[straube]

After 1D-2C, 2D-3C...

1D has shown 10-15 and 0+ diamonds
2D has shown any hand with 2+ clubs
3C has shown 6+ clubs and a balanced GF of probably 13-17 hcps

So responder hasn't had a chance to show shortness. He could have x xx AKxxx Axxxx or KQxx xxx KQJx xx.

So do we use 3D, 3H, and 3S to show shortness/splinters? Do we use them instead to show fit and stoppers? Is there a third option?

I vote splinters, but interested in other opinions.

[awm]

At first glance this 2d rebid just seems bad to me. What was 2c? What are responders other options over 2d?

My general view is that if 2c is natural, opener needs to distinguish shapely fitting hands from random balanced hands at his first rebid. If 2c is some kind of artificial strong bid, responder should usually relay with 2h over 2d and the 3c bid should carry strong negative inference as to what opener needs to hear about.

[straube]

Well, we use 1D-1H as natural or GF balanced...which includes slammish 6322s and 5422s minor-based hands.

1D-2C shows GI with 5+ clubs OR GF with 6+ clubs OR GF with both minors
.....2D-relays with 2+ clubs
..........2H-GF both minors
...............2S-relays
....................2N-reverser
.........................3C-relays
..............................3D-higher short
...............................etc
....................3C-5/5
.........................3D-relays
..............................3H-higher short
..........2S-GI, 5+ clubs
...............2N-to play
...............3C-to play
...............3D-fit, concentration
...............3H-fit, concentration
...............3S-fit, concentration
..........2N-GI, 5 clubs, 4 diamonds
...............3C-to play
...............3D-to play
...............3H-fit for a minor, concentration
...............3S-fit for a minor, concentration
..........3C-GF, 6C322, probably not slamming
..........3D-GF, 1336
..........3H-GF, 3136
..........3S-GF, 3316
.....2H-minimum, club shortness
.....2S-maximum, 4H/5+D
..........2N-GF relay
.....2N-maximum, club shortness
..........3C-GF relay
.....3C-maximum, 4S/5+D, higher short
.....3D-maximum, 4252
.....etc

1D-2D shows GF with 6+ diamonds OR GI with 5+ diamonds OR GI with 5D/4C
.....2H-2+ diamonds
..........2S-GI, 5+ diamonds
..........2N-GI, 5D/4C
..........3C-GF, 6D322
..........3D-GF, 1363
..........3H-GF, 3163
..........3S-GF, 3361
.....2S-minimum, 3415 or 4315
..........2N-to play
..........3C-to play
..........3D-to play
..........3H-GF relay
.....2N-minimum, 4414 or 4405
..........etc
.....3C-maximum, 3415
.....3D-maximum, 4315
.....3H-maximum, 4414
.....3S-maximum, 4405

[awm]

I'd prioritize differently; responder always has clubs so a hand with 4+c and shortage becomes very powerful and I'd want to show it immediately. You may well have slam! If opener has short clubs or a balanced hand, usually game is the limit (really strong responders start 1h after all) and priority should be determining if 3nt is playable. How about over 2c:

2d = weak NT or min with short club
2h = club fit and side shortage

Under the given system I'll guess that balanced opener should just bid 3nt (usually best when no one has singleton and accept occasional bad result with xx vs xx in some suit) and other bids are shortage.

[straube]

I've had the same thought "Why can't I just splinter in support of pd's suit?" but the devil is in the details. We do need to be able to show shortness in his suit while being able to stop in 2N or 3m because responder may have only GI values.

[straube]

How about this?

1D-2C shows GI with 5+ clubs OR GF with 6+ clubs OR GF with both minors
.....2D-relays with 2+ clubs
..........2H-GF both minors
...............2S-relays
....................2N-reverser
.........................3C-relays
..............................3D-higher short
...............................etc
....................3C-5/5
.........................3D-relays
..............................3H-higher short
..........2S-GI, 5+ clubs
...............2N-to play
...............3C-to play
...............3D-fit, concentration
...............3H-fit, concentration
...............3S-fit, concentration
..........2N-GI, 5 clubs, 4 diamonds
...............3C-to play
...............3D-to play
...............3H-fit for a minor, concentration
...............3S-fit for a minor, concentration
..........3C-GF, 6C322, probably not slamming
...............3D-high short, 3-fit
...............3H-middle short, 3-fit
...............3S-low short 3-fit isn't possible
..........3D-GF, 1336
..........3H-GF, 3136
..........3S-GF, 3316
.....2H-six diamonds/four major
..........2S-GF relay
.....2S-minimum, unspecified splinter
..........2N-GF asks splinter
.....2N-minimum, club short
..........3C-sign off
..........3D-sign off
..........3H-strong club rebid
..........3S-strong diamond rebid
.....3C-four+ clubs, balanced, maximum
..........3D-high short
..........3H-middle short
..........3S-low short
.....3D-splinter, high short
.....3H-splinter, middle short
.....3S-splinter, low short
.....3N-maximum, club short
..........4C-slam try
..........4D-slam try
..........4H-RKC club
..........4S-RKC diamond

1D-2D shows GF with 6+ diamonds OR GI with 5+ diamonds OR GI with 5D/4C
.....2H-2+ diamonds
..........2S-GI, 5+ diamonds
..........2N-GI, 5D/4C
..........3C-GF, 6D322
..........3D-GF, 1363
..........3H-GF, 3163
..........3S-GF, 3361
.....2S-minimum, unspecified splinter
..........2N-ask
.....2N-minimum, diamond short
..........3C-to play
..........3D-to play
..........3H-bidding clubs strongly
..........3S-bidding diamonds strongly
.....3C-maximum, four+ diamonds
..........3D-high short
..........3H-middle short
..........3S-low short
.....3D-maximum splinter, high short
.....3H-maximum splinter, middle short
.....3S-maximum splinter, low short
.....3N-maximum, diamond short
..........4C-slam try
..........4D-slam try
..........4H-RKC clubs
..........4S-RKC diamonds