The principle of Maximum Flexibility (or "Maxi-Flex")
is simple enough: when faced with two or more equally
attractive or unattractive options, choose the
CHEAPER/CHEAPEST alternative. This preserves for
partner the room to make any necessary corrective action.
S- KJxx H- KJxx D- KJxx C- x
Playing SAYC, you open 1D and partner responds 2C.
You now have the choice of three "lies" to tell partner:
1. 2D - 5+Diamonds and a 4-card major OR 6+Ds, 1-suited.
2. 2H or 2S - A reverse, 16+ points, a 4-card suit & 5+Ds.
3. 2NT - 13-14 FLAT, thereby promising 2 or more Clubs.
Of these 3 alternatives, 2D is clearly the most
versatile "lie". It allows partner room to bid a 4-card
holding in EITHER major (which you would then raise to
the 3-level), to rebid in No Trump OR to rebid the Club
suit.
Maxi-Flex comes up very often.
S- KJxx H- Axxxx D- AKx C- x
Over a natural 1C opening we have several options
here: 1H, a Michaels 2C (if the pair will allow 4-5's)
and a double. The double is best, since not only does
it not bury one or both of the pointed suits (i.e. Spades
and/or Diamonds) but it also allows partner to PASS for
penalty when appropriate.
We Maxi-Flex advocates consider it so fundamental
to good bidding that we teach it to students as soon as
they know the rank of the suits -- and we wait that long
only so that the student will understand what
"cheaper/cheapest" suit means! :)
