[Free]

Partner is dealer and opens 1♦, you hold:

Scoring: MP

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What do you bid when you don't play inverted minors?

[paulhar]

I presume that if I don't play inverted minors, then I play a 2NT response forcing. This is matchpoints and the most likely contract is 3NT, so I try to get there giving the opponents as little information as possible. (IMO this denies a four card major so partner shouldn't show one.)

If partner doesn't bid the expected 3NT, my next bid will show suppport for diamonds.

[skorchev]

I will bid 2NT or 3NT, everything depend of the 1♦ range, if it's 11+ the right bid is 2NT, if it's 13+ the right bid is 3NT, if it's 12+ then I bid 3NT because I'm young and stupid and want to get the TOP.

However I voted for 3NT.

Stefan

[Cascade]

I am not sure of the intention of the question.

I responded as I would bid with my partner playing our system since no system was stated.

I respond 2NT which for us is game forcing, balanced-ish (no singleton) and shows 4+ diamonds.

In response opener can:

Ask for controls with 3♣

Show a singleton with 3♦/♥/♠ - 3♦ shows a club singleton

After opener shows a singleton responder can sign-off in 3NT or show controls.

Opener can also attempt to sign-off in 3NT.

[Free]

Ok, perhaps some clarification: you play as natural as it can get... So I think 2NT should be invitational hand, not GF, no?

[Gerben47]

I voted 1♥ so they won't lead one. I hope partner will raise on 3 not-too-good ones and I can go to 3NT.

I cannot do without inverted minors, sorry. As an alternative I could use 2NT as a game-forcing ♦-raise

[luke warm]

i thought of 1H or 1S also, but the danger is that (with my luck) partner has 4 of whatever i bid, and bids 4M over my 3nt... all in all, i think 2nt is the bid, and i agree it isn't game forcing (for me anyway, np if it is for some)

[paulhar]

Free, on Sep 1 2004, 05:34 PM, said:

Ok, perhaps some clarification: you play as natural as it can get... So I think 2NT should be invitational hand, not GF, no?

I went into 'Explore Bridge' and both SAYC Basic and the 'Learn to Play Bridge software' state that 1D-2NT shows 13-15.

[Gerben47]

Yes that is SAYC but it is not natural. On this side of the Atlantic everyone gets taught natural bidding, i.e. 2NT in every situation is invitational, including this one.

[EricK]

Under the conditions stated I bid 2♣. This assumes my hand is a GF opposite an opening bid. If partner could be very light for his opening, then there is a good case for simply bidding 3♦.

Eric

[Cascade]

Gerben47, on Sep 2 2004, 11:33 AM, said:

Yes that is SAYC but it is not natural.

What is not natural about it?

2NT showing 13-15 might or might not be natural. I don't think the fact that it woudl be forcing would make it not natural.

Certainly according to the laws that does not make it conventional.

[EricK]

Cascade, on Sep 2 2004, 01:05 AM, said:

Gerben47, on Sep 2 2004, 11:33 AM, said:

Yes that is SAYC but it is not natural.

What is not natural about it?

2NT showing 13-15 might or might not be natural. I don't think the fact that it woudl be forcing would make it not natural.

Certainly according to the laws that does not make it conventional.

Interesting. At the risk of hijacking the thread...

Certain authorities try to restrict the use of very weak NTs by preventing one using conventions opposite them.

Would 2NT balanced and forcing (acting in a staymanesque manner) be considered OK?

Eric

[joker_gib]

I bid 2♣ as I don't want to play NT myself !

Not necessary club suit on ♦ opening if you don't want to lie in majors !

[whereagles]

Without inverted minors, this hand qualifies for a 3D limit raise, showing 11-12 points and 5 card support. I'll agree it's a bit of an underbid, given the excellent controls and diamond suit quality, but it's the bid that fits your hand the closest. Pard may pass 3D, but in practice that will be very very rare.

So that was the technical bid. As for other tactics, imaginative bidders can try a 1H or 2C reply here and see how it goes. Hogs might just shoot at 3NT. After all, they'll be declaring and that counts as 2 or 3 extra points

[xx1943]

I always play inverted minors since 40 years.
There are many similar hands.
You need a forcing minor-suit raise.
I pd wants to play goren ok. 1♦ - 3♦ is forcing, I'll go with this.
But never play a system without a poss. for a forcing minor-raise.

regards

Al

[Fluffy]

Obviously 1♥, its your longest outside suit, and keeps the auction at cheapest level, sincec we play natural I assume partner don´t play that rare convention of raising with 3 cards my major, ,therefore the worse that can happen is we land on a cold 4♥.