[1eyedjack]

IMP, robot tourney, best hand South

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OK, South should be taking some more action here, but the reason for the post is to focus on North's 2D and 2N bids.

Question 1:
In my previous experience, North bids a forcing 1N response on hands like this, then rebids 3N unless a major fit has been found, to describe this sort of hand. What decides when it makes a 2/1 response on a balanced hand in a ropey 4 card suit rather than go through the 1N structure?

Question 2:
What's with the 2N rebid by North? Systemically this denies a 4th Heart. It is not as if his Club guard is worth emphasising.

[RSClyde]

1eyedjack, on 2013-September-21, 07:28, said:

IMP, robot tourney, best hand South

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OK, South should be taking some more action here, but the reason for the post is to focus on North's 2D and 2N bids.

Question 1:
In my previous experience, North bids a forcing 1N response on hands like this, then rebids 3N unless a major fit has been found, to describe this sort of hand. What decides when it makes a 2/1 response on a balanced hand in a ropey 4 card suit rather than go through the 1N structure?

Question 2:
What's with the 2N rebid by North? Systemically this denies a 4th Heart. It is not as if his Club guard is worth emphasising.

This pair deserves the result and each other. South came nowhere close to showing his hand.
North's 2nt makes no sense as it should deny a heart fit... I mean this seems like pretty basic stuff. I often here bridge players defend "distorting" bids by saying that they'll make up for it later: "Yes but then I'll bid 4♥ over 3nt so I must have hearts then!" It's odd how they just assume that the auction will go that way: partner never bids anything other than 3nt.

I can honestly say that I've never gotten in trouble on a hand from showing a fit "too early".

BTW, 2D isn't my style either, but I prefer 2C on nondescript balanced hands: never been a big fan on the "just kidding" 1nt.