2-Level Pre-empts
Standard Precision uses a Weak-2 in Hearts and Spades
as a matter of course. This system follows that standard those openings are covered in full elsewhere
on this site (follow the links above or in the left-hand menu). The Complex version
of the system does not, however, and you can follow the link above to see the full extent of the differences.
Alternatives
Multi-coloured 2♦
Where tournament licensing permits, many Precision pairs vary this by playing an Opening 2♦ as being multi-coloured, showing either...
- A Weak 2 in either Major,
...or... - A 16-23 point hand with any 4441 distribution
In practice you can play whatever strong option(s) you like. Jason Hackett and I included a 3rd intermediate option of
an 11-15 point hand with 8 playing tricks (ACOL-style) in a hand with a 5-card Major and a 6-card Minor, for example. See
the Complex System for full details.
Some pairs use it for an ACOL-style 8 Playing Trick hand with a Long Minor Suit. You should be aware that ACBL and EBU
licensing rules generally outlaw Multi-style Openings in Pairs events where there is a mixture of weak and strong options
or impose restrictions on the kinds of hands that can and cannot be shown in this way. Clearly using a Multi with a strong 4441
Option rather than the 2♦ Opener shown in this system will change the responses
and rebids considerably. I do not propose to cover usage of a Multi 2♦ in full here,
but the basic responses are as follows:
| 2♦ | -2♥ | Is any hand wanting to play in 2♥ opposite a Weak-2 in Hearts. This might be a fairly strong hand but with no good support for Hearts and no better suggestion to make for a resting spot. Alternatively, any weak hand makes this bid unless weak with both Majors (See 3♥ below). This bid may show concealed interest if Opener has a Weak-2 in Spades. |
| -2♠ |
Is "to play" opposite a Weak-2 in Spades, but shows Game interest opposite a Weak-2 in Hearts. |
|
| -2NT |
Is unconditionally forcing on Opener to show their hand type. This is usually a strong (16+) hand, but might be intermediate
with both Majors. The scheme of Opener's rebids you use depends entirely on the exact options you select for your Multi. |
|
| -3♥ |
Is 100% pre-emptive with an essentially weak hand and both Majors (at least 4-card in each). If Opener
has a strong 4441-hand they are assured of a fit in at least one of the Majors. Although anti-systemic, the meaning of
a 4♥ bid would also be fairly clear. |
|
| No other responses are permitted. | ||
Tartan 2's
Where Multi 2♦ is used an alternative use needs to be found for the
2♥ and 2♠ Openings. A very common method is "Tartan 2's".
In this scheme an opening of 2♥ shows a 5-9 point hand with at least 5-5
distribution with Hearts and an unspecified Minor suit or an ACOL-style 8-playing trick hand with a
single-suited hand with Hearts. An Opening of 2♠ shows a 5-9 point hand with
at least 5-5 distribution with Spades and any other suit or an ACOL-style 8 playing trick hand with
Spades.
In the context of Precision the 8 playing trick hands are in the 11-15 point range rather than being 16+, and
the opening is unconditionally forcing for 1 round. The ACOL-2 type is almost invariably either a 2-suited hand or
a good 4-level pre-empt.
Alternatively you can use methods such as Lucas 2's, Reverse Roman 2's, Flannery - the list is almost endless.
Multi and Tartan 2's fit in quite well with this overall system. If you wish to explore the possibilities, have a look at
the Complex System Document
2NT Unusual or Very Unusual
For the sake of completeness, 2NT is normally a strong balanced hand of some description (26-27 balanced in this system). That is rare enough that Pairs who use the Cambridge Heart Complex (as this system does) often abandon 2NT as a strong balanced opening and instead use it either as Weak (5-9) with at least 5-5 in the Minors (ie: Unusual), or as a Multi-style bid with the same weak Minor 2-suiter option and a stronger option. See the 2NT Opening page for fuller details of a suggestion for this method.