mjmassi

Thanks. That works. (Also "or" instead of ||)

Practice - Start a Bidding Table - Deal Source - Advanced My scripts no longer work. Even if I put in just two conditions, like "hcp(north) >= 12 && hcp(east) >= 12", it does not work.

A problem with transfer advances is the loss of space over the "good raise". This space may be needed to find a secondary fit, especially if partner's overcall is in a minor. For example, after (1D) 2C (p), if 2D and 2H are transfers and 2S shows the good club raise, you can no longer find a 4-4 major suit fit at the 2 level. I like the idea of using 1m (dbl) 1NT as a constructive raise of the minor, although I see two drawbacks. First, the natural 1NT here on 8 points could help partner compete to 3 of the minor with a six card suit, whereas passing could lead to getting frozen out of the auction. Backing in with a cooperative double if the auction is already at 2 of a major seems to be too much on only 8 points. But the auction won't get to the 2 level that often (partner has 12, doubler 12, you 8, LHO 8 or less), so we can probably live with this. More importantly, isn't there a risk of wrong siding the notrump if partner has a good hand? Mike M.

I agree with 5C asking. It makes sense to play a new suit as asking for a control in this auction. I don't like shooting out 6S. A good defender will lead the club A if he has it on this auction, or from KQ, and much of the time from other club holdings including the K. Mike M.

I would bid 2D even if it is not forcing, with some suggestion of extra values (or 5-5) since I try to bid 1NT on a minimum 1=5=4=3 or 2=5=4=2. Partner will take a preference to 2H most of the time, and now I can continue with 2S or 3H. If partner passes out 2D I will rarely have a game and might be doing well to stay low. Mike M.

After 1H-1S-3H, assuming standard methods, I agree that the auction is a problem. A simple approach would be to play 4 of either minor as natural and 5 of a minor as a cuebid for hearts. Alternatively, one could play 4 of a minor as ambiguous, either a cuebid or natural, but always with slam interest. Opener's return to 4H is negative, 4NT is RKC for hearts (self sufficient hearts), and anything else is a forward going cuebid, with strain still ambiguous but hearts assumed for the moment. Over that, responder rebids 4H (or 5H) to show a slam try in hearts nonforcing; either one of his own suits as natural and nonforcing with slam interest; 4NT as RKC for hearts; the fourth suit to show a control there while agreeing hearts; and 5NT as a three way choice of slams. Sample auctions with the ambiguous 1H-1S-3H-4m 1H 1S 3H 4D 4H(neg) 4S Likely 6-5 with slam interest. 1H 1S 3H 4C 4D(cue) 4S The same. 1H 1S 3H 4C 4D(cue) 4H Heart slam try. 1H 1S 3H 4C 4D(cue) 4NT RKC for hearts. 1H 1S 3H 4D 4S(cue) 5D Two suiter, slam interest, nonforcing. 1H 1S 3H 4D 4S(cue) 5H Heart slam try missing a club control. 1H 1S 3H 4D 4S(cue) 5C Heart slam try with the club control. 1H 1S 3H 4C 4D(cue) 5NT Three way choice of slams. 1H 1S 3H 4C 4D(cue) 6C Slam in one of responder's suits only. This concept can be applied in the auction 1S-2x-3S as well, if 3S does not promise a soild or near-solid suit. Mike M.