[lifemonster]

This is the bidding problem I got today.

x xxx
QJ AK109xx
Axxx xxx
AQJxxx Kx

1C 1H
2C 2D(new minor forcing, sorta of)
2H 3C
......

The argument starts from here and 6H is duly reached. Responder bids 3C intended as "I have something useful here", and later the 2-suiter-6-keycard-blackwood is launched.

After the bidding we had a little discussion but couldn't find the agreement here.

After 1C-1H-2C, it seems that both 2D and 2S are forcing(some even play 2NT forcing as well), with 2D giving partner a chance for 2H preference, and 2S stalled as general game forcing.

However, what if the responder wants to show "forcing raise in clubs"? Then the above sequence seems ambiguous, is 3C a supporting cuebid of opener's suit with hearts setup as trumps, or is it a forcing raise?

If you also play 1C-1H-2C-2S/2NT forcing as well, then how do you show raises in clubs?

Comments appreciated.

Sam

[Flame]

To make your life a little bit harder, i will remaind you that in a sequence like
1c-1h-2c the main focus should be on getting to the right game rather then on getting to slams, this mean you should usually invest for stopers and when those are missed run to 4h or 5c.

[inquiry]

Hi Sam, East in your hand has 14 cards (I suspect the diamonds should be doubleton, so I have changed the hand to that below)

---

You may want to consider playing TSAR or Luis's Simple-TSAR after 1m-1M-2m....

I give provide you with two links, one to the TSAR discussion here in this forum (Simple Tsar), and one off this site at bridge world Tsar article.

Hope that helps.

Ben

[Gerben47]

Or you can just upgrade your hand as responder to a game force and bid 3♥ over 2♣. Not there's any doubt in my mind that I'm going higher than 4♥, though.

But to raise in ♣ in a forcing way would be 2♦ then 3♣.

Gerben

[lifemonster]

Thanks Ben and others for the help. Yes it's doubleton diamond. :-)

[WrecksVee]

Another solution is Pavlicek/Root third and fouth suit forcing treatment. All invites go through third and fourth suit forcing. All jump bids are forcing as is all raises to three of a minor by an unpassed hand. If this seems interesting check out Pavlicek's site at http://www.rpbridge.net/ and look under systems

[the hog]

Here is what we play over 1C 1M 2C

2• = modified PRO
Now 2M = min fit (3M = GF now)
2 other Major = min no fit (3Major now NF)
2N/3M = max descriptive, GF
3• = 14-17 5C-4•, no fit GF