About  2 Clubs SAUVET New!

Here are ten examples:

An excellent slam with only 30 DH.

Approximately 17 DH for opener (1 point more for the singleton if 9th fit).

Count 13 DH for responder (11 H + 2 D : the difference between the number of trumps and the number of cards of the shortest suit). This slam is good due to the fact that responder's  hand  is maximum of course. But it must be that there is no point lost in the singleton (with the Ace you have to count a lost point), there is no useless jack and also there is a useful doubleton (or singleton).

I give this example with West very minimum (the game is not even guaranteed! But must be declared precisely thanks to this singleton!). 

3NT = game force with shortage to determine . 2 Clubs SAUVET New!

4♣   = what is your shortage?

4♥   = short ♥.

5♦   = 3(0) key-cards.

East might conclude immediately to 6♠ learning the heart shortage.

Indeed WEST necessarily control the remaining two suits (it would be too ambitious to think about slam with 14-16 HCP and a singleton without controlling all adjoining suits) and the account of points shows that he has necessarily Ace and  King of trumps . In this sequence the two players should not consider unnecessary Jacks.

 

 

 3NT = Game force with a shortage in ♠ . 2 Clubs SAUVET New!

All suits are controlled in the opener's hand.

All conditions are required for a slam but the opener would have had  ♣AK but not AQ.

5♣ = double control since the bid of 3NT promises control of all suits.

Hence the conclusion.

 

 

3♠ = Game force with a shortage not in spade, so a short minor .   2 Clubs SAUVET New!

2 points lost facing a ♦ singleton or a point lost facing a ♣ singleton, and no adjoining doubleton, it is time to block to game. You see that you are in danger at the  5 level and even the game is not assured.

 

3♣ = Slam?

3♦   = 9-11 HCP with a doubleton.

3♥    = have you controlled doubleton?  2 Clubs SAUVET New!

4♣ = club control by 3 or 4 cards and uncontrolled doubleton .

4♥ = no spade control.

5NT = an adjoining king ?

6♦   = diamonds King by 3 or 4 cards, so doubleton spade (that's the uncontrolled doubleton!).

7♥ = easy when you see the game of the partner!

 

3♣ = Slam?

3♦   = 9-11 HCP with a doubleton.

3♥    = have you a controlled doubleton?  2 Clubs SAUVET New!

3♠  =  yes, other than spades .

3NT = which one?

4♦   = that one

5NT = echo spade control .

 

 

3♣ = Slam?

3♦   = 9-11 HCP with a doubleton.

3♥    = have you a controlled doubleton? 2 Clubs SAUVET New!

4♦     = diamond control of  3 or 4 cards but no controlled doubleton .

5NT = echo spade control .

6♣ = still something?

6♦   = ♦ Q.

Harder to bid because there is no doubleton in diamond. It is the ♦ Q that acts as a control of third round to play  grand slam.

 

Note: the grand slam is also very good with only the Jack of Diamonds (spade 3-3 otherwise diamond finesse) or the Jack of spades . When is finally a method that bids Jacks ...

 

3 ♣ = Slam? The hand is too strong to 3NT showing a game force with a shortage to determine.

3 ♦   = 9-11 HCP with a doubleton.

West needs a good support in heart for the slam( ♥ QJ  ♥Ax ♥ AQ  and adjoining TOP CARDS). His partner will be better placed to judge the quality of his cards (values to heart and adjoining TOP CARDS ).

Faced with this two-suiter, East bids 3 ♠ with a big honor, he cue-bids an Ace else he calls 3NT .

On 4 ♦, the ♥ Jxx  is not at all sufficient. East refuses to exceed the level of 4 ♠ .

 

 

 

Deal 8 : 05/01/2018            club's tournament

Dealer : West        Vul: Nobody

 

Your partner WEST opens 1 ♠.

In MAJEURE SECURISEE you respond 2NT:

2NT = 4 cards support, 9+ DH limited to 11 HCP. May contain a shortage, but in the  9-11 H range denied, as in the standard, an adjoining 5th correct suit.

 

rebids ot the opener after 2NT :

3♣ = Slam?

3♦ = Game?

3♠ = Strict minimum, often 5-3-3-2 or 5-4-2-2 since the hand was not opened a 

         2♠ FANTUNES.

3NT = game force with shortage .   2 Clubs SAUVET New!

Other = Slam hand with a two-suiter of  10+ cards.

Opener rebids 3♣ = slam? 

What are your rebids :

3 ♦ = 9-11 HCP without shortage.

3 ♠ = 6-8 HCP with at least adjoining control.

4 ♠ = 6-8 HCP no adjoining control.

3 ♥, 4m = SPLINTER 9-11 HCP.

3NT = SPLINTER, bare big honor to be determined.

So  you rebid 3 ♦

The opener think about slam, but when you tell him you are maximum he concluded to game. Curious!

Obviously he hoped a shortage to make a slam. What can his hand be?

The complete hand:

Now you understand what opener was looking for : a shortage.

I had East  hand and after this sequence I pass. But with ♠ R1062 and  ♣ RD64 I probably would have made an effort.

 

 Note: the opener blocks 4 ♠ but he could also bid 3 ♥ to ask for a controlled doubleton(optimistic).

2 Clubs SAUVET New!

4 ♠ would be a conclusion with one hand on the type of the next deal where the responder had no singleton:

 

A DEAL:  mixed regional finals excellence in pairs.

 With the West hand I bid  3 ♣ = slam?

On 3 ♥ = 9-11 HCP + shortage, the only answer that allowed me to see the slam, I made a cue-bid 4 ♣. This cue-bid shows I have double control in ♣, if not I would bid 3NT to learn about ♣ control by East.

4 ♠ = I have done enough.

East  understands that his ace and the ♦ Q but also the ♣ Q are interesting. He asks the keys and bids the slam.

 

 

 

 

Deal 4 : 5/1/2018      club's tournament

WEST dealer        Vul: All

 

Sequence is given in STANDARD.

What should WEST do. Everything depends on the bid of 3♣. If it is a fifth suit he must then absolutely think about slam. If it is a fourth suit (or less) he needs a  maximum hand in East to think about slam. And what worth is this heart singleton?

WEST can't know and will invent a 3♦ RELAY that will not solve his problems.

 

 

And now in MAJEURE SECURISEE.

2 ♠ = GAZZILLI . 14+ H. Game forcing. Denies a 5 cards minor. I recall that if the hand is weakest, it is open a 2M FANTUNES or we rebid 2NT or 3 ♥.

Useful and important informations for the responder : the hand is GF and it denies a 5 cards minor.

2NT = RELAY, also denies a 5 cards minor. Having an economic RELAY, the opener can now fully describe his hand . In STANDARD 2NT is not forcing and the 2♠ bid by the opener being very ambiguous it forces the responder to make minor auction to  3 level as ambiguous too.

 

And now  let me recall  the opener's rebids on 2NT RELAY : Developments 1 ♠   2 ♥

3♣ = No shortage, 5-3-3-2, 5-4-2-2 or 6-3-2-2,  heart fit possible.

3NT = 5-3-3-2 ♥ . 14-16 H with an unguarded suit otherwise we would have responded 3NT in the 1st round.

 

All other bids show a shortage but deny a 5 cards minor.

3♦   = 5♠-4-3-1 ♥ . On the 3♥ RELAY , 3♠ shows 4 diamonds, 3NT shows 4 clubs  14-16 HCP and 4 ♣ shows  4 clubs  17+ HCP.

I recall that to describe a minor on 3♦ RELAY : 3♥ lengthens clubs and 3♠ lengthens diamonds. If 3♥ is RELAY then  3NT lengthens clubs.

3♥ = 5♠-4m-3 ♥-1. 3NT by the responder asking for the singleton.

3♠ = 6♠-3-3-1 ♥.

4m = SPLINTER with 4 hearts. Unlike direct SPLINTER which shows at least 4 keys, deferred SPLINTER shows up three key cards from ♠AKQ  ♥AKQ  and ACE of the fragment.

 

On the rebid of 3♦, East with all these lost points in heart must block to 3NT. And now other hands by changing a few cards.

 

 

2♠ = 14+ HCP.

2NT = RELAY

3 ♦   = 5♠-4-3-1 ♥ .

3 ♥  = RELAY.

3NT = 5 ♠-4 ♣ -3-1 ♥ 14-16 H could also be 5-4-4-0 but in this case one first bids 3♠ (4 diamonds cards) then 4 ♣ to show 5-4-4-0.

4 ♣ sets clubs for cue-bidding, we went to the small slam.

 

 

3 ♠ sets spades for cue-bidding. We fly to the grand slam.

 

Note: It is the knowledge of the heart singleton that allows to announce this grand slam. In standard it will be difficult to diagnose the shortage in heart in opener's hand. Indeed it is forbidden to make a cue-bid of a singleton in the primary suit of the partner.

 

One last hand:

 

 

3♣  = 14+ H. Two-suiter of 10+ cards. Do not open the hand of a 2 ♠ FANTUNES because the highly concentrated two-suiter has to be upgraded.

3♦   = RELAY. There must be a shortage, in this sequence the two-suiter is 5-5 or 6-4 (not 5-4-3-1). The responses to the RELAY are:

→ 3♥ = fragment 2 cards (exceptionally 6-4-3-0) in the partner's suit.

→ 3♠ = 6-4 +, shortage in partner's suit.

→ 3NT = 5-5 , shortage in partner's suit, minimum.

→ 4♣ = IDEM 3NT but maximum.

→ 4fit = 5-5-3-0, 3 cards support in partner's suit, minimum.

→ 4x = SPLINTER 5-5-3-0, 3 cards support in partner's suit, maximum.

3♥ = 5♠-5 ♣-2-1 ♦ 14+ HCP.

Slam easily announced because we know the two key elements, the 9th minor fit and shortage in diamonds.

 

 

MAKES 26 : 31/01/2018          club's tournament

Dealer:  East            Vul: All

A common hand that you open 1NT in STANDARD.

And yet ...

If your partner passes, you will miss a 4-4 major fit in 37% of cases (and you may be in trouble at 1NT contract). If he has 8 points and a 4th major you'll play 3 in this major. If he has 8 points without major you'll play 2NT.

 

 

In MAJEURE SECURISEE , open this hand 1 ♣.

And now the full hand in MAJEURE SECURISEE.

 

North opens 1♣ 4th position

1 ♦ = 4+ hearts. The hand can be very low if there 's no 4-5 clubs  (then pass on 1 ♣ ).

1 ♥ = 4 cards 14-18 DH or 3 cards limited to 20 DH.

Pass = even with 3 cards, bet 1♥ is the best contract.

 

 

Let's change the force of the South hand and then see what happens.

 

1 ♥ = 4 cards 14-18 DH or 3 cards limited to 20 DH.

1 ♠= Small  "Roudi", insufficient force to 1NT = 11 HCP (good 10 HCP ); or 5+hearts and 10-11 DH usually with a shortage. It would then upgrade the hand if  5-4 fit.

2♥ = 14-15 DH with 4 hearts. With 16-18 DH respond 2♦ . Even if you decide to respond 2♦ which shows 4 hearts  16-18 DH or an unbalanced hand with 5+♣ -3♥ 16-18 DH , SOUTH bid 2♥ with a hand of 6-8 DH and only  4 hearts. Here he recalls 3♣ to show 4  hearts and 9-10 DH.

 

 

 

1 ♥ = 4 cards 14-18 DH or 3 cards limited to 20 DH.

1NT = 11 H (good 10H).

Hence the conclusion to 4 ♥ .

 

 

And now one last troublesome hand to the system.

 

1♠ = insufficient force for 1NT which shows 11 HCP or good 10 HCP.

It is when SOUTH has  9-10 HCP, (bad 10 HCP)  that we could have a decent 3NT.

 

 

The bottom line: if your partner opens 1 ♣ the 4♠-4♥-3-2 hands of 15 HCP, you will not miss 4-4 major fit in the 3-8 HCP range and you play 1 or 2 in the major. If you have no major you play 1NT with 8 HCP  but you could miss a game if you have exactly 9 HCP or 10 (bad 10).

* However the hands of 3-8 H with one or two majors accompanied with the hands of exactly 8 HCP are 4 to 5 times more common than the hands of 9-10 H (bad 10) without major.

* Statistics taken from http://www.rpbridge.net/rpca.htm, companion hand calculator.

Here I have developed plenty of examples with 4  hearts, but if the responder must bid  1♥ = 4+ ♠, the MAJEURE SECURISEE can process even more effective the various problems.

Of course if you have a 5 card major in response, the MAJEURE SECURISEE is as comfortable (rather more) than the STANDARD to play from the good hand while perfectly zoning both hands.

 

Conclusion and advice : It is gaining in MAJEURE SECURISEE to open 1 ♣ the 4-4-3-2 hands of 15 H containing the two majors.

 

 

 

Deal 5 :        12/09/2017

Dealer :  North          Vul : North-South

The sequence is made in MAJEURE SECURISEE

A very brief sequence and yet ...

Plenty of things to say!

1NT = 3-10 H. The hand can be a little weaker than STANDARD because all 2 strong openings are open at the one level.

            It may contain a major fit of 3-5 DH.

2 ♣ = GAZZILLI . At least 14 HCP. Natural two-suiter limited to 20 HCP, or balanced 15-19 HCP or too strong to 2 ♦ = 14-19 HCP or 2 ♥ = 11-17 HCP.

                                         If strong, the hand is  not structured enough for 2NT = 6 cards major very solid or for a jump to the  3 level.

2 ♥ = Maxi 6HCP, could be 3-5 DH with the fit.

 

With a maximum of 24 HCP or 24 DH with the fit you have to pass.  The North hand is valued at 18.15 pts (bridge hand evaluator). We can think of 3NT but certainly not 4 ♥.

And now other hands of the same style by removing points to NORTH but adding points to south.

 

2 ♠ = 6-8 DH.

The NORTH hand is valued at 17.7 pts (almost as strong as the previous hand). Several upgrades in North hand: 10 and 9 of trumps, 3 aces and no parasitic honor.  The hand of South is estimated at 7 DH (no ace, too much small honors).

You have to pass with a maximum of 26 DH or 24 HCP.

 

2♣ SAUVET = Either Natural STANDARD.

                         or  9+ DH . 3 cards support but from 12HCP can have a longer support or SPLINTER.

 

2 ♦ = 13+-16 HCP. Nothing to do with diamonds.

2 ♠ = 9-11 DH with 3 cards fit.

2NT  = 16-17 DH. Semi-balanced hand. The hand is here estimated at 16.35 pts.

SOUTH concludes to 4 ♠ but with 10-11 HCP and 4-3-3-3 he should conclude to 3NT.

 

 

 

2 ♦ = 13+-16 HCP. Nothing to do with diamonds.

4 ♠ = 12-14 DH 3 cards support. The hand is not 4-3-3-3 otherwise we jumped to 3 ♠ showing a game choice  with 4-3-3-3.

         With slam ambitions we make a GF RELAY to 2NT.

 

A final example before concluding.

 


2 ♠ = In MAJEURE SECURISEE hand is 5-3-3-2 or 5-4m-2-2 with a maximum of 13 HCP.

          Here the hand is valued at 12.6 pts.

SOUTH passes. His hand is valued at 12.5 DH. Game is very bad.

Notice  that with  ♥ A63  instead of RV6 North hand is then valued at 13.35 pts.

Game is then acceptable Vulnerable in matchplay.

 

Conclusion: We completed all cases of balanced hand openings in the 11-19 HCP range.  When playing MAJEURE SECURISEE, with a major fit 5-3 and a semi-balanced hand you play 2 or 4 in the major but rarely 3.

If you play 3 it is anyway near the game because the hands are zoned previously.

 

For more unbalanced hands, opening 2 MAJOR FANTUNES (5 cards with a shortage or 6+ cards 10-13 HCP) is a powerful weapon that can afford to bid quickly game (could be weak with 4+ cards support but stronger with 3 cards support)   and puts all ways a very significant pressure on the opponents. Do not forget that the opener's partner is the only one to know the potential of his side and that of the opponents. He knows that opener has a limited hand without 4 cards in the other major.