Article 149656 of rec.games.bridge: From: "Peter Gill" Newsgroups: rec.games.bridge Subject: Re: Lionel defence to 1NT: anyone got good continuations? Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2001 21:02:17 +1000 M Courtney wrote: >I have started playing Lionel with my partner over a strong NT and >over a weak NT when we are a passed hand. > >x = 4+ spades and another suit >2C = C+H >2D = D+H > >A couple of questions: > >Does anyone have detailed continuations worked out after the initial >bid? My partner and I are slightly winging it at the moment. > >The creator of the convention (Lionel Wright) plays this very >aggressively: he only requires 4-4 in the suits. We are taking a more >timid approach and tending to stick to a 9 cards in the suits. Anyone >any experience with this? 4/4 is best. >Lionel and his wife are actually the godparents of my daughter but >I'm afraid Lionel's eyes tend to glaze over whenever I start talking >bridge. No cracks please John Probst. G'day Margaret, cc rgb I s'pose that sunny London has been much finer than the freezing weather we've been having in Sydney recently. Back in May 1993 when bridge was Lionel's main passion (now it plays second fiddle to family), he wrote "Lionel In Action" in International Popular Bridge Monthly magazine. As you no doubt have that magazine stashed somewhere but probably unfindable amidst your young daughter's toys, I will risk copyright problems by summarising Lionel's excellent article. Note that this is only my summary, and an Aussie cannot possibly hope to be as eloquent as a Kiwi, what with copyright and all to worry about. Lionel Wright begins by explaining why the traditional penalty double of 1NT is overrated: - it would be better to have an even split of the strength between the defenders than to have everything in one hand. - when they escape, most methods to penalise them are less than ideal, and can lead to awkward auctions. - you miss your 4-4 fits. The idea behind Lionel is that one should basically be competing primarily for the partscore against 1NT, i.e a shift of ermphasis from total bloodthirstyness to frequent competition. Lionel (1993 version) -------- X = 11+ HCP, at least 4-4 in spades and another 2C = 11+ HCP, at least 4-4 in clubs and hearts 2D = 11+ HCP, at least 4-4 in diamonds and hearts 2H/2S = natural [2NT = minors, 3C/3D = natural, of course] After (1NT) - X- (P) - ? Pass - 10+ HCP. Then all doubles are penalty. 2C - non-forcing relay - asks doubler to pass or bid his 2nd suit. 2D - non-forcing, normally showing four or more diamonds. Doubler can bid 2H with hearts and less than two diamonds. 2H - natural non-forcing. 2NT - invitational spade raise with no singleton 3C/3D/3H - invitational spade raise with singleton/void in bid suit. 3S - preemptive raise. After (1NT) - 2C/2D - (Pass) - ? Pass/2H - to play New suit - non-forcing, natural 2NT/raise/3H/jump - natural, invitational. Advantages of Lionel compared to 1950s and other methods: - can be used against all 1NT ranges in all positions, without changing the strength or meaning of any of the calls (i.e you don't have to check their Convention Card before deciding what to call). - you can play 2C or 2D when you have a fit there. - you can identify your best fit frequently. - you can defend 1NT doubled with split points, which is desirable. - it's more difficult for opponents to double you when two specific suits are shown with one bid. - there are negative inferences available to a passed hand when 1NT is passed out. - it is simple to remember. The main disadvantage is the inability to penalise 1NT with a strong balanced hand with less than four spades. Lionel kept stats for the first five years of using Lionel, showing that Lionel was a big winner during that time. You'll have to buy the magazine to see the sample hands (real hands from Lionel's records) which feature Lionel being successfully used on 4-4 shapes at all vulnerabilities [including Both Vul in the passout seat on Q1043, 1054, AJ97, K5 - note that the points requirement could be shaded in the passout seat or when holding long suit(s)]. For those who think this may be the home-grown method of an unknown, keep in mind that (I think) Lionel has won one World Championship (while using Lionel) whereas some other outstanding modern bidding theorists (e.g. Marty Bergen, Paul Marston, possibly even Eric Kokish) all haven't, despite some close calls. However, being an even more timid and retiring man than the above-mentioned (earlier in the thread) Michael Courtney, Lionel has not publicised his methods as widely as, say, Bergen, whose methods such as Bergen Raises and DONT consequently are widely played). My personal opinion is that Lionel (first played around 1988) is slightly superior to DONT, but I could be wrong. In Peter Jamieson's recent treatise on "Defences to 1NT" (spread over several editions of Australian Bridge magazine), IIRC Lionel rated fairly highly (DONT did OK too), although as Peter J pointed out, PJ's conclusions were not totally objective. Peter Gill Sydney Australia.