Posted 2005-January-27, 19:50
Hand #1: I don't think one can immediately determine whether or not hand #1 is GF playing precision until one gets a rebid from opener. This type of hand opens another can of worms, specifically the almost universal position that an inverted single raise of a minor denies a 4-card major. BUT, should it, especially playing limited openers with 1D showing 2+ diamonds, or whatever? I suspect that I am probably alone in this, but I say no. Wouldn't it be nice to get the invitational-plus nature off of one's chest with a forcing single raise, and be able to rebid your spade suit or raise spades depending on opener's rebid? Maybe some agreements regarding the meaning of opener's rebid would be necessary, maybe not if just playing naturally. An initial response of 1S creates rebid problems. (anticipate many disagreements to this position.) BTW, knowing what 1NT opening range the parternship is playing might help....?
Hand#2: 5D is enough. Where is it written that the 4Heart bid necessarily shows a weak hand and that P has a big hand? IMO it shows a hand that could be of any range whereby the 4H bidder has decided to place the contract. Otherwise, the 4Ht bidder might have bid something else?
"That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!"