bridgetalk.com forums :: Laws & Rulings :: Limitations On And Alerting Of Weak 2s For GCC

103 posts
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Limitations On And Alerting Of Weak 2s For GCC ( 18:47:36 TueJul 15 2003 )

Country: USA

1) When opening traditional weak 2s (2H = hearts only), what limitations are there on strength and suit length. I have read about the "Bergen Rule", and have read that it has been repealed. The only thing I can find in the GCC is under Disallowed: conventional responses after: "...weak two-bids which by partnership agreement are not within a range of 7 HCP and or do not show at least five cards in the suit."

Does this mean that:
a) 0-10 hcp and 3+ cards is OK, but you can't use conventional responses to it?
b) 4-10 hcp and 5+ cards is absolutely OK?

2) If I used b), would this be alertable? How about using it only when NV?

bluejak

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Re: Limitations On And Alerting Of Weak 2s For GCC ( 22:41:09 TueJul 15 2003 )

You seem to have read the regs correctly! Opening a 4-10 weak two is not alertable, though the details must be on your CC. It is also ok to do things differently vulnerable, so long as it is on the CC.

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David Stevenson <laws2@blakjak.com>
Liverpool, England, UK
http://blakjak.com/lws_menu.htm

mycroft

67 posts
bridgetalk member

Re: Limitations On And Alerting Of Weak 2s For GCC ( 15:43:26 FriJul 18 2003 )

Country: Canada

One warning (and I know that we've discussed this before - the meaning of "preempt" is ambiguous). The Alert Pamphlet says:

Quote:

If it is your partnership style to routinely...preempt with very weak (frequently worse than Qxxxxx) suits...the opponents must be pre-Alerted.

So, if your "4-10, 5+" are always KJTxx and up, you're probably ok. If you will open with a weak 2 on a bad suit as well, it is best (if maybe not required) to Pre-Alert this.

When I play EHAA, I both Pre-Alert (because EHAA, at least, has to - I've opened 3H on T98643 systemically) and Alert the weak 2s (especially 2C), but that's because of the "unexpected strength and shape" rules for natural bids (nobody would expect 86432 KJT Q8532 -- for a 2S call, nor AKQT87532 -- Q95 3). So - have fun :-).

I have, in a somewhat silly light opening system, played 1-7 weak twos. Perfectly legal - not very nice.

Michael.

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bluejak

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International Bridge Laws Forum

If you need help with the Laws or rulings from any country in the world, this is the place!Hosted by David StevensonSenior Consultant DirectorEnglish Bridge Union

If you need help with the Laws or rulings from
any country in the world, this is the place!

Hosted by David Stevenson
Senior Consultant Director
English Bridge Union