BML

#+TITLE: Loca

#+AUTHOR: System by Jinksy, Documentation by Cthulhu Dreams

#+DESCRIPTION: Fantunes inspired 5 card majors, short club, constructive twos.

* Introduction

Loca has the following basic opening structure:


  1C  2+!c. Natural or balanced
  1D  4+ !ds, 14+ unbalanced
  1H  5+ !hs 14+
  1S  5+ !ss 14+
  1N 11+ - 14 semi bal, includes 5422 and 4441 shapes
  2CDH 5+ suit 10-13 HCP
  2S 5+!s not 5/5 !cs or !hs
  2N 5+!s and 5+!cs or !hs
  3C  Diamonds F1
  3D Hearts F1
  3H Spades F1
  3S Clubs F1
  3N  Nat to play (Ed: Terrible, play as a good 4HS?)
  4CD Nat Preemptive
  4HS To play



* One Level Openings

5422 and 4441 may be treated as bal and open 1!C/1N (but not with x!S).  With 2245 specifically open 1!C and treat as balanced unless P bids a

minor naturally. With 4441  normally open 1!D unless the singleton is !D, when open 1!C.


** The 1!c opening

  Loca uses transfer responses to a 1!c opening, with 1!d being an artifical two way negative.

  1C---
  1D   4-5!cs, 5+ points or 0-5 points, no 6cM
  1H   ~5+ points, 4+ !Ss
  1S   Catchall?
  1N   6+!hs, ~5+ points
  2C   GF with 5+!ds
  2D   GF with !cs
  2HS  0-5~ with 6+ suit
  2N   5-5 !Hs & !Ds GF
  3C   7-9 points, (5-4) !cs & !ds (either way) NF
  3D   5!hs-5!cs GF
  3HS  balanced 10-12, no 4M, no 5m
  3N   balanced 10-12 with partial stops

  Sample 1!c openings


   S None 1
   S A9xx A9xx Axx Ax

   S None 2
   S A9 A9xx J AKxxxx


** The 1!d opening

  Showing 5+D (may be 4 if 4441 shape), 14+ points, normally unbalanced

  1D---
  1H   0+ pts 4+!hs, may have longer minor if weak.
  1S   0+ pts 4+!ss, may have longer minor if weak.
  1N   0-9, no 4 card major
  2C   GF with 4+!cs
  2D   inverted raise, 7+, f1, may include 4!h or 4!s if gf values
  2HS  6+suit, 0-5 pts
  2N   8-9 bal
  3C   8-9.5pts 6+!cs
  3D   0-6 pts, 4+D preemptive
  3HS  Splinter, unlimited
  3N   10-12 3334 or 3343 and good stops in CHS
  4CD  Splinter, unlimited


** The 1!h opening

  1H---
  1S   0+ pts 4+!ss, may be canape.
  1N   0-9, no 4 card major
  2C   GF with 4+!cs
  2D   GF with 4+!ds
  2H   3!hs 4-7 TPs
  2N   4+!hs, inv+ raise
  3CD  7-9 good suit, NF
  3H   5- TP, 4 card support, pre
  3S   Splinter, unlimited
  3N   Undefined
  4CD  Undefined


** The 1!s opening

  1S---
  1N   0-9, no 4 card major
  2C   GF with 4+!cs
  2D   GF with 4+!ds
  2H   GF with 4+!hs
  2S   3!hs 4-7 TPs
  2N   4+!ss, inv+ raise
  3CDH 7-9 good suit, NF
  3S   5- TP, 4 card support, pre
  3N   Undefined
  4CD  Undefined

** The 1NT Opening

You can always use your favour weak NT systems, but the need to open 5422 and 4441 hand shapes 1NT drives the need to provide the capability for

responder to differentate more hand types.

  1N---
  2C  Stayman
    2D No major
      2H Weak take out with both majors
      2S To play
      3C Weak TO
      3D DNE
      3H 5/5 !hs & !ss
      3S slam try in !ss
    2H 4+!hs may have 4!ss
      2S nf inv with 4!ss
      2N inv
      3C weak TO
      3D DNE
      3S slam try in !ss
    2S 4+!ss
    2N 4-4 majors, minimum
    3C 4-4 majors, maximum
  2red Transfer
  2S  Invitational or strong 2-3 suiter
  2N  Puppet Stayman

* Two level openings

** General Principles

  - Since opener is limited, responder can pass any bid, including conventional ones - eg 2C 2D 2N (showing min opening, no 4cM, 4-5Cs) might be

passed.
  - On 5-5 hands in the range, open 2N with Hs & minor, 2C with CD and max, 2H with HS max, otherwise better suit
  - Upgrade and downgrade frequently - particularly distributional 12 point hands with good intermediates and no wasted-looking values can often

open at the 1 level (basically subtract 3 abstract points and decide if you’d open it 1 of a suit in Acol), mediocre dist 9 or even 10 counts

(eg QJ83/K8432/4/K96) can sometimes be passed - or opened at 3 level, esp with all their points concentrated in the suit  - If a balanced 11

count or a 12 count that might not be excited by your 2 opening is likely to have a decent play for game, you have to choose carefully between 1

and 2 level openings (but keep in mind opposite a 1-level bid P will probably GF with as much as a 9 count. And don’t put too much stock in

upgrading because of major suit holdings - p can ask you about those without going past the 3 level, so with borderline hands that will play

well opposite a major fit, he should be inviting frequently)
  - After 2M openings, a feature ask and positive response commits opener to assume a GF - though obviously responder can theoretically pass.
  - After a feature ask, you show a major suit if you have one (strength comes later), or with min and a side minor, you show that as an alt

place to play at the 3 level. With max, opener doesn’t normally have room to show the minor unless he’s specifically asked about it by

responder.
  - Opener can never keycard ask. If he continues to cue to the 4N level, bidding 4NT is Turbo, showing an even number of keycards (4N is even,

for mnemonic and possibly theoretical purposes), bypassing it shows an odd number. After such a sequence, 5N by either bidder shows the trump

queen (odd number of N, odd number of trump Qs), bypassing denies it.
  - When the agreed suit is a minor, a non-jump 4NT by either side is Turbo.
  - On some occasions opener has 2 suits that have been indicated and responder might want to start cueing. When responder can bid one or both

of them at 4D or below (ie when they’re not the majors), the cheaper of the two sets the suit, anything else is a cue for the other suit. Where

neither is available so cheaply (eg you’ve reached 3S and have still been asking about length), 4C sets Hs, 4D sets Ss. Don’t know if this is a

real convention, but I’ll call it minor indicating major (mIM) for easy reference.
  - All this the system below is for 1st and 2nd seat openings only. For 3rd and 4th openings, 2 level openings basically deny interest in game

opposite anything but good support, and could be quite weak - basically you treat them like regular weak 2s (or regular intermediate 2s in 4th).

Any 2 level suit by responder is an attempt to correct part score. With invite and a fit he bids 2N and then what? - feature-showing responses

with max?  and what’s a max? or shortage at 3 level.
  - It’s rarely - I think never - possible to start cueing below 3N following a 2-level opening. If in doubt, 3M by either player is usually

natural.
  - Unlike regular preempts, opener can sometimes reenter the auction. In particular after 2a 2b P P, he should X aggressively.

** The 2!c Opener

 2!c shows 5+!cs unbalanced, without 5+ !hs or !ss, 9-13 points. Open with when max with 5-5 in the minors, or min with better !c suit.

 2C---
  2D   Inv+ feature ask
  2HS  Constructive NF
  2N   GF Feature Ask w/4+!ds
  3C   Preemptive
  3D   semi-GF with 6+ !hs
  3H   Semi-GF with 6+ !ss
  3S   Splinter
  3N   To Play
  4C   Preemptive
  4DHS Fit Jump


** The 2!d Opener

 2!d shows 5+!ds unbalanced, without 5+ !hs or !ss, 9-13 points.

 2D---
  2H   Inv+ feature ask
  2S  Constructive NF
  2N   GF Feature Ask w/4+!cs
  3C   inv+ w/6+!hs
  3D   Preemptive
  3H   Semi-GF with 6+ !ss
  3S   Splinter
  3N   To Play
  4CH   Splinter
  4D   Preemptive


** The 2!h Opener

 2!h shows 5+!hs unbalanced, without 5+!ss unless 6+!hs, 9-13 points.
 2H---
  2S   Inv+ feature ask
  2N   GF Feature Ask w/4+!cs
  3c   GF Feature Ask w/4+!ds
  3D   Inv+ with 6+ !ss
  3H   Preemptive
  3S   Splinter
  3N   To Play
  4CD   Splinter
  4H   To Play - may be a two way shot


** The 2!s Opener

 2!s shows 5+!ss unbalanced, or precisely 5422, 9-13 points.

 2S---
  2N   Inv+ feature ask
  3c   GF Feature Ask w/4+!cs
  3D   GF Feature Ask w/4+!ds
  3H   Natural 5+!hs
  3S   Preemptive
  3N   To Play
  4CDH Fit jump or slam try, F1

** The 2N Opener

2NT shows 5!ss and 5+!cs or 5+!hs, 9-13 points. Developed to take the pressure off the 2!s opener.

 2N---
  3c   Pass or correct
  3D   Forcing Inquiry
  3H   ??
  3S   Invitational Natural
  3N   To Play
  4CDH Fit jump or slam try, F1

* IGNORE EVERYTHING AFTER HERE



























  In this example we use transfer responses to the 1!c opening:

  #+BEGIN_SRC
  1C---
  1D   4-5!Hs, 5+ points or 0-5 points, no 6cM
  1H   ~5+ points, 4+ !Ss
  1S   Catchall?
  1N   6+!Hs, ~5+ points
  2C   GF with 5+!Ds
  2D   GF with !Cs
  2HS  0-5~ with 6+ suit
  2N   5-5 !Hs & !Ds GF
  3C   7-9 points, (5-4) !Cs & !Ds (either way) NF
  3D   5-5 Hs & Cs GF
  3HS  balanced 10-12, no 4cM, no 5cm
  3N   balanced 10-12 with partial stops
  #+END_SRC



** After a transfer

   This section has two asterisks, meaning it will be at level two
   (so its a subsection). You might also have noticed that the
   paragraphs, the sections and the bidtables are separated by a
   blank line? This is important in BML, as the blankline are used to
   separate elements.

   1C-1D;
   1H Minimum with 2--3!h
     1S 4+!h, 4!s, at most invitational
     1N Sign off
     2C Puppet to 2!d
       2D Forced
         2H Mildly invitational with 5!h
         2S Invitational, 5+!h and 4!s
         2N Strongly invitational with 5!h
         3m Invitational with 4!h and 5+ minor
         3H 6!h, about 11--12 hcp
     2D Artificial game force
     2H 6+!h, about 9--10 hcp
   1S 5+!c, 4+!s, unlimited
   1N 17--19 bal, 2--3!h
   2C 5+!c, unbal, 0--2!h, 0--3!s
   2D Reverse
   2H Minimum, 4!h
   2S 16+ hcp, 5+!c and 4+!h
     3D Retransfer
       3H
         3S Cue bid, slam interest
         4CD Cue bid, slam interest
         4H To play
     3H Invitational
     3S Splinter
     4CD Splinter
     4H To play
   2N 16+ hcp, 6+!c. 18+ if 3!h
     3C Suggestion to play
     3D Relay
       3H 3!h, 18+ hcp
     3H Game forcing with 6+!h
   3C 15--17 hcp, 6+!c and 3!h
     3D Retransfer
     3H Invitational
   3D 17--19 bal, 4!h
     3H To play
   3H 13--15 hcp, good hand, 5+!c and 4!h
     3N Asking for singleton

   This bidding table shows a couple of new features. The most
   prominent is the ability to add continuations directly in the
   table, by using whitespaces. We also see another example of
   appending bids to an existing sequence, by using 1C-1D; in the
   beginning. There's also the use of 3m, meaning both 3C and 3D.

* Defense to 1NT

  Defining bidding when both sides bid is a little bit more tricky,
  since you have to write all the bids (even passes). The opponents'
  bid are indicated by encapsulating them in parentheses. P is used
  for Pass, D for Double and R for Redouble.

  (1N)---
  #COPY nt_defense
  D   Strength, ca 15+
  2C  At least 5-4 majors
    (D)
      P  5+!c, suggestion to play
      R  Asking for better/longer major
      2D 5+!d, suggestion to play
    (P)
      2D Asking for better/longer major
  2D  A weak major or a strong minor
    (P)
      2H Pass/correct
      2S Pass/correct
      2N Asking
  2HS Constructive
  2N  5-5 minors
  3X  Preemptive
  #ENDCOPY

  Note that the above is only for a direct overcall over 1NT. To
  define the above also when balancing. We've used BML's
  copy/cut/paste functionality in order to showcase that you do not
  have to write it all over again. Take a look below (only visible in
  the /example.txt/ file, not in HTML, LaTeX or .pdf):

  #HIDE
  (1N)-P-(P)---
  #PASTE nt_defense

  First we used the =#COPY= command; the text between =#COPY= and =#ENDCOPY=
  got put into a sort of clipboard, with the tag nt_defense which we
  specified. To paste it into the bidding table above we used
  the =#PASTE= command. We also used the =#HIDE= option. When this is
  present in a bidding table the table will be exported to Full
  Disclosure, but not to HTML or LaTeX.

  You could also include other BML-files into your main file by using
  the =#INCLUDE= command. Just type =#INCLUDE <filename>= and the entire
  file will be inserted at the point where you wrote the command. This
  is a useful way to separate your system into modules, or perhaps
  just to make it more manageable.

  It is also possible to add continuations when the opponents
  interfere:

  1C-(1D)---
  D  4+!h
  1H 4+!s
  1S INV+ with 5+!d / Negative NT
  1N Game forcing, 5+!c or balanced
  2C 5+!c, 5--9 hcp
  2X 6+ suit, 4--8 hcp
  2N Invitational

* The 1NT opening

  Here's the reason why I left out the 1NT opening earlier: I will
  showcase how to make sequences dependant on vulnerability and
  seat. This will be a bit messy, so hold tight!

  #CUT nt_module
  2C  Stayman
    2D No major
    2N 4-4 majors, minimum
    3C 4-4 majors, maximum
  2red Transfer
  2S  Minor suit stayman
  2N  Invitational
  #ENDCUT

  We start by cutting our NT-module, since this will be used on all
  NT-openings. =#CUT= is similar to the =#COPY= command, but using =#CUT=
  means that it isn't parsed as a bidding table until it is pasted.

  #VUL N0

  The =#VUL= command is used to set the vulnerability. It takes an
  argument of two characters, each can be Y, N or 0. The first
  character asks if we are vulnerable and the second asks if our
  opponents are vulnerable. Y is for Yes, N is for No and 0 means that
  it doesn't matter.

  #SEAT 12

  The =#SEAT= command sets the seat in which the bid should be valid. 0
  means that the seat doesn't matter (all seats), 12 means first or
  second and 34 means third or fourth. 1--4 could also be used.

  #HIDE
  1N 12--14
    #PASTE nt_module

  So when we're not vulnerable we open 1NT 12--14 in 1st and 2nd seat.

  #SEAT 34

  #HIDE
  1N 14--16
    #PASTE nt_module

  But in third and fourth seat it is 14--16.

  #VUL Y0

  #SEAT 0

  #HIDE
  1N 14--16

  When we're vulnerable we always open 1NT 14--16.

  1N---
  #PASTE nt_module

  We've been using the =#HIDE= command, so we don't have to see our
  NT-system over and over again. This time tough we paste it
  normally, so that we see it at least once.

* Lists

  I'd like to show you how to make lists in BML. It is pretty
  simple:

  - Here's a list!
  - With a couple of
  - Items in it

  You could also make ordered lists:

  1. This is ordered
  2. Just add numbers
  3. To each item