A first for DipBridge: two blogs in one day!
Fleshing out the weak range opening bids (excluding, for the present, 2NT and higher pre-emptive openings) allows me now to do a fairly accurate (subject to my programming errors and therefore subject to revision) analysis of the frequency of opening bids. Thomas Andrews deal programme has been invaluable thus far for this purpose.
Here is the output, based on 1,000,000 deals, for DIP 1st/2nd seat as currently described.
Pass percentage = 42.16
1C percentage = 11.48
1D percentage = 12.98
1H percentage = 11.22
1S percentage = 2.75
1NT percentage = 4.44
2C percentage = 2.39
2D percentage = 4.83
2H percentage = 5.78
2S percentage = 1.96
Total percentage = 100.00
Having done that, I then looked at the effect of shading the opening requirements for all bids by 1 fpc (i.e. playing a 14+ “Strong” 1C and a 9.0 to 13.8 fpc intermediate range. The figures change to those below
Pass = 34.03%
1C = 16.79%
1D = 14.52%
1H = 12.39%
1S = 3.05%
1NT = 5.33%
2C = 2.62%
2D = 4.33%
2H = 5.16%
2S = 1.78%
Total = 100.00%
I actually prefer this balance, so for those jurisdictions which allow it, for anyone fancying playing DIP, I recommend switching to to the above ranges. Dropping a further point down (a 13+ “Strong” 1C) makes too many hands open 1C, in my opinion, so I wouldn’t recommend it. If you do switch to a 14+ 1C base, I would also suggest upping your 3rd/4th seat openings by 1 fpc, i.e. an 18+ 1C base. You can probably follow the logic of this if you think about it a bit.
I also checked the other way: adding 1 fpc to all the openings and making a 16+ 1C base. I am aware of jurisdictions who won’t allow a 15+ 1C. It produces the following figures
Pass = 50.82%
1C = 7.41%
1D = 11.06%
1H = 9.44%
1S = 2.27%
1NT = 3.65%
2C = 1.98%
2D = 5.16%
2H = 6.11%
2S = 2.09%
Total = 100.00%
It’s not aggressive enough for my liking: too many hands passing, and even the ones that open are not very obstructive. I’m sure the method would function fine, but I wouldn’t play this range if I didn’t have to. Also, if you do go to a 16+ 1C, don’t change the strong and intermediate ranges in 3rd/4th seat. Same logic as above.
Regards, DipBridge
