apollo1201

I agree with all the 4H bidders at first. 7420 shape + very good values make it too strong for 3H. 1H as a second chance if any. Given the absence of D honors, E should fear someone has AK, KQ, or even Q-high suit which could be an attractive « natural » lead. I play 5D as interrogative (1st step no control, 2nd step 2nd round, 3rd step 1st round). Given partner opened 4 without the KQ and max 1 other ace, we shouldn’t be too much at risk at the 5 level. Probably Xed by S, but partner is non-plussed and conveniently bids 5NT, 1st round control so I bid 7H. Ok, S Xes again for a non-D lead and non-trump. Unfortunately N as more C than S and finds the killing lead. In another world, D opens 2S 5M+4m, I pass, N bids 3 given his weakness and minor fits. Partner bids 3NT hoping sth good happens in D, whereupon I bid 6H. Done. Or maybe I just bid 5 and partner adds the 6th. I think that unopposed, it is easier to bid to 7 and be defeated there. Opposed it seems dubious to reach 7. Who said preempt always work?

Thanks guys for adding the figures to my analysis. 😃

Actually the recommended line of play loses when East or West is singleton D and ruffs your 2nd attempt to reach dummy, while banging down the A would have dropped the remaining trumps. But 3-1 break of S is more likely than the 5-1 break of D *and* 2-2 trumps.

Yeah at IMPs it is less obvious. Although it is quite likely opps have a fit here, while ours is yet to be found (and could be S btw). Depending on vulnerability too... I just fear it is a bit dangerous to bid « undiscussed » some NT when partner bid them naturally, and it can really make sense that it is a natural call. By the way, a bit different but some similarities, what is the std treatment for 1NT - - 2M - - 2NT? Again, both meanings can make sense...or we are green, we bid to defend, while they are green, we bid to make?

Given that partner advertised a balanced 18-19 with M well stopped, it ought to be natural, 4-5 HCPs, not wanting to defend 2HX (either because it may make, or because payout could be lower). Otherwise it is often a 2 places to play. And when it is the answer to a balancing TOX, one of those places could even be a minor suit bid by opps (played once in a 4-4 C fit at the 3-level after they had opened 1C).

What about 1D-2C 2NT-4NT Lots seem to be bidding 2H for opener’s 2nd turn, but to me, this rebid is a (shaded) reverse. Opener is nowhere near as strong for that. But maybe ppl have different follow-ups after the tricky 1D-2C sequence (not GF). I don’t mind 2NT with a C singleton although 2D could be a 4-cd suit (eg 2443 with a small doubleton) as a default rebid. With 4441 and more points (15-17) you can bid 3NT. With even more points, 2NT as a waiting bid (min-max 2NT) then another run would do the job. Here after 2NT, 4NT is really the max you can do (with all those aces and Axx in opener’s suit) in case opener has a top 14 or bad 15 with 5 diamonds and a C singleton as AQx QJxx KQxxx x But opener has an easy pass on that.

I’ve done my job, haven’t I? They are playing a level higher. Every other action than pass has strong risks involved and very little reward. If we were to make 4M, partner would have bid them already.

Uneasy. Green or MPs it is an automatic X. Here, even protected by not bidding 2H immediately, we are not sure they have a fit and partner can have anything between 6 and 14 so to speak, and no 8-cd fit for me. OTOH I have a more than decent hand for balancing and we could have a very nice partial to play. The little competitive devil whispers X to my ears. Not sure yet they would X us, it is IMP right? So unless the opponents are very good and bold players, I X especially if I need to seize every IMP opportunity to qualify,

Same as Stephen. Given that opener, partner and responder each found a bid other than pass, the likelihood that you have enough to penalty-X opponents’ NT is quite small (unless you play with a 50-points deck, or unless each of them is at the lower range of their bids, but even in that case, points would be close to 20-20 around the table). So the free X bid can be used to show the 2 other suits, 55 preferably or more, to avoid misfit issues as much as possible. Opponents bid NT and advertised values, so could X for penalties any soon. Min strength 6-7 concentrated values with good suit texture if min. 2-level bids should show a 6-cd suit and deny fit for partner.

I think 4C merely says « pick your major » (or be prepared to go high cuz I have a monster hand). To cover the cases partner doesn’t have the 4441 textbook shape, but is (43)51 or sometimes even (53)41 with a very lousy 5-cd suit that wasn’t mentionable at the 3 level. But I agree, 4C won’t help here so unless playing 4D as forcing (with doubt on a major game), you close your eyes and bid 4S, yes. The lack of 5th card is compensated by the strength of the hand.

The 1H bid should not deter anyone. I bid 2H, natural, 5-cd suit, 8-10. Better than a penalty X.

That is the hand who bids 4C as a reply to the X when on a good day. But Xing with this? At both tables?

Had you been dealer, would you have passed? Then it goes 2H in your left and partner will make the same Kx lead. True, the lead-directing value of this overcall is yet to be found. At least, if they play H, you’ll be on lead. But S is the boss suit, and when I have opening values (which I have, although very minimum), the suit can be weak. The risk of being unable to buy the contract if we pass or X because we miss our 5-3 fit seems too important to me. Some statistics could help, though.

Urgh! There would be a merit to play 4D as forcing. And if we cue bid and correct partner’s likely 4H to 4S, would they get the message? Or would it show a strong hand with good S? C look 7222 around the table or maybe partner is singleton and S has a weak balanced and did not dare raise the preempt. If 3NT persuadés N to lead sth else than C or underlead his AK...but I wouldn’t dare.

And in that case, better pick S. First, your transfer bid of 2H is less likely to be Xed than 2D by LHO (which might elicit a 3D compete from RHO). And then, if opponents still compete, you get a chance to cheaply present your H suit as well, letting partner pick his choice at the 3 level. After all, with 55 shape and a few points, you could easily make 9 tricks in 3M, or 8 as a good sacrifice against a making 3m. Of course, I suppose partner has a strong NT. Over a weak NT, let them play 3m instead of 3NT!

From what I can read, it is a sort of non-compulsory transfer to 2H with a back-up plan in a black suit should opener dislike H. However, it seems to only apply over a 2C rebid. Could you pls explain how it works over 2D? Thanks!

I think feature is good when playing pretty disciplined weak 2´s. And above D as well to ascertain 3NT (more likely game than 5D), but I don’t play weak 2 in D. However, to increase frequency of openings (resulting in opponents disturbed more often), I became less disciplined and switched to Ogust. And when I play Multi w/ another partner, we just have good/bad overall assessment of the hand, as we need to distinguish suit😅

🤣🤣

Thanks all. It was an unfamiliar partner btw, and to avoid further nebulous followings, I passed hoping he was at least 5x4x and not 5332 where 2H would be a fantastic spot. Maybe someone would balance in a strong 4-cd H suit and rescue us... He actually was 5143 and that was a decent contract. Not that it proves anything, though.

MPs, all green (not sure it matters, though) Partner deals and opens 1S, you respond a forcing NT, and of course you hear 2D opposite. Now what with: x Jxxxx Kxx QJxx Ideally, you’d want another S or D (to revert to 2S or pass 2D), or a more meaty H suit (to bid 2H), or a K more (to try 2NT). But you’ve got none of those... I remember once bypassing a 4-cd major over a 1H opening and bid 1NT, just to be able to present my robust 6-cd diamond over partner’s expected 2C with sth like Qxxx x KQT9xx xx But it is slightly different here.

Some players play that a 2H rebid is a relay to 2S, whereupon you can rebid 2NT to show 24+ balanced, GF, while 2NT is 22-23 and can be passed. Or some others attribute different point ranges between a direct 3NT over 2D, or indirect (via the 2H relay). Of course, hands with H need to be bid differently following this scheme... Finally, some players have given up the weak 2D due to its low preempriveness, to distinguish « almost GF » hands (unbalanced 2 tricks shy of game, 22-23 NT) with a 2C opening, and GF hands (balanced 24+, unbalanced 1 trick shy of game) with a 2D opening. With the hand you gave, 27 with a good 5-cd diamond that can be upgraded to 28, you would force a little to reach 4NT. In case your partner with 6 HCPs hasn’t already bid 4NT, quantitative, in case you have a little more than 24. So slam would be reached whatever the method.

People tend to lead from the « weaker » suit when holding 2 4-cd suits, keeping the higher honor as an entry to set-up or cash the other suit, unless lots of intermediaries (Qxxx and Axxx I lead the 4th under Q, but Qxxx and KT9x, I’ll go for the T under K). Here, I guess it is a close call between H9 and D4. C is almost surely giving a trick away and a tempo to declarer at the same time, without being sure of creating even 2 tricks. And S, no one is seriously considering it. The presence of HJ and 8 make it less likely that H will blow a trick and is probably more neutral, especially for MP. H could be opener’s suit btw... D is a bit more aggressive and is probably the IMP lead if we catch partner with a small goodie there. But again, it is not absolutely clear IMO.

Great question! I know some ppl play a kind of transfer method, where opener has to accept, as this could be passable. Makes it probably easier for majors and weak hands, not so sure it helps when responder has minor suit interest but does not necessarily want to go past 3NT. Standard treatment is indeed that any call after 2NT is GF: if you don’t wanna play game, then pass 2NT (even if weak and shapely). In this context, you can have a check back at 3 in the other minor, natural fit at 3 in opener’s majors, and 3 major being natural (54 hand, or 6-cd with slam ambitions if you repeat your suit). I remember bidding 4S after having stretched a 1S response with QT8xxx x Kxxx xx over 1C from partner. I felt it would play better than 2NT. They played 4S in the other room too FWIW. In the sequence you give, though, with the X, responder is actually stronger than an unopposed 1H, as he probably has 8+ instead of 6+ HCP. Therefore the 2NT by opener rather shows a 15-17 unable to open a strong NT, probably due to a singleton H, with a (double) S stop, as with 18-19, you know your side had strength for game and should bid 3NT directly (or X maybe if you have 3-cd support to discover if responder has 5 H, and bid whichever game next). Hope this helps!

As others said, it is some artificial relay to know a bit more from partner. Whether it is GF or not, denies 4H or not depends on agreements and also on what 1C-2D/H means (weak 5+S and 4+H?) and if 2H is forcing or not in this sequence. FWIW play it as forcing 1 complete round and denies 4H. I expect partner to show delayed S support (at level 2 or 3 with a good hand, partner can still have 16-17 bad HCP with a lousy suit), H guard (or NT if both red suits are covered), repeat C or maybe even show a minor 2-suiter with longer C by bidding 3D. The bid w/ the hand you give is therefore correct and would also be correct playing opposite persons. I plan to support C next if partner doesn’t have 3 spades. And will avoid 3NT if partner doesn’t convince me it is a right spot.

I think a more recent tendency is that partner could have both minors controlled but wanted to discover wether you had H controlled. Cuebidding 4C to hear you bid 4D wouldn’t help them. Even if they bid 4S now to deny H control, the decision would be on you next to go on or not, without being sure of maintaining the rest of the auction under control. For the same reason, they could have bid 3NT to discover the C control. This new method probably contradicts some other ones (serious or frivolous 3NT, last train...). I guess there will be no concensus here on the meanings and follow-ups based on the philosophy / systems of the different players. Be sure to be on the same wavelength as partner in this delicate exercice of slam investigations!