[olien]

A few weeks ago I was at the ACBL regional in London, Ontario and, for the first time, came up against the following opening structure which has been discussed significantly on this site.

1♣ - strong, artificial (something like 15+)
1♦ - 11-14 a) 4♠, may have longer side suit; b) 6+♠ 5+♥
1♥ - 11-14 4+♥, denies 4♠, may have longer side suit
1♠ - 11-14, exactly 5♠
1NT - 11-14, balanced (I assume could have a 4-card major)
2♣ - 11-14, 6+♣ or 5+♣ 4♦
2♦ - 11-14, 6+♦ or 5+♦ 4♣
2NT - 11-14, 5+/5+ minors

When we first sat down, I was told 1♦ was "catchall" but upon further inquiry it was determined that it promised 4♠. This was the first time I had seen it in action, but I was unsure of it's legality as it seemed like a transfer opening. So, when I was at the DC nationals, I asked Gary Zeiger and Mike Roberts, both national level tournament directors, and they both said it was legal. Zeiger said this pair clearly had an issue with disclosure, but other than that it was 100% legal. I hope this settles any outstanding doubt about its legality.

Edit: with regards to legality, it is for the purposes of the ACBL general convention chart

[Zelandakh]

olien, on 2016-August-09, 03:27, said:

A few weeks ago I was at the ACBL regional in London, Ontario and, for the first time, came up against the following opening structure which has been discussed significantly on this site.

We seem to have a significant issue when holding 11-14, 6+♠, 0-4♥.

[Siegmund]

Others of us have asked other national level tournament directors about similar systems (OK, my question was about 1D promising 4 hearts, rather than 4 spades) and gotten the opposite answer -- even a "I wish that was what 'catchall' meant too, but no" amplifying remark.

At least it means you know which directors you want on the floor if you want to try to play the system.

[Zelandakh]

Siegmund, on 2016-August-10, 08:36, said:

At least it means you know which directors you want on the floor if you want to try to play the system.

Or maybe it suggests that if you ask a director if you can play the system they will always say "no" but if you ask if it is ok for someone else to play the system against you they will answer "Yes."

[hrothgar]

Asking random nationally rated directors is a great way to get random answers.

The only way to get anything official is to contact Horn Lake directly and get something in writing.

(The response that I received indicates that this opening is clearly illegal)

I am curious to know whom you were playing against...

If it was Glen Ashton, then he should know better than to use this.

[hrothgar]

remove

[straube]

http://www.bridgebas...-and-responses/

[hrothgar]

straube, on 2016-August-10, 11:34, said:

http://www.bridgebas...-and-responses/

We had better discussions back then