[jules101]

---

3N shows a fair hand with stoppers, could be a good 16+, or maybe a bit more.

It's likely to deny length in both majors, otherwise a double may have been fetched out of the bidding box as alternative bid.


Would 4♣ suggest?

• 5-5 in majors?
  
• 4-4 in majors?
  
• or just general force?

Once you've defined 4♣ what do you fancy now? Pass or something else?

[Hanoi5]

I think 4♣ would show the Majors and a fairly good hand. I think we have both, especially because of the distribution. Partner should have at least a 3-card Major. The lead will also go up to him. I'd bid it.

[ggwhiz]

Similar to 2♠ - 3♠ and similar auctions, with my regular pard the 4♣ bid promises any 2-suiter, game force.

I wouldn't be shocked if a slam was on here in ♦ ♥. or ♠.

[FrancesHinden]

Unless you have some complicated agreements with partner, 4C is the only general forcing bid you've got, so you can't use it to show both majors. 3NT could be anything from a 3334 17-count to a 2362 21-count and various things in between. I would still bid 4C, but it's going to be a complete guess for the rest of the auction. Sorry.

[FrancesHinden]

Hanoi5, on 2011-July-08, 18:32, said:

I think 4♣ would show the Majors and a fairly good hand. I think we have both, especially because of the distribution. Partner should have at least a 3-card Major. The lead will also go up to him. I'd bid it.

Partner hasn't promised a 3-card major. What would you bid over 3C looking at

Qx
K
AKJxxxx
Axx

?

I am happy to be in 6D opposite that hand... but just pointing out that you can't bid 4C as strict emphasis on the majors and be certain you will find a fit.

[pooltuna]

I would pass as 3♣ could be very weak at these colors and partner could have a stack as well as 22 in the majors.

[mgoetze]

FrancesHinden, on 2011-July-09, 02:43, said:

Unless you have some complicated agreements with partner,

I have the rather uncomplicated agreement with my partner that we play Stayman and Jacoby Transfers over any 3NT overcall. Not sure whether that's good in general - on this hand it isn't maximally helpful, of course. I suppose I would bid Stayman and, if I get the expected 4♦ response, bid 4♥ and hope partner does something smart.

[VM1973]

Don't most people play systems on after NT overcalls? I would bid 3♥ to transfer to spades and then bid 4♥ for a choice of contracts. Sure, I might miss slam if partner has the perfect hand, or I might end up in a strange 5-2 fit if partner's no trump is strangely shaped.

In the absence of prior discussion, what's 4♣ - Stayman, Gerber, or some undefined big hand? I don't know.

I look forward to the personal attacks, flames, and downraves that are certain to follow this opinion.

[FrancesHinden]

VM1973, on 2011-July-09, 07:48, said:

Don't most people play systems on after NT overcalls? I would bid 3♥ to transfer to spades and then bid 4♥ for a choice of contracts. Sure, I might miss slam if partner has the perfect hand, or I might end up in a strange 5-2 fit if partner's no trump is strangely shaped.

In the absence of prior discussion, what's 4♣ - Stayman, Gerber, or some undefined big hand? I don't know.

I look forward to the personal attacks, flames, and downraves that are certain to follow this opinion.

We try and be polite in this forum, so I'll politely point out that partner has overcalled 3NT and 3H would be insufficient.

[peachy]

It is possible to use 4C as Stayman, both when they opened 3C and when they opened whatever suit on the 3-level. Having to use cuebid as the only force becomes space consuming when they opened 3H or 3S.

[JLOGIC]

VM1973, on 2011-July-09, 07:48, said:

Don't most people play systems on after NT overcalls? I would bid 3♥ to transfer to spades and then bid 4♥ for a choice of contracts. Sure, I might miss slam if partner has the perfect hand, or I might end up in a strange 5-2 fit if partner's no trump is strangely shaped.

In the absence of prior discussion, what's 4♣ - Stayman, Gerber, or some undefined big hand? I don't know.

I look forward to the personal attacks, flames, and downraves that are certain to follow this opinion.

Most epic post ever

[Phil]

VM1973, on 2011-July-09, 07:48, said:

Don't most people play systems on after NT overcalls? I would bid 3♥ to transfer to spades and then bid 4♥ for a choice of contracts. Sure, I might miss slam if partner has the perfect hand, or I might end up in a strange 5-2 fit if partner's no trump is strangely shaped.

In the absence of prior discussion, what's 4♣ - Stayman, Gerber, or some undefined big hand? I don't know.

I look forward to the personal attacks, flames, and downraves that are certain to follow this opinion.

There's that 'downrave' word again.

I love the "here's my opinion, ......DUCK!!!!!!!!!"...attitude.

This seems to never come up, but I've seen agreements along the line of:

4♣ - "asking", see below
4♦ / 4♥ = transfers
4♠ - diamonds

After 4♣:

4♦ = min balanced (16-18ish)
4♥ = max balanced (19-21ish)
4♠ = min with a trick source
4N = max with a trick source

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

we play system on, i.e. 4C in this seq. would be stayman, 4D, would
be transfer and so on.

This may not be best, but at least there is a chance you remember it,
if it comes up.

With kind regards
Marlowe