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In the original KS system, the 2C rebid promised both suits and was one round force, and at least in the revised systems (see for instance, the excellent PDF file on KS at http://www.bridgeguy...anSheinwold.pdf ) they use lebehnsol responses after this non-reverse “reverse”. The driving force behind the 2♣ rebid being forcing in KS is the following… 1) they open weak 1NT, 2) their 1NT rebid after 1m-1M, shows a strong NT type hand, and 3) A jump to 3♣ by opener sows a weak minor two suiter.
Ok, once you accept that 2♣ rebid CAN be forcing in some logical systems, even if not playing gazilla or the like, the question becomes how should the follow up be constructed? Mishovnbg and I have extended the concept the forcing 2♣ rebid on this auction, even though we play a “strong” 1NT opening bid. We agree with KS that a jump rebid of 3♣ on this auction is “weak minor two suiter”. However, unlike KS, our 2♣ rebid does not promise a club suit. The type of hands it can include are:
- strong two suiters limited only by the inability to open misho’s transfer preempt that shows really strong two suiter (see http://forums.bridgebase.com/index.php?sho...indpost&p=60190 )
- Balanced 17 to 19 hcp
- Strong one suited hands with just diamonds. Note, since this new minor includes balanced big hands, we use 2NT after the major suit response to show all strong hands with four card support. So this new minor DENIES more than 3 card support
- good 14+ hcp and three card support for the partners major (distribution most often 1-3-4-5, or 1-3-3-6 with poor six card minor and lots of controls in short suit).
Also, while we characterize this new minor by opener as forcing, in fact we play it can be passed with some exceptional hands. The reason is we open hands with an ACOL two bid in either minor with multi 2♦, thus our strong one suited minor hand is limited by the lack of this opening, and we open our really strong minor two suited hands with Misho’s transfer preempt, so strong two suiters opener can have are also limited. Of course to pass this 2♣ bid responder needs an exceptionally poor hand with a real club suit of his own. So, in effect, the lack of using one of these other opening bids has limited how strong our forcing 2♣ rebid can be, so making this only “quasi” forcing. Of course, if you do not play the Misho transfer preempts, then your 2♣ rebid could be made with REALLY very strong two suiters, in which case the 2♣ would be fully forcing.
One kind of hand were this system is really success has proven to be hands where opener has exactly 17 hcp balanced (we use 14-16 NT range) and responder is 4-2-1-6 and weak. The bidding goes at most tables, either 1NT all pass, or 1NT with some kind of stayman and then a signoff in 3C (if available when no spade fit is found). Our auction goes, 1D – 1S – 2C – all pass. Finding such a 6-2 or 6-3 club fit on these hands and stopping rationally in 2♣ has been remarkably successful. It also can be useful if opener has 18 or 19, as in standard it is impossible with the type responder hand mentioned above to get out of openers 2NT rebid and into 3♣. The identical auction if the minors were reversed would be 1C-1S-2D-pass as the same limits and same rules apply to the true minor reverse.
After this non-reverse, reverse, if responder doesn’t pass (pass is indeed extremely rare), his options are:
- 2♦ – can be pseudo preference, not forcing.
- rebid his major – weak with a five card +suit (if spades, exactly five). Opener is expected to pass with 17-19 balanced, and the weaker three card raise hands. A high card/control rich super fit (with 3 card support of course), can raise the major.
- Other major – artificial force, seeking more info from opener
- 2NT – transfer to 3♣ as either signoff in clubs, or game invite in some other suit, with a stopper in the other major.
- 3C = transfer to 3♦, shows better hand than 2♦, is either attempt to signoff or slam try, but remember the rule that this signoff attempt is stronger than 2♦s.
- 3♦ = transfer to 3♥, GF.
- 3♥ = transfer to spades, GF,
- 3NT (rare) shows exactly four in first major, and no more than 12 hcp. In general with such hands bid other major to try to get your partner to declarer Notrump (make this bid when you believe your side would be best suited to be declarer).
Note, on auctions like, 1D-1S-2C-2H-2NT- 3D or 3C by responder is 100% forcing. Responder could have bid 2D or 3C to show weak hand with diamonds, and would have bid 2NT himself to get out in clubs over 2C (or used the clever pass of the “forcing” 2♣ rebid as discussed above).
A further thing to consider is that since 1♦-1M-2♣ can be passed with long clubs and desperately weak hands, the 2NT transfer to signoff in clubs (or invite to game in another suit) show not only long clubs and weak hand, but also willingness to play in 3♣ opposite the “expected” 17-19 balanced hand. This can lead to some magic fit 3NT/5♣ contracts on exceptionally shallow values. This is similar to the 2♦ rebid over 2♣ compared to the 3♣ transfer to 3♦ bid over 2♣. Opener can refuse to bid 3♣ over 2NT (paradox) and bid something else with huge club fit (3NT if balanced). But remember, that 1D-1M-2NT-3D shows the long strong diamond one suiter, not willing to play 3♣ (with a few clubs, rebid 3♣ instead of 3♦ on some of these hands, let your hand be your guide). Also the 2NT rebid (as opposed to pass) helps reach the games where an exceptional strong minor two suiter is held by partner, so before you pass 2♣ with real clubs and very weak hand, keep this in mind.
Ben
