Introduction
Bridge bidding systems are built around one of two modes of
communication: full duplex ("two-way") and half duplex ("one
way"). Standard American uses a full duplex style, with both
partners communicating information to each other under an "approach
forcing" theme. These structures enjoy an advantage of apparent
simplicity. This "simplicity", however, is illusory, as these
partnerships embroil themselves in neverending discussions of
whether or not a certain call is 100% forcing. These (often
heated) discussions may coincide with the partnership playing a
slam hand in a part score.
On the other side we see half duplex systems where one partner
asks questions while the other answers them. This list includes
relay systems (e.g. Relay Precision, Panama Relay, etc.), asking
bid systems (such the Canadian Club or Italian Precision) and
hybrid systems which combine relays with natural responses (such
as Valentines). Frankly, experience has demonstrated that half
duplex systems enjoy an advantage in accuracy. This accuracy,
however, comes at the cost of considerable study of the system's
complexities. Many conservative players will eschew such systems,
saying that they are "too complicated to learn". These players
either forget the time they spent learning the many nuances of
standard bidding OR remember this period of familiarization all too
well--and don't care to go through it again! On the other hand,
half duplex system players never have to ask themselves that age-old
question haunting full duplexers: "Is that last bid
forcing?"
Systems use one of two methods of introducing bidder's long
suits. Everyone is familiar with the Long Suit First method.
Some prefer a canape style whereby players bid their four card suits
before their five carders. Each has its advantages. Long Suit First
shines in some competitive (especially 5-2 fitting) situations and
when Responder passes the opening bid. Canape shines when it steals
the opponent's suit, when there is a misfit (especially when the
opponent's bid our five-card suit before we do!) and in some
competitive (especially Moysian-fitting) situations. Only Valentines
takes the canape principle to its extreme, opening the shorter/weaker
suit even if it entails reversing into the longer/stronger suit with
minimal values.
|
| Opener |
 x |
 AQJ10xx |
 K10xx |
 Kx |
|
|
Standard bidders open 1H here. Most canape systems would also
dictate a 1H opening with the idea of rebidding Hearts before
introducing Diamonds. Valentines opens 1D.
Valentines uses a forcing but not necessarily strong 1C. 1C
Opener holds either a strong (17+ HCPs) hand (with or without Club
length) OR a 12-16 HCP hand with 4+ Clubs. Opener will clarify
hir holding on subsequent rounds of bidding.
Unlike strong Club systems, Valentines is a forcing Club
system which prides itself not so much on its slam-bidding as on
its part score and competitive bidding. As such, it is an
excellent duplicate system while retaining a capability to generate
huge swings in teams play.
In learning Valentines it is important to unlearn everything
known about standard, approach-forcing systems. For example,
reverses do not show extra strength. Opener never bids 3-card
suits as "natural". There are no jump rebids on 3-card suits. In
this regard Valentines is more natural than standard approaches.
Valentines derives its name from its concentration on the
Heart suit. After the forcing (but not necessarily strong) 1C
opening and negative 1D response it is a 1 Heart rebid which shows
a strong hand. In many slam-bidding sequences 4D invites a slam in
Hearts while 4C invites a slam in any of the other three suits.
The reader will see many other instances where the Heart suit
affects the auction more than any other suit.
Valentines is a distributional bidding system. Players open
their four card suit, not their 5-carder. This is true regardless
of the relative strengths of the suits.
|
| Opener A |
| AKQJx |
| xxxx |
| Ax |
| xx |
|
| Opener B |
| xxxxx |
| AKQJ |
| Ax |
| xx |
|
|
Both of the above hands are opened 1H.
|
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