Spiral Raises

OK there are many different versions of this convention, but one thing is for sure, if you are raising on 3 card support after you open 1m and your partner responds 1M, then having a forcing asking big is crucial.

1m - 1H
2H - 2S* Asks partner what kind of raise do you have? then...

2N = Balanced 3 card raise, minimum
3C = Balanced 4 card raise, any strength
3D = unbalanced 3 card raise, shortness in other minor
3H = unbalanced 3 card raise, shortness in other major
3S = Splinter, 4 card support
3N = Balanced 3 card raise, maximum
4om = splinter
4m = 5422 MAX
4H = 5422 MIN

1m - 1S
2S - 2NT = same
3C = BAL 3S MIN
3D = BAL 4S ANY
3H = UNBAL 3S shortness in other minor
3S = UNBAL 3S shortness in other major
3N = BAL 3S MAX
4x = SPL
4m = 5422 MAX
4M = 5422 MIN


This system can also be used after 1H-1S-2S.

NOTE: After BAL 3M MIN, going back to 3 of partners minor is NF
NOTE: After any response, 3M is NF

Also its good to play 1x-1H-2H-2NT = 4S 4H forcing... so you can catch your spade fit when partner has raised on 3 card support.

Two-Way New Minor Forcing

This is what i believe to be expert standard two way new minor forcing.

1m-1M-1NT

2C = relay to 2D to show ALL invitational hands
2D = Game Forcing Checkback
2H = Natural to play
2S = (after 1S response) Natural to play, (after 1H response) 4S 4H invitational hand
2N = *Conventional
3C = Natural Slam Try
3D = Natural Slam Try
3H = Natural Slam Try
3S = Natural Slam Try
3N = Natural


after 1m-1M-1NT-2NT
2NT is a relay to 3C, that's how you sign off in clubs, then over 3C
Pass = Clubs
3D = 5 of my major, 4 of partners minor, low shortness
3H = 5 of my major, 4 of partners minor, high shortness
3S = 4 of my major, 5 of partners minor, low shortness
3N = 4 of my major, 5 of partners minor, high shortness

SOME RULES:
1) Remember all invitational hands must start with 2C, after the 2C relay every bid invites something, if you bid 2C then over partners 2D bid 3NT, that is invitational to 4M, 5332 choice of games. Since we use 2NT for that gizmo, our NT invitation must start with 2C as well.
2) This system is on after 1H-1S-1NT, but not after 1C-1D-1NT
3) This system is off in competition
4) When we jump rebid our major over 1NT it sets trumps and asks partner to cue bid for slam

Please post questions and I will update my posts based on your thoughts.

Dealing with opponents strong club opening

Everyone understands that the best way to defend against a strong club is to get in their face... however most people do it with the completely wrong hands. My ideas aren't perfect but I've had a reasonable amount of success against it.

For starters, all of these conventions people play, suction, crash and whatever other strange artificial systems are definitely worse than just playing natural.

I use Mathe: (1C*) X = Majors, 1NT = Minors everything else natural

For the most part, coming in at the one level actually helps your opponents, it doesn't hurt them, so being overly aggressive to overcall 1 with the wrong hand types can be fatal. The key is to take away multiple bidding levels. The best way to do this is to have your partner raise your overcall. In my mind its best to overcall most unbalanced hands over 1C but stay out with balanced hands. The idea is that when i overcall 1H over 1C and my partner has 4 card support and a balanced hand, I want them to jump to 3... taking away all part score bids from my opponents. If I am overcalling 4 card suits, and balanced 5332 hands we will just set our side up for a big penalty.

Dealing with a Precision 1D opening (could be short)
Its bets to play that (1D*) 2D is just natural, and (1D*) 2H is michaels, giving up the weak 2H bid in order to be able to get the natural diamond bid in there.