Countering interference to our Colorado 2♣ opening
Interference is annoying, it's like the opponents don't like to watch us use our conventional bidding to reach the optimal contract. Dealing with this interference is important, because, in fact, the opponents don't want us to reach the optimal contract.
When we open 2♣ in Modern American, it is an artifical bid to show a balanced hand with 18-19 HCP. This is typically called the 1 ½ no-trump bid. It is the no-trump hand in between 1NT and 2NT opening bids.This called the Colorado2C.
Dealing with opposition will depend on how (what bid) the opponents compete. As the Colorado2♣ becomes more popular, we expect to see opponents adopt similar defenses/interference that they use against the strong 1NT opening bid. Be sure to ask if the opponent's don't alert their bid in case it is not a natural overcall.
The Texas Transfer
With games values and a 6 card suit we still have Texas Transfers available to counter the opponent's inteference. Don't forgot about them.
The first (and least interfering) bid opponent could make is the Double. Since we alerted 2♣ as artifical, this is not likely to be a takeout double; showing the other 3 suits. Most likely, this is lead-directing and/or showing a long club suit. The double has not taken out any responses we could normally make to the 2♣ opening bid. So, 2♦/2♥/2♠ all remain the same as if there were no interfering bid. However, we have two new bidding options. We can Pass and we can Redouble. The Pass is an option, because partner will still get the opportunity to bid again. They can bid 2NT to play or react to the opponent's bidding. We can use the Redouble bid as well. So, how should we define those bids. First let's review the 2♦/2♥ and 2♠ bids.
- 2♦/2♥ - transfer request to next higher suit. At least 5 cards in the suit, could be any strength hand
- 2♠ - relay request to 2NT. This hand doesn't have a 5 (or better) card major and could be any strength. It's purpose to ensure the opening hand will get to declare in a final no-trump contract
After 2
- (Dbl) -
- Pass - 7+ HCP or hand with 4+ clubs (<7 HCP)
- Redouble - Bust hand (0-5 HCP)
So, why these definitions and how do they work? First, we'll operate on the assumption that the Double has a 'natural' meaning. If the double is artifical, perhaps, shows any hand with a 'unknown' long suit, you will want to reduce the meaning of the above bids to skip the requirement, desire to show a club suit. When the doubler is showing a club suit (or worse for them, trying to just indicate a wish for a club lead), we Pass as a positive indication to our partner. We have some strength, enough for our side to reach a game contract. However, we are taking two bites at the apple, opponents may have given us an opportunity to get a better score punishing them. Consider the vulnerability, if the opponent panics any other contract down 2 double is 500 points, perhaps we are only getting 400 points for 3NT. One potential pitfall in an 3NT contract might be that the opponents have 5 quick tricks in the club suit. The Pass here tells opener that our side does have game going points. When the bid comes around to them, they have options. If opener has concerns about the club suit, they can redouble to ask for a stopper. They can bid no-trump to complete the bidding to ensure they will declare in no-trump. Finally, opener now has the option to Pass and convert the opponent's dbl to a 2-X contract our direction. We have 25-26+ combined HCP. We just might make 8 or 9 tricks in clubs when no other contract would get as good of a score. Perhaps this isn't as weird as it seems, without the Colorado2♣ bid, other pairs will open 1♣ with the intent to jump rebid 2NT to show an 18-19 HCP balanced hand. So, other's could be in similar 1♣ contracts with their right-hand opponent hold a long club(trump) suit. At least in our auction to know they have a long club suit, 1♣ declarers will have to discover that bad split during the play of the hand.
When we Redouble the opponents, we are showing that we are a very poor hand. The Redouble function similar to an SOS redouble. We have alerted partner that trouble lies ahead. Partner knows that we don't have a 5 card major (we could have transfered and passed the auction). Opener can bid 2NT with a wish to go ahead and play 2NT and hope for the best. However, opener has a few wiggle bids they could make. Bidding 2♦ is like Stayman and asks partner to bid their cheapest 4-card major and bid 2NT without one. Opener can bid 2♥ or 2♠ as well. This would show a 5-card major suit and responder should pass with 2 card or more support and bid 2NT with no tolerance for the major.
The next interfering bids the opponent could make 2♦. Again, we'll assume the bid is natural; showing a diamond suit. If the bid is Cappeletti like (showing both majors), you may have to wing it based on your opinion of the opponent's ability/skill.
We treat the 2♦ bid like a stolen bid, doubling 2♦ is a transfer to hearts. Bids of 2♥ (transfer to spades) and 2♠ to relay to 2NT are still available. Passing the interference bid shows a very weak hand (0-5 HCP), opener is one their own to bid 2NT over the 2♥ interference, pass or double for penalty. Note the double in this 'balance seat' isn't balancing. This is a cooperative penalty double. They are suggesting a penalty of the 2-level overcall, however, responder should seriously consider pulling the double with extremely poor hands by bidding 2♠/2NT and hoping for the best. Bidding 2♠ is a delayed relay request to NT allow the strong hand to declare in notrump. Not making the relay request (bidding 2NT themselves) is a decision of the responder to protect a tenace in hearts from the opening lead. Responder's only values might be a King doubleton in hearts for example.
After 2♣-(2♦)--
- Pass - Bust hand, 0-5 HCP
- Dbl -> transfer to hearts
- 2
-> transfer to spades - 2
- relay request to 2NT
When the opponent bids 2♥ we can continue with the stolen bid treatment. Doubling the 2♥ bid shows a 5 card or better spade suit. Bidding 2♠ is still a relay request to 2NT. Passing should a minimal hand. Opener has the same options in the balance seat after this pass. They can double for a suggested penalty or bid 2NT to play.
After 2♣-(2♥)--
- Pass - Bust hand, 0-5 HCP
- Dbl -> transfer to spades
- 2S -> relay request to 2NT
The most obnoxious interference bid is 2♠ as it takes up all our bids. Like the above interference, it's best to Pass with a bust hand. We will up the range of the busted hand to <8 HCP (from 0-6 above) when we lack spade values. We want partner to know that we can't help them in spades by passing. We use the Double in this auction to 'conditionally' request the relay to 2NT. This would show 7+ HCP AND a spade stopper or 4 card spade suit. This allows the opener to choose between punishing the opponent's 2♠ contract (convert to penalty) or bid no-trump.
After 2♣-(2♠)--
- Pass - Bust hand 0-8 HCP (could have extras but no strength in spades; or at least wary of playing NT)
- Dbl - Relay request to 2NT, with spade stopper or length
Ok, 2♠ isn't the most obnoxious bid. When the opponents bid 2NT over our 2♣ bid, it is very likely to be an unusual no-trump showing the minors. We have a few options, but we realize that against a two-suited hand we probably do not want to play in no-trump. Either we have a major suit fit or opponets are in trouble in a minor. Double should be positive and shows a desire to penalize at least one possible minor suit contract by the opponents. Pass should show a bust hand not wishing to get our side in the auction. Finally, we can cue bid the opponents suit (3♣/3♦). 3♣ should show 5 hearts and 0-7 HCP
After 2♣-(2NT)-- Pass - bust hand Dbl - I have some points (6+) and could penalize at least one minor suit contract 3♣ - 5 hearts 3♦ - 5 spades 3♥ - weak (0-6 HCP) with 6 hearts, stronger hand would Texas Transfer 3♠ - weak (0-6 HCP) with 6 spades, stronger hadn woudl Texas Transfer