Venom

Some people ( I believe that Marty Bergen is one proponent) recommend bidding a hand holding both a 6-card and a 4-card suit by first bidding the 6-card suit, next bidding the 4-card suit, and then rebidding the 6-card suit regardless of had strength. Others (Frank Stewart being one proponent) recommend rebidding the 6-card suit first and then bidding the 4-card suit if necessary when holding a minimum opening hand, and initially rebidding the 4-card suit followed by rebidding the 6-card suit only when holding additional values. DHL/ Don aka Double !

In answering what rebid might best serve the partnership, arguments can be made for both 2 or 3S for reasons already presented. However, IMO, at least part of the rebid decision should be based on opener's holding in responder's heart suit, in this case Tx. Due to this partial support, I recommend a 2-spade rebid. (We will be getting to game: I haven't had a partner pass in a forcing sequence within the past 2 weeks.) Think about responder's hand and potential problems. So far responder has only informed you of having at least an opening bid and at least 5 hearts. Not much to go on, yet. If opener rebids 2S, this leaves many more options for rebids for responder after which opener can have a better picture of how to move. With AKQ7th of spades, the issue of what is going to be trumps is likely predetermined and established by a 3S rebid. Otherwise, opener needs more information from responder. Consider this: With the given opening hand, if opener rebids 3S to show the good suit and/ or extra values, what is responder to do with an opening hand and a decent 6-card heart suit? 4Hts?-have you agreed on the meaning of 4Hts in this sequence. If opener rebids 2S, responder has room to rebid the hearts if warranted without cramping the bidding. A raise to 4 by opener might then show a minimum with 2 (maybe 3 hearts) while a bid of 4m might now show at least 2-card heart support and extra value. One may or may not agree with my reasoning. But I suspect that most would agree with my premise that opener should at least consider responder's potential rebid problems when deciding on his/ her own initial rebid. Rules like 6-4-6 or always make this specific rebid, whatever that might be, are guidelines and not aq substitute for reasoning and trying to facilitate communication: sometimes one needs to plan in advance. Tx DHL (prev. Double !)

What was wrong with the previous version? I had to change the name of my personna to a previous screen name in order to access this version. That OK, people have been telling me for years that I need a significant personna adjustment. Crawling on my belly ain't so bad. Just don't step on me. DHL