From: varvel@cs.utexas.edu (Donald A. Varvel)
Newsgroups: rec.games.bridge
Subject: Re: Playing in an individual
Date: 9 Nov 1992 11:51:41 -0600
Organization: U Texas Dept of Computer Sciences, Austin TX
NNTP-Posting-Host: latexo.cs.utexas.edu

In article <lft4d7INNgfb@cypress.cs.utexas.edu> shamrake@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Danil Suits) writes:

>The Keohane Individual is coming up soon,
>and I am trying to prepare.
>
>I read an article in an old Bridge World
>(May, 1981. Sorry, I cannot recall the name
>of the author) which had many suggestions 
>about playing in an indy, with some discussion
>about the convention card one should use.
>
>The author suggested that it should always be
>*your* convention card that is used. Make it simple
>and instructive (ie simple in agreements, but with 
>the agreements written on the card)

My experience on okbridge (which is pretty close to being an
individual) is that even if both of you think you know some
convention, you probably have different understandings of it.
Your partner probably learned it from a friend who didn't
have a clue.  The fewer conventions the better.  There will
still be the problem that one will think a bid constructive
and the other competitive, but that's hard to avoid.

>His suggestions were fairly limitted and are as follows:

>   Open all hands with 12HCP. Open hands with 11HCP if
>   they have an ace or a king.

I would think somewhat sounder openings would work better
with strangers, but at least this sets some standard.

>   1NT opening 15-17, never with a five card major

>   1M opening never on 4 card suit

>   weak 2 bids ALWAYS 6 card suit and 2 of top 3 honors

>   No negative doubles

>   No gerber

All of these sound reasonable.

>   Jump overcalls showing opening values and good suit

Why?  Most Americans have never used anything but weak jumps.
They won't know how to evaluate their hands over an intermediate
jump, and neither of you will have any idea where the ceiling
of this bid falls.

>   1NT overcall DIRECT = 15-17
>               BALANCE = 10-12

That 10-12 would bother me with a stranger.

>   The author also recommended that you discuss takeout
>   doubles with your partner before the round starts

Yes.  Find out what your partner thinks a takeout double shows.
You will be surprised, shocked, and sickened.

>Now questions to which I hope people can supply reasonable
>answers follow below.

>1) What systems should be played over 1NT. Stayman plus
>   natural is my own inclination, but what should 1NT-3m
>   be?

Same as 1NT-3M.  Game force, at least choice of contract, perhaps
some suggestion of slam.  I won't begin to suggest that is the
*best* agreement.  I also think all jump bids by responder should
be forcing to game, just because it's an easy rule to remember.

>2) Limit or forcing major suit raises?

See above.

>3) Limit or standard notrumps over the minors?

See above.

>4) should any direct q bids be allowed? (michaels and the like)

No cuebids seems a reasonable agreement.

>5) are there other topics to be considered?

After the first round I suspect you will know the answer to this.
"No."

>Also a legality/ethics question.  Is it appropriate to have
>2 cards? That is one to use when partner will be first to 
>speak, and a second when you will be?  If there are 
>differences, what should they be?

I think such agreements are simply illegal in any competition.

>How about a third card, to be used when you recognize your 
>partner? For example, if I draw Charlie Coon, should I
>ask him to play 2/1, or simply accept the A+'s his card
>play will generate anyway....

Only if the card is already in your files.

>Danil (hoping to not see many of you there. my chances
>       are bad enough already :-)

You really think the presence of a few r.g.b folks will have
any effect on your chances of winning???  Have a good time.

-- Don Varvel