[jillybean]

---

Team

[P_Marlowe]

You know there is a joker on the table, ..., it is likely South,
who made the 1H bid with club shortage.

You could pass, seeing what develops, but 1Hxx is already game, they
are in a 4(5)-3 and only at the 1 level, and even 1Hxx-1 is not enough
to compensate game your way (which may or may not make).

I think the simple bid is 3NT.

[mw64ahw]

X for me says I've got equal length in the other two suits - wide ranging strength - I have to bid my 7-card suit so 2♣

[Cyberyeti]

mw64ahw, on 2026-June-08, 02:43, said:

X for me says I've got equal length in the other two suits - wide ranging strength - I have to bid my 7-card suit so 2♣

Which could easily end the auction with game on, it's what I'd bid with the same hand minus 2 aces.

In fact is this a totally fanciful layout ?

---

Where you play a comfortable 6 in 2 unless S rescues you

[mw64ahw]

Cyberyeti, on 2026-June-08, 03:04, said:

Which could easily end the auction with game on, it's what I'd bid with the same hand minus 2 aces.

In fact is this a totally fanciful layout ?

---

Where you play a comfortable 6 in 2 unless S rescues you

yep - 2♣ is an underbid, possibly 3♣ or 2N

[P_Marlowe]

Another issue with 2C / 3C: Is it even natural? Only because you want it to be, does not mean, that it is.
2C can easily be constructed as equal length in the shown suit, asking p, to bid his better.
3C can easily be constructed as a stopper ask.

When I write "easily constructed" this means sensible alternative meaning, ..., I am not discussing, if
3C a natural is sensible, p has shown a 2-suited hand, i.e. a single / void in club is not impossible and
my suit is ragged, and if I really want to play 3C being red facing nothing ..., it is at least open for
discussion in my opinion.

And even if 3C is natural, it is nonforcing.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Cyberyeti]

P_Marlowe, on 2026-June-08, 04:23, said:

Another issue with 2C / 3C: Is it even natural? Only because you want it to be, does not mean, that it is.
2C can easily be constructed as equal length in the shown suit, asking p, to bid his better.
3C can easily be constructed as a stopper ask.

When I write "easily constructed" this means sensible alternative meaning, ..., I am not discussing, if
3C a natural is sensible, p has shown a 2-suited hand, i.e. a single / void in club is not impossible and
my suit is ragged, and if I really want to play 3C being red facing nothing ..., it is at least open for
discussion in my opinion.

And even if 3C is natural, it is nonforcing.

With kind regards
Marlowe

I would suggest opps system matters, against me, where a club is always at least 4, you probably don't want to play 2♣ natural, against a typical US short club you do.

For all its faults, I have a 15 count, so we are in the game zone, my second choice is 3N. Depends to some extent what you double on.

[P_Marlowe]

Cyberyeti, on 2026-June-08, 06:52, said:

I would suggest opps system matters,
<snip>

For sure.

[jillybean]

Opps system is not short club, but could be 3
Awkward isn’t it?

[mike777]

3NT seems sensible

[P_Marlowe]

jillybean, on 2026-June-08, 07:43, said:

Opps system is not short club, but could be 3
Awkward isn’t it?

If you have to treat 2+ differently than 3+ is an open question, we dont.
I happen to play 2C over 1C as natural, but I am not a big fan of this, but my
p likes to play it, and I dont mind, i.e. we play a direct 2C as natural.

Obv. at the table they though that a direct 2C was a Michaels Cue, they decided
to wait (sensible), but the followup auction made them remember the saying:
"Live happens, while you are making plans.".

[Cyberyeti]

We play that a pass over a potentially short club, then a bid of clubs or a 2 suited bid that might have clubs shows clubs. The only exception is in a UCB situation.

[jillybean]

Yes, so do I but when partner also gets into the auction, it's awkward.
2C now is some sort of cue.

UCB un.. cue bid?

[Cyberyeti]

jillybean, on 2026-June-08, 08:49, said:

Yes, so do I but when partner also gets into the auction, it's awkward.
2C now is some sort of cue.

UCB un.. cue bid?

Unassuming

[P_Marlowe]

jillybean, on 2026-June-08, 08:49, said:

Yes, so do I but when partner also gets into the auction, it's awkward.
2C now is some sort of cue.

UCB un.. cue bid?

The question is, what do you expect partner to do, assuming you can transmit the information,
that you have a club suit.
You know, there is a joker on the table, you know, that you have 15HCP:
But Partner does not know this.
Even if you are able to show constructive values and a club suit, he will still assume, that the
points are evenly distributed, 20 / 20, that it is a part score deal.
He will also see a potential misfit auction, and try to stay low.

In other words, unless you can at a safe level transmit the information about your club suit and
your strength, you should try to make a pragmatic decision.

I can cite the GOAT, assuming I got the referenced person right: If 3NT is a sensible bid, go for it.

[mw64ahw]

mw64ahw, on 2026-June-08, 03:19, said:

yep - 2♣ is an underbid, possibly 3♣ or 2N

Re-thinking this - while 2♣ may be an underbid for ♣ it can also be a 15+ hand/support the way I play it

[jillybean]

If I can safely transmit the information, I hope partner will pass.
Ace empty club and stiff ♠K does not look great for 3nt.
With a 2♣ bid available, I hope 3♣ will transmit the message

Let's just say I have the best hand at the table and surprisingly for me, haven't overbid.

[jillybean]

mw64ahw, on 2026-June-08, 09:38, said:

Re-thinking this - while 2♣ may be an underbid for ♣ it can also be a 15+ hand/support the way I play it

2♣ is ill advised but not an underbid, partner will never pass.

[WasWinM]

Does no one play this first double as a weakish two suiter in the unbids, spades and diamonds?

[Cyberyeti]

jillybean, on 2026-June-08, 09:44, said:

2♣ is ill advised but not an underbid, partner will never pass.

Partner should pass with the hand I gave that makes a slam, what would you do with A98 to 7 or 8 and a card