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The other table went 2NT - 3NT.
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Robot refused to bid 3NT with AJx in the unbid suit I lost 13 IMPs in a friends challenge
#1
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Posted 2026-August-22, 16:29
The other table went 2NT - 3NT.
#2
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Posted 2026-August-22, 19:41
mikl_plkcc, on 2026-August-22, 16:29, said:
The other table went 2NT - 3NT.
Would def have opened 2N, but since it's a 1C opening, perhaps if you subsequently bid 1S instead of 2, might robot have then gone 2H,then you bid 3N? Robot still might just bid 2D in that case though because not enough points to go to higher suit at 2 level? not sure if 1D 2H by responder is a responder reverse if they're a passed hand. Only other option is for you to jump to 3N and pray! 🙂
#3
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Posted 2026-August-23, 04:51
Hello! I am only an intermediate player, so take my comments with a grain of salt.
Personally, I try to avoid minors. If I held robots hand, I would have bid 1NT over 1C. I realize that SAYC suggests 1NT over a minor is 8-10 HCP, but if 5 cards to the 10 of diamonds warrants a diamond bid, then, IMO, a 1NT bid is better. I've often been surprised at the weakness of such robot suit bids when dummy comes down.
However, I agree with you. Once a jump in spades is shown (likely only 4 given then 1C opening), I, too, would have bid NT in robot's place given the heart stopper (though probably 2NT given the piddling diamond bid in this case and leave 3NT decision to opener). To me, given how my partner and I bid, the 3D bid denies a heart stopper.
I agree about 2NT, though it is personal preference, I think. Given the weakness of the heart suit, angling for a spade fit is reasonable, though 2NT may be more informative while still allowing Stayman to find a spade fit. If there had been a 2NT opening, and I held robot's hand, I would have gone to 3NT. Perhaps folks with more robot experience can provide guidance as to how robots might respond after 2NT opening? If I remember some of my past hands, robot has tried to transfer to minors after a 2NT opening with such a piddling diamond suit, but that might just be my perception bias! However, given how the cards lie, it may be difficult to make any game bid, but that is bridge. If we make every bid, we are under bidding! Best regards. Mike
Personally, I try to avoid minors. If I held robots hand, I would have bid 1NT over 1C. I realize that SAYC suggests 1NT over a minor is 8-10 HCP, but if 5 cards to the 10 of diamonds warrants a diamond bid, then, IMO, a 1NT bid is better. I've often been surprised at the weakness of such robot suit bids when dummy comes down.
However, I agree with you. Once a jump in spades is shown (likely only 4 given then 1C opening), I, too, would have bid NT in robot's place given the heart stopper (though probably 2NT given the piddling diamond bid in this case and leave 3NT decision to opener). To me, given how my partner and I bid, the 3D bid denies a heart stopper.
I agree about 2NT, though it is personal preference, I think. Given the weakness of the heart suit, angling for a spade fit is reasonable, though 2NT may be more informative while still allowing Stayman to find a spade fit. If there had been a 2NT opening, and I held robot's hand, I would have gone to 3NT. Perhaps folks with more robot experience can provide guidance as to how robots might respond after 2NT opening? If I remember some of my past hands, robot has tried to transfer to minors after a 2NT opening with such a piddling diamond suit, but that might just be my perception bias! However, given how the cards lie, it may be difficult to make any game bid, but that is bridge. If we make every bid, we are under bidding! Best regards. Mike
#4
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Posted 2026-August-23, 06:28
2NT-3NT is quite reasonable.
On the actual auction I strongly dislike 3♦: the ideal would be an artificial 2NT discouraging Opener, but if that is not available then 3♥ looks the least of all evils.
On the actual auction I strongly dislike 3♦: the ideal would be an artificial 2NT discouraging Opener, but if that is not available then 3♥ looks the least of all evils.
#5
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Posted 2026-August-23, 17:22
Honestly, it's been a while since I've seen a jump shift by opener in GIB so I'm hazy on responder's rebids. IIRC (and somebody can correct me) 2NT is an artificial transfer to 3♣ in preparation for a signoff pass or 3♦ also as a signoff type bid.
So if 2NT is ruled out for responder, then they would have to bid 3NT but my guess is that 3NT would also show a maximum pass, so around 9-11 HCP, which is a huge overbid for responder's hand.
You would have to check to see what 3♥ by opener means after 3♦ from responder, but that's what I would bid with a human partner. With a heart stopper, and spade and clubs suits already shown, I would bid 3NT if I wanted to play NT. So logically, 3♥ should ask for partner if they have hearts stopped. But this is GIB so who knows.
Raising to 4♦ is a bid that would not cross my mind.
So if 2NT is ruled out for responder, then they would have to bid 3NT but my guess is that 3NT would also show a maximum pass, so around 9-11 HCP, which is a huge overbid for responder's hand.
You would have to check to see what 3♥ by opener means after 3♦ from responder, but that's what I would bid with a human partner. With a heart stopper, and spade and clubs suits already shown, I would bid 3NT if I wanted to play NT. So logically, 3♥ should ask for partner if they have hearts stopped. But this is GIB so who knows.
Raising to 4♦ is a bid that would not cross my mind.
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