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| | From: TWOferBRIDGE (Original Message) | Sent: 12/17/2008 12:13 AM |
Richard Pavlicek says he uses what I call a "Count/Lavinthal" dual meaning system for not only the FIRST discard but the SECOND discard as well. For example he holds: 2 5 3 2 A Q 9 8 7 8 7 5 2 Against a NT contract, partner leads a Sp. Declarer wins and continues with Spades. His 1st discard would be the H2: Ht count [ lo = odd ] and dislike Hts [ the Lavinthal portion = discarding the suit you don't like ] . Spades continued and his 2nd discard would be the C8: Cl count [ Hi = even ] and dislike Cl . You may comment on the merits of this system, but the primary question is: Does the dual-meaning attached the 2nd discard violate ACBL carding rules ?? |
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I am skeptical of the merits. As to the method itself, no, I don't think it sends a dual message.
The way I read it, the spot has only one meaning -- count -- and he separately has agreed "we discard suits we don't like" (the latter is quite a common agreement among the inexperienced players who don't understand signals in my area.)
I think the key here is that the ACBL specifies only right-side-up or upside-down card order, and only one message... so I would ask myself, what's the difference between H5 and H2 at the first card? Only one difference: big heart = even number, low heart = odd number.
Of course the ACBL regulation is exceedingly fuzzy. So I really don't know what the ACBL would say about it. I think it'd make a great deal of different how you phrased the question. In particular if you call it "count/lavinthal" you will be told "illegal" - but in fact there is nothing lavinthal-like, that is, you cannot tell your partner which suit you DO want led by your choice of discard, about the system.
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In its own right, a Lavinthal discard shows the suit you dislike and the size of the card indicates suit preference. I guess what I mean by Count/Lavinthal discard shows the suit you dislike and the size of the card indicates Count . But I admit, it probably the wrong choice of name for it. |
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As to the merit of the system, it seems it takes "too long" to indicate a suit preference. Two discards instead of one to imply suit preference means a lost tempo that may never be regained. However, against SLAM contracts where COUNT, COUNT, COUNT ( as Lorne puts it ) is all important, his system may well be useful. |
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