[mike777]

Assuming 2/1 100% gf what should our priorities be after a 2/1 by responder?

For example someone suggested to me the following list:

1) rebid a decent six card suit before raising partner

2) bid a new card major before raising partner

3) bid 2N with positional stoppers in the other suits

4) raise partner
---

comments, other suggestions/exceptions?

[P_Marlowe]

If I have a fit for p, I raise.

If I have add. length in a major, I show the add. length.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[quiddity]

This is is the style I learned, there are others. It will depend on the auction:

1M 2m
With a minimum hand opener either bids a new 4+ card suit at the 2-level without reversing, or bids no-trump on a balanced hand with stoppers, or makes the default rebid of 2M. A raise requires at least mild extras because it suggests the possibility of game/slam in the minor.

1S 2H
Different from the previous auction because 2H promises 5+ cards and because a 4H game does not require extras. Opener almost always raises immediately on 3 card support regardless of strength. Bidding a new suit at the three level requires some extras, so with a minimum hand without 3 hearts opener will tend to either bid no-trump with a suitable hand or make the default 2S rebid.

1D 2C
Opener's first priority is to clarify the length of the diamond suit - with 5+ he rebids 2D. Otherwise he bids a 4-card major or 2N with a minimum hand. Raising clubs tends to show extras.

[ONEferBRID]

quiddity gives a nice summary.

My changes would be:

1S - 2H!
2S = shows extra length, but still may have 3 card Ht support
[ This was discussed recently: Advanced and Expert-Class Bridge
"How do you reach 6 Spades?, How to choose from 2 fits?" ]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Then there is my "home grown" system for 1H openings and a 2/1 , 2m GF :

After:
1H - 2m!
?? there are:
a) TWO ways for Opener to show 4 cards Spades: minimum or "extras" and
b ) TWO ways to bid 2NT w/ NO 4 cards Spades : minimum or "extras".

1H - 2m!
??
2S ( direct bid shows 4s w/extras comparable to a full reverse)
2NT ( direct bid shows NO 4s but extras, edit: may not be balanced )

And the indirect route, via a relay:
1H - 2m
2H! ( artificial.. showing two types of minimum opening )
......  -  2S! ( asks what type of minimum )
??
2NT = NO 4 cards Spades
3C!/3D!/3H! = Flannery type replies showing 4 cards Spades.

[Winstonm]

Quote

Assuming 2/1 100% gf what should our priorities be after a 2/1 by responder?

Blackwood - although I prefer Gerber.

[hanp]

I wouldn't want to use hard rules here. For example with KQJxxx xxx Ax xx, I would hate to raise hearts over 1S - 2H, but with Jxxxxx AKx Ax xx I think it is pretty clear to do so (unless you play it shows 4 hearts which I consider non-standard).

So I would not agree on hard rules but allow judgement. Yes, judgement is harder for beginners, but in the end it's better. By following fixed rules you don't develop judgement either.

[whereagles]

mike777, on Jul 13 2010, 08:58 PM, said:

Assuming 2/1 100% gf what should our priorities be after a 2/1 by responder?

For example someone suggested to me the following list:
1) rebid a decent six card suit before raising partner
2) bid a new card major before raising partner
3) bid 2N with positional stoppers in the other suits
4) raise partner

comments, other suggestions/exceptions?

Neither of the above. What I'm going to say reflects my own view of the subject and is NOT mainstream.

Priority should be for opener to say whether he's min or max. Example:

1♠ 2♥
2♠ = catch all with all min hands (11-14), including balanced ones
2NT = 15-17 balanced
3m = extras (15+), 5-4 or better
3♥ = support with extras (15+). With min support bid 2♠ first.
3♠ = 6 cards, extras
3NT = 18-19 balanced

This scheme is very helpful for responder to set the level of play. The main problem with it is what to do with a 6 card broken suit and extras. I suggest using 2NT as "bal 15-17 or broken 1-suiter with extras".

[Fluffy]

Don't bid 2NT with minimum hands, don't bid 2NT with unbalanced hands

about prorities...

support with good support is primary (4 card support)
show your overall strenght next
show your shape third.

[CarlRitner]

Winstonm, on Jul 13 2010, 06:41 PM, said:

Quote

Assuming 2/1 100% gf what should our priorities be after a 2/1 by responder?

Blackwood - although I prefer Gerber.

This does shorten the list and leans in the direction of simplicity. It's also the right answer in those "any bid could be correct" situations.

[fromageGB]

Agree with Whereagles.
I think the important think is to show strength, to enable partner to help determine whether to bid on above game level. Maybe not quite the same as Whereagles - you don't support or bid above 2 of your major unless you have 15-16.
If you have 15/16 you must bid above 2M. New suit, support, 3M, 3NT etc.

If you have up to 14 you make a natural bid below 2M if possible, but if not you bid 2M. This therefore does not show a 6 card suit. Partner will then rebid naturally to show his shape, but if not particularly shapely will bid 2NT which asks you to describe your shape. So now you can rebid your 6 card suit, support partner, bid 3NT or whatever.

If you are 17+, again you bid as if you are 12-14. Partner clarifies the distribution, or you do, but when he signs off in game you now show your colours by bidding on. He knows you are 17+.

Before I adopted this, we found we found either side had a problem when about 16 points. If partner has only 12 it can be dangerous to go above game. Conversely, if you keep quiet, partner with 16 is also likely to. Missed slam.

[fromageGB]

We later added an exception to this simple rule above. The exception is that if opener rebids 3M it does not show any particular strength, just that the suit is both long and solid(ish), such that you are happy for this to be trumps even if opposite a singleton. Subsequent bids are cues.

So with a normal 15/16 6 card suit, you initially disguise it. Show 6 by bidding 3M later, and when you make a try above game partner will know why.

[peachy]

It is not practical to give or have strict "rules". The same judgment that normally is used, is valid for a two-over-one sequence as well. Raise partner's major, rebid good suits, bid the default that shows balanced minimum if you have balanced minimum (when no raise of partner's major), don't raise responder's minor with three card support until you know he has five or more, and so on. And if you have two bids that both are "right", make the bid that limits your hand, if possible.