We Finally Did IT

After working for months (slowly I admit) on a new system with Colin we finally decided to try it out last night.  Strangely I find this version of the system much easier to remember than the original version (based on Meckwell) where bidding used a lot of transfers and relays.  We are playing four card majors with canape and forcing club with a 14-16 notrump (occasionally 10-12).  Since we are playing four card majors 1 diamond actually shows diamonds since it denies a four card major although you could have fewer than four diamonds with some distributions.

How many hearts do you open this hand with both red.

S 10 J KQJ9432 D KJ4 C 53

I decided on 4H which my preempt meister Ray confirmed this morning was his choice too.  It worked really well propelling them much to high.

One of the questions I have asked Colin is what one of major means over one diamond.  Since partner is denying a four card major should it show five or four?  With 1-4-4-4 and a singleton diamond should you bid clubs?  We don’t seem to have any notes over one diamond which I am sure Colin will remedy soon.

We had a great time and I was reminded about how good a player Colin is.  On to bigger and better things.

Sylvia and I are practicing a fair bit in these last few days before Penticton.  It will be strange to play in person after all this time playing on the Internet.  I don’t know how our team will do although of course we will all give it our all but this year (and that hasn’t always been the case), I am looking forward to playing in the women’s team trials.  I think I feel less pressure this year than last and there is the special treat at the end, my visit to my daughter in Vancouver.