[pescetom]

This fun board caused havoc in the national simultaneous tournament, particularly in my club.
1D is 4+, 1NT 15-17, 2/1.

MP

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Your bid in East?

[mikeh]

I infer that the auction becomes interesting but, for now, this is a silly question

[mike777]

I imagine the discussion is 1H or 2C in an intermediate club game.


I would try 2C.

Opener rebidding over the 2D level, for me, would need not promise extras

Without discussion in 2/1 I don't think rebidding a major need promise an unbalanced hand but probably does.

[jillybean]

From a North American perspective.
1♥, we have the gadgets needed to bid this.

Let's not add more conventions to an already complicated game.

[mike777]

jillybean, on 2026-October-22, 17:42, said:

From a North American perspective.
1♥, we have the gadgets needed to bid this.

Let's not add more conventions to an already complicated game.

It certainly will test intermediate players when it starts
1d-1h
2d...

or
1d-1h
2d-2s
3h-?

[akwoo]

After 1D-1H, a rebid of 2D denies a 4th spade, though it does not deny a 4th club.

I respond 1H. If partner rebids 2D, my next bid is 5N, over which I will pass 6C and bid 6N over anything else.

[jillybean]

I'm eagerly awaiting the Italian approach.

[mw64ahw]

I can imagine some of our Acol club players diving in with some level of NT.
With no. 1 partner it's 1♠ game invitational asking for shape.

[DavidKok]

1♥ now.
I think a 2♦ rebid by opener does deny four clubs or spades, unless opener has a 7-4 type of hand. For me it also denies three hearts.
Over this 2♠ is 3SGF, asking for more information. My continuations are shape-based:

• 2NT: 3=1=6=3/3=2=6=2
  
• 3♣: 2=2=6=3
  
• 3♦: 7(+)♦

If you play that 2♦ may have 3 hearts I think 3♥ would show exactly 6 diamonds with 3 hearts and not 3 spades, so 2=3=6=2 or 1=3=6=3 (with 3=3=6=1 I would bid 2NT and then support hearts if responder bids a waiting 3♣).¹

We should be prepared for the possibility that partner has opened some 10-count with 6 or 7 diamonds and little outside. I think we are still getting to slam, but it will take a lot of bidding space to convince partner that their holding is good enough to cooperate. We should bid slowly, so partner can tell us of their shape and (presumed lack of) strength, after which we can make a strong forward-going move.

In my opinion jumping to 5NT is asking for trouble.

I don't hate 1♦-2♣ as a start, but it is not systemic for me. Additionally, I think a lot of players have terrible continuations after that start (or might not even know their agreements). Then again, I think people also do not have clear agreements about 1♦-1♥; 2♦, nor about 3SGF, nor about the followups.


¹Note that opener 100% promises 6 diamonds. Combine this with denying 4 spades or clubs (barring the swans that will present as a one-suiter) and 3 hearts, and one of the following must be true:

• Opener has 7(+) diamonds.
  
• Opener has a '3=2=6=3 minus a non-diamond card'.

[pescetom]

 mikeh, on 2026-October-22, 16:05, said:

I infer that the auction becomes interesting but, for now, this is a silly question

There is a standard answer for now, but I've learned not to straight jacket the discussion innecessarily.
The havoc wasn't in the auction, but it does have at least one interesting decision before the end, although it's the play that is the real point of interest for I/A.

[pescetom]

 jillybean, on 2026-October-22, 19:40, said:

I'm eagerly awaiting the Italian approach.

I would bid 1♥ with conviction, but I know some of our players bid 2♣ (some have methods to make it work, some are just apeing those who do and some just don't have a clue).

[pescetom]

MP

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All standard here.

Your bid in East?

[DavidKok]

2♠ 4SGF, intending to raise clubs after.

[mike777]

 pescetom, on 2026-October-23, 02:03, said:

MP

---

All standard here.

Your bid in East?

Agree in 2/1 given that start, 2S now 4sF to game.

One reason I preferred starting 2C playing standard 2/1.

Fwiw unbalanced diamond with XYZ
Could start
1D!-1H
1NT!-3C!

1NT denied 4S and 3H, shows long D and 4+C
3C! Shows clubs and slam interest, extras, strong hand.

[P_Marlowe]

pescetom, on 2026-October-23, 02:03, said:

MP

---

All standard here.

Your bid in East?

2S, FSF ... it does not really matter, if you play it as GF or not, in the end you will
have to bid 4C next time, unless p discovers a spade stopper.
But even than 3C is a forcing club raise with SI.

[DavidKok]

mike777, on 2026-October-23, 02:21, said:

Fwiw unbalanced diamond with XYZ
Could start
1D!-1H
1NT!-3C!

1NT denied 4S and 3H, shows long D and 4+C
3C! Shows clubs and slam interest, extras, strong hand.

Could you share your system notes? Normally the jump to 3♣ after the transfer rebid in unbalanced diamond shows invitational values as far as I know, not a slam try.
Personally I prefer different continuations to transfer rebids, but I agree they are convenient while not being too complex.