Treasure Mine - Systems & Style - Chapter 3 - 2H with less than 8 - Part I

The recent world championship gives us a treasure trove that can be examined to study systems and style implications for success. For this final chapter of the study we will look at when 2H was opened with less than 8 - Halloween will bring out the macabre openings!

The first 11 rounds didn't have any 2H openings with less than 8, until board 176 (board 16 of round 11):

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In the Open Room of Norway-Spain, the Spanish West opened 2H (6H, 6-10) and East decided to ask with 2NT - this gave NS the room to reach 6S, making:

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In the Closed room, West passed, then bounced to 4H:

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In Sweden-Netherlands the Dutch West opened 2D, Multi (usually 6Hs, 3-10, or strong hand types), and East bid 2H, pass or correct (giving bidding space in case West had a strong hand type) - NS did not try for slam:

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In the Closed Room another Multi (5-9 points, no strong hand type), this time East used the 2S pass or correct bid - North got into the bidding, South tried for slam, but North didn't think the shape was worth bidding again):

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In the Germany-USA match, another pass then bounce by West:

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In the closed room Meckwell got to 4H quickly, South overcalled 4S and North gave that a lot of leeway by passing:

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Round 12 saw a single table try out a 2H opening with less than 8:

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In the Canada-France Open Room a relatively quiet auction got Canada +140 in 3S:

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In the Closed Room the 2H (5+Hs and 4+ minor, 3-10) opening got to 3NT, down 1, but winning 3 IMPs:
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In Italy-South Africa, the South African East rebid just 2C, but then drove the partnership to 5D when West competed:

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5D was down. In the Closed Room North finally introduced spades on his third bid, giving South reason not to support the belated spades, and 3D made 4 for 5 IMPs:

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In Argentina-Russia Open Room North opened 2S (6Ss, 3-9) and South decided not to raise - this got EW to 3NT down 1.

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In the Closed Room Russia opened a Multi (usually 6 in the major, 5-10, no strong hand type). Over the double, South bid 3H pass or correct, and 3S was worth +140 and 3 IMPs.