[ahydra]

mike777, on 2013-March-19, 09:58, said:

Is 2c really the correct call in your style, 1h is not allowed in response to 1d?

Not in my style, no - need a 10 count or equivalent for 2C (mainly to make 1x-2y-2NT = GF), and I would downgrade a little for the void in partner's suit. I and my partner would have bid 1H. But the person who made the 2C bid plays a more old-fashioned form of Acol where one can go to the 2-level on a flat hand with 8 HCP.

I notice people talking about 2/1 forcing to 2NT. That's probably not a bad idea, and probably quite workable given my partner and I play fairly solid openings (except in 3rd). Should one increase the requirements slightly for a 2/1 bid if playing 2/1 forcing to 2NT, or just grin and bear the misfitting 21 counts that end up in 2NT-2?

ahydra

[PhilKing]

ahydra, on 2013-March-19, 16:03, said:

I notice people talking about 2/1 forcing to 2NT. That's probably not a bad idea, and probably quite workable given my partner and I play fairly solid openings (except in 3rd). Should one increase the requirements slightly for a 2/1 bid if playing 2/1 forcing to 2NT, or just grin and bear the misfitting 21 counts that end up in 2NT-2?

ahydra

It's a bad idea in Acol, for the reason Helene_t gave - it puts too much strain on the 1NT response. Opener should not have to worry about missing game by passing a balanced 16. If you play strong 2/1, opener will be forced to raise 1NT to 2NT with a potential combined 22, which just haemorrhages equity.

[Zelandakh]

I disagree Phil. There is nothing wrong with 2/1 being 10+ in Acol. It is an idea that has been put forward by many respected authors, with varying levels of force to follow.

[ahydra]

Zelandakh, on 2013-March-20, 02:51, said:

I disagree Phil. There is nothing wrong with 2/1 being 10+ in Acol. It is an idea that has been put forward by many respected authors, with varying levels of force to follow.

10+ yes; I think Phil was replying to my question about it being 11+. I guess if you're going to make it 11+ then you might as well go the whole hog and play 2/1 GF.

ahydra

[campboy]

It's perhaps worth saying that choosing a response on this hand in Acol is not (just) a matter of whether you are strong enough to bid 2♣. You shouldn't normally bypass hearts unless you are strong enough to force to game (by bidding both suits), since otherwise you may miss a heart fit.

[Zelandakh]

campboy, on 2013-March-20, 05:36, said:

It's perhaps worth saying that choosing a response on this hand in Acol is not (just) a matter of whether you are strong enough to bid 2♣. You shouldn't normally bypass hearts unless you are strong enough to force to game (by bidding both suits), since otherwise you may miss a heart fit.

Although the official EBU Modern Acol system file says that 2m followed by 2M is a game force, the vast majority of Acol players are quite happy to bid this way with 10. It is therefore not just a matter of Acol but rather a matter of style within an Acol context.