Strong Club System - Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths and Weaknesses

There are two generally acknowledged strengths of the strong club systems:

1. accuracy in uncontested slam-strength auctions, because the bidding starts at such a low level when opener has a fairly strong hand.
2. the fact that all other opening bids have their strength capped by the strong club means more accurate judgment and scope for tactical operation both in constructive and competitive bidding.

The generally acknowledged weakness of such systems is the fact that the opponents can aggressively overcall the 1♣ bid to deprive the stronger opponents of their bidding room, and that the loss of the 1♣ opening bid often causes strain on other opening bids, most often 1♦ and 2♣.