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This concerns only 2 auctions (forcing in SEF; NF in SAYC if I understand well) : 1D 2C 2NT 3C 1D 2C 2NT 3D The + of playing the first NF is that 2NT may show any 12-14 balanced (2D promising 5 cards) I don't the merit of playing the second NF

Right. i thought that it was the same thing in SAYC "NOTE: Responder promises to bid again if he responded with a new suit at the two level unless opener’s rebid is at the game level. This applies when responder is an unpassed hand. 1 — 2 2 = forcing one round. Responder can limit his hand by bidding 2, 2NT, 3, or 3 at this point. He should not pass, since opener could have 18 points (just short of a jump shift rebid)." (SAYC booklet)

This http://ghbridge.free.fr/affiecta.php?choix=EA12W could be useful if you read french (the problem is the same in SEF). In few words, 2M in the auction 1D 2C 2D 2M is ambiguous showing a real suit or a stopper (looking for a stopper in the oM) Now, 1D 2C 2D 2M 3M shows 4 cards M without stopper in oM 1D 2C 2D 2M 3NT shows both

As far as I understand the WBF's philosophy, real bids show what real agreements are. If you bid 2D with the hand of the OP, your real agreement is "I promise 6cM, but from time to time, I may have only 5 cards". If you bid 2D with 5cM and 9HCP, you are guilty of using a prohibited agreement (in France).

Italia and France have a regulation adapted from the WBF systems policy. Compare the item concerning the multi 2D : WBF "EXCEPTION: a two level opening bid in a minor showing a weak two in either major, whether with or without the option of strong hand types containing 16 high card points or more, or with equivalent values. Defensive measures are permitted for opponents as in 6 below." Italia "ECCEZIONE: Un’apertura a livello di due in un minore che mostri una sotto apertura di due in un maggiore, sia che includa o meno l’opzione di uno dei tipi di mano forte quali descritti nel WBF Convention Booklet. In questo caso potranno comunque essere utilizzate le difese previste per le convenzioni e i trattamenti “Brown Sticker” previsti al successivo punto 6." France "Les ouvertures de 2♣ ou 2♦ « multi » montrant un deux faible en majeure (main montrant une couleur 6ème d’une force inférieure à la valeur de l’ouverture) avec ou sans options montrant une main forte." So,the overcall of the OP is allowed under WBF regulation, forbidden in France, not prohibited in Italia

"stayman à ressort" in France very old-fashioned see "Le bridge d'aujourd'hui" by Delmouly et Parienté (1972)

Forcing pass auction (as opening + 2D = 23+HCP) South's pass is correct : values for 5D or X North must X : soft values.

SEF 2S is a two-weak 6cS 8-11HCP 2S (X) 3D If undiscussed, what is the standard meaning of 3D ? : natural forcing natural non forcing raise (forcing to 3S at least) + good suit (at least KQxxx) raise + lead directing (AKx, etc...) Thank you for your answer

EBL and WBF have the same Systems Policy. In the seminar notes of the 4th tournament directors course is given an english-english translation of the HUM definition : I suppose that this text was sent to WBF which didn't deny it.

Here after, you have the transposition of WBF Systems Policy 2.2 in the French regulation : b) to e) are very close to the WBF items {c) is written in very poor French}. But my understanding of a) (that i understand as "an opening pass that may show a hand that would be opened in all usual systems") is that you are not allowed to pass a 14 HCP one-suited by system.

I upen 2NT

It is a matter of regulation. In France (google translation): "85.7 - Initiates After the opening card has been returned and the hand of the death spread, the registrant should take a break for 10 to 15 seconds before playing the dead. Not following this rule can lose the right to claim against a few seconds hesitation opponent placed after the death." (Règlement national des compétitions)

Playing SEF (and so stayman 4 responses), I think that its main minus are : No garbage stayman and auction 1NT 2C 2K 2H is underloaded To much information to opponents if the final contract is 3 or 4H In my opinion, the main minus of stayman 3 responses is that slam auctions are more complicated. Playing stayman 4 responses, if the auction begins : 1NT 2C 2H 3D The responder may look for a stopper in C (plausible contracts are 3NT, 4M -fit 4-3, 5D); he may also show a strong hand with or without fit (plausible contracts 4H, 5D, slam in D/H). It seems me very complicated if he must keep in mind that the opener may have 4S.

Psyching policy is not only a matter of law but also of regulation (see L40B2d). In France, it is prohibited to do a "protected psyche". for example : It is not allowed to psyche 2NT in the auction (where the standard bid is 3S) 2S (pass) 2NT where 2NT ask rank and spade quality As far as I know, this psyche is also prohibited by WBF. In Spain AEP' regulation should avoid repeated psyches : " a) La pareja ha efectuado voces falsas similares en el pasado, pero no ha transcurrido el tiempo suficiente para que el recuerdo haya desaparecido de la mente del jugador." In other words (as far as I undersand spanish): You are not allowed to make a psyche if your partner has not forgotten the previous similar one.

3m with a decent m-suit pass, 2H, 2S are also options with : Kxxxx A AQ xxxxx Axxxx AK x Jxxxx Axxxx - AKx xxxxx

I don't know if the following is playable (no table experience) : Supposing 1NT max rank is 11 HCP and is semi-forcing : Pass : (12-13 HCP 5233 or 52(42)) or 12 HCP 53(23) 2T : 4 H or (strong with only 5S) 2K : 6S any (2H relay) 2C : 3H 53(41) any ; 53(23) 13-15 HCP ; 2H 14-15 HCP 2S : 51(43) 12-15 HCP If the max. rank of 1NT is 10 HCP, I suppose that the best is to pass any 12 HCP count without 6S nor 4H and add 1HCP to the former minimum

According to Law 40B2(a) last sentence, it is a matter of regulation. "It may vary the general requirement that the meaning of a call or play shall not alter by reference to the member of the partnership by whom it is made (such a regulation must not restrict style and judgement, only method)." It is forbidden in France : "Article 135 - Obligations - Interdictions 1- Les deux joueurs d’une même paire doivent utiliser le même système et les mêmes conventions d’enchères et de jeu de la carte." Google translation : "Article 135 - Obligations - Prohibitions 1- The two players of the same pair must use the same system and the same auction conventions and card play"

Bid 2♥ on the first round

GIB is playing French Standard 3C transfer to D 3NT : 8-12HCP 6 diamonds and small singleton C Opener passes with stopper C and fit / or double stopper C Bids 4D if not and minimum Bids 5D if not and maximum

Forbidden in France (psyche protected by the system). Imho, it's the same thing in ABCL land : see last para of : http://www.acbl.org/clubs_page/club-administration/club-directors/rulings-faq/psychic-bidding/ "Therefore, a legal agreement that creates a risk-free psychic environment (that is an environment where the psycher knows his partner is under control – this does not include hands where we know because of our particular hand that we have an answer to most things that our partner can do to us) becomes illegal if the pair psyches. (Office Policy – 08/1995)"

1st question : in France, yes 2nd question : it is a matter of regulation

The SEF meaning of this 2NT is "red two-suiter 5-5". I have never heard a natural 2NT in this auction. The balanced hands 18-20 HCP are generally shown by the auction : (1C) X (pass) 1banana (pass) 1NT. So, i think that it is a misbid (the overcaller has in mind "the two cheapest" but forgot to exclude the opener's suit). So the overcaller thought that his bid was standard, and his partner has no idea of the meaning.

1) French alert regulation is very light (règlement national des compétitions - French regulation): "Article 100 – Déclarations à alerter Seule la Loi 40 du Code International fait référence pour apprécier les déclarations devant être alertées. Il appartient à l’arbitre de juger l’éventuel défaut d’alerte, mais il convient d’alerter toute déclaration dont le sens inusuel ou artificiel est susceptible de tromper l’adversaire, compte tenu de son niveau. Tout particulièrement, on insistera pour attirer l’attention de l’adversaire quand l’alerte elle- même peut être trompeuse ou insuffisante : Ex : 1♣ 1♠ Contre Le contre ne doit pas être alerté s’il s’agit d’un contre négatif (« spoutnik »), il devra l’être en attirant particulièrement l’attention de l’adversaire s’il s’agit d’un contre punitif car cet agrément est encore plus inusuel et trompeur." That's all. It can be summarised in few words "all the matter is covered by Law 40 ; alert if your bid could misleads the opponents". 2) 2D (GF in all standard français variants) is never alerted. 3) Standard français = SAYC except the folloying opening: 2C : very strong, forcing, but not GF 2D : GF 3NT : AKQxxxx in minor without any other honor If you don't alert 2C opening (artificial 22H+ or GF), why should 2D be alerted when it is known that the system is "standard français" 4) if you consider that the standard meaning of 2D is weak, 6 cards one-suited without 4M, that is the standard meaning of the auction 2D (2H) pass (pass) 4S ?

I agree. As it is a forcing pass, double show penalty interest. This method is standard in France : double : 4+ spades pass : 2-3 spades or GF if bidding after partner's double bid : no penalty interest ; invitationnal I think it's just bridge logic as the same system is used at high level (when a pass is forcing) Misbid in my opinion.

As the auction ended in 4S made, the NOS was happy. The question was asked by the OS on the FFB's forum and the higher authority gave his advice (cf. OP). I have no further information (no board). I suppose that the 1NT overcall is balanced, 2 stoppers in opening suit and 16-18 HCP (french standard). I suppose that the players are not experts (no screen). In France, there is only the announcement "alerte" : no "could be short", no "transfer". The french regulation says that the calls to be alerted are that defined by Law 40. I suppose that this means unusual agreement (explicit or implicit). The french approach is very philosophical (no alert chart, no alert procedure…) I can now give my opinion and answer the blackshoe's question. The auction is very rare. I suppose that partners have no explicit nor implicit agreement. The situation is similar to : 1NT (X) ? If the double is for penalty. But this situation is rare this a 1NT 15-17H (double has a conventional most of the times). For the 2D bidder, it was bidding common sense that it was a H-transfer and for the 1NT overcaller, it was bidding common sense that 2D was natural. So, there is no agreement, and no use to alert, in my point of view. Thank you for your opinions.