RichMor, on Dec 24 2008, 08:48 PM, said:
glen, on Dec 24 2008, 04:39 PM, said:
I don't see why ... results in: "change the fundamental nature of bridge contests"
1) Because unusual is not the same as usual, or even the same as ususual.
I bet you and your regular partners have discussed your defense to mini, weak, and strong 1NT openings. You may even play diffferent defenses based on the strength of the opening. Which defense applies when a 1NT opening is split range? Are you sure your pard is on the same wavelength?
Yes, with my regular partner I'm sure that we are on the same wavelength. We play agreements that are not focused on being optimal, but on being certain.
RichMor, on Dec 24 2008, 08:48 PM, said:
2) Because all means more than one.
I believe that preparing a defense to one ususual system is easier that preparing defenses to three very different ususual systems all being played by various pairs in a multi-team event.
Do you disagree ?
No, I agree that preparing 1 defense is easier than preparing 3. However that does not "change the fundamental nature of bridge contests", but just makes some contests easier than others.
Even the systems that "standard" experts play require some prep work on understanding. For example in the 08 Worlds, we had:
England - J&J Hacketts: natural. non-weak NT
France - Bompis-Quantin: mostly natural, non-weak NT
However their systems & style are very very different:
J&J:
14-16 NT in 1,2, 5cM possible
4 card majors, can be canape if weak
frequent light openings
semi-forcing NT response to 1
♦/
♥/
♠
5 card weak twos 2
♦/
♥/
♠, very wide range
B&Q:
15-17 NT, usually no 5cM
5 card majors, 4
♦s unless 4-4-3-2 exactly
likely playing forcing NT and 2/1, but cc does not state - there is mention of 2
♣/
♦ relays, no details given
2
♦ Multi in 1,2,3 positions, 6 card major, 5-10
2M 5-5 weak in 1,2,3 positions, 5-10
3X openings are transfers in 1,2 positions
Thus prep work for two mostly natural systems is quite different. Still allowing J&J and B&Q in the event did not result in your "change the fundamental nature of bridge contests".
Note this post was written while listening to the Vince Guaraldi Trio.