[ahydra]

rmnka447, on 2018-April-07, 14:28, said:

I'm with ggwhiz on this one. I like reversing with this hand, then jumping, if possible, in partner's suit. It should show a hand with ♣ shortness that is just too good to splinter.

Give responder something like ♠ KQxxx ♥ Qxx ♦ Qx ♣ xx and it's hard to move over a direct 4 S (or 4 H if you flip the majors). Neither will this hand move over a splinter which can be made on a decent 16-17. But after something like

1 ♦ - 1 ♠
2 ♥ - 2 ♠
4 ♠

responder will know opener's hand is either 4=3=5=1. 4=4=4=1, or 4=4=5=0 and very strong and might make a move.

How does responder know opener has 4 spades rather than 3? (3451 or 3460) That would make a difference in many cases where responder considers slam, as a 9-fit plays a lot better than an 8-fit.

IMHO, always support immediately with support. If not playing a system where I can show a strong 4441, I'd start with 1D and rebid 4C.

ahydra

[ggwhiz]

ahydra, on 2018-April-08, 19:48, said:

How does responder know opener has 4 spades rather than 3?

3 cards in spades passes 3nt, period.

[Tramticket]

I would splinter, We play that a jump to 4♥/4♠ specifically denies shortage.

I am not a fan of the 1♦ opening. I would open (in order of preference):
- 2♦ - if our muti includes strong 4441 hands.
- 2NT - I am prepared to treat as balanced. (Much less of a distortion than, for example, reversing with this shape).
- 1♥ - We play four-card majors and whilst I would normally open 1♦ with this shape, we are so strong that we can open 1♥ and cope with any response (if we get any).
- 1♦ - 4th choice!

[bluechip10]

Shortstop, on 2018-April-07, 06:27, said:

You hold Axxx
AKxx
AKxx
K

Assuming you don't open 2NT and you bid 1D and partner responds either 1H or 1S what is your rebid?

Thanks all

I used to play an opening of 2 diamonds to mean a 4-4-4-1 and 17-21 HCP. Responder bids 2 Hearts to ask for the singleton. Opener bids the suit below the stiff. Then responder calls the shots. If it is 1 diamond--1M, then I ask for aces. This hand is too good to settle for less than slam if one ace is present in partner's hand.

[Caitlynne]

4S.

This shows about 20 points, typically balanced or semi-balanced with 4 card support.

The power raise is superior to the 4C splinter rebid. With a stiff King, you don't want to encourage partner to devalue club holdings like Axx, AQx, Qxx, or QJx by showing shortness in that suit.

[rmnka447]

ahydra, on 2018-April-08, 19:48, said:

How does responder know opener has 4 spades rather than 3? (3451 or 3460) That would make a difference in many cases where responder considers slam, as a 9-fit plays a lot better than an 8-fit.

IMHO, always support immediately with support. If not playing a system where I can show a strong 4441, I'd start with 1D and rebid 4C.

ahydra

3 ♠ in this auction would show the 3=4=5=1 or 3=4=6=0 hands.