[Gerben42]

The only restriction is that you cannot use a relay system since that would be too easy. Anyway, it's MP, opponents are quiet and the hands are:

Scoring: MP

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[Echognome]

Gerben42, on Jul 19 2006, 10:26 AM, said:

The only restriction is that you cannot use a relay system since that would be too easy.

I'm not sure how easy it would be even in relay. If I pretend the North hand is a positive, I'm sure we get there. However, if I bid the North hand as a semi-positive then I find out North is 3=1=4=5 by 3♠ with around 6-8 hcp. It's the fact that all of North's points are working and there's nothing wasted in clubs that make the ♦ slam so good. I guess South might well check it out at imps, since 5♦ rates to be safe and then end up in 7 when he finds that North has nothing in clubs.

As far as natural systems go, I think the normal start is 2♣ - 2♦ - 2NT. Then playing Minor Suit Stayman (as I do), North can try 3♠ and hear 4♦. A 4♥ cue might get them to the diamond slam now.

[Gerben42]

Note that since it is Match Points, you will get some extras getting to 6♠ (1430) rather than 6♦+1 (1390). We got a head start on the field because we were playing my Fantunes system (was a local club game).

1♣ (13+ with ♣ ro 15+ bal.)
- 2♠ (8 - 10, 5+4+ minors)

We didn't get to the grand though (which was for the best since ♦ broke 5 - 0)

[FrancesHinden]

Playing my normal methods we would bid

2♣ 2♦
2NT 3♠
3NT 4♦

2NT = 23-24 bal
3S = to play in 3NT or club slam try
3NT = forced
4D = clubs and diamonds

and opposite a club/diamond slam try opener will go ballistic - grand slam force seems easiest at this point.

In fact, any method where responder shows both minors should get you there.

[cherdano]

Echognome, on Jul 19 2006, 12:40 PM, said:

Gerben42, on Jul 19 2006, 10:26 AM, said:

The only restriction is that you cannot use a relay system since that would be too easy.

I'm not sure how easy it would be even in relay. If I pretend the North hand is a positive, I'm sure we get there. However, if I bid the North hand as a semi-positive then I find out North is 3=1=4=5 by 3♠ with around 6-8 hcp. It's the fact that all of North's points are working and there's nothing wasted in clubs that make the ♦ slam so good. I guess South might well check it out at imps, since 5♦ rates to be safe and then end up in 7 when he finds that North has nothing in clubs.

I think bidding 3N at this point in IMPS would be suicidal. You can easily go down in 3N and have 6D cold. (xxx x QJxx QJxxx or xxx x AJxx JTxxx)

Playing ETM structure, the bidding would start 2C-2D-2N-3S-3N-4D (minor suit smolen). Now opener has a great hand, and will cue 4H. Still I expect to end in 6D.

Arend

[inquiry]

Perfect fit, difficult auction as no way to find the diamond jack.

2♦ - 2♥
2NT- 3♠
3NT - 4♦
4♥ - 4♠
5♥ - 6♦
7♦ Speulative

2D = multi
2H = pass/correct
2N = balanced (22)23=24
3S = transfer to 3NT
4D = minor suit smolen, slam try 4D, 5C
4H = RKCB two suit agreement
4S = 1 or 4 keycards
5H = queen ask
6C = diamond queen (5S = none, 5N = lower Q, 6C = higher, 6D = both)
7D = AKQ of spades, A hearts takes care of none club winners, has to worry about two ruffs of clubs and possible overruff. But if partner doesn't ahve diamond jack, and if clubs are not 3-3, the T8 of diamonds still gives you chance to ruff twice safely without having to use the diamond ACE. Frequency feels like better than 50% (partner could have DJ, clubs could be 3-3, hand with 4 clubs could be your Lho so you could ruff safely.

[Wackojack]

Unusually I can come up with something playing:
Paradox responses to 2c
Minor suit responses to 2nt:
6-carder 4m
5-carder 3m then 4 of minor over any response
5-4 bid 3s transfer to 3NT, then bid 5-card minor
5-5 bid 3s transfer to 3NT, then bid sing

Thus:
2c - 2h (no trick for hearts possible trick for spades)
2nt(22-23) 3s (relay to 3nt)
3nt 4c (5 clubs 4 diamonds)
4d 4h(must be singleton since trick for hearts denied)
4nt 5d (1kc)
5h (Qd?) 7d (yes)

responder is known to have 3145 distribution and at worst xxx,x,AQxx,xxxxx. Even this has some chance.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

we wont reach the grant.

2C (1) - 2D (2)
2NT(3) - 3S (4)
4D (5) - 4H (6)
4NT(7) - 5D (7)
5H (7) - 6D (8)
Pass(9)
(1) semi forcing, 22-23 bal.
(2) relay
(3) 22-23, bal.
(4) both minor with slam interest
(5) fit
(6) cue (shortage)
(7) RKCB, 1 or 4, Queen Ask
(8) Queen not clear, since no side king
(9) 7D is an option

With kind regards
Matlowe

[kenrexford]

If pet conventions are allowed, how about this. In response to a 2♣ opening, I like 2D as GF and waiting, 2♥ double neg., three of a minor as a flag for a major positive (3C=pos.H, 3D=pos.S), and 2S as an immediate minor slam probe (relaying to 2NT, a relay that can be rejected by Opener for good cause shown).

Thus, the auction starts 2C-P-2S-P-2NT, because Opener has a balanced hand and interest in that minor probe. In my techniques, Responder now bids 3H, showing 3145/3154 or 5-5 in the minors, always short in hearts. This is HUGE for Opener, with Axx in hearts and a great diamond fit.

As 3S by Opener would seek a possible 5-3 spade fit, Opener cannot cue 3S. He could underbid 4D, a tactical blunder probably. Better is simply 4H, RKCB for diamonds if using Redwood, or 4S if using Flag RKCB.

[bid_em_up]

kenrexford, on Jul 19 2006, 07:22 AM, said:

If pet conventions are allowed, how about this. In response to a 2♣ opening, I like 2D as GF and waiting, 2♥ double neg., three of a minor as a flag for a major positive (3C=pos.H, 3D=pos.S), and 2S as an immediate minor slam probe (relaying to 2NT, a relay that can be rejected by Opener for good cause shown).

Thus, the auction starts 2C-P-2S-P-2NT, because Opener has a balanced hand and interest in that minor probe. In my techniques, Responder now bids 3H, showing 3145/3154 or 5-5 in the minors, always short in hearts. This is HUGE for Opener, with Axx in hearts and a great diamond fit.

As 3S by Opener would seek a possible 5-3 spade fit, Opener cannot cue 3S. He could underbid 4D, a tactical blunder probably. Better is simply 4H, RKCB for diamonds if using Redwood, or 4S if using Flag RKCB.

Hmmmm, I kinda like this.

[SoTired]

kenrexford, on Jul 19 2006, 07:22 AM, said:

If pet conventions are allowed, how about this. In response to a 2♣ opening, I like 2D as GF and waiting, 2♥ double neg., three of a minor as a flag for a major positive (3C=pos.H, 3D=pos.S), and 2S as an immediate minor slam probe (relaying to 2NT, a relay that can be rejected by Opener for good cause shown).

I used to play 2H response is super negative. Now my preference is 2D waiting on almost all hands. If opener is unbalanced, responder's pitiful suits are usually worthless to the 2C opener. If opener is balanced, responder will get a chance to show them later. Keep it cheap. But the main reason I prefer 2D waiting is Kokish. Kokish allows opener to show a wide range of hands. Here is how I play Kokish:

2N opening (or multi-2D and then 2N) = 20-21
3N opening = Gambling, no outside ace or king
1m then 3N = Gambling, an outside ace or king or 2, 7.5 to 8 tricks
2C 2D
2N = 22-24
3M = sets trump, GF, demands q-bid
3N = Gambling, 8.5 to 9 tricks, honors in at least 2 outside suits
2H is relay to 2S (Kokish)
2S is natural, 3C = super neg, if opener rebids 3S, responder may pass w/o support
2C 2D 2H 2S
2N = 25-27 (or more)
3m = GF, hearts are real
3H = hearts are real, responder may pass if busted w/o support
3N = Gambling, 9.5 to 10 tricks
So for all balanced 20+ hands, we bid 2N and have stayman, transfers, etc.

[kenrexford]

On Kokish, I have another pet convention that I call, "Jim Batchelder Made Me Mad."

The origin of the name was an auction by my friend Jim Batchelder where his partern bid 2S in response to his Kokish 2H. I had already asked what 2H was. When I then asked about 2S, Jim called me an idiot (somewhat tongue in cheek).

So, I decided that there had to be other responses to the 2H relay, beyond the "forced" 2S. Here are the "Jim Batchelder Made Me Mad" alternatives:

3C/3D/3H/3S = 4441, bidding the stiff
2NT = 6 spades, but poor quality (not sufficient for a positive response)
3NT = 5 spades, four hearts

I have no idea if this makes sense, but Jim Batchelder made me mad.

[Cascade]

Gerben42, on Jul 19 2006, 10:26 PM, said:

The only restriction is that you cannot use a relay system since that would be too easy. Anyway, it's MP, opponents are quiet and the hands are:

Dealer: South Vul: Both Scoring: MP

♠ J83 ♥ 5 ♦ AQJ5 ♣ 98732 ♠ AKQ4 ♥ A82 ♦ KT83 ♣ AK

2♣ 2♦ Strong - waiting
2NT 3♣ 23-24 Bal - Puppet Stayman
3♦ 4♣ no five-card major not 2-3 or worse in Majors - Natural
4♦ 4♥ Natural - RKCB (kickback)
4NT 5♥ 1 or 4 key-cards - Any kings (guarantees the diamond queen)
5♠ 5NT spade king - anything else?
6♣ 6♦ club king - to play but having made a grandslam try
7♦ spade queen working and doubleton extra

[mila85]

Do you all bid over 3nt when partner showed 23-24 bal in MP?

[Cascade]

mila85, on Jul 22 2006, 03:39 AM, said:

Do you all bid over 3nt when partner showed 23-24 bal in MP?

We can get (safely) back to 4NT so yes with 8 hcp and partner having 23-24 I would always investigate slam in a minor with some distribution. I might even investigate with slightly less with nice cards - say an Ace and a King in my long suits.

[joshs]

Gerben42, on Jul 19 2006, 05:26 AM, said:

The only restriction is that you cannot use a relay system since that would be too easy. Anyway, it's MP, opponents are quiet and the hands are:

Scoring: MP

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2C-2D-2N-3S(mss)-4D-4H(shortage, slam interest)-4N(keycard)-5D(1/4)-5H(trump Q?)-5N(yes, but no side kings)-7D(should be a decent spot)