[kgr]

Three bidding situations of yesterday. Not sure what best agreement is (No problem if you don't anwer them all, Answers to one or two are also welcome):

1) splinter
You have the agreement with your partner that 1♣-3X is a splinter. Do you like that agreement or would you rather have it as a preempt in X.
If 1♣-3♦ is a splinter, is 1♣-(DBL)-3♦ also a splinter or is a preempt more useful here?

2) inverted minor
..Probably most agreement on this one:
You play inverted minors, also in competition (in this case you have added 2NT as VERY weak with fit).
Is this also inverted?:
1m-(1NT)-2m
....Probably not as you could DBL in that case?

3)
1♦-(2♣)-DBL-(2♦!)
DBL
2♦! = good hand with fit for ♣...the normal.
Is DBL for Diamonds, extra's, for the majors, one major, support DBL...
(My partner had 3=3=6=1, and had no real problem to DBL. ...But what is best meaning?)

[pooltuna]

1) in the 1C-(X)-3D auction the value of the splinter is reduced as the game chance have been impacted by the X. So better used as PJS

2) 1m-(1NT)-2m is best used as preemptive since an IM strength hand should probably be doubling 1NT

3) your partner's usage is probably as good as any

[gwnn]

what is PJS? picture jump shift?

1) I like all of 3♦♥♠ as splinters.
2) I play
1m-(1NT)-?
2♣=both majors, usually just competitive
2♦=one major, distribution, points
2M=one major, just competitive
if you don't think bidding with just one major like this makes sense, you should play 2m as weak and 2om as both majors.
3) x is responsive, shows some extra values and is interested in partner's hand.

[rd6789]

1. I prefer 3X after 1♣ as weak as (i) often opener will have 12-14 balanced and we want to jam the auction and (ii) hands where I have good ♣ support and no other suit to bid and so want to use a splinter will be rare.

After a X I play fit jumps always so 3X becomes good enough clubs to play at the 4 level plus good holding in that suit.

2. 1m-(1NT)-2m showing 5 and <7 otherwise I X 1NT

3. I think the X shows ♦ - we still don't know what our best fit is and I don't want to have to go to the 3 level to show ♦ - we might have a 9-card fit and 3♦ be our spot

[ArtK78]

1) You have the agreement with your partner that 1♣-3X is a splinter. Do you like that agreement or would you rather have it as a preempt in X.

Splinter is fine. You still have the 2 level for weak jump shifts.

If 1♣-3♦ is a splinter, is 1♣-(DBL)-3♦ also a splinter or is a preempt more useful here?

Splinter is more useful. Even with the double, it is rarely right to preempt in another suit after your partner opens the bidding. Besides, as I stated above, you still have the 2 level for weak jump shifts if you choose to make one.

2) You play inverted minors, also in competition (in this case you have added 2NT as VERY weak with fit). Is this also inverted?:
1m-(1NT)-2m

No.

3) 1♦-(2♣)-DBL-(2♦!)-DBL
2♦! = good hand with fit for ♣...the normal.
Is DBL for Diamonds, extra's, for the majors, one major, support DBL

Good diamonds. Even though the original diamond bidder is very likely to have 4 or more diamonds on this auction, they do not have to be strong. The double should indicate a very good diamond suit.

[Phil]

Re: splinters

1. I like 1x - 3y (where y>x) as a splinter especially playing weak NT's.

If I'm playing 1♣ is 2+, I kind of like 1♣ - 3x as natural and preempting (but narrowly defined), but I think 1♦ - 3M is better played as a splinter.

2. Over an intervening double, 3♦ is fitted. Its very possible partner will need to make a strategic decision over 4M, and I want pard to be armed with as much information as possible.

[Phil]

Others have commented on inverted minors.

Re: x of a cue bid. Whatever you decide is fine; extras, a 6th diamond, lead directing or lead stopping. I prefer lead stopping.

[FrancesHinden]

Phil, on Aug 6 2009, 04:39 PM, said:

Others have commented on inverted minors.

Re: x of a cue bid. Whatever you decide is fine; extras, a 6th diamond, lead directing or lead stopping. I prefer lead stopping.

I play double of the cue bid here as take-out of clubs. A nice safe way to get to our major suit partial, if responder has a weak hand with a fit.

[Jlall]

Phil, on Aug 6 2009, 10:39 AM, said:

Others have commented on inverted minors.

Re: x of a cue bid. Whatever you decide is fine; extras, a 6th diamond, lead directing or lead stopping. I prefer lead stopping.

Lead stopping?!

I will try to make my first constructive and non sarcastic post in forever as part of my posting mixed strategy:

I think that playing lead directing, or lead stopping doubles should only apply in non competitive auctions, since competitive considerations are far more important in competitive auctions. For instance I think either of these is reasonable:

X=extra diamond length. This facilitates partner competing in diamonds without having to bid 3D unilaterally yourself. I would consider this the "standard" meaning.

or

X=takeout of clubs. This facilitates getting both majors in and letting partner judge whether to compete or not without having to unilaterally compete to the 3 level yourself (via 2S then 3H).

Both of these have the goal in mind of describing your hand better, and facilitating better competitive judgement for your partnership.

However, lead directing or lead stopping doubles pretty much do nothing on that end, and help with a small goal (helping your partner lead vs 3C) when you should be thinking about bigger and better things in an auction like this. Thus I think any kind of lead directing/lead inhibiting doubles in an auction like this are inferior and out of place, and should be reserved for auctions where your side is clearly out of the auction (where obviously the lead is the most important thing).

[WesleyC]

Phil: Isn't lead stopping a little dangerous at the 2 level, particularly in diamonds where you'll often only have a 4c suit?

I play canape 4c majors and use a combination of 2 agreements - when opener doubles a cuebid of their suit at the 2 level it shows extra length and interest in competition. However, if the cuebid is at the 3 level or higher, double suggests a different lead.

[WesleyC]

1. When the opponents make a t/o double they are suggesting shortness in openers suit which makes it more likely responder will have a fit. Hence I think it makes sense to use more bids which show a fit in this situation.