[sceptic]

Hi,

If the bidding goes 1NT : P : 2D or 2H transfer

it now becomes your bid what do the following show and what values do you need

1/. X

2/. 2S

3/. 2NT

4/. 3C

5/. 3D

6/. 4C

7/. 4D

8/. 4H

9/. 4S

10/. 4NT

No agreements pick up p's

What agreements are available over the opps bidding for a regular partnership

SAYC and 2/1 answers if you would not mind

[han]

I will assume that the auction has started (1NT)-pass-(2H). My bids are now:

Dbl: please lead a heart partner.

2S: Michaels, 5-5 in hearts and a minor.

2NT: both minors.

3m, 3H, 4C, 4D, 4H: natural. Over a strong notrump you don't need many HCP for these bids, just good suits and shape.

So far pretty standard. I left out 3S, I've never seen this and I don't know what it is. Perhaps a good hand with a long solid minor, asking partner to bid 3NT with a spade stopper.

4S: both minors, think I can make 5m. Feel free to bid 6 if you have good stuff. (This will be very rare over a strong notrump, but this is a default agreement for me).

4NT: both minors, preemptive.

What system you play (sayc, 2/1, precision, etc.) has nothing to do with your bids after they have opened.

[Blofeld]

Over, (1NT) P (2♥), I would expect:

DBL: lead directional, possibly inviting competition in ♥s
2♠: Takeout, with decent shape.
2NT: some 2-suiter
3♣, 3♦, 3♥ : standard overcalls
3♠: I've no idea. Possibly a western cue?
3NT: to play
4♣, 4♦: pre-emptive
4♥: to play. Not sure about strength.
4♠: not sure that this would exist.
4NT: both minors

but I'm not sure where I've picked those expectations up from, nor whether they're a sensible agreement.

[han]

We had a discussion here a while ago about what the cuebid should show, e.g. (1NT)-pass-(2H)-2S. Fred and others convinced me that it is much better to play this as a two-suited hand, not as take-out.

Fred's argument was (I hope I'm not screwing this up!) that with a take-out double, you don't need to come in right now. If they are going to play in game then it only gives away information to declarer, while if they stop in 2S then you can double for take-out later. However, with a 2-suited hand it can be very useful to enter the auction right now.

[han]

Went way back in time and found the link, should be interesting if you haven't seen it before:

http://forums.bridge...wtopic=6275&hl=

Among other things, Fred claims that this was the first time he completely disagreed with one of Ben's posts!