[andy_h]

Let's say you open 1NT (You freely allow 5cM). Partner staymans and you bid your 4 or 5card major (only showing 4+). Partner now bids 3♣/3♦ showing 5+m 4oM GF (which I presume everything up to now is standard).

I'm interested in what style you now play by opener? Does opener bid the cheapest suit in which he has values in, or is his priority to show his 5th card major?

And also, what about over transfer auctions? Something like 1NT-2H; 2S-3C; 3D vs 3H

[blackshoe]

I would show the 5th card.

In your transfer auction, I play 3♣ as GF, possibly a mild slam invite. I would bid 3NT or 4♠, depending on my ♠ holding, to deny slam interest. 3 of a red suit would be a cue bid supporting spades and suggesting slam interest.

[mike777]

andy_h, on Sep 15 2008, 09:12 AM, said:

Let's say you open 1NT (You freely allow 5cM). Partner staymans and you bid your 4 or 5card major (only showing 4+). Partner now bids 3♣/3♦ showing 5+m 4oM GF (which I presume everything up to now is standard).

I'm interested in what style you now play by opener? Does opener bid the cheapest suit in which he has values in, or is his priority to show his 5th card major?

And also, what about over transfer auctions? Something like 1NT-2H; 2S-3C;  3D vs 3H

First off I disagree responder promises a 4 card major.


1nt=2c
2h=3c does not promise 4s. 3c is game force and natural.

now 3h just shows 5hearts.
now 3s just shows 4 spades
now 3d agrees clubs.....shows cue.


1nt=2c
2s=3c

now 3s shows 5 spades
now 3d or 3h agrees clubs. shows cue in bid suit.
----------------------------------------------------------

1nt=2h
2s=3c
now 3d or 3h by opener agrees clubs and cue for bid suit.
3s agrees spades.

[andy_h]

Sorry, I'm not particularly interested if responder can't have a 4cM when he bids stayman but I have listed the constraints.

There are upsides and downsides in prioritising the 5th major or probing for 3NT vs. 5m.
For example, these hands:

1)

---

VS.

---

1NT-2♣-2♥-3♦-?


2)

---

VS.

---

1NT-2♣-2♠-3♣-?

[mike777]

[awm]

I generally prioritize location of values. Rebidding the major generally shows weakness in the fourth suit. On the example hands:

1.a.

1NT - 2♣
2♥ - 3♦
3♥ - 4♥

The 3♥ bid shows weak clubs. The raise shows three-card support. With a weaker four-card heart suit opener could remove to diamonds.

1.b.

1NT - 2♣
2♥ - 3♦
3NT

The 3NT bid shows strong clubs. Note that while we "missed" a 5-3 heart fit here, we are quite likely to make 3NT. (needs heart finesse or club ace on or opener's LHO with both black aces). In fact 4♥ fails if hearts are king-fourth offside, so in fact 3NT might be a higher percentage contract.

2. a.

1NT - 2♣
2♠ - 3♣
3NT

Strong in both pointed suits. Note that we have a lot of wastage in diamonds if partner actually has three spades -- give partner one more small spade and one less small diamond and we'd still probably rather play 3NT than 4♠.

2. b.

1NT - 2♣
2♠ - 3♣
3♠ - 4♦
4♠

Now we have nothing in diamonds, so we rebid spades to show a strong holding. Partner's 4♦ is "fourth suit punt" asking us to pick a game (3NT would show diamond help, 4♣ would be a slam try there). Opener tries 4♠ on the strong five-carder.

------

I think the general point is that when opener has a strong holding like KJ9 or KQx or even AKx opposite a singleton, it will often be better to play the hand in 3NT even if a 5-3 major fit exists (because those ruffs in dummy aren't buying you all that much and you need one less trick in 3NT). So I'd emphasize trying to avoid "stopperless" 3NT contracts to play the occasional moysian rather than finding every single 5-3 fit.

[mr1303]

On the last hand I would open 1S, not 1NT. This hand is too much about spades to open 1NT.

If you are looking for something new for 1NT auctions, I would suggest you read the Klinger book "Bid better, much better after opening 1NT".

The auctions would proceed as follows:

1) 1NT 3S (game forcing hand with a singleton club)
4C (nothing wasted) 4D
4H P


2) 1NT 3S
4H P

3) 1NT 2C (puppet to 2D)
2D 2NT (GF shape enquiry)
3S (5 spades) 3NT
P

4) As said above, I would open this 1S, but if I open 1NT, I will probably play this in 3NT on the same auction as 3. I'm not down yet.