blue haze

Since I am definitely among today's enlightened bidders, I insist that this vulnerable 3514 powerhouse 10 count is surely a mandatory opening. But you say "it's even better, you have the J of spades with xx supporting it ". Of course,how could I be so blind? I admit to not having updated my glasses (like I have my bidding ) to where I can see this "holding " as a value. However, my partner is also a very modern player and together we have found an infallible system whereby the manner in which we remove our cards from the bidding box indicates if we have a MODERN 1h - or a TRADITIONAL 1h. We have a complete array of bidding tools for all traditional openings, so we only need to temper our enthusiasm opposite MODERN BIDS. Our successes are just too numerous to list here, and we are busily checking discount fares for the next Bermuda Bowl. Only one small problem remains - SCREENS. However, we are very MODERN fellows so we will find a solution! Wish us luck please :) BLUE HAZE

Two spades is a fine bid provided 1)the next time you hold S-KQ109xx H- x D-xx C-QJ9x you intend to open 2C 2)you never intend to play with your current partner (or any partner)more than once 3)you ALWAYS play against novice opponents who have no idea how to bid their cards 4)you purchase lottery tickets every week because if this strategy is successful for you over the long run, you are incredibly lucky Blue Haze

I am the obnoxious expert/beginner who said -- 2H is NON FORCING !!! -- and suggested that anyone with as much as 2 digit IQ would understand why. Lets construct a bidding system -- and for sake of simplicity -- we will call it STANDARD AMERICAN YELLOW CARD hereafter known -- SAYC. It will be a basically sound system and a fine guide for those wishing to learn a great game . But bridge is like a house -- it needs a good foundation -- so our bridge house will have easy to understand basic constructs. One of those basic constructs will be new suits by unpassed responder will be FORCING - Notice I didn't say 100% forcing or 90% forcing -- etc because forcing is like pregnant -- You either are or you are not . Simple isn't it? However bridge is a little more complex -- because -- for almost every basic tenet of the game there is at least one exception . There were 2 BIL "mentors" at the table -- including the gentleman who submitted the hand. With no intervening bidding -- 1c 1s - 2c -- 2H --- . This hand did not come up – at the table - but when I left after one hand -- to explain something to partner - WAYNE decided to enlighten me how I was completely wrong when I told my partner this bid was NON FORCING in SAYC . (it came up in acbl pairs game where we won the section ) Now back to our basic system construction ie - NEW SUITS BY RESPONDER ARE FORCING . The outline of SAYC is GENERAL out of necessity and I totally agree that it should not be riddled with "exceptions". Personally I would rather say this sequence is an exception -- that is, NON FORCING - and explain WHY it is an exception. If someone wishes to rely on "boxed concepts" rather than logic its fine with me -- 2H forcing for you - and those you TEACH> HOWEVER there is no reason to call this auction forcing -- except for the fact that you can point to a system outline and say THERE YOU GO __ it says forcing in BLACK AND WHITE -- therefore it must be. If as responder you have a forcing to game hand with hearts and spades -- there are sufficient ways to show it. Yes if anyone should ever ask me -- is this sequence FORCING in SAYC -- I will continue to say NO -- and feel sorry -- for the student whose mentor -- says WHY YES IT IS __ it says so -- on page 4 of the system outline. Good luck to all who find thinking a burden and take comfort - in the cookie cutter approach to life and BRIDGE.