biggerclub

Yeah. Perhaps like me he overlooked the yellow coding. Certainly makes the decision to PASS at least more in the ballpark. I do agree with MA here, however, that at teams you know the other table is bidding game. (Also, whereagles is right regarding 7L opposite 7L) Now . . . if you know your opponents to be super conservative or something, there may be something to be said for following along with them in staying low too.

Well I was going to weigh in with snapdragon also . . . but I defer to those who actually play or play against it. I merely read Hughes' book on competitive auctions. As for OP's question beyond nomenclature . . . I marked other although I wanted to mark 2 of the choices. Either: 5-4 with reverse values or 6-5 with any values. If my OPPs were to ask me what this double meant (assuming my partner made it) . . . I would respond: "Partner would like me to do something intelligent. . . . For a switch."

I was S. I forgot my own principle: Only overbid your hand once during any given auction.

I think S with ♠ - , ♥AKJxx, ♦T9xx, ♣AQTx . . . should definitely have given up after 5♦. But he could not control himself. Having overbid his hand at least once during this auction he could not resist the allure of the 25 point slam on the magic fit (not to mention favorable splits and working finesses). Fortunately we won the match anyway.

That's a different discussion. But yes, that can be criticized. Roundly. I really wanted to discuss a more general style question. Which is whether slam bidding is a cooperative effort or whether you are compelled to show your assets regardless of suitability. The question has come up on more than just this one hand. S, in this particular hand, is overbidding . . . but visualized a making slam if (and only if) N's values are not in ♠s . . . for example, ♠xxxx, ♥xxx, ♦AKxx, ♣KJ or ♠xxx, ♥Qxxx, ♦AKQx, ♣xx.

I really find this unsatisfactory . . . mainly because there are hands where I want to bid a more natural 10/11-12-ish 2NT and not start with XX. But I have not really found a fully satisfactory solution despite a fair amount of experimentation. If the X always guaranteed significant length and strength in the majors perhaps cue-bidding a major might resolve some of my issues. However, too many times we have a MAJ suit fit despite the X. Perhaps limited openings would help some. I know I never felt handcuffed like this playing Precision. Of course the 1♣ opening said nothing at all about ♣s and 1♦ said not much more about ♦s in that system. All I know now is that for standard, 5 card majors, 1 minor openings . . . I would like to be able to show each of a suit-oriented GF, a NT oriented INV and a suit oriented INV and using the single raise to show 6-9 and the double raise to show less than that (with more trumps) prevents me from doing that.

My preferred methods: Forcing club at 15+, lite limited openings at 10-14, transfer positive responses to 1♣, 4 card majors/canape rebids, 2 suited 2 level limited (10-14) openings, weak (10-12) or intermediate (13-14) NT depending on vulnerability. Back of the card fairly standard. Obviously this is too much to spring on a convert all at once . . . especially if you throw in the Precision asking bids. What I have done in the past is to ease a partner into the forcing club world. 1 club on all 16+ hands (except 2NT opener), other openings limited 11-15, 2 clubs = club suit (5+) and not 5332. 1 diamond nebulous. Not too satisfactory at MPs because too many 4-4 major suit fits missed. Thus the 4 card major innovation. But folks at my club (weirdly) find 4 card majors too exotic or too old-fashioned to suit their tastes. What is the best way to recruit them into the wonderful and fascinating world of strong club/limited openings?

[hv=pc=n&n=sat64ht75dak52c74&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=pp1h1s2s3s4cp4dp4sp]133|200[/hv] So . . . does a 5♦ cue bid show simply the K♦ or is it more of a cooperative effort . . . something like "In light of what I have heard so far I want to encourage your efforts toward slam. And I have (first and) second round ♦ control." Specifically, is my A opposite my partner's void too much of a liability . . . or does my uber-maximum for a passed hand, plus an interesting card justify a second cue bid in ♦s?

I learnt most of my bridge from books. In this case Mike Lawrence . . . somewhere. I am not sure which book. A new suit is forcing at the 1 level. XX shows 10+ with, presumptively,a desire to defend; therefore, shortness in opener's suit is very likely. XX followed by pulling partner's double shows a hand that is both (very) strong and shapely. But still likely to be short in Opener's suit. As someone mentioned before, a 2 level bid is not forcing but is constructive. Its main purpose is lead direction. But AQxxx and out is not good enough . . . Finally, all of this discussion needs to be modified if you are doing something interesting like limited openings (strong club) or 4 card majors.

Is it too late to make a responsive x? 3H is weak, right? Although I did mark 5♣. I am not going to unilaterally bid slam with zero controls. If 5♣ went down, btw, it is not your fault.

You have a PM.

I'm sure there are others, but Kantar's 540 Bidding Tips to Improve Your Partner's Game springs immediately to mind.

So there really is a first time for everything. I disagree that this is a poor 10-ct. It might be better if the system used a bid like 2C to show a strong, GF, hand and act not as Stayman, nor anything else in particular but as a simple relay asking for more information (See Hughes, "Building a Bidding System", pp 33-45). But such intelligent processes have not caught on in North America yet. If Jxx in a minor isn't a stopper . . . better luck next time. I am a bit more sympathetic to those who call for a 1H opening on the theory that the hand is more suit oriented . . . but that has its problems as well. As noted, what is the rebid after 1S? I guess I have to make a choice between drastically underbidding (1NT, 2S) or drastically overbidding (2NT, surely no one will venture 3S here).

In the absence of playing 3♦ as conventionally showing waiting . . . I would bid 3♥ asking for a stopper. I am not sure if I can PASS 3♠ after that, but I sure as hell would want to. So my proposed auction would be 1♠ (2♥) 3♣ (P)//3♦* (P) 3♥* (P) //3♠** * Marking time. Nothing more special, tell me more. ** Pretty much this hand . . . nothing else to say or show. However, most players do not play the next minimum bid = marking time. If partner bids 3♠ over my 3♥, I guess I have to bid 4♣, which I consider non-forcing (GF auctions forcing to 3NT only).

This hand is probably a PASS if partner overcalls the preempt in the direct seat. Where partner is balancing, there is no bid to be made. As the poll clearly shows.

I think partner's second call should be 2NT to make it easier for us to PASS with this hand. However, because my partners are never this considerate, I like 2♣s as most likely to get us to the right spot when partner has 6-7 HCP. Give partner 96xx in ♥s and on this hand I hope they prefer ♦s but that may be a bit much to ask. The 4-3 fit shouldn't play too poorly anyway. We should be able to scramble 8 tricks in ♣s.

I am not playing XX as pain, but I am not sure that I have a rescue oriented hand. P probably has at least 3♦s and is unlikely to have a MAJ suit worth hearing about. I don't know that I have high hopes for P, but I don't see that escaping is going to improve the situation. This may be optimistic, but I rate partner to have 3+ ♦s more often than not. And, with somewhat less certainty, LHO and partner hold clubs while RHO and P are relatively short in the MAJs. If I am running, I am going to start with 1♥ since to run in the first place = short ♦ which = 4-4 in the MAJs. Therefore I need not risk confusion over the meaning of xx. But again, if we are beat here (diamonds), we are beat there (MAJ) and they will find the best defense wherever we go.

Maybe my partners are trained to expect this from me. What I don't like about this is that I lack 2 defensive tricks. But I cannot imagine this hand not contributing to 2 tricks on defense . . . unless we're defending a slam . . . so maybe it's OK. Here, whatever P bids, I am rebidding 2♥s, which ought to slow her down a bit. If she doesn't fit ♥s then the Qxs should be specially useful whether we declare or defend. Having rebid ♥s, I will just keep making the most discouraging bids I can if I find myself in a GF auction.

1♥. A hand with 2 Aces is presumptively a 1 bid. Not every hand ends up getting opened 1x, but with two Aces that's where I start and then see if something can convince me not to do it. I cannot imagine a two Ace, 6-4 hand with the Aces in the long suits that I would not open 1. If we are playing 2/1 and partner gets too high, they will just have to be mad at me. Over the long haul it will work better to show the defense when you got it and pre-empt when you don't. I grew up in bridge playing Precision however, and am currently trying to find a partner for an Ultra-Lite, 4card Major-Canape, Forcing Club system where this would be a 2♥ bid, but not as a weak 2. 2♥= 5+ ♥s, 4+♦s, 9-14 HCP (8-12 HCP if not under the constraints of GCC).

I have revised the system to make it GCC compliant. 4 card majors, canape and 15+ strong club. In this system the dealer will hold a hand that will be opened 1 MAJ fully 25% of the time. (Dealer will open SOMETHING over 60% of the time.) Therefore the 1 MAJ structure is critical. Here is my revised proposal: 1 MAJ = 4+ in bid suit, 9-14 HCP (or equivalent playing strength, but always at least 2 defensive tricks). So responses: ............. 1NT = NF, natural, sign-off 8-11 HCP . . . opener rebids only to improve contract w/shape ............. Single raise = mild preempt, no game interest ............. 1S/1H = 8+ HCP, unlimited, 4+ Spades F1 ............. 2min/1MAJ = INV (12-14) or better, may be a manufactured bid (3+ length), F1 ............. JS = Self-sufficient suit GF (16+HCP), or fit showing slam try GF (18+HCP) ............. 2NT = 12-14/15 Balanced (INV) . . . at least 3 card support ............. Double Raise = Pre-emptive, no game interest ............. 3NT = Balanced, 3 card support, 15/16-17 ............. Double JS = Splinter, GF, Slam try ............. Game in MAJ = to play, no slam interest, may be advance sacrifice ............. 1430, GSF (looking for 2 honors for 7 and 1 for 6) Opener's rebids: ......................... A rebid of minimum NT shows a balanced hand (4 or 5 in MAJ) 11-14 HCP ......................... A rebid of same color minor is canape (4 in MAJ, 5+ in minor)* ......................... A rebid of same shape minor is standard 2 suiter (5+ in MAJ, 4+ in minor)* ......................... A rebid of MAJ is 6+ ......................... Opener need not jump to show values (Are we at risk of missing a game here?) ......................... Any jump rebid by opener shows 12-14 HCP and shape if jump into new suit * Because 2 level openings shows longer minor/4 card same shape MAJ if minor is bid (Cs and Hs or Ds and Ss) and 5+/4+ same color minor if MAJ is bid. New suits by Responder at 2nd bid and beyond are typically F1 (or better) unless a NT has been bid somewhere in the auction. 1H-1S-1NT-2C(INV) or 2D(GF) = XYZ . . . Opener shows 3 card support, or lacking that 5 card MAJ or lacking that, temporizes with 2D or 2NT. Welcome any thoughts or critiques.

Fantastic find.

My partner and I play Transfer Lebensohl in 3 particular situations: He opens 1NT and the opponents overcall (directly). I bid 2NT to transfer to 3♣ and sign off. I bid 2 of a suit to play and sign off. I bid 3♣ to transfer to ♦, 3♦ to transfer to ♥, etc. He opens 1Min and the opponents WJO (directly). I bid 2NT to transfer to 3♣ and sign off. I bid 2 of a suit to play and sign off. I bid 3♣ to transfer to ♦, 3♦ to transfer to ♥, etc. The opponents open a weak 2. He doubles. I bid 2NT to transfer to 3♣ and sign off. I bid 2 of a suit to play and sign off. I bid 3♣ to transfer to ♦, 3♦ to transfer to ♥, etc. I would like to use a bidding table to practice these hands. I know that I can get some sample hands with the characteristics of the first two bids from PlayBridge. How can I import these into my bidding table for practice? Sorry if this has been asked and answered already.

I feel like W caused this problem and should probably X to start, intending to convert a H response to Ss (implying Cs). As bid . . . X by opener isn't too bad. Nor is 3NT. I would try either before 3H.

Who wants to help me test this out on BBO (I can email a spread sheet with excruciating detail): Canape Ultra-Lite Strong Club/Ultra-lite Limited Openings/4 Card Majors 1 Club is a strong forcing bid. 13+ HCP in seats 1&2, 17+ HCP in seats 3 and 4. ........ 1 Diamond is artificial response showing <12 HCP by unpassed hand, <8 by passed hand ................ Opener shows suits, starting with a 4 Card Major, if held ........................ Responder makes transfer bids into suits or NT to show shape ........................ Opener accepts with min, bids something else with more a bit more ........ With a GF positive response, Responder transfers ................ Accept by opener is standard Precision Trump Ask if suit ................ After NT accept or New Suit by Opener, Responder retransfers to show shape ................ Immediate cheapest NT (not accept) by Opener asks for Controls (A=2, K=1) ................ New Suit by Opener demands transfer 2nd bid by Responder – thereafter natural 1 Diamond is an all-purpose bid, showing either minor one suited or 13-15(NV)/11-13(V) NT 1 H/1S are 4+ length and 8+ HCP Seats 1 and 2, Somewhat meatier seats 3 and 4 ........ Adjusted Bergen ........ Adjusted Jacoby 1NT is 10-12 NV Seats 1-2 and 14-16 VUL or always in seats 3-4 ........ 4 way transfers 2 Level bids are conventional and in seats 1-3 show 8-12 or 16 HCP and 2 suits: ........ 2C = Clubs and Hearts, with longer Clubs and no more than 4 Hearts ........ 2D = Diamonds and Spades, with longer Diamonds and no more than 4 Spades ........ 2H = Hearts and Diamonds with 5+ Hearts ........ 2S = Spades and Clubs with 5+ Spades. Thus with 8-12 HCP: ........ 1H-1NT-2C is 5+/4+ in Hearts and Clubs, respectively ........ 1H-1NT-2D is canapé, 4 Hearts and longer Diamonds ........ 1S-1NT-2C is canapé, 4 Spades and longer Clubs ........ 1S-1NT-2D is 5+ Spades and Diamonds In seats 1&2 NV, 1C-1D-1NT = 16-17. 1NT = 10-12. 1D-1Grape-1NT = 13-15. ........ After any 10-16 NT is doubled, 4 way transfers apply and failure to x-fer (except to 3C), denies 5 card suit ........ After any 10-16 NT is doubled, XX = SOS and partners bid 4 (or 5) card suits up the line until a fit ........ After any 10-16 NT is doubled, PASS suggests a willingness to play right there (about ½ the deck) PM me. We should be opening over 70% of hands in seats 1&2, finding our 4-4 fits easily and be very well positioned by partner's pass in seats 3&4.

Who wants to help me test this out on BBO (I can email a spread sheet with excruciating detail): Canape Ultra-Lite Strong Club/Ultra-lite Limited Openings/4 Card Majors 1 Club is a strong forcing bid. 13+ HCP in seats 1&2, 17+ HCP in seats 3 and 4. ........ 1 Diamond is artificial response showing <12 HCP by unpassed hand, <8 by passed hand ................ Opener shows suits, starting with a 4 Card Major, if held ........................ Responder makes transfer bids into suits or NT to show shape ........................ Opener accepts with min, bids something else with more a bit more ........ With a GF positive response, Responder transfers ................ Accept by opener is standard Precision Trump Ask if suit ................ After NT accept or New Suit by Opener, Responder retransfers to show shape ................ Immediate cheapest NT (not accept) by Opener asks for Controls (A=2, K=1) ................ New Suit by Opener demands transfer 2nd bid by Responder – thereafter natural 1 Diamond is an all-purpose bid, showing either minor one suited or 13-15(NV)/11-13(V) NT 1 H/1S are 4+ length and 8+ HCP Seats 1 and 2, Somewhat meatier seats 3 and 4 ........ Adjusted Bergen ........ Adjusted Jacoby 1NT is 10-12 NV Seats 1-2 and 14-16 VUL or always in seats 3-4 ........ 4 way transfers 2 Level bids are conventional and in seats 1-3 show 8-12 or 16 HCP and 2 suits: ........ 2C = Clubs and Hearts, with longer Clubs and no more than 4 Hearts ........ 2D = Diamonds and Spades, with longer Diamonds and no more than 4 Spades ........ 2H = Hearts and Diamonds with 5+ Hearts ........ 2S = Spades and Clubs with 5+ Spades. Thus with 8-12 HCP: ........ 1H-1NT-2C is 5+/4+ in Hearts and Clubs, respectively ........ 1H-1NT-2D is canapé, 4 Hearts and longer Diamonds ........ 1S-1NT-2C is canapé, 4 Spades and longer Clubs ........ 1S-1NT-2D is 5+ Spades and Diamonds In seats 1&2 NV, 1C-1D-1NT = 16-17. 1NT = 10-12. 1D-1Grape-1NT = 13-15. ........ After any 10-16 NT is doubled, 4 way transfers apply and failure to x-fer (except to 3C), denies 5 card suit ........ After any 10-16 NT is doubled, XX = SOS and partners bid 4 (or 5) card suits up the line until a fit ........ After any 10-16 NT is doubled, PASS suggests a willingness to play right there (about ½ the deck) PM me. We should be opening over 70% of hands in seats 1&2, finding our 4-4 fits easily and be very well positioned by partner's pass in seats 3&4.