[kenrexford]

On the third, I'm in the support-with-support school. 2♥ constructive looks right to me.

However, I also rebid spades as a natural GT and raise spades as Responder frequently for this reason. I even have multiple ways to raise spades.

As far as "evaluation," I like to tell partner good news as soon as I can. Heart support is really good news to partner.

[the hog]

Hanoi5, on Jun 26 2009, 08:10 PM, said:

Your red vs white and your partner deals and opens 1♥. What do you bid with:

♠QJT9854
♥T54
♦A
♣J7

What about:

♠KJT9854
♥T5
♦A
♣J74

And:
♠QJT8
♥T54
♦AK4
♣J74

What's the meaning of the following auction:

1♥ Pa 1NT 3♣
3♥ Pa 3♠

1S on all 3 hands. This looks obvious to me even if you are playing WJS.
Hands 1 and 2 are too strong for a WJS

Choice of games for the last question.

[gnasher]

jdonn, on Jun 27 2009, 12:36 AM, said:

I'm fairly sure Justin (and many experts though far from all) play, in steps, something like min 3, max 3, min 4, max 4. So if opener bids 3♣ he could probably sign off in 3♥.

In my circle it would be normal for opener to bid out his shape, so 3C/D would show 35(41), without further limiting his strength. That might work out OK on this hand too.

Whatever it means, though, if you use 1♥-1♠;2♠-2NT;3m-3♥ as a signoff, you can't use it as a slam try, so there's still a cost to bidding 1♠.

[the hog]

jdonn, on Jun 27 2009, 06:36 AM, said:

gnasher, on Jun 26 2009, 06:22 PM, said:

Jlall, on Jun 26 2009, 11:32 PM, said:

If you can raise with 3 spades and don't have any way to show that you did so later, good luck to you.

It's easy to establish how many spades opener has. The question is, can you do that whilst allowing responder to show an invitation with three hearts, in a way that lets you stop in 3♥ opposite a minimum, but reach 4♥ if opener wants to accept the invitation?

I'm fairly sure Justin (and many experts though far from all) play, in steps, something like min 3, max 3, min 4, max 4. So if opener bids 3♣ he could probably sign off in 3♥.

We played

1H 1S
2S 2N*
3C min 3, now 3S/3H = nf
3D max 3 now 3H/3S forcing
3H min 4 S, now 3S nf, 3NT serious
3S max 4 S, now 3NT serious, 4m = cue

Not too hard really. Re Ken's post, I think it is fine to raise H with 4S and a weakish hand. I think it is bad not to bid 1S with a good to invit or better hand.