[mikeh]

If I read the thread correctly, which seems nlikely, west’s 2S simply shows 4 hearts. I truly don’t understand ths.

If we play support doubles, 2H shows 4 hearts and a minimum range opening hand while 2S establishes a gf and doesn’t promise hearts, but doesn’t deny hearts either.

If 2S promises hearts, what’s the difference between 2H, 3H, 4H, 2S and 3S?

Absent this information, we’re reduced to guessing. Since only a very weird player would bid 2S wth a minimum hand, and assuming it does show hearts, clearly we are driving to slam. I’ll keycard. If west was stupid enough to bid 2S on a minimum
, we’ll have a discussion later.

[pescetom]

 kgr, on 2026-October-27, 08:57, said:

What is 2♠, compared to 2♥ or 3♥? 2♠ should be strong?

2♠ is the good raise, the others are just competitive (length inferences depend whether playing Support Double or not, in this case no so 2♥ would be 3 cards and 3♥ 4 cards, 2♠ 3+).

[Cyberyeti]

pescetom, on 2026-October-27, 07:05, said:

Much the same decision I expect:

2♠ X 4♠ ?

Yes if 2♠, more interesting if 2♦

[pescetom]

Here is the full diagram.

MP

---

Our beginners did quite well, with only one pair in 4♥+2 and one in 4♠X making, the others all in 5♥+1 (or +2).
It seems the consensus to invite or investigate 6♥ is clear, thanks to those who replied.

[Cyberyeti]

2♠-X-5♠ would be a horrible decision

[mikeh]

Cyberyeti, on 2026-October-27, 15:03, said:

2♠-X-5♠ would be a horrible decision

When an opponent tells me that they think I can make slam and I already have slam interest, I bid slam

If north bids 5S, slam requires no more than x Kxxx Qx Axxxxx and partner has a MUCH better hand than that.

[Cyberyeti]

mikeh, on 2026-October-27, 16:26, said:

When an opponent tells me that they think I can make slam and I already have slam interest, I bid slam

If north bids 5S, slam requires no more than x Kxxx Qx Axxxxx and partner has a MUCH better hand than that.

5♠ says I think you can make 5♥, I don't know if you can make 6

[mikeh]

Cyberyeti, on 2026-October-27, 16:54, said:

5♠ says I think you can make 5♥, I don't know if you can make 6

That’s never been my understanding. As the late Grant Baze once wrote, as a Bols Bridge Tip, ‘the 5 level belongs to the opponents’. Very few expert pairs will save at the 5 level except on unusual hands. The reason for bidding 5S before the opps have even bid 4H is to take away biddng space and to force the opps to ‘make the last guess’.

Anyway, bidding 5S is silly. East bid 1H. That didn’t promise any significant values. South bid 1S, which could easily be on a very good opening hand. North has no reason to bid 5S when he has no reason to expect that the opps would even be bidding 5H over 4S…and might even be doing so as a save. Once again, we’re all victims of seeing the four hands.

[Cyberyeti]

mikeh, on 2026-October-27, 18:21, said:

That’s never been my understanding. As the late Grant Baze once wrote, as a Bols Bridge Tip, ‘the 5 level belongs to the opponents’. Very few expert pairs will save at the 5 level except on unusual hands. The reason for bidding 5S before the opps have even bid 4H is to take away biddng space and to force the opps to ‘make the last guess’.

Anyway, bidding 5S is silly. East bid 1H. That didn’t promise any significant values. South bid 1S, which could easily be on a very good opening hand. North has no reason to bid 5S when he has no reason to expect that the opps would even be bidding 5H over 4S…and might even be doing so as a save. Once again, we’re all victims of seeing the four hands.

No east didn't. I was talking specifically about the auction 2♠-X- now I think 5♠ is not silly, and 6♠ on this hand is only 300 which is better than 4♥

[P_Marlowe]

pescetom, on 2026-October-27, 15:00, said:

Here is the full diagram.

MP

---

Our beginners did quite well, with only one pair in 4♥+2 and one in 4♠X making, the others all in 5♥+1 (or +2).
It seems the consensus to invite or investigate 6♥ is clear, thanks to those who replied.

Slam is simpler to investigate if West bids 3H (or the lions / tigers bid 3S)

[pescetom]

 P_Marlowe, on 2026-October-28, 04:21, said:

Slam is simpler to investigate if West bids 3H (or the lions / tigers bid 3S)

Yes it would be simpler if North bid 3♠ or Pass... that's why North bids 4♠

Why do you say it would be simpler if West bids 3♥ rather than using the 2♠ cue as a forcing raise? North is still going to make the same call and we still have the same bids available after.