace.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      CONS for both 2<\/strong>♣<\/strong> and 2<\/strong>♦<\/strong> strong<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
      • You don\u2019t have the 2♦ opening for a preemptive hand.<\/li>
      • GF openings don\u2019t appear very often. On the other hand, when you get such a hand, you play for a lot of IMPs. In MP, every hand has the same value and preempts appear more often. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Consider the following hands from the MP tournament and try to predict the final contract and the bidding sequence:

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        Hand 1<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        18 HCP and 4 losers, consider it a 2-suiter. The 4 losers are on aces and kings. We have possibly 9 quick tricks,but missing stoppers in spades and diamonds.<\/strong> Open 1♥ and then jump to 3♣ to show a strong hand and preference to play in 4♥ or 3NT from partner\u2019s hand.

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        6NT scores 99.12% if you make it and if clubs and hearts break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Hand 2<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        19 HCP and 4 losers, consider it a 2-suiter. Even if we have a 6-card spade suit, we can play also in hearts. You can open 2♣ and rebid 2♠ after partner\u2019s 2♦ response.<\/strong> If you have a chance, show the 4-card heart suit and let partner choose the final contract.

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        After the A♣ lead, you can make 3NT. All 3 suits split bad so making a game is difficult but possible.<\/strong> 3NT just made scores 85.27%. Hearts and spades break bad so major game is not possible to make after the club lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Hand 3<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        19 HCP and 5 losers, but all 4 aces, consider this hand as a 1-suiter. We prefer to play the contract from partner\u2019s hand to guard his queens. Spades are good so 4♠ is the first alternative and 3NT from partner\u2019s hand second. You have rebid issues so 2♣ is an option even with 5 losers. If you open 1♠, you have to jump to 3NT if partner responds 1NT.<\/strong> Finding the spade fit 6-2 will be difficult if you don\u2019t have any convention.

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        • \"\"<\/figure><\/li>
        • \"\"<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n



          <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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          Hand 4<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          19 HCP and balanced hand. You should not count losers with balanced hands, but if you try, you have 6, which indicate you should play NT. A standard sequence will put you in 3NT which can make for 69.36%.<\/strong>

          <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          Videos of Milan Macura’s tournaments<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n



          MPs tournament video<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

          Subscribe to be notified directly when my next video is online! Click on the button below:<\/strong>

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