Precision Club - Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advocates of Precision say that it is generally more efficient (and precise, as the name would suggest) than systems such as Standard American. Because all opening bids except 1♣ are limited, the responder almost immediately knows the hand potential and the chances for a part score, game or slam.

Critics of Precision bidding, question the wisdom of combining a strong club with 5 card majors. This causes certain hand shapes to bid awkwardly, and a high percentage of hands are opened with one diamond, including in some cases hands with only a doubleton diamond. Howard Schenken wrote in Big Club, "This is so absurd that I wish to go on record in stating that the Big Club cannot be played with any hope of success if you attempt to use it by bidding only 5-card majors." Bob Hamman was quoted as saying, "My opinion on Precision is that combining five-card majors with a forcing club is like trying to mix oil and water, and it has serious structural defects…"

Some players have abandoned Precision in favour of a Strong Diamond System that swaps the strong 1♣ and weaker 1♦ openings. This gives the commoner weaker opening more room to bid.