[jules101]

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Opps come in over your pard's GF J2N.

What methods do you use as declarer to describe your hand?

[TWO4BRIDGE]

I've been told it is important to still try to show your hand, especially with shortness.

The 3♠ interference really takes up the bidding space, so you create a way to expand the bidding room ( ie. create 2 ways to bid 3NT, 4C, and 4D :

a ) PASS = I have shortness; DBL by Responder asks where:

-3N ( 1st step) shows Sp shortness
-4C shows Cl shortness
-4D shows Diam shortness

b ) DBL = strong (16+) balanced hand = normal 3H rebid ( no shortness )

c) direct 4C/4D( = 2nd 5 card suit ), 3NT, 4H .... same as w/o interference

[kenrexford]

IMO, you need Double as penalty. Especially against me.

Also, pass as "no control" makes a lot of sense. If you have no control, you have 2+ in that suit, which can help partner's decision to also double for penalties.

What to do with the rest is probably best left as a partnership decision.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Ken makes a good point about doubling for penalties.

Here is another scenario ( the penalty part from a national champion ) :

1H - ( p ) - 2NT! - ( 3S )
??

a ) PASS = shows at least 3 cards in opponent's suit (usually you
don't have shortness elsewhere but you might decide to trap
anyway). Responder DBLs with 2 cards... and Opener passes for penalties
( Opps' have at most an 8 card fit ).


b ) DBL* = NO 3 cards in opp's suit, but I have shortness somewhere; 3NT! asks:

4C! = Cl shortness
4D! = Diam shortness
4H! = Sp shortness

c ) All other direct bids have the same meanings:

3NT = extras, no shortness
4C/4D = 2nd 5 card suit
4H = minimum, no shortness

_______________________________________________________________________________
* If the interference were in a LOWER suit than ♠, you could make the
3-level new suit bid ( if available ) to show shortness OR DBL = stole-my-shortness-bid or
my shortness is in a lower suit:
1H - (p ) - 2NT! - ( 3D )
??
..3H = strong hand, no shortness
..3S! = Sp shortness
..DBL! = Diam or Cl shortness; 3H! ( next step asks ? ):

3S! = Cl shortness
3NT! = Diam shortness

[Phil]

I don't think our emphasis should be nailing the opponents at the 3 level once they have stepped into our potential slam auctions when we have a fit. While it is true that 3♠ can be made on air, especially since most pairs are unprepared for this interference, frequently it isn't.

One approach is:

double = cards / low ODR, would sit for a penalty x
pass = high ODR, useful hand with shortness somewhere, but minimum (responder's double is cooperative)
3N = serious
4x = Help Suit Slam Try or a cue (whatever the partnership uses)
4M = minimum, no shortage, good trump

A simpler approach:

Double = short spades
4m = shortness
3N = Extras, no shortness
Pass = Most minimums
4M = Good trump, minimum

[kenrexford]

Phil, on 2010-December-02, 10:14, said:

I don't think our emphasis should be nailing the opponents at the 3 level once they have stepped into our potential slam auctions when we have a fit. While it is true that 3♠ can be made on air, especially since most pairs are unprepared for this interference, frequently it isn't.

One approach is:

double = cards / low ODR, would sit for a penalty x
pass = high ODR, useful hand with shortness somewhere, but minimum (responder's double is cooperative)
3N = serious
4x = Help Suit Slam Try or a cue (whatever the partnership uses)
4M = minimum, no shortage, good trump

A simpler approach:

Double = short spades
4m = shortness
3N = Extras, no shortness
Pass = Most minimums
4M = Good trump, minimum

It is not necessarily that "emphasis" is placed on doubling the opponents. Rather, the "emphasis" should include that capacity if at all possible. This is because your comment that "frequently it isn't" is (or should be) rather suspect the higher you get in the ability of the competition. Heck, I've been bidding 3-card suits it this situation these days.

[Phil]

kenrexford, on 2010-December-02, 15:43, said:

This is because your comment that "frequently it isn't" is (or should be) rather suspect the higher you get in the ability of the competition. Heck, I've been bidding 3-card suits it this situation these days.

I have never seen a lead director on a 3 card suit in a Jacoby auction at any level of competition and I cannot believe it is being discussed in a serious forum. The fact you might have gotten away with it at one time or another is not important.

Do your partners know to pass with four card support?

[kenrexford]

Phil, on 2010-December-02, 16:09, said:

I have never seen a lead director on a 3 card suit in a Jacoby auction at any level of competition and I cannot believe it is being discussed in a serious forum. The fact you might have gotten away with it at one time or another is not important.

Do your partners know to pass with four card support?

Actually, yes. Depending on the colors. Too valuable to be able to get in those lead directors.

And FWIW, I am not the "worst offender" in this regard.

[lexlogan]

It seems to me that opener would often like to double 3♠ and lead his minor suit singleton. The result could be bloody. Opener would want to bid with a side 5 card suit, a spade singleton, or extra length in hearts. Pass is clearly forcing; the "no control" agreement seems useful. 4♣ and 4♦ can show the 5-5 hands. 3NT can show the spade singleton (leaving room for cue-bidding) while 4♥ shows extra length and but a minimum; you could agree this shows a spade control.