[yunling]

In the past few years mexican 2D(or 2C)has become more and more popular among top players, if my observation is right.
I used to be against it, but a few analysis shows that 2NT opening is a big winner versus natural 1 minor, and probably also a winner versus precision 1C.
So now I wonder if bid to 2 level quickly with a strong balanced hand is theoratically very sound?
It just prevents opponents from making a cheap overcall which matters much more than staying in 1NT or slam auction.
This also applies to meckwell 1C-2D 8-10 balanced sequence which now I believe is better than putting 8-10 balanced into 1D or 1H——I lost in a few occasions when fourth seat was able to overcall.

[johnu]

yunling, on 2026-March-14, 23:08, said:

In the past few years mexican 2D(or 2C)has become more and more popular among top players, if my observation is right.

2♦ has never been popular among top players, and has become even less popular in recent years IMHO. On the other hand, Multi 2♦ has become very popular.

yunling, on 2026-March-14, 23:08, said:

I used to be against it, but a few analysis shows that 2NT opening is a big winner versus natural 1 minor, and probably also a winner versus precision 1C.

What analysis is this that show 2NT is a big winner versus starting lower? A common description of a 2NT opener is slam killer, the implication being that starting the auction at the 2NT level doesn't leave room to explore for slam at a lower level.

[mw64ahw]

Possibly someone taking a contrarian position for discussion sake?

A Weak NTer in Shenzhen also feels like a bit of an anomaly.

[DavidKok]

My impression is that putting strong balanced in 1♣ is a significant winner.

I think the reason some players prefer an artificial 2♣ or 2♦ showing 18-19 bal is that this hand type can have a hard time in standard after interference. There's significant extras after the opening, but no great suit to bid. Splitting it out of the opening relieves takeout doubles in competition and permits more shape-based bidding. In return, you lose a 2-level opening bid for other uses and you can no longer resolve the big balanced hand at the 1-level, which plenty of other systems can.
Precision faces other tradeoffs as the 17-19 balanced range is the 'default' responder assumes in competition. There's not much pressure to act with that hand type. I don't think this combination is a good idea. You could split out e.g. 20-21, but I prefer not to.

Using 1♣-2♦ to show a minimum positive balanced hand is a fine idea, though in general the positive system to a strong 1♣ won't have a large impact on your score.

[PrecisionL]

I have used Rodwell's 1♣ - 2♦ as balanced hands (including 5332) for 10 years now with good results.

Recently we have put all the balanced hands in 1M.

1♣ - 1♥ = Positive (a) 5+ Spades or (b) 11+ Balanced. 1♠ is the relay and 1NT = 11-13, 2♣ = 5+♠, 2♠ = 14+ Balanced.
1♣ - 1♠ = Positive (a) 5+ Hearts or (b) 8-10 Balanced. 1NT is the relay and 2♣ is the Heart hand.

Playing 2/1 I prefer:

2♣ Opener is (18)19-21 Balanced hand with 2♦ Response = 0-5 hcp
2♦ Opener is the 22+ Balanced or 4-loser hand with 2♥ = 0-1 Control

[foobar]

PrecisionL, on 2026-March-16, 11:48, said:

I have used Rodwell's 1♣ - 2♦ as balanced hands (including 5332) for 10 years now with good results.

Recently we have put all the balanced hands in 1M.

1♣ - 1♥ = Positive (a) 5+ Spades or (b) 11+ Balanced. 1♠ is the relay and 1NT = 11-13, 2♣ = 5+♠, 2♠ = 14+ Balanced.
1♣ - 1♠ = Positive (a) 5+ Hearts or (b) 8-10 Balanced. 1NT is the relay and 2♣ is the Heart hand.

Playing 2/1 I prefer:

2♣ Opener is (18)19-21 Balanced hand with 2♦ Response = 0-5 hcp
2♦ Opener is the 22+ Balanced or 4-loser hand with 2♥ = 0-1 Control

Actually, I recently doubled down on that idea and even added a split range, so:

1♣:
...2♦: 8-11/15+ balanced -> symmetric with 2♠
...2♠+: 12-14 balanced, includes 4♥4m32, 5m332, 4♥333, 4m4m

Note that this only includes 5m332 because there simply isn't enough space to handle all the hand types. In fact, we can't fit in even all 4432, 4333 and 5m332, so there-in lies a small tweak to make it work. Basically, 1♣ - 1♥ is 4+♠ and includes the ♠ canape hands, the balanced 4♠332 and the 5+♠ hands.

Now, after 1♣ - 1♥ (4+♠) - 1♠ ® - 1N is the balanced or canape with the minors, so over 1N:
......2♦: 8-11/15+ balanced -> symmetric with 2♠
......2♥: Canape with one ♣ -> join 2N+
......2♠: 12-14 balanced, only includes 4♠4m32 and 4♠333
......2N+: Symmetric two-suited, high short with diamonds

The tradeoff was having to bundle the 5M332 in the single suited scheme, but the nice part is that it's the same GFR over the 1M opening.

[PrecisionL]

Interesting foobar!
We tried a very similar design 10 years ago and liked it very much.
Our new design (Major Positives or balanced) were an attempt to ease the memory. No conclusions at this early stage.