Impact
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IMPACT is an eclectic compilation of aggressive opening methods designed so as to minimise the disruption on the hands where partner needs to enquire in detail. It is a strict system, in the sense that a hand can have only one "correct" opening bid (assuming consistent evaluation methods) the only exception being the choice between a 2§ fert or a 0-4 (or 16+) HCP forcing pass when non-vul, which we mix up - perhaps influenced by opinion of opponents, state of the match, etc. All hands of clearly pre-emptive character are handled independently in a module exclusive of main-zone or fert openings (so that a shape and strength subsequently determined to be otherwise suitable as a Myxo must be flawed by poor texture or honour dispersion). Myxo Twos are advocated, but clearly a partnership's favoured methods can be grafted instead, with appropriate compensations in negative inferences. |
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In the forcing pass auctions, 1NT is 10-12 or 13-15, depending on vulnerability. In the strong club auctions, 1NT is 12-15. 1NT can include a weak five card major, or 5-4 in the minors with strong doubleton majors. Responses
Relay responses Initial response is simple stayman, with the following continuations:
4333 shapes all finish at 3NT - more space is used because this shape is least likely to inspire Relayer to continue. 4432 and 5332 shapes are bid in "arithmetic" order. Think of the shape as a four-digit integer, and bid out the available permutations in ascending order. This principle applies in most situations throughout Impact - authors refer to it as "bidding length upwards" or "bidding shortage downwards" (which amounts to the same thing). There is no way to identify 5ª(332) specifically. Presumably one would not risk the bid with a weak doubleton, so the question arises as to which suit opener should slip his fifth spade into for the purpose of full clarification. With a strong doubleton, identify a 4333, otherwise show the (stronger if both held) minor as the second four-card suit, rather than risk Relayer's bidding an inferior 4© instead of 3NT (possibly with a 5-3 spade fit). Of course, should partner be so perverse as to relay out the controls, you will need to leave the fifth spade where you put it, so as to scan suits in the correct order! Interference over 1NT
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All hands with 10-15 HCP and 5+ spades are opened with 1ª, with 2 exceptions:
Responses
Relay responses After the relay response of 1NT (virtually game-forcing), opener rebids:
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1¨ opening shows 10-15 HCP and an unbalanced hand with 4+ hearts. Exceptions:
Relay responses
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Other hands (balanced, 3 suited, minors)
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The utility bid varies with methods, and, unlike heart-showing bids, has an extra hand-type incorporated into the FP opening (of 1§). 1¨ is the utility bid in strong club methods, and excludes balanced hands (pass with balanced 10-11). Commonly it is the balanced hand of complementary strength to that opened with 1NT at the prevailing vulnerability. Thus, it would be 13-15 HCP when Non-vul, or 10-12 HCP if vulnerable. After the identification of this type, simplicity and symmetry dictate that all our enquiry bidding follows the response structure to a 1NT opening as detailed above. Elegantly, in any competitive auction where the balanced hand is identified, we play our full Lebensohl-with-Rubens-advances `a la Woolsey. Most simply put, the 1§ opener is 10-15 HCP with either:
Relay responses The most common action by Responder is to relay with [1¨]. This is not necessarily game-forcing, but opener is expected to relay out his hand to 2NT should fourth hand intervene. After a second relay, however, a game-force is implicit in most auctions. In reply to the relay, opener bids as follows. Note that after 1§-[1¨], responder has a natural signoff available wherever possible.
After 1§-[1¨]-1©:
After 1§-[1¨]-1©-1ª-1NT:
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The notes are completely out of date here, and totally inconsistent with general principles. This is my best guess. Responder bids naturally at the 2-level with about 9+ HCP and a six card suit or 5+5+.
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At adverse vulnerability 1§ is our strong opener, at all other conditions we make a Forcing Pass, which is ambiguous - being 0-4 or 16+ HCP (the weak option being introduced to prevent opponents taking too many liberties with their overcalls and conventional competitive methods. The hand they are stealing may well be their own!) When relaying out the full shape of a hand, hands are identified as either:
Positive responses to Forcing Pass
Positive responses to Strong Club The responses to the Strong Club are the same as the reponses to the Forcing Pass, up one step. This means that several of the responses become natural, so they are shuffled around to increase the chance of relayer being declarer. This does not apply if relays are adjusted due to interference. The structure:
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The Main Sequence which forms the skeleton of all relay auctions applies in all the following situations:
WE DO NOT USE SYMMETRIC STRUCTURE OVER THE 2§ FERT. In auctions where interference occurs, we continue to relay so long as ten total steps (5332 and 5431) can be expressed at no higher than 3NT. Flat hands After the response identifying 4333 or 4432 shape, the next relay begins to determine exact shape, as follows:
1-suiters
2-suiters
3-suiters
Interference over relays If the 5431/5332 hands come out at 3NT,
then all other shapes are combined in 4§. Exception: after 2§ game force we are up four steps with no limit. |
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Positive responses to the strong openings require 2+ controls, so the base is 2:
With limited hands (opening bids), there is no control minimum:
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Kickback and exclusion kickback in all obvious situations. The notes say that there is an exception: 1ª-(3m)-4NT is simple blackwood because kickback would go via 4m. Editor's note: this is just begging for a misunderstanding and I think the writers are out of their minds. By explicit discussion only. |
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When the opponents double See separate section on OSTOT. When the opponents overcall Negative free bids apply at the 2-level A cue of the opponent's suit is a good raise. Fit showing jumps apply at all levels (this is the case in all competitive auctions). When the opponents overcall 1NT After a 1NT overcall over one of our major-showing openings:
When the opponents make a two-suited overcall
Forcing auctions
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Transfers apply after the opponents make a takeout double of our major suit openings (including 1¨ or 1© depending on system). After 1¨-(X)-?:
After 1©-(X)-?:
After 1ª-(X)-?:
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Rubens Advances apply after all our overcalls. (1 and 2 level only? - check this) Bids up to the cue bid are natural and forcing (FNJ by passed hand). After a 1© or 1ª overcall, responses 2NT and above are raises as per opening bids. Click this link for a more detailed explanation of Rubens Advances. |
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Over the weak two rebid (two steps below the suit), step is relay, and first step response (bidding the suit) is a bad hand. All other steps are denial cues, skipping with 2 honours in the weak two suit and one honour in other suits. |
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Fout's overcalls are an optional convention played in any partnership where two or more of the following players are gathered: Mark Abraham, Paul Collins, Michael Wilkinson, Brad Coles, Bob Sebesfi. Click this link for a detailed explanation of the overcall structure. |
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