[luis]

Hi, I want to introduce a convention deviced by Jeff Rubens called TSAR (third suit alternative relay) and described here: http://www.bridgeworld.com/default.asp?d=e...ica&f=TSAR.html
The idea is to have a good understanding with your pd after the auction starts 1m-1M; 2m
This is a very frequent and popular problem that is not well handled in SAYC and 2/1. My simplification of TSAR is called STSAR (Simplified TSAR).

Responder rebids after 1m-1M;2m are:

2M = Signoff with 5+ cards in the major and a weak hand.
3M = INV with 5+ hands in the major
2N = INV missfit in the minor. Opener can pass or show stoppers or bid 3m.
3m = Quasi-forcing game with fit in the minor. Forcing up to 3NT or 4m. Show stoppers now.
New suit: INV and natural (non-forcing but invitational)
Relay: Forcing to game

After the forcing to game relay opener bids:
2NT = 6322 or ?-?-6-4
then 3c= relay: 3d=3om; 3h=3h; 3s=3s; 3nt=?-?-6-4
3c = 6331 or 7330
then 3d= relay: 3h=short h; 3s=short s; 3n=short om
then relay = ask if shortage is singleton or void
1st step = singleton; 2nd step = void
3d ,3h, 3s = 7+ diammonds and 3 cards in OM/h/s
3nt = 7222
4m = 8+ cards in diammonds and no 3 card suit 8221 or any freakish

After 1c-1h;2c the 2d relay allows 2h and 2s but to make what you have to remember simple we just don't use those bids and start responses to the GF relay always in 2NT. Partnerships with good memory are invited to take profit from the bidding space available and move the responses 1 or 2 levels down if they want so 2h is a 2nt response 2 steps below etc....

As you can see there's not a lot to remember and what you have to remember is very intuitive and it can improve your bidding a lot. It solves a lot of problems.

Hope you like it.
Luis.

[sdebois]

Playing SAYC, isn't it possible for opener to have some 5-4 hands that can't reverse? Case in point:

Jxx
AQxx
x
KQxxx

1D - 1S - 2D - 2H* - ?

[luis]

I guess you can bid 2 spades with that hand.
If you rebid 2c then treat the hand as a 6-4 hand.

[inquiry]

I also raise to 2S with the hand in question.

Luis, the STSAR is certainly easy to use. I have toyed with it a little bid on hands that I had trouble with in the real world. The only problem with TSAR, STAR, borke relay (or is it bourke?) is finding a partner who will play it. It is a lot like BART and anti-BART... i like them, but hardly ever get a chance to play them.

Ben

[luis]

I like Bart a lot too but if you ever ask online any player, even those "I play any gadget" guys about BART the usual response is "Yes, I'm playing but I'm not Bart"

This approach by Jeff Rubens was also tested by me in every single hand I was asked for advice after 1m-1M;2m and it does work.

How does anti-bart work Ben?

If anyone is interested in TSAR and Bart and ends up playing online with me just let me know and I'll play these gadgets.
TSAR has two nice characteristics for a convention it is easy to play and it does happen a lot of times in a normal session.

[inquiry]

anti-bart extends BART like responses to the auction...

1H-1NT
2C

(bart of course is after 1S-1N-2C). I posted the essence of anti-bart in a thread by yzerman (he hasn't posted here in months) dealing with BART. The link is this.
http://forums.bridgebase.com/in...msg1293#msg1293

I just did a websearch and found a document describing antibart by a fellow Washingon DC player. The link is...
members.pangeatech.com/jsher/Anti-Bart%20try%203.doc

(this is a word document)

Playing bart, antibart, and STzar as a package might make (force) you to remember them as all these forcing bids sound a lot alike in the auction.

[lifemonster]

Hi Luis:
in this system, what specifically is
1D 1S
2D 2H
2S

We play Reversal Flannery, therefore 2H is game forcing relay.

Also, how often you raise to 2S with 3 spades and 6 diamonds after 1D-1S? (or instead rebidding 2D?)

Thanks.

Sam

[luis]

lifemonster, on May 3 2004, 03:22 AM, said:

Hi Luis:
in this system, what specifically is
1D 1S
2D 2H
2S

We play Reversal Flannery, therefore 2H is game forcing relay.

Also, how often you raise to 2S with 3 spades and 6 diamonds after 1D-1S? (or instead rebidding 2D?)

Thanks.

Sam

In simplified TSAR the sequence 1d-1s;2d-2h;2s is undefined left to partnership agreement. With 6322 and 3 spades you should bid 2NT and then clarify the 3 card suit if pd relays with 3c.

About raising with 3 cards in the major I'd never do that but I know that many good players do it.

[lifemonster]

What do you think the auction should be under STSAR, LH as the opener:

---

[luis]

lifemonster, on May 3 2004, 09:50 PM, said:

What do you think the auction should be under STSAR, LH as the opener:

Dealer: ????? Vul: ???? Scoring: Unknown

♠ x ♥ QJ ♦ Axxx ♣ AQJxxx ♠ xxx ♥ AKT9xx ♦ xx ♣ Kx

1c - 1h
2c - 2s
2n - 3c
3n

4c (singleton?)
4h(s) 4s (last train)
6c pass

[inquiry]

[quote name='luis' date='May 4 2004, 08:08 AM'] [quote name='lifemonster' date='May 3 2004, 09:50 PM'] What do you think the auction should be under STSAR, LH as the opener:

---

[QUOTE]
1c - 1h
2c - 2s
2n - 3c
3n

4c (singleton?)
4h(s) 4s (last train)
6c pass [/quote]
I realize that the bidding shows opener with 1-2-4-6 or perhaps 1-2-3-7 (can it?), but what made EAST decide his 10hcp was worth inviting slam? Sure no wasted vailue in [sp], but how does EAST know that his hand will be worth anything. If [he] don't run, this hand is a blizzard. And opposite the actual hand, 6[he] is even better. In fact, due to the entry conditions to south, any hand that makes 6[cl] probably makes 6[he] as well.

I have to admit, although I play Tsar and STsar my bidding would have been different. Mine would have been different. Noting the quality of my [he] suit, I would have probably bid an invitational 3[he] over 2[cl], or noting the nice fit with [cl];s, I might have bid the quasi game force 3[cl].

I guess over 3[he], we at least find [he], and have a fair chance of finding six hearts. Over 3[cl], opposite this monster (for the 2[cl] rebid, at least game will be bid, and slam is not out of the question still.

On the other hand, there is no arguing with the success of your auction.

Ben

[BrianEDuran]

Hi all

I play an agreement we call TSNM - Third Suit New Minor Forcing. Which is similiar to TSAR, except it always the minor that is forcing. So 1D-1M; 2D-3C! is NMF like, and 1m-1M; 2m-3m is still quasse-forcing.

The advantage of TSAR, assuming I have it right, is the auction 1D-1S, 2D-2H can be to play. While in TSAR its the artificial bid. In IMPS maybe this isn't a big deal, but in MP I think playing in your 7 card major fit often wins.

As mentioned by others it hardly comes up, and is most likely not worth the brain space. Do people know of another name for this agreement? Anyone see a major problem with it?

Thanks
Brian

[lifemonster]

Hi Brian,
I think it's much better idea to play Reverse Flannery, ie,
after 1 minor opening,
2H=at least 5S and 4H, signoff range;
2S=at least 5S and 4H, intermediate range;

It would simplify the TSAR auction as well. That way, you don't have to worry about 1m-1S-2m-2H, it is GF.