birtley1

On the subject of jump shifts in a major at the 2 level, here is an extract fromm Eric Crowhurst's book "Acol Index", a comprehensive survey of English standard bidding at the time of writing. It is commonly believed that a jump shift at the two level should show either (a) a powerful one suited hand, or (b) a hand containing primary support for the opener's suit. However there is no need to restrict such a useful response in this way. The responder should feel free to make a jump shift on a two suited 5-4 hand, for there is ample room in which to find a fit in the responder's second suit. (e.g. 1C-2H-2S-3S or 1C-2H-3D-4D). I think a 6-4 hand fits this method too. Certainly one can argue that the two level forcing jump is less frequent than a preemptive jump and drop it on that account but arguments against its use on two suiters are simply invalid. I realise that modern bidding theory has dumped the 2 level jump GF but I think this is a mistake when playing teams with IMP scoring as it simplifies slam bidding over a minor opening without resort to extra complexities. For pairs, where frequency is king then there is something to be said for preemptive jumps, but even here for non-national class players the simplicity involved outweighs any other advantages I think.

Well it certainly is useful here. I can see an argument for not playing this in pairs but for IMP or total point scoring it is very useful. The alternatives are too complex save for top tournament players and even they can have memory lapses. There is no doubt that a low level force simplifies subsequent bidding which is why 2/1 was introduced in the first place even though it placed a strain on on the range of the 1 NT response making it a one round force. Transfer responses to suit bids and relay systems are fine for those who can memorise complexities but for middle rank players a more natural system is considerably more efficient. KISS is a good guide. In top tournaments a tiny percentage advantage can make a big difference but for the vast majority a simpler logical, natural system is less strain and more effective. Incidentally the hand can be bid very well by different routes if West opens a weak no trump. Btw, thank you for the welcome Rik, I should have mentioned this earlier!

Further thoughts. If there is a Spade fit then West can bid his 4 card spade suit after the the heart force and suit agreement again becomes established by the 3 level without contortions or esoteric agreements.

On the contrary the immediate force frees up bidding space by allowing low level suit agreement and subsequent cue bidding _ check it out.

Yes, This seems to be a common agreement among many 2/1 gf players. However since the 2/1 applies only after a major opener then surely they could use the jump major bid as a game force over a minor opening. Of course there is always the problem of the short minor in a weak NT type hand in US bidding and this would raise doubts on the efficacy of a club fit here.

I am mystified by the first response. Why not force immediately with 2 hearts? The hand then almost bids itself. West bids 3 hearts and after this suit agreement a cue of 3 spades is obvious. Then cues or RKB by West gets to 6 hearts. Not cold, but a good bet. Is there a systemic block to such bidding in the US?