[se12sam]

Scoring: XIMP

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In the past, I never played inverted minors with my regular partner, but it is a necessity when playing online and with different partners. However, I am still uncomfortable and often mis-bid when I get the odd hand. The above 26-card layout was generated on RPBridge dealer in the process of testing out a bidding theory.

How would you bid this one? I realise we have 10 missing heart cards and, in real life, opps will often interfere. But let's assume they are vul and they do not overcall...

PS: I have read a few posts and a few blog entries on this topic. Please excuse me if this topic has already been addressed often.

[kenrexford]

Most who play inverted minors would not raise but would introduce the spades first here.

Because of hands like this, I personally like a 2♣ artificial GF, GF and denying any five-card major (Responder might have one, both, or neither four-card majors). On this hand, if Opener shows spades next (I like "transfer" rebids, so 2♥ by Opener would show spades), Responder can agree spades (2♠) at a much cheaper level for slam purposes than had he bid 1♠. If Opener shows hearts (2♦), Responder can still show the four spades (2♠) and have the room created by a GF sequnce to easily complete pattern. If Opener shows clubs (2♠) or balanced (2NT), Responder can focus diamonds (3♦) easily, at a relatively low level.

When normal bidding is used, the 1♠ response and Opener's 1NT rebid forces you into a series of steps to get to raising diamonds and setting a GF, which is even more difficult when Opener is not balanced. This is why many want to just raise the diamonds with hands like this, a sympathy I strongly understand.

This is even trickier if you do not want to GF with Responder's hand, BTW. I would GF, at IMP's, because of the shape and inability to fine-tune an invite when 6-4-3-0. But, some might not. Then, you probably end up needing some sort of lebensohl (like, 1♦-1♠-1NT-2NT-3♣-3♦ as weaker than 1♦-1♠-1NT-3♦).

[blackshoe]

Possibly

1D-1S
1NT-2D (GF checkback)
2S-3D
3H-5D

[Apollo81]

It could also go

1♦-1♠
1NT-3♦ (inv)
3♠-5♦

[ArtK78]

Apollo81, on Apr 14 2009, 10:22 AM, said:

It could also go

1♦-1♠
1NT-3♦ (inv)
3♠-5♦

I like the theme of this response, but it seems to have missed a beat.

I would never treat the North hand as an invitational hand. So, my auction would be:

1♦ - 1♠
1NT - 2♣ (checkback)
2♠ - 3♦ (forcing)
3♥ - 5♦

When partner shows heart values over the forcing 3♦ call, slam has to be a stretch. But I don't want to play in 3NT on these cards. Partner is unlikely to have enough in hearts to make 3NT playable (he bid 2♠ over the checkback, not 2♥).

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

a inv. minor raise usually denies 4 cards in a major, so North
should show his 4 card spade suit.
You may supress the major, if you are sure, that you will
drive to game / slam with diamonds as trumps, otherwise
show the major.
From this followes, that the likely auction is not an inv. minor
auction, it is a auction you will also have not playing inv. minor.

1D - 1S
1NT -

Now you have to make a decision, do you want to invite only
or do you want to play game.
Given that p has no 4 spades, he will have 4 diamonds, hence
6-4 fit in diamonds, since you also have a 6-4 shape, you may
follow Ron Klingers advice in this case "The sky is the limit", i.e.
driving to game is reasonable.

If you decide to drive towards game, the next question now to
answer is, do you want to go looking for slam.
My answer to this would be, that this would be futil, because you
need p to hold magic cards, and it is not clear if you are able
to determine it, but you may reveal something useful for the
opponents.

=> 5D

With kind regards
Marlowe