[VixTD]

In some partnerships I play a multi-2♦ as showing a weak two in a major, a strong two in a minor, or a balanced 20-22 count. The most common difficulty we have with it is when partner has a weak hand with both majors and wants to increase the level of pre-emption, but then risks pre-empting partner when they have one of the strong hand-types. A recent example was a fourth-hand multi, which is perhaps a separate case, but the problem occurs in all seats:

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Matchpoint pairs, NS vul:

P - P - P - 2♦
P - ?

It's likely that partner has a strong hand, but could just about have an intermediate two in a major. Do you ignore the possibility and bid 2♥ to see what rebid you get?

In general what do you do with a 4=4-(3-2) shape with < 4 points when partner opens a multi in any position?

("The Mysterious Multi" claims be the comprehensive guide to the convention, but offers no help in this case.)

[Tramticket]

In my world:
- a fourth seat multi is always strong. I generally bid 2 ♥ to allow partner to clarify.
- a third seat multi, followed by a pass by RHO is often strong. I am careful about raising the pre-emption.

In general, we use a 4♦ response to show 4-4 in the majors.

I'm not particularly keen on including the "strong two in a minor" option.

[NickRW]

VixTD, on 2017-June-12, 06:59, said:

It's likely that partner has a strong hand, but could just about have an intermediate two in a major. Do you ignore the possibility and bid 2♥ to see what rebid you get?

Yes.

[The_Badger]

VixTD, on 2017-June-12, 06:59, said:

In general what do you do with a 4=4-(3-2) shape with < 4 points when partner opens a multi in any position?

Forget about bouncing the opponents out of the bidding and concentrate on your own bidding, so 2 ♥. Once in a while you will get a hand where pre-emption is correct, but more often than not you will make things difficult for partner.

I played the Multi for years. Personally I don't like having a strong minor as an option. It's too Benjaminised Acol(ish) and I don't like Benjaminised Acol either. (Just my opinion.)

[steve2005]

Tramticket, on 2017-June-12, 07:10, said:

In my world:
- a fourth seat multi is always strong. I generally bid 2 ♥ to allow partner to clarify.

Yes partner has to be strong. To play 2♦ as possibly being an intermediate 2M in my opinion is pretty close to unplayable. A natural 2M could be played as intermediate.

[Cyberyeti]

A partner of mine said that 5-9 with 44(32) shape (ie values for 3N opposite strong balanced) responds 3N and partner knows what to do now.

By a passed hand, you could respond 2N with 0-4 44 I suppose.

[VixTD]

The_Badger, on 2017-June-12, 13:40, said:

I played the Multi for years. Personally I don't like having a strong minor as an option. It's too Benjaminised Acol(ish) and I don't like Benjaminised Acol either. (Just my opinion.)

No, that's my opinion as well, but it was my partner's idea, and I can't always have my way.

[VixTD]

Tramticket, on 2017-June-12, 07:10, said:

In my world:
- a fourth seat multi is always strong. I generally bid 2 ♥ to allow partner to clarify.
- a third seat multi, followed by a pass by RHO is often strong. I am careful about raising the pre-emption.

In general, we use a 4♦ response to show 4-4 in the majors.

I'm not particularly keen on including the "strong two in a minor" option.

I'd not come across this use of a 4♦ response before, but it did occur to me as I was thinking about the problem.

I agree about the strong minors. Thanks to all for the advice.

[gwnn]

There were some suggestions about
3M=3M4oM
3NT=4-4
4C=5-4
4D=4-5
(all of it with 5-9 ish as mentioned before)

if I recall correctly​. IMO it's a bit too specific and you'll get by with something much less detailed.

[msjennifer]

Always 2Heart. But I hate multi 2D opening.We found that 2D weak is of no use as a preempt.I like to use it to show any 4441 hand with 17 to 24 HCP.( The Blue Club bid) .With my regular partner I play 2D Flannery.The given hand is not good enough to respond 2S.
I do not like the idea to include a strong minor hand in the multi 2D.More confusion for ourselves than the opponents.

[nekthen]

2N is a relay it cannot be passed, but to show a strong minor most play that you must bid at the 4 level to show the strong club option. We do not need to preempt opps when opening in 4th seat so 2♥ seems logical.

[Vampyr]

Play a weak-only Multi. It is far more dangerous.

[Stefan_O]

someone said:

We found that 2D weak is of no use as a preempt.

Very flawed conclusion, IMV.

Try construct a good defence against Multi-2D,
then test it on a series of random deals where opps open 2D and your side has more than half the hcps,
and you see how often the defence becomes difficult and requires really good guess-work to come out right.

Even trickier the defence becomes, if you have no strong option in 2D (only weak major) so you can no longer trust opps to keep bidding over 2D...

[msjennifer]

Stefan_O, on 2017-June-13, 16:46, said:

Very flawed conclusion, IMV.

Try construct a good defence against Multi-2D,
then test it on a series of random deals where opps open 2D and your side has more than half the hcps,
and you see how often the defence becomes difficult and requires really good guess-work to come out right.

Even trickier the defence becomes, if you have no strong option in 2D (only weak major) so you can no longer trust opps to keep bidding over 2D...

A series of two articles titled"countering the multi 2D" were published in the Bridge World magazine written by 'Eric Crowhurst way back in 1982 "(and that is ten years before I was born).We use the same with addition of lebensohl .and a modification or two.These articles were handed down to me by my father and we have found them to be very useful.Hence,I partially agree to disagree.After LHO in first seat opened 2D ,his partner doubled for take out,RHO bid 2HeartsPass or correct).My father bid 3D,natural and 10 plus to comfortably reach 5D which he made very easily.I do expect the opponents,who play regularly ,to have defence to weak multi 2D.! In my short long run in Bridge ,I have experienced this and hence the comments.Thx.

[Zelandakh]

gwnn, on 2017-June-13, 07:18, said:

3NT=4-4
4C=5-4
4D=4-5

It is usually the other way around, with 4♣ = 4♠5+♥ and 4♦ = 5+♠4♥. This is what Chris Ryall has at his site as his system. It is specifically designed to help Opener make a good decision if they have a strong hand type. As others have already pointed out though, it is unusual to play a normal multi in 4th seat. Does "The Mysterious Multi" really suggest doing so?