JonnyQuest

What is this? (!)

You seem to hold the misconception that playing 2/1 "requires" a pair to play a forcing no-trump. (It doesn't) Some play it non-forcing (aka semi-forcing). For example, Larry Cohen prefers a semi-forcing no-trump when he plays 2/1. That Mike Lawrence teaches, in his preferred style of 2/1, that he plays a forcing no-trump does not mean that I must, or you. As to whether 1NT should be alerted. No. But in ACBL land (where you reside) it should be announced. See the quote below from the ACBL Alert Chart: "State “Forcing” if a 1NT response to a major is simply forcing State “Semi-forcing” if a 1NT response to a major is simply forcing except when opener has a balanced minimum." Anticipating your next question, Can a pair play a forcing no-trump (announcing it as such) and, when partner responds 1NT to their major opening, PASS? Of course. However, it would not be a good way to engender partnership trust. And if they make a habit of it, well . . . then, they are really not play a forcing no-trump are they? At this point their alerts should reflect their methods and they should state, "semi-forcing." My guess is that the pair you witnessed were not regular partners but a pickup partnership? Playing a vanilla 2/1, they both assumed a forcing no-trump and one partner, using a little judgment, decided his opening was a bit thin. So he passed. Sounds like a good partner if he passed with a balanced 11-12.

A very basic, simple question: In a Standard American system -- let us say 2/1 -- is the following "non-jump" rebid by opener forcing? 1♣ - (P) - 1♦ - (P) 1♥ - (P) - ?? Is 1♥ forcing?

What is the difference between these two auctions? 1♦ - (P) - 1♥ - (2♣) 3♥? and 1♦ - (P) - 1♥ - (2♣) 3♣? I received information that seems counter-intuitive to, what I consider common sense.

This: Plus this: are somewhat incongruous.

As others have stated, I agree with 3NT rather than the 3♥ call. But I am also curious why your partner chose the delayed 2 card ♠ preference rather than supporting your five card ♥ suit.

Prior to "Suitplay" (which I highly recommend) I used the free tables on the Bridgehands website: Suit Combinations This may get you started. Remember though, as Barmar stated, card combinations and how to play them do not exist in a vacuum.

In our family, we have agreed to speak “Addition” all the time. It is our “Language.” Therefore, when I say the following: 2+2+2+2+2=10, everyone knows what I am talking about. It is our agreed language and is easily understood by all. If I were to lob the following at my family: 5x2=10, expecting others to understand, then expressing my feelings of superiority when they did not, I would only demonstrate my own ignorance. SAYC is a language. A written set of agreements. If you have agreed to play SAYC, well ... that is your language. Regardless of whether your “Multiplication” method is better, to expect others to understand it in an “Addition only” household is the height of folly. p.s. To the math nerds on this forum, Although my math examples (above) may have dazzled you, I am not really a mathematician. (Any corrections to my examples are welcome) :P

"Where do bad players get their ideas from?" My money is on Kalamute. ;)

Wow. Snappy retort. Really. Brilliant actually. We're in awe. ;) A shame you're not open to the possibility (albeit a slim one) that someone else may know more than you do. But it has become painfully apparent you cannot will not be fixed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8suVjclu8Zo

It is not your refusal to read the information supplied to you. You float somewhere between an unwillingness to comprehend and an inability to comprehend. Being purposefully obtuse is not a good way to go through life. :blink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k80nW6AOhTs

Truly one of the more humorous posts in recent times. Verily I say unto thee, taketh thine own advice and "try not to look so silly." :P

Close ...but no cigar. 3NT

Well... Unpassed would be about 11-14 or so. So, here, maybe 10-11, no 5 card Major? :blink:

Sort of a funny shape for it, but, a balancing 2NT is a possibility you did not offer as a choice. The ♠J though, is poorly placed, which might push me toward a double first instead.

Yes. South can bid a 4 card Major after the double. And yes, it is 100% forcing (if an unpassed hand). It does not deny 10+ HCP. Two level responses are another matter; they are generally played as weak and are not forcing. Hard to say what to do with your hand, assuming the auction shown, without seeing the hand.

Agree with Free. The auction (2♠) - P - (4♠) is similar to a direct (4♠) preempt. Double should be treated the same in both auctions. 4NT should be treated the same in both auctions.

2/1 Very little discussion [hv=pc=n&s=saqj872h983dk5cq7&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=1sp2hp2s(Rebid%20Promises%206)p]133|200[/hv] 2♠ guaranteed 6+...but, do you prefer to show the 6th ♠ at once or, should partner's 5+ card ♥ suit take priority and should opener's rebid be 3♥? Also, responder was 2=5=2=4. The way the bidding is shown, should responder rebid 3♠ or show the 4 card ♣ suit? :blink:

Your partner opens 1♣ or 1♦, RHO Doubles. You have an opening hand, something like ♠AQxx ♥xx ♦KQJx ♣JTx 1♠ is of course forcing, BUT, is it the wrong response with a strong hand? Must you ALWAYS begin with XX with 10+ and does the failure to do so deny 10+?? Which is Standard? Thanks!! :)

1♣ - (1♦) - X The double shows both Majors, yes? Standard stuff? But....what about: 1♣ - (2♦) - X Still BOTH Majors? If: 1♣ - (2♦) - 2♠ ******* What is 2♠ here? Does it promise a 5 card suit?

[hv=pc=n&s=sk7hkjt4dk643ckqt&n=saj32ha92d985cj54&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=1np3nppp]266|200[/hv] West leads a Coded ♠9-2-5-K What suit do I attack first? Why?

Lots of gadgets available to be sure, but, not in SAYC. As AWM stated above, 2 level bids are not forcing. Nothing wrong with adding a 2 level forcing bid, just be sure to discuss with a partner who thinks you are playing strict SAYC. Unfortunately you must jump to the 3 level to force. (Yes it's silly) ;)

Not really sure why this post is ignored, but, this "Nails It" as far as I am concerned. Are there other, better options I am not seeing? My knee jerk response was to Texas then EKCB, but responder is not quite strong enough for that action. Best to bring partner in on the decision. Obviously opener does not cooperate with half his strength in ♣'s.

In the following sequence: 1♥ - 1♠ 1NT - 2♣ 2NT - 3♠ Assuming a Standard American or 2/1 system, using NMF. 1. 1NT = 12-14 2. 2NT = denies 3 card ♠ support (so presumably 2=5=3=3), and denies Max of 14 HCP What is 3♠? :blink:

No kidding :D Huh? How many ♠'s do you think your partner has? Huh? All two of them that remain? :blink: