Monday, September 26, 2005 1:54 AM

System Building - Memory

PITBULLS:

If you want some complexities in your bidding system you must take the human memory into consideration. It is impractical to expect a Bridge player to memorize reams of complicated sequences. Some conventions like a modified Jacoby 2NT or Roman 2♦ require some complexity though . Is there a way out for the system builder ? Yes there is , if you build your system logically with step responses . What do we mean by that ? A fundamental of Bridge is the rank order of suits . If we “step” through the rank order of suits in defining our conventions , memory work is not required or minimized. You just follow the suit order in interpreting the bid and follow some standards.

To show what we mean , here is how BJ Trelford developed our Roman 2♦ structure using the “step responses” concept. We have a huge range for our Roman 2♦ 17-24 HCP . BJ built the system using a two tier approach using the two ranges of HCP (17-20 ) & (21-24) and whether our stiff is a major or minor. The 2NT bid asks two questions , what range are you in and is your stiff a major or minor ? We use the rank order of suits to answer these questions in a logical order. We use the priority scheme of minimum before maximum and major before minor to define our responses. System building requires such standards to assist the memory.

2NT asks , so what should the 1^st step of 3♣ show ? Our priority is minimum before maximum and major before minor so this bid shows a minimum with a stiff major.

Lets step thru the rank order of suits : 3♦ must show a maximum with a stiff major

3♥ must show a minimum with a stiff minor

3♠ must show a maximum with a stiff minor

Ok with four bids at the 3 level after a 2NT query, we have identified the range and whether the stiff was a major or a minor. Keep stepping thru the rank order of suits to get more information. Partner has bid 3♣ to show a minimum with a stiff major. Using the next step 3♦ as a question to ask which major you have. You respond your major and partner now knows your range and where your stiff is located.

Partner has bid 3♦ after your 2NT which shows a maximum with a stiff major so the next step asks a question. You bid 3♥ and partner again steps up the line to answer your question. 3♠ & 3NT are the next two steps so define them to locate your stiff major . 3♠ is a stiff heart and 3NT a stiff spade ( rank order again ) .

Partner has bid 3♥ which shows a minimum with a stiff or void in a minor. The next step is reserved to ask the question ( 3♠ ) so by bidding your longer minor you have answered the question.

Partner has bid 3♠ which shows the maximum with a stiff or void minor. We skip over 3NT( natural) and use 4♣ to ask so the next two steps answer the question 4♦ is stiff club and 4♥ is stiff diamond.

Any complexity in our system ( modified Jacoby responses or KCB asking bids etc) follow the same rank order of suits and step responses principle. If we have an asking bid , stepping thru the rank order of suits answers the questions. If we can make the responses natural we do so also. System building and step responses go hand in hand. Stepping thru the suit order takes some practice but if you keep it consistent within your system building it becomes 2^nd nature over time. Learning curve applicable though.