Summary - World Championships System Review

It has taken just over a week of part-time work to complete the preliminary system review. This would take longer the first time one does it (if drafted into this work), and would be quicker if done full-time.

At this stage of the review process there are three steps that take place now:

1) Clean-up and revise. Each of the system reviews is looked at again, and updates are made to correct mistakes and add new details. For this post here and the posts below, updates will be made in the next couple of weeks to reflect changes. In particular, for readability, the "Total so far" sections of the System Review posts have been removed (see the end of this post for it), as these were given for those following on a post-by-post basis.

2) The team members are provided with sets of hands played by various pairs of their upcoming opponents. The amount that would be given would depend on the time available (and corresponding motivation) of the team members for their preparatory work. A full-time researcher would also do tendency analysis (e.g. when do they open or not, when do they overcall or not, what is their carding and when does it apply) with especially focus on the stronger teams, as every edge is necessary to beat them.

3) The defences necessary are identified. These are separated into two groups: the defences that apply more often, and the defences that will rarely be needed. Each pair on a team is expected to have available the defences to the frequent items, and team members are provided a default defence in case they don't have one available. For the rarely needed defences, for those strange one-of-a-kind methods, defences are prepared but team members are not expected to devote much time in getting to know them - these rare methods can only occur in one or a few matches, and may never come up.

Here's a look at the popular methods that a team must be prepared for:

Popular methods

Approaches:
19: Standard-ish (i.e. expert standard, often 2/1 or close to it)
19: Standard short club, or modern(1C bal or Cs)
13: Big Club
5: Multi-way

1C:
21: 3+
18: 2+
13: Big club

1D:
24: 4+
20: 3+
16: Short D

1M:
58: 5+ (4 possible in some cases)

1NT:
52: in the 14-18 ballpark (perhaps not at all times)
13: weak/mini NT (at least sometimes)

2C:
38: Strong: in some standard sense
16: Big club/polish style (some promise 6+Cs, some can have 5Cs+4cM)

2D:
15: Multi in some way with no strong option
9: Multi in some way with a strong option or options
9: Weak two (styles vary)
9: Majors (majors, some promises 5-5+, some 4-4+)
9: Strong
3: Semi-Multi: Weak two H or strong hand types
2: Short D

2M:
38: Weak two (styles vary)
9: Weak two-suiter
8: 2H: Majors, 2S S+m or just S

2NT:
45: in the 18-23 ballpark
11: Minors

1NT Overcall:
Everybody plays a strongish NT overcall in the 14-19 ballpark, except:
2: over M 4OM+5+m, over m 4M+5+om

Jump Overcalls:
Usually weak/preemptive but often pairs have exceptions

Cues:
29: 1M-2M: OM+ m, 1m-2m: Ms
Many other methods - always ask before a match

1X Relays/1C Transfers/Gazzilli:
7: Gazzilli
7: 1C Transfers
7: some 2C Relays over some 1X openings

--- ---

Totals

Approaches:
15: Standard
13: Big Club
11: Standard short club
5: Modern(1C bal or Cs)
2: Pakistan Club
1: Modern + 18-19 bal 2C
1: Modern + 1D can be bal if 5 or good suit
1: Semi-Modern (i.e. 1C Cs or bal 11-14 including 3-3-4-3)
1: ACOL, weak NT
1: KS
1: Swiss ACOL
1: Modified Polish
1: Modified Polish with variable ranges
1: Modified Polish/Swedish with variable ranges
1: Fantunes
1: Standard mini NT NV 1/2/3

1C:
20: 3+
13: Big club
8: 2+ (not clear if 2 just 4-4-3-2)
3: 2+, natural or 12-14/18-19 bal
2: 2+ (not clear if 2 just 4-4-3-2), if Bal (11)12-14
1: 2+, natural or 11-14/18-19 bal
1: 3+, standard, 3-3 minors opens 1C, 4-4 minors opens 1D
1: 2+, natural or 12-14 bal (cc not clear if 1D unbal always)
1: 2+, natural or 12-14 bal (no 5+ suit except clubs but can have 4Ds if suit not good)
1: 2+, natural or 11-14 Cs bal, 2Cs only if 4-4-3-2 exactly, can be 3-3-4-3
1: 2+, could have longer Ds
1: 2+ (can have 2Cs and 4Ds, not clear which Bal opens 1D)
1: 4+ ACOL
1: 1C: 0+, 12-14(15) Bal, 11-18 Cs, 16+ 4-4-4-1, (18)19+ any (not 21-22 Bal)
1: NV: 15-20 Bal or Cs or any GF, VUL: 12-14/18-20 Bal or Cs or any GF
1: (13)14+ Cs or 15+ Bal, can be (12)13 in 3
1C: 19+ any or 12-15 5+Cs
1C: 18+ any or 12-15 5+Cs
1C: 18+ Bal or 17+ unbal or 12-14 Bal or 11-16 4-4-1-4 or, NV 1/2 15-17 Bal (in which case 12-14 Bal is 13-14 Bal and 19-20 Bal opens 2NT)

1D:
20: 4+
20: 3+
5: 0+
3: 1+
3: 2+
1: (1)2+
1: 2+/4+
1: 4+/1+
1: 5(4)+
1: 5 or 4-4-4-1
1: (3)4+
1: (13)14+ Ds, can be (12)13 in 3
1: 1+, 11-12(13) Bal (11-13 in 3/4) or 4+D or any 4-4-4-1 (range for 1D not clear, likely 11-15)
1: 1+, (10)11-16, hand types undefined, likely 11-13 Bal or 11-15 Unbal max 5Cs usually no 5cM

1M:
31: 5+
11: 5+ (4 possible in 3rd)
7: 5+ (4 possible in 3rd and 4th)
6: 1M: (4)5+
1: 1S: 5+, 1H: 4+
1: 5+, 11-15, 1H: can be 4-4-1-4
1: 5+, 11-15, 1H/S: can be 4-4-1-4
1: 4+
1: 5+M, (13)14+, can be (12)13 in 3, all suits can be both majors 11-13

1NT:
22: 15-17
7: (14)15-17
5: 14-16
3: 12-14
2: 14+-17
2: 14+-17-
2: 15-18
2: 13-15
1: 14+-18-
1: 15+-18-
1: 15-17(18)
1: 15-17 (16-17 in 3/4)
1: 14-16, 15-17 in Vul 3/4
1: 15-17, except 10-12 NV 1-2
1: 14-15
1: 11-13
1: 12+-15 (can be 11 in 3rd)
1: 12+-15 in 1/2, 15-17 in 3/4
1: 13-15 in 1/2, 14-15 in 3/4
1: 15-17, 9-12 NV vs. VUL in 1st
1: 10-12 1/2/3 NV, (14)15-17
1: 15-17 in 3/4, 10-12 NV 1/2, 14-16 Vul 1/2
1: VUL: 15-17, FAV(1/2): 9-12, Other: 11-14.

2C:
8: Strong: undefined
6: 5Cs+4cM or 6+Cs, 11-15
3: Strong: 22+ or 3.5 losers
3: Strong: Game force or 23-24 bal
2: Strong: ART any shape or 23+ Bal (likely means GF any shape)
2: Strong: 22+ Bal or strong
2: Strong: (17)18-19 Bal (semi-bal)
2: 5Cs+4cM or 6+Cs, 10-15
2: Semi-Strong: 5+Cs, 16-18
1: 5Cs+4cM or 6+Cs, 11+-16-
1: Strong: Any Game Force
1: Strong: Game force or 24+
1: Strong: 22+ Bal or any game force
1: Strong: Game force (likely includes 22-23 Bal not game forcing)
1: Strong: Game force (likely includes 23-24 Bal not game forcing)
1: Strong: 22+ or 9 tricks
1: Strong: 20+ or 8+ tricks
1: Strong: 22+ Bal or 20+ Unbal
1: Strong: ART any shape or 22+ Bal (likely means GF any shape)
1: Strong: Game force or 23-24 bal or strong 1 suiter
1: Strong: ACOL 2 bid or strong bal (range not clear since 2NT for minors)
1: Strong: 22-23 Bal or ACOL (16+ HCP, playing value)
1: Strong: 22-23 Bal or strong in any suit or ACOL
1: Strong: 21+
1: Strong: 19-20 Bal, any SF(?), GF H, 25-26 Bal, solid M 8-9 tricks
1: Strong: 22+ or 8.5+ tricks, but likely not 24+ Bal
1: Strong: 22+ Bal or game force or weak 5+Ds
1: Strong: 22-36 or 9+ tricks
1: 5Cs+4cM or 6+Cs, 10-16
1: 5Cs+4cM or 6+Cs, 10-14
1: 5Cs+4cM or 6+Cs, NV: 10-15, VUL: 15-17
1: Weak, 5-11, 5-5+, H+any (but 2H opening Ms)
1: 6+Cs, 11-15
1: 6+Cs, 10-15
1: 6+Cs, 10-15, 5C possible in 3rd
1 : (5)6+Cs, 11-15, 9-15 NV vs. Vul
1: Intermediate: (9)10-13, 5+C unbal, 0-12 in 3
1: Semi-Multi: Weak, 3-10 5+Ds, 20-21 Bal, 26-27 Bal, Game Force one suiter

2D:
4: Multi: weak in a M
3: Weak, 5+ suit
3: Weak, Ms
2: Strong: Any game force
2: Ms, 0-10
2: Multi: 5-10, one M
2: Multi: 0-7 with a M, or 19-21 with a 6+M or a 5M-4
2: Multi: weak with a M, or 22-23 Bal
2: Weak, 6(5)Ds
2: Strong: 18-19 Bal no 5cM
1: Multi: weak in a 5+M
1: Multi: 5-10, weak in a (5)6+M
1: Multi: 3-9, weak in a (5)6+M
1: Multi: 2-7 with a 5+M
1: Weak, (5)6D, fairly sound
1: Weak, 3-10, 5+Ds
1: Weak, 5-11, 5+ suit
1: Weak, 6+ suit
1: Multi: 6-10 with a 6 major
1: Multi: 6-11 with a 6 major
1: Multi: 3-7 with a 5+ major or 25-26 Bal or unspecified strong hand
1: Multi: 5-11 with a M, or 21-22 Bal
1: Multi: 5-11 with a 6 major or 21-22 Bal or unspecified strong hand
1: Multi: weak M 1/2/3, Good 6D in 4
1: Multi: 4-9, 6(5)+ suit or 24+ Bal
1: Multi: 3-10, 6(5)+ suit (no strong option). Weak 3-10 Ms (3/4)
1: Multi: (2)3-7 with a 6M (may have 5M NV vs. Vul), or 24+ Bal
1: Multi: weak, 2-10 with 5H or 5S
1: Semi-Multi: Weak two H, any GF (not Hs?), 23-24 Bal or 27-28 Bal
1: Semi-Multi: Weak two H or strong 3 suited (HCP not specified)
1: Weak, 6-11, Ms, 5-4/4-5+
1: Weak, 4-8, Defensive Flannery, but 5Hs + 4S can be +/- a card = Ms
1: Any GF (cc not clear but likely has 23-24 Bal in here)
1: Weak or strong (less than opening or 16+), 4-4+ majors
1: Short D, 11-15, 4405, 4414, 4315, 3415
1: Short D, 11+-16- in 1,2,4, weak two 5/6D in 3rd
1: Semi-Strong: 18-19NV/20-21V bal, 6+m 15-18 or 6M 15-20
1: Strong: 18-20 Bal
1: Intermediate: (9)10-13, 5+D unbal, 0-12 in 3
1: Three suiter: 11-14, any 4441 or 5440
1: Flannery, 11-15, 5/6Hs, 4Ss
1: Strong: Game force (likely includes 23-24 Bal not game forcing)
1: Semi-Multi: Weak, 3-10 5(6)Hs, 22-23 Bal, 28-29 Bal, Game Force two suiter
1: Strong: undefined

2M:
6: Weak, 5+ suit
5: Weak, 6M
5: Weak, (5)6)M
2: Weak, 0-10, 5+M
2: Weak, 8-11, 6M
2: 2H: Weak, Ms. 2S: Weak, 5+Ss + 4+m
1: Weak, 5+M + 4+m
1: Weak, 5-10, (5)6M
1: Weak, 3-10, 5+M
1: Weak, 5/6M
1: Weak, (5)6M, may be constructive 2 suiter
1: Weak, 5-10, 6M
1: Weak, 8-11, 6M
1: Weak, NV: 3-7 5+M + 4+m, Vul: 6-10 5+M + 5+m
1: Weak, NV: 3-8 5+M + 4+m, Vul: 5-9 5+M + 5+m
1: Weak, 4-10, 5M+5m or NV vs. Vul 5M+4m
1: 2H: Weak, 0-10, Ms. 2S: Weak, 0-10, S+m
1: 2H: Weak, 5-11, Ms, 2S: Weak, 5-11, 5+Ss+4+m
1: 2H: Weak, 6-11, 5Hs+5any, 2S: Weak, 6-11, 5Ss+5m
1: 2H: Weak, 6-11V 5-9NV, 0-14 in 3, Ms, 2S: Weak, 5-9 0-14 in 3, 5+Ss
1: 2H: Weak, 3-10, Ms. 2S: Weak, 3-10, 5+Ss + 4+m. Natural weak (3/4)
1: 2H: Weak, 6-11, Ms, 2S: 5Ss 6-11, can have minor
1: 2H: Weak, 5-11, Ms. 2S: Weak, (5)6S
1: Weak, 2M except 2H NV vs. Vul Weak, 2-8, Ms
1: Weak, 5-10, (5)6M
1: Weak, 5-11, 5+ suit
1: Weak, 6M in 1/2, ?M in 3/4
1: 8-12, 6+ major
1: 0-10NV, 6-10V, 5+ major
1: Weak, 6+ M
1: 7-11, 5 major and some 6 major
1: 8-11, 5 major
1: Weak, 5/6M, constructive if Vul
1: Weak, 6-11, 5M + 5m
1: Weak, 4-9, 5+M + 4+m, 5-14 (3/4)
1: Weak, 4-8, (5)6 suit
1: Weak, 4-10, 5-7M
1: Weak, 5-10, 5+M + 4+m
1: 6M or 5M+4m, 10-14 except 6-10 NV vs. V
1: Intermediate: (9)10-13, 5+M unbal, 0-12 in 3
1: 2H: Flannery, 11-15, 5Hs, 4Ss. 2S: 10-13, 6+Ss
1: 5M+5m, range unspecified
1: 2H: short D, 11-15 4414, 4405 or 4315. 2S: Good D preempt
1: 2H: Semi-Multi: Weak, 3-10 5(6)Ss, 24-25 Bal, 30-31 Bal, Game Force three suiter. 2S: Weak, 3-10, 5S+5m, NV vs. Vul 1/3 can be 5S+4m

2NT:
22: 20-21
5: 19-21
4: 20-22
3: 21-22
2: 22-24
2: 19-20 (20-21 3/4)
2: Weak, ms
1: ms, could be 5-4
1: 22-23
1: 20+-22
1: 19+-21
1: (19)20-21
1: (19)20-22
1: 18+20
1: 20-21 (19-20 NV vs Vul – cc does not then mention where 21 opens)
1: Weak, 5-10, 5-5+ ms
1: Weak, 5-11, 5-5+ ms
1: Weak, 6-11, 5-5+ ms
1: Weak,6-10,5-5ms
1: Weak, 7-10,5-5ms
1: 5-5ms, weak or game force, 5m4m possible NV vs. VUL in 3
1: 5-5ms, weak or strong (range unspecified)
1: 19-20 NV 1/2, 3/4 or Vul Weak, 6-10, 5-5ms
1: 5H-5m, 9-12
1: 6D or 5C+4C 10-14

1NT Overcall:
37: 15-18
10: 15-17
4: 16-18
3: 15+-18
1: 15+-18+
1: 16-19
1: 14+-18-
1: (6)8-15, over M 4OM+5+m, over m 4M+5+om
1: range not provided, over M 4OM+5+m, over m 4M+5+om
1: range not provided, likely same as opening

Jump Overcalls:
26: Weak
9: Preemptive
2: Weak except Vul vs. NV. 1C-2D Ms
1: Weak NV, Intermediate Vul
1: Weak except Vul vs. NV
1: Jump Overcalls: Weak NV, Intermediate+ Vul
1: Preemptive, except 1C-2D Ms
1: Weak, 1C-2D Ms
1: Weak, 1C-2D 5H + 4+S
1: Preemptive to Intermediate
1: Usually Intermediate
1: Weak to Intermediate
1: Weak generally (except 1C-2D Ms)
1: Weak except Vul jumps to 2 Intermediate, 1C-2D Ms
1: Weak to Intermediate, VUL: 12 -16
1: Weak NV, 14-16V
1: Weak, except 1M-3C: D+OM, 1D-3C: C+S
1: Weak, 1C-2D: Ms, 1D-3C: S+om, 1M-3C: OM+D
1: Weak, 1C-2D Ms, except if permitted will jump over 1C as their openings
1: Weak, except special against 1C artificial
1: Weak, 1C-2D Majors, 1M-3C Both minors, 3X 13-16 except NV vs Vul Preemptive
1: Light, but not bad Vul vs. NV
1: Sound except at Favorable
1: 5-card suit possible (does not provide strength)
1: cc unclear

Cues:
29: 1M-2M: OM+ m, 1m-2m: Ms
6: 1M-2M: OM+ C, 1m-2m: Ms
3: 1M-2M: OM+ D, 1m-2D: Ms
2: 1M-2M: OM+ another, 1m-2m: Ss + another
2: 1M-2M: OM+ m, 1m-2m: Ms (but if m can be 2, natural)
2: 1M-2M: OM+ m, 1D-2D: Ms, 1C-2C : Cs
2: 1M-2M: OM+ another, 1m-2m: Ss + another but 1C-2D Ms
1: 1M-2M: OM+ C, 1m-2D: Ms
1: 1M-2M: OM+ C, 1m-2m: Ms but 1C-2C can be just 5-4/4-5
1: 1M-2M: OM+m, 1m-2m: Ms but 1C-2C can be just 4-4+ Ms
1: 1M-2M: 4OM+longer m, 1m-2m: 5-4+ Ms
1: 1M-2M: unknown, 1D-2D: Ms, 1C-2C: D+S (unknown, but likely 1C-2D Ms)
1: 1M-2M: OM+ m longer m, 1m-2m: om + M
1: 1M-2M: OM+ another, 1m-2m: Hs + another
1: 1M-2M: OM+ D, 1m-2D: Ms or S+om
1: 1S-2S: H+D or strong H+C, 1H-2H: S+m, 1D-2D: Ms
1: Ss + other except over 1S, then Hs + m
1: 1S-2S : H+other, rest : S+other
1 : Highest unbid + other
1: 2 suiters (unspecified) except 1C-2C and 1D-2D if D artificial
1: Unknown

1X Relays/1C Transfers/Gazzilli:
7: Gazzilli
7: 1C Transfers
3: 1M-2C Relay
2: 1D/1M-2C Relay
2: 1C Point Ladder responses
2: 1C(Big) Transfer Positives
1: 1D/S-1NT Relay, 1H-1S Relay
1: 1D-2C
1: 1m-1NT
1: 1M-2C might be 2 card suit
1: 1C(Big) Suit switch responses, 1D-1H(Ss or Relay), 1S-1NT Relay