[Chamaco]

Both this post and te companion post on Multi could be read as
"How do you set the trump suit for slam purposes, before this looks like a signoff with 3-suited hand?"

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Hi all,
I'd like to hear opinions on the development of the "standard" Precision 2D opener, used for 4441 short in D and 5431 short in D and 5 clubs.

Assume you have a slam oriented hand for a major pard opens 2D.

I'll try to build an example hand, if the example is not good, please feel free to supply an example where the problem I illustrate will be more evident.


The problem is:

Scoring: IMP

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Aftert pard's 3-suited opening, responder has some view of slam despite some wasted values in diamonds.
His plan should be:
1) find a strain
2) set trumps
3) ask for key cards
4) MOST IMPORTANT, ask for trump Q

We can see that the most important thinbg is to set the trump suit without signing off, so that RKCB can do the job.

Now, assume
bidding (Uncontested) starts with
2D:2NT

Here we use the scheme suggested by Berkowitz/Manley
3♣= 3-4-1-5
3♦= 4-3-1-5
3♥= 4414
3♠=4405
3NT = 4414 with stiff honor and max

Now assume you have to play this scheme with a gun pointed to your head (e.g. let's not discuss here why other schemes are better and how they'd work better in this case).
We just have to use this scheme.

So after
2D:2NT
2H: responder bids 3H

How do we set hearts as trump without signing off ?
If we bid clubs pard will think the strain is clubs.
If we bid 4 diamonds, that should be asking for controls.
All this si taken from "Precision Today" by Berkowicz-Manley.

[Free]

You can use low-level RKC here:

step 1 = RKC in the longest suit
step 2 = RKC in the 2nd longest suit
step 3 = RKC in the 3rd longest suit
step 4 = (unlikely but ok) RKC in the shortest suit

When 2 or more suits are equal in length, use following priority: ♥ > ♠ > ♣ > ♦.

There are only a few exceptional bids: 3NT and perhaps 4♦ (Terminator). 3NT is always to play!

In your example:
2♦ - 2NT
3♥* - ?
(* = 4-4-1-4)

3♠ = step 1 = RKC longest suit => equal length, so RKC ♥
3NT = to play
4♣ = step 2 = RKC 2nd longest suit => equal length, so RKC ♠
4♦ = Terminator (end signal, partner is obligated to bid 4♥ unless 2♦ is unlimited and he has extra's)
4♥ = step 3 = RKC ♣
4♠ = step 4 = RKC ♦

[Free]

Full schemes for all other possible responses:

2♦ - 2NT
3♣* - ?
(* = 3-4-1-5)

3♠ = step 1 = RKC longest suit => RKC ♣
3NT = to play
4♣ = step 2 = RKC 2nd longest suit => RKC ♥
4♦ = Terminator (end signal, partner is obligated to bid 4♥ unless 2♦ is unlimited and he has extra's)
4♥ = step 3 = RKC ♠
4♠ = step 4 = RKC ♦
_________________________

2♦ - 2NT
3♦* - ?
(* = 4-3-1-5)

3♠ = step 1 = RKC longest suit => RKC ♣
3NT = to play
4♣ = step 2 = RKC 2nd longest suit => RKC ♠
4♦ = Terminator (end signal, partner is obligated to bid 4♥ unless 2♦ is unlimited and he has extra's)
4♥ = step 3 = RKC ♥
4♠ = step 4 = RKC ♦
_________________________

2♦ - 2NT
3♠* - ?
(* = 4-4-0-5)

3♠ = step 1 = RKC longest suit => RKC ♣
3NT = to play
4♣ = step 2 = RKC 2nd longest suit => equal length, so RKC ♥
4♦ = Terminator (end signal, partner is obligated to bid 4♥ unless 2♦ is unlimited and he has extra's)
4♥ = step 3 = RKC 3rd longest suit => equal length, so RKC ♠
4♠ = step 4 = RKC ♦