Sunday, July 09, 2006 4:31 AM

Playing The Vulnerability - System

PITBULLS:

All the pros in the write ups of Spingolds , Vanderbilt & World Championships “play the vulnerability” . This means when they are nv vrs vul their mission is to destroy the opponents auctions. If partner is a passed hand , they also get in the auction at any excuse. Of course , when the opponents own the auction , they try not to give them a free ride when they have suitable hands. Meckwell , unlike most of them, seems to go for the throat nv vrs nv , the vulnerability they call the “sewer vul”. I do not like that, but they get away with it sometimes.

Playing the vulnerability should not be just light openers , overcalls & pre-empts although that is the major part of their tactics. The vulnerability should effect your system also. For example, partner opens 1NT & they overcall at the two level naturally or naturally with another suit. I think this is a time to play the vulnerability. All doubles are penalty except when they are not & you are vul. Your double is now D.S.I.P. on that one vulnerability. Getting to your proper vul game or slam should take precedence over a penalty double of a nv bid.

I like the Thrump doubles added to your negative double understandings at the 3 level. If they pre-empt in the sandwich position at the 3 level , again playing the vulnerability should be the guiding factor. If they are nv & we are vul , the double should be asking partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in their suit. On all other vulnerabilities , the double should be penalty.

When partner responds a forcing NT over your major and they pre-empt at the 3 level in the sandwich, a double should show cards if we are vul & they are not. On all other vulnerabilities , the double is penalty. Same with partner responding 1NT to your minor & they pre-empt at the 3 level. Penalty on all vulnerabilities except you vul and they not. You are just showing cards on that one. Vulnerable , just bid 3NT with their suit and the required HCP’s.

Negative double theory is vulnerability dependent. Go for the throat on all vulnerabilities but one. If you are vul & they are not , bid 2NT or 3NT rather than the juicy set. Do not put pressure on partner to re-open on that one vulnerability. Partner now can bid her own hand & not yours in the re-opening position with that vulnerability.

If the terrorists are playing the vulnerability , you must play the vulnerability right back . Ignore them when you are vul & they are not , otherwise wield the axe. Anti-terrorism defenses are needed in the modern game. If they do not respect the vulnerability , reap the rewards.