[jillybean]

"standard systems" but feel free to comment on your favorite methods.

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I beleive most intermediates would bid a positive 2♠, showing a spade suit with 2 of the top 3

[paulg]

3NT

Of course many will play Kokish and be able to be more specific.

[jillybean]

3nt showing 25-27 I assume this is where the agreements stop

[mw64ahw]

3♠ SI

[apollo1201]

3S and see what comes next.

We will soon be able to count up to 12 or 13 thanks to RKCB, as we will be able to ascertain the presence of S KQ (that usually should be necessary to bid 2S in several systems, but not sure if they are guaranteed here) and HA.

5 trumps + 7 AKQ + D established by ruffing. Or a C ruff in my hand. Should work most of the times.

The DJ or HQ will help bid 7 NT but not sure how to check them.

[akwoo]

I bid 3♠.

If it goes 2♣-2♠-3♠-4♥-4N-5♠, the correct bid is 6♥, asking for 3rd round control in hearts.

If 2♣-2♠-3♠-3N is non-serious (or serious), I can see bidding NT right away so that an eventual 6N is right-sided. Otherwise, the risk that partner will "steal" NT from you is low.

[DavidKok]

3♠, but we may have to pull to NT later to protect that ♥K. Note that '2 of the top 3' means we have at least 5 cashing spade tricks.

[jillybean]

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Are we cue bidding now?

[DavidKok]

Yes, here we start making control bids.

[jillybean]

Italian style, Ace, King, Single, Void at the 4 level
Do you have any other agreements?

[Cyberyeti]

jillybean, on 2026-August-28, 11:45, said:

Are we cue bidding now?

Depends what you've agreed for 3N

[mike777]

3S, now responder shows controls up the line. With nothing outside they rebid 4S

But really just RKC over 2S

Don't over complicate

[jillybean]

 Cyberyeti, on 2026-August-28, 12:54, said:

Depends what you've agreed for 3N

What are your agreements?

[mw64ahw]

jillybean, on 2026-August-28, 13:02, said:

What are your agreements?

Weak trumps for me, as I wouldn't require 2/3 top trumps to bid 2♠

[P_Marlowe]

3S.

Starts a Cuebidding seq., ..., you could argue that it creates a force toward 4NT.
First Cue showes a top honor, ..., this means, you know, that the Ace of hearts is
on boards / missing with partners next bid.
If it is missing, you can bid 6NT, if it is with p, you can bid 7S, you may need a
diamond ruff to get 13 tricks.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[mikeh]

I agree with the consensus of bidding 3S.

Agreements would help. I think this should be similar to 2C 2D 3S. Responder is expected to cuebid, but to bid 3N with a side king, 4H to promise the Ace and 4S with no side ace or king. I don’t like the notion of 4H (edited to correct typo) could be shortness.on this hand that would work well, but on a different layout being able to rely on it showing the king. (After 3N 4C 4H) may be very important. Picture AJx AQJx n the majors.

I doubt that many pairs would have this agreement. But if partner bids 4H over 3S, I will bid 7S at imp and 7N at mps. It will be at worst on one of a red suit squeeze, a diamond break or a heart hook. And of course sometimes partner has the club or heart queens or the diamond Jack. Snce opposite KQxxx and the heart ace most pairs will be in grand, I’m willing to try for a good board rather than slightly over average.

If he denies the heart Ace, I’ll bid 6N.

[jillybean]

P_Marlowe, on 2026-August-28, 13:50, said:

3S.

Starts a Cuebidding seq., ..., you could argue that it creates a force toward 4NT.
First Cue showes a top honor, ..., this means, you know, that the Ace of hearts is
on boards / missing with partners next bid.
If it is missing, you can bid 6NT, if it is with p, you can bid 7S, you may need a
diamond ruff to get 13 tricks.

With kind regards
Marlowe

This is the first cue bid we are making and it is above game. Are we only showing Aces?
I think Mikes following comment answers this.

[jillybean]

Now I have to wait 2 months before I post the East hand to find out what you would have bid.