[pescetom]

This time from pairs tournament.

MP

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In your preferred partnership, would you have opened differently from 1♥ and if so, how and why?
What inferences if any do you have about the hearts of partner after 1♠?
What do you rebid now and what does it tell partner?

[Cyberyeti]

We don't automatically bid 3♥ in front of 4♠, I will lie, 1♥-1♠-2N(GF unbal)-3♣(semi forced unless extreme dist)-3♠ (6♥/3♠).

[DavidKok]

I agree with the 1♥ opening. 1♠ denies three hearts (the spades only get priority with slam interest, which is not possible as a passed hand). Do note the negative inference from failure to bid 2♠.

In my main partnership I'd bid 2NT Gazzilli, showing 5-5 GF. Responder asks with 3♣ and 3♥ shows secondary clubs. We don't have a way to find a 5-3 spade fit on that start. I suspect that a natural and game forcing 3♣ would be more effective here.

[mw64ahw]

I guess standard would be 3♣, but playing KI5 I use 2♠ to show the same ♣ bid. 4♠s (any strength) by opener are shown via 2♦.
If responder has 5♠<3♥ weak they bid 1N. After 1N I bid 4♣ (support) given a slam in ♠ is still possible.

[pescetom]

Standard is certainly 3♣ showing 5+♥ 4+♣, which exerts severe pressure on Responder if in a minimum misfit.

[jillybean]

1♥ (agree)
1♠ as expected!
3♣ is the only option I have, my partner can cope with it

nice problem

[mikeh]

I agree with David that 1S, by a passed hand, denies 3 hearts. I disagree with him on needing slam interest to bid spades, with heart support, as an unpassed hand. I think it standard that one raises hearts if one has only single raise values…it’s a beginner’s error to bid 1S with those hands. But I happily bid 1Scwith hands stronger than a single raise, since I like to describe my hand to partner.

As for the problem, playing normal 2/1 style methods this is a routine 3C, recognizing that strong jumpshifts by opener constitute one of the weakest areas of standard bidding theory. At least I have clubs rather than diamonds, which gives responder a 3D punt on some difficult hands, over which we bid a happy 3S.

[Cyberyeti]

mikeh, on 2026-April-01, 18:31, said:

I agree with David that 1S, by a passed hand, denies 3 hearts. I disagree with him on needing slam interest to bid spades, with heart support, as an unpassed hand. I think it standard that one raises hearts if one has only single raise values…it’s a beginner’s error to bid 1S with those hands. But I happily bid 1Scwith hands stronger than a single raise, since I like to describe my hand to partner.

As for the problem, playing normal 2/1 style methods this is a routine 3C, recognizing that strong jumpshifts by opener constitute one of the weakest areas of standard bidding theory. At least I have clubs rather than diamonds, which gives responder a 3D punt on some difficult hands, over which we bid a happy 3S.

Do you really bid 2♥ with xxxxxxx, xxx, void, AJx or do you not pass this ? or bid 2♠ ?

[DavidKok]

I play Maas and 'support with support', and I choose to raise hearts even before showing spades with invitational hands. The continuations after 1♥-1♠ have gaps as well for hearts hands, which results in blasting just to get our support in. Some example auctions are 1♥-1♠; 3♣/3♦, 1♥-1♠; 2♠ or even auctions like 1♥-1♠; 3NT-4♥ where partner might have had slam aspirations on hearing of the support. All things considered I prefer supporting immediately, and I can show the spades after.

 Cyberyeti, on 2026-April-02, 00:21, said:

Do you really bid 2♥ with xxxxxxx, xxx, void, AJx or do you not pass this ? or bid 2♠ ?

I think it is a bad idea to pass this hand the first time around. However, if we change the seating and we are an UPH, I have sympathies for both a simple raise and a weak jump shift - with a hand this weak spades likely plays better despite the known fit.

[pescetom]

DavidKok, on 2026-April-01, 15:10, said:

I agree with the 1♥ opening. 1♠ denies three hearts (the spades only get priority with slam interest, which is not possible as a passed hand). Do note the negative inference from failure to bid 2♠.

In my main partnership I'd bid 2NT Gazzilli, showing 5-5 GF. Responder asks with 3♣ and 3♥ shows secondary clubs. We don't have a way to find a 5-3 spade fit on that start. I suspect that a natural and game forcing 3♣ would be more effective here.

I too prefer to play that 1♠ denies three hearts except with certain hands, mainly slam interest. And share the negative inference from lack of 2♠.

I opened 1♥ here and would do so with most partners, although in my rogue NT partnership this would go through 2♣-birthright-3♣ showing 5-5 GF (5-4 takes its chances in 1M or some level of 2NT).
My Gazzilli is still on the shelf awaiting partner, but could show either 5 5 through 2NT (thanks) or 5+ 4+ with 3= spades, which I would have preferred here.

[pescetom]

Here is South's predicament in standard 2/1.

MP

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[mikeh]

Cyberyeti, on 2026-April-02, 00:21, said:

Do you really bid 2♥ with xxxxxxx, xxx, void, AJx or do you not pass this ? or bid 2♠ ?

Well, such an everyday hand isn’t it? lol. But I’d bid 2H at MPs and 1S at imps, intending to rebid 2S if it goes 1H 1S 1N, and otherwise preference to hearts if convenient. I bid 1S at imps because game is likely reasonable (and worth a try to get to) should partner raise spades while at matchpoints I want to limit my hand while preempting a 2D overcall.

[mikeh]

pescetom, on 2026-April-02, 14:29, said:

Here is South's predicament in standard 2/1.

MP

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I don’t see this as a real problem at this juncture. I think south has several plausible options. 3D as a stall works well when opener is 1=5=3=4 and will rarely lead to a silly auction. I think it’s clearly the best option. 3H on xx isn’t unreasonable but I’d not choose it due to having the 3D call available. Even 3N is plausible but I think 3D is better.

Now, after 3D, north has an easy 3S and then south does indeed have a problem. The sequence suggests either 3=5=0=5 or 3=5=1=4 (with 3514 more likely than 3505) and the possibility of the latter rules out playing in clubs. I’d probably bid 3N. 3=5=1=4 is not ideal for moysian spade game let alone an 11 trick 5C contract with declarer often getting tapped early.

[pescetom]

mikeh, on 2026-April-02, 15:08, said:

I don’t see this as a real problem at this juncture. I think south has several plausible options. 3D as a stall works well when opener is 1=5=3=4 and will rarely lead to a silly auction. I think it’s clearly the best option. 3H on xx isn’t unreasonable but I’d not choose it due to having the 3D call available. Even 3N is plausible but I think 3D is better.

Now, after 3D, north has an easy 3S and then south does indeed have a problem. The sequence suggests either 3=5=0=5 or 3=5=1=4 (with 3514 more likely than 3505) and the possibility of the latter rules out playing in clubs. I’d probably bid 3N. 3=5=1=4 is not ideal for moysian spade game let alone an 11 trick 5C contract with declarer often getting tapped early.

Thanks, exactly what happened to us. Did not score particularly well (48%).
I approved the 3D punt and I didn't feel that either had clear fault, but as it happened a commitment to the moysian spades would have paid.
The pair who found the clubs slam took the bulk of MP, followed by game in spades.

[pescetom]

MP

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As it turned out, everything was well placed in clubs or even spades.

[mw64ahw]

Indeed a tricky slam to bid and responder can do little apart from go through the motions.
Possibly if South bids 3N directly opener may have the nouse to realise the slam is feasible.
Perhaps 3♦ suggests 5233, 3253, 5x4x or 4x5x looking for the 53 fit so bidding 3N directly puts South with a likely 4243. Now opener with those controls and shape can bid on.

Playing KI5 I have in my bidding software
1♥ -1♠ forcing
2♠ 5xx4 - 3♣ Shape?
.. 3♦ x5x5
.... 3♥ Shortage?
...... 3♠ x5s5
...... 3N s5x5
...... 4♣ 3505 SI
...... 4♦ 0535 SI even KCs
...... 0535 SI odd KCs
.. 3♥ 2524
.. 3♠ 2514
.. 3N 1524

[Cyberyeti]

mikeh, on 2026-April-02, 14:58, said:

Well, such an everyday hand isn’t it? lol. But I’d bid 2H at MPs and 1S at imps, intending to rebid 2S if it goes 1H 1S 1N, and otherwise preference to hearts if convenient. I bid 1S at imps because game is likely reasonable (and worth a try to get to) should partner raise spades while at matchpoints I want to limit my hand while preempting a 2D overcall.

That was a particularly extreme example, but 5 or more bad spades unsuitable for a preempt for most people, 3 hearts and minimum responding values is not that uncommon.

We of course don't have any of these inferences playing 4M Weak NT 4M4m opens the minor. Partner will have at least 3♠ if he has 15-19 with only 4 hearts, so we must bid 1♠ with this type, but even more so we can show very minimum with 3♥ with 1♥-1♠-1N-2♥, all decent hands bid 2♣.

[DavidKok]

As always, when holding weak shapely hands in particular, the focus should not be on uncontested auctions opposite a minimum opening. Worry instead about interference and partner making strong jumps.

For example, what are your agreements on 1♥-(P)-1♠-(2♦); P-(3♦)-?

[Cyberyeti]

DavidKok, on 2026-April-03, 04:52, said:

As always, when holding weak shapely hands in particular, the focus should not be on uncontested auctions opposite a minimum opening. Worry instead about interference and partner making strong jumps.

For example, what are your agreements on 1♥-(P)-1♠-(2♦); P-(3♦)-?

If that was to me, X=4♣, 3♣=5♣, partner won't have a weak NT with 4 or 5 hearts, can bid 2♠ with 3, pass would tend to imply diamonds

[DavidKok]

I don't follow, sorry. You are bidding 3♣ and/or 2♠ over 3♦, while denying a WNT by default? Do you not open those 1♥ some of the time?