[hrothgar]

Sorry to resurrect this topic (I'm sure that its been discussed before, but I don't seem to have had any success searching for it on the forums. I even tried search on the last 20 odd pages of postings that Frances made since I'm pretty sure that she had something useful to say on this)

Assume that you are playing 2/1 GF and inverted minors:

What are your agreements following the auction

1♣ - (P) - 2♣ - (P) and
1♦ - (P) - 2♦ - (P)

I am particular interested in structures that use a step response to show balanced minimums (potentially with some strong hand types)

Thanks in advance

[goodwintr]

Hi, Richard.

A method I used to find effective after 1m - 2m (inverted) was clarity itself: if opener wouldn't have accepted an old-fashioned invitational (limit) 1m - 3m raise, then he bids 3m right now over 1m - 2m (forcing); and 1m - 2m - 3m (right now) is the only non-forcing sequence. If responder bids over 3m, that is a game force, too.

Thus, opener rebids 3m, not 2NT, with a weak-notrump type. 1m - 2m - 2NT (and anything else) becomes a game force. You could put in various bells and whistles (second-round splinters, asking bids, whatever), but the important thing (especially for a partnership that doesn't get to play every day) is to establish the foundation.

If bidding 1m - 2m - 3m on a weak-notrump hand is counter-intuitive, consider what happens in a method where 1m - 2m - 2NT shows this hand: if responder isn't bidding toward game, he probably signs off by returning to 3m rather than by passing 2NT, because he probably has an unbalanced hand.

TLG

[kenrexford]

When I am playing inverted minors (not my preference, but sometimes partners have their own preferences, and I always cater to partner's preferences), then I like the structure I have been using recently, although I have little experience with it to pronounce merits.

After 1♦-P-2♦-P-?:

Opener's 2NT is GF and natural.
Opener's new major is semi-natural (especially 2♥, if "especially" makes sense) and might initiate a sequence where a stop at 3♦ will occur.
Opener's 3M is a splinter and sound.
Opener's 3♣ is strange, either (five) clubs or shortness in clubs, GF. 3♦ asks. Opener bids 3♥ with 5-5 minors or 3♠ if splinter. After 3♥, 3NT asks for the shortness, and "how short." Flag stiff (4♣=♥, 4♦=♠) or bid 3NT with a void. After 3NT with a void, Responder can set trumps (4♣/4♦), allowing Opener to bid 4♥ (RKCB with a heart void), 4♠ (RKCB with a spade void), or possibly 4♦/4♣ as a cheaper spade-void RKCB, all of course Exclusion.

After clubs raised, no need for the two-way diamond bid, because a diamond bid is not preempted.

---------------------------------------------------------------

My preference, of course, is for 1♣-P-2♣ to be artificial, with (1) GF and no 5-card major, not promising a single club, or (2) limit club raise; modified Golady. 1♦-P-2♣ would be GF and artificial (never a limit raise), such that 1♦-P-2♦ would be "constructive," meaning about 8+ to just under GF, with support.

[gwnn]

http://forums.bridge...showtopic=22905

I camouflaged it so that it be hard to find.

[fred]

Here is what I use for 1C-2C (limit or better, forcing to 3C). 1D-2D is similar.

2D - Artificial. Either minimum with a singleton/void or GF with any 4441 pattern
2H - Artificial. Balanced hand not suitable for bidding notrump immediately
2S - Artificial. 5+ clubs with no shortness and game-forcing values
2N - Natural and forcing. Balanced hand suitable for bidding notrump. Could be 18-19 but see 3NT below.
3C - Natural and non-forcing. 5+ clubs, no shortness, minimum values
3D/3H/3S - Game force with shortness in the suit bid and 5+ clubs (ie not 4441).
3N - 18-19 with 4333 or 3433
4C - RKCB
4D/4H/4S - Exclusion RKCB

We have complex agreements about what happens after most of these bids as well. I don't have time to explain the details right now, but if people are interested I will likely be willing to do so later.

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[paulg]

Garozzo's Ambra has a fairly full set of agreements. Available from Dan's system page.

Paul