[mtvesuvius]

2♦ for me

[Hanoi5]

Then we have:

Pa 1♥ Pa 1♠
Pa 2♣ Pa 2♦
Pa 3♣ Pa ???

Your choices:

a. 3♦
b. 3NT
c. 4♣
d. Something else.

[dake50]

Start 2NT. Let partner show if he has a problem with 3NT. Of course 2NT is artificial, isn't it?

[kenrexford]

Well, one thing is for sure.

In the actual auction, partner has not raised spades, has not rebid hearts, and has rebid clubs. Therefore, it is 100%, IMO, that the auction after a GF 2♣ response would have yielded one of two bids. Opener would either have raised to 3♣ or would have splintered a 3♦ raise of clubs. In either event, Responder's next call will be 3♠.

This, with the 2♣ option, on this hand, Opener's next call is one of two options and Responder's next call, either way, is obvious and clear.

Plus, we both know what trumps are. That's nice.

[skjaeran]

1♠ first, then 2♦.

[gnasher]

Hanoi5, on May 13 2009, 06:27 PM, said:

Pa 1♥ Pa 1♠
Pa 2♣ Pa 2♦
Pa 3♣ Pa ???

4♣. Now we both know what trumps are.

[Codo]

I am happy to bypass 3 NT opposite a 55 hand.

[whereagles]

Now

1♥ 1♠
2♣ 2♦
3♣ 4♣

Hand is pretty good, even opposite a min. It's a matter of finding controls now.

[kenrexford]

whereagles, on May 14 2009, 04:21 AM, said:

Now

1♥ 1♠
2♣ 2♦
3♣ 4♣

Hand is pretty good, even opposite a min. It's a matter of finding controls now.

Well, that seems to be the key. If 4♣ is needed to set trumps, controls is an issue, as well as overall strength, with four available calls to explore that, or 12 auctions.

When 3♣ set trumps, we had additional space involving 3♦, 3♠, 3NT, and 4♣, as well, and the number of auctions increases tremendously. Over 150 auctions.

Opener also had 3♦, or 3♠, to set trumps as well, both splinters and both control-bidding initiations with their own permutations. Now you get to several hundred auctions.

So, setting trumps one level lower (3♣) is better, and having Opener enabled to set trumps below 4♣ with two other descriptive calls (3♦ or 3♠) adds a ton as well to the descriptive power. Actually, 4♦ could also be included, as a fit jump.

[OleBerg]

I play:

1♥ - 1♠
2♣ - 3♦ = Forcing raise with clubs. Loses the splinter, gains on other hands.

[whereagles]

That's funny. For me that would be a natural GF 55

[jdonn]

What if it would have gone

1♥ 2♣
3♠ 3NT

and instead goes

1♥ 1♠
2♣ 2♦
3♣ 4♣

I don't think that we necessarily have more (useful) information after starting 1♠, or that even if we do it's necessarily worth the cost of having to guess to bypass 3NT or not before you know it's right.

[Hanoi5]

From the looks of it we'll reach the same contract I did:

1♥ 1♠
2♣ 2♦
3♣ 4♣
4♥ 5♣
Pass

Partner's hand:

♠---
♥AKJT9
♦Q9x
♣Q8xxx

[jdonn]

Wow I got that last post in just in time!

[mike777]

Hanoi5, on May 13 2009, 04:54 AM, said:

Well, 7 votes for 1♠. The tray goes back and forth:

Pa 1♥ Pa 1♠
Pa 2♣ Pa ???

Your choices:

a. 2♦
b. 3♣
c. 3♥
d. 3NT

2d 4sf to game.

[mike777]

Hanoi5, on May 13 2009, 12:27 PM, said:

Then we have:

Pa 1♥ Pa 1♠
Pa 2♣ Pa 2♦
Pa 3♣ Pa ???

Your choices:

a. 3♦
b. 3NT
c. 4♣
d. Something else.

4c now
over 4c... 4d is rkc for clubs I hope.

[mike777]

Hanoi5, on May 14 2009, 11:09 AM, said:

From the looks of it we'll reach the same contract I did:

1♥ 1♠
2♣ 2♦
3♣ 4♣
4♥ 5♣
Pass

Partner's hand:

♠---
♥AKJT9
♦Q9x
♣Q8xxx

yes i reach 5c, agree.

[kenrexford]

jdonn, on May 14 2009, 11:11 AM, said:

Wow I got that last post in just in time!

Too late for me. But, I'd have that same auction with some people (3♠-P-3NT) or with others (because the club honor situation is questionable) a simple 3♣-P-3♠-P-3NT sequence.