[straube]

Adam, would you please fill in the blanks here? I've been looking at your notes and they say that after 1C-1H, 1S promises 5 hearts if not game forcing, but I think you've modified a bit
maybe to promise 3 spades because 1C-1H, 2m and 2H seem to promise 6-cd suits (or 5440s) without 3 spades.

1C-1H
..........1S
..........1N-1 or 2 spades, semi-balanced
..........2C-6 clubs or 0445, denies 3 spades
..........2D-6 diamonds or 0454, denies 3 spades
..........2H-6 hearts (or 0544?), denies 3 spades
..........2S-5/5 minors

If that's right, then after 1C-1H, 1S-1N (wherein responder shows either S/D, balanced, or 3-suited short a red)
..........2C-GF ask
..........2D-the notes say this is natural, but is this 3S/6D or is it 5H/4+D?
..........2H-is this 3S/5H or could it be 5H/4+C?
..........2S-usually 3, rarely 4 spades
..........3C-3S, 6C?

Assuming the auctions starts 1C-1H, 1S, how do you separate such hands as

A AQxxx KQxxx Jx
Axx AQxxx KQ Kxx
Axx AQx x AQJxxx
Axx AQx AQJxxx x

I'm guessing that 3S/6m hands start off 1S and rebid 3m. Does opener's 2red rebid promise 3 spades?

[awm]

1♣ - 1♥ -1♠ is any of:

1. 3+♠
2. 5+♥ and a 4+ minor
3. any GF

After 1♣-1♥-1♠-1NT:

2♣ = GF relay
2♦ = 5+♥ 4+♦
2♥ = 5+♥ 4+♣
2♠ = 3♠
3m = natural with 3♠... but we often just bid 2♠ with this hand
3♠ = 4♠ but very min

After 1♣-1♥-1♠-2♣ (spades and clubs):

2♦ = GF relay
2♥ = 5+♥ 4+♦
2♠ = 3♠
2NT = 3♠ 4+♣
3♣ = 5+♥ 4+♣
3♦ = natural with 3♠... but we often just bid 2♠ with this hand
3♠ = 4♠ very min

After 1♣-1♥-1♠-2♦ (5+♠ one-suited):

2♥ = GF relay
2♠ = 2♠,5+♥
2N = 15(43) or similar
3m = 5+♥, 5m
3♥ = 6+♥ (presumably 4m)
3♠ = 3♠ very min

After 1♣-1♥-1♠-2♥ (5+♥ 4♠)

2♠ = GF relay, includes all hands with 5+♥ for the obvious reason
2N = 3♠ 0-2♥
3m = 3♠ 6+m
3♥ = 3♥ very min
3♠ = 4♠ very min

[straube]

Thanks a lot. I suppose if partner has 3541 he can choose between supporting spades and showing the reds.

It seems to me your structure takes full advantage of knowing responder has four spades whereas what we have been doing ignores it. I know (for example) that rebidding 2C with 3145 is wrong. It's less to remember and presently we are using a NT structure that wouldn't let responder force in spades (showing 6 and avoiding a 6-1 fit) after 1C-1H, 1N. If you or others reading have any advice for us, here's what I'm aiming to play until we can invest in what you're doing...

The 4S/5H hand poses a special problem for us. Along with 1C-2H for that hand (which I don't think I mind showing right away)...

1S-gf or 5+H/4m or 4H/5+D
.....1N-clubs or bal or 5S332
..........2D-4H/5+D
...............2S-GF relay
..........2H-5H/4m (so we can only find club fit if responder removes)
..........2S-four-fit
.....2C-diamonds
..........2H-5H (only finding diamond fit if responder removes)
..........2S-four-fit
..........3D-4H/5D
.....2D-3-suited with any shortness
..........2S-four-fit
..........2N-hearts and diamonds
..........3C-hearts and clubs
.....2H-6S, single-suited
.....2S-5S/4H, high or even short
.....2N-5S/4H, low short
.....etc-5S/5H
1N-bal
2C-like for 1C-1D (6C or 4H/5C or 4D/5C)
.....2D-gf relay
.....2H-5S/4+H
2D-like for 1C-1D (6D or 4C/5D)
.....2H-gf relay
.....3H-5S/5H
2H-6H, 4m is possible
2S-5/5
2N-1444

I think I see what's wrong about this. Like we wind up in 2N when you are in 1N on misfits. We take responder out of perfectly good 6-1 fits because we're afraid of 5-1 fits. We
lose spade fits. I think it's playable but open to feedback.