[kenrexford]

♠A ♥AKxxx ♦AKxxx ♣Ax

This hand was the source of what I believed to be an interesting discussion. So, I thought I'd share.

Situation #1: 3♠ Opening by RHO.

What call? If you opt X, what follow-up shows this, and when would you move to describe? If opt 4♠, what are partner's options, and what do you do in these events? Is there a third option?

My thoughts:

Spoiler

4♠ is practical. If partner bids 4NT, this asks for the minor and implies either equal interest or club preference. If he bids 5♣ instead, this implies either equal lack of interest or possibly diamond-only interest. Partner, who held Qxxxx in diamonds and xx in hearts, yarb otherwise, should probably bid 5♣ and then get excited after the 5♦ correction, IMO.

Situation #2: You Open.

If you open 1♥, can you ever show this hand? If you open 2♣ and partner bids 2♥ as an immediate double negative, what next? Side Question: is 2♣-P-2♥-P-3♥ forcing?

My thoughts:

Spoiler

Partner feels that 2♣-P-2♥-P-3♥ is passable. This seems to be a problem, but a solution is to have 2♣-P-2♥-P-4♣/4♦ show a strong heart-minor two-suiter. We liked that idea and are adopting it.

[cherdano]

Thanks for hiding your thoughts so we can think on our own before seeing the solution/the light/the truth.

[kenrexford]

cherdano, on Jan 2 2009, 09:51 AM, said:

Thanks for hiding your thoughts so we can think on our own before seeing the solution/the light/the truth.

Or the gibberish/the propaganda/the insanity? LOL

[brianshark]

1. Over 3♠, I double. If partner bids 4♣, I bid 4♥. If partner bids 4♦ or 4♥ I bid 4♠. I'm confident partner will take me for the monster that I have in the latter 2 cases. I am worried about underbidding on the first case, but what can you do.

2. I tend to open 1x on many hands I probably should open 2♣ on. But it looks like 1♥ and then 3♦ is by far the easiest way to bid your hand. Especially if you don't bid 2♦ on negative hands.

[Fluffy]

4♠ on first puts too much trust in partner, he is a bit blind for a decision.

double will leave us poorly placed if partner bids 5♣, I don't have 5NT pick a slam avaible, so I would rather bid 4♠ and hope the best from partner.

[RichMor]

For case #1, RHO bids 3♠, a cue bid is probably best. IMO, that shows a 2 suiter with Hearts and obviously a good hand. That implies that a direct 4NT shows the minors.

I have no useful opinions about how advancer should react to a cue bid. Probably natural is best; 4NT regressive for Hearts and asking for cue-bidder's minor. A direct 5 of a minor suggests a good suit and some slam ambition. 5♥ suggests a final contract.

Advancer's actions above 5♥ are murkey at best. I would take 5♠ by pard as slam positive for Hearts and 5NT as slam positive for the minors. It seems impossible that pard will make any of these calls facing the actual hand.

On the actual hand I would probably take a shot at slam whatever pard bids; 6♦ over 4NT, 6♥ over 5♥, and raise pard's 5m to 6.

For case #2, my opening, I would open 2♣ if NOT playing 2♥ as a negative response. If forced to play negative 2♥ I would open 1♥ and expect a bad result.

On the side, yes 2♣ - 2♥ / 3♥ is forcing. If not then reasonable bidding is impossible.

[P_Marlowe]

#1 There is a third option: 4D, as long as it is forcing.
#2 1H, my next bid will be 3D, and I will be able to
show the hand, although it is more likely that I
will listane to p.
To answer your side question: yes.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Viren169]

#1. Dble for now, and convert 4C to 4H, and 4S if Pd bids 4D/H

I dont like 4S due to pd is unlikely to do anything sensible that is going to help. Although, I do like (over 4S) 4N as weak rely to 5C to play at 5 level and a direct 5x as natural and constructive.

#2. I would open 1H and rebid 3D (if I survive the 1H opening!)

I dont like 2C, however 2C-2H-3H is GF in my book.

BR
Viren

[Cascade]

1.

I like non-Leaping Michaels over 3♠. We now play this as non-forcing but partner will only pass with no fit and no (useful values).

2.

I open 1♥. Occasionally I miss game (or slam) but very often the bidding is simpler.

We are considering a system change at the moment where we have no strong opening for unbalanced (hands with singleton or void) hands. So far I like the feel of the new methods. Bocchi and Duboin seem to play such a method. Their 2♦unlimited (2♣ was limited) opening shows as showing 2+ ♦s on their system card and their one-level openings show as 11+ HCP. From which I infer that unbalanced unlimited hands are opened naturally at the one-level.

Even before we made the change my style was to open big two-suiters naturally at the one level and run the risk of being passed out. My record to date was:

♠ -
♥ AKQJxx
♦ AQJxxx
♣ A

Which I opened 1♥ and rebid 6♦ with partner passing and the opponents bidding and raising spades. Partner corrected to 2♥ with three-small and also furnished the ♦ 10x. When hearts were 2=2 I had an entry to dummy and could pick up ♦ Kxx onside if needed and make all 13 tricks.

[Winstonm]

I want to use Italian jumps or leaing Michaels or whatever you call those bids of the minors that shows minor/major 2-suiter. Why can't I do so here? Will I really that often want to bid a direct 5C/5D rather than jump to show the minor/major 2-suiter?

I could use 4S as a 1-suiter and 4N as minors only.

[whereagles]

I'm gonna be practical: 5NT pick a slam.