Strong club system
Encyclopedia
The Strong Club System is a set of bidding conventions in the game of contract bridge
. It is classified as an artificial type of bidding system since the bids are highly codified.
which opens with a 2
for a similar purpose. Generally, because of the lower level, the strong 1 opening can be assigned a minimum strength much lower than would be advisable for standard 2 opening. Commonly, the strong 1 will promise 16 or more high card points. All other bids would therefore be limited to a maximum of 15 high card points. Different authorities vary on the minimum for a strong 2 opening, but a typical figure is 22 high card points.
The generally acknowledged weakness of such systems is the fact that the opponents can aggressively overcall the 1 bid to deprive the stronger opponents of their bidding room, and that the loss of the 1 opening bid often causes strain on other opening bids, most often 1 and 2.
. For many years, the most popular strong club systems were the Schenken Club in the US and the Neapolitan and Blue Team Club
systems in Europe. Both are four-card major systems. The former is patterned closely after the standard American bidding of the time and the latter is characterized by canapé
(bidding the second-longer suit) in many situations.
Contract bridge
Contract bridge, usually known simply as bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard deck of 52 playing cards played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a small table...
. It is classified as an artificial type of bidding system since the bids are highly codified.
Explanation
This system uses an opening bid of 1 as an artificial, forcing opening that promises a strong hand. This is similar to the Standard AmericanStandard American
Standard American is a common bidding system for the game of bridge in the United States, also widely used in the rest of the world. This system, or a slight variant, is learned first by most beginners in the U.S. and may be referred to as 'Goren'; a dominant version used in on-line computer...
which opens with a 2
Strong two clubs
In most natural bridge bidding systems, the opening bid of 2 is used exclusively for hands too strong for an opening bid at the one-level. Systems that incorporate a strong 2-club opening bid include modern Standard American, standard Acol, 2/1 game forcing and many others...
for a similar purpose. Generally, because of the lower level, the strong 1 opening can be assigned a minimum strength much lower than would be advisable for standard 2 opening. Commonly, the strong 1 will promise 16 or more high card points. All other bids would therefore be limited to a maximum of 15 high card points. Different authorities vary on the minimum for a strong 2 opening, but a typical figure is 22 high card points.
Strengths
There are two generally acknowledged strengths of the strong club systems:- accuracy in uncontested slam-strength auctions, because the bidding starts at such a low level when opener has a fairly strong hand.
- the fact that all other opening bids have their strength capped by the strong club means more accurate judgment and scope for tactical operation both in constructive and competitive bidding.
The generally acknowledged weakness of such systems is the fact that the opponents can aggressively overcall the 1 bid to deprive the stronger opponents of their bidding room, and that the loss of the 1 opening bid often causes strain on other opening bids, most often 1 and 2.
Sub-Types
There are several types of strong club systems- Precision ClubPrecision clubPrecision Club is a bidding system in the game of contract bridge. It is a type of strong club system that was invented by C. C. Wei and used to good effect by Taiwan teams in the early 1970s...
- It uses five-card majors (opening 1 or 1 promises five) which makes them very powerful at the cost of opening 40% of hands with 1. - MoscitoMoscitoMoscito is a bidding or bridge system of the game of contract bridge invented by the Australian expert Paul Marston in the mid-1980s...
- invented by the Australian expert Paul Marston in the mid-1980s. - Blue ClubBlue ClubBlue Club is a bridge bidding system, developed mainly by Benito Garozzo. It was used by the famous Blue Team and became very popular in the 1960s and has been in decline since.The main features are:...
- invented by Benito Garozzo.
History
The original strong club system was the Vanderbilt Club, invented in the 1920s by Harold VanderbiltHarold Stirling Vanderbilt
Harold Stirling Vanderbilt was an American railroad executive, a champion yachtsman, a champion bridge player and a member of the Vanderbilt family.-Background:...
. For many years, the most popular strong club systems were the Schenken Club in the US and the Neapolitan and Blue Team Club
Blue Club
Blue Club is a bridge bidding system, developed mainly by Benito Garozzo. It was used by the famous Blue Team and became very popular in the 1960s and has been in decline since.The main features are:...
systems in Europe. Both are four-card major systems. The former is patterned closely after the standard American bidding of the time and the latter is characterized by canapé
Canapé (bridge)
Canapé is a bridge bidding system where the second suit bid is always longer than the first. The name Canapé refers to a small bite presented before a big meal....
(bidding the second-longer suit) in many situations.