[gnasher]

bid_em_up, on Mar 23 2009, 04:29 PM, said:

Well, as far as I knew, making a free bid such as 3D was encouraging (you do not have to bid in this position),  and pass is the sign off (weak, your suit is known).  And being systemically forced to make a call on a minimum hand in this auction is simply begging for a penalty double, imo.

2NT showed invitational values. If it had gone 2NT (pass), you wuld have been expected to bid more than 3♦ if you had a maximum. The 2NT bid announces that we don't have to worry about being doubled.

Quote

The other auction you give is slightly different, I can agree with the meanings you give for pass, 2S, and 2 anything.  But in this auction partner has already essentially committed your side to at least 2S.  There is also something to be gained by bidding 2S with a weak hand immediately in this position, since if you pass, you give your LHO the opportunity to bid freely at the two level if they desired to do so.  The same cannot be said of the problem auction.

Why not? In the problem auction:
- The 2NT bid has already committed our side to at least 3♦, given that we have diamonds.
- 3♦ is slightly more preemptive than pass, because it takes away a 3♦ cue bid.

[FrancesHinden]

hanp, on Mar 23 2009, 10:26 PM, said:

I'm also curious about the layout.

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Not leading a diamond doesn't really hurt; as long as declarer gets clubs wrong he will lose a late diamond trick when forced anyway.

The one disastrous lead is the 7 of hearts.
My partner led the 9 of hearts, so at least I knew not to play the King.
We discussed at length whether a diamond lead is right, and if so which one - if declarer has e.g. Qxx you are going to wish you led the Jack...

[bid_em_up]

gnasher, on Mar 24 2009, 04:35 AM, said:

The 2NT bid announces that we don't have to worry about being doubled.

Aye yai yai.

Please check and see how many 3D, 3H, and 4H doubled go down and get back to me (versus a spade game that should always be beaten (-200/-500 at worst) or 3S making (for +140, at best)).

[jdonn]

gnasher, on Mar 24 2009, 04:25 AM, said:

Some people play pass as a better hand than 2♠, and some play 2♠ as a better hand than pass. Does anyone use one of the two calls to show specifically more shape than the other?

Hamman does (really). Justin told me that a while ago. I can't remember whether it was bidding showed 5(+) and passing showed 4, or bidding simply showed more shape than passing, but it was one of those.

[JLOL]

jdonn, on Mar 24 2009, 04:00 PM, said:

gnasher, on Mar 24 2009, 04:25 AM, said:

Some people play pass as a better hand than 2♠, and some play 2♠ as a better hand than pass.  Does anyone use one of the two calls to show specifically more shape than the other?

Hamman does (really). Justin told me that a while ago. I can't remember whether it was bidding showed 5(+) and passing showed 4, or bidding simply showed more shape than passing, but it was one of those.

Yes I play these bids to distinguish between offensive mins and other mins mainly to help with the 3 level decision. I think this is a much better way to play. I know Bart Bramley also plays this way.