Maggie 2♣
Unlike 1♥-1NT, 1♠-1NT my conceal a heart fit. Finding a 3-5 fitted 4♥ after 1♠-1NT is pretty challenging. Bart is a convention after forcing 1NT that tries to tackle heart invitation. Lisa, Bart’s smarter sister, is an improvement of Bart. Maggie, the youngest Simpson, solves this problem at 1♠-2♣ instead.
Given a natural 2/1 bidding system, 1♠-2♣-2♦♥ are underused. These steps are a better place for a convention than inside the crowded 1♠-1NT.
| 1♠-2♣- | NAT FG or INV 5–6♥ |
|---|---|
| 2♦! | MIN (R), 12–14, 0–3♥ |
| 2♥! | MIN P/C, 12–13, 2–3♥ |
| 2♠! | FG, MIN 4+♥ |
| 2NT! | MAX, 3-4♥ |
| 3♣ | MAX, 4+♣, 0–2♥ |
| 3♦ | MAX, 5+♦, 0–2♥ |
| 3♥ | MAX, 5+♥ |
| 3♠ | MAX, 6+♠, 0–2♥ |
| 3NT | MAX, 5=♠︎, 1–2♥, 3–4♦, 2–3♣ |
| 4♣! | MIN FRAG, 0–1♦, 3+♥, 4+♣ |
| 4♦! | MAX SPL, 0–1♦, 3+♥, 4+♣ |
- 2♥: To play for an invitation.
- 2♦: Not to play 2♥ for an invitation:
- 13–14 that wants to play a game
- 12–13 that wants to sign off at 2-level
| 1♠-2♣-2♦- | MIN (R) |
|---|---|
| 2♥ | NF S/P, 6=♥ or 0–1♠ |
| 2♠ | NF S/P, 2+♠ |
| 2NT+ | NAT FG |
| 1♠-2♣-2♥- | MIN P/C |
|---|---|
| 2♠ | NF, 3=♠ |
| 2NT+ | NAT FG |
Compared with the default 1♠-2♣-2♠ in 2/1, Maggie occupies no more space. Non-forcing sequences only take space up to 2♠.