AL78

This hand was held by my LHO yesterday: ♠AK852 ♥A96 ♦KQ5 ♣AT After two passes RHO opens 3♥. Your call?

Yes, weak twos which could have five or more cards in a suit are allowed, but not allowed if it could be a four card suit which is what the OP has been playing (and presumably is what has been updated in the blue book). It can be 4+ cards if a second suit is also specified so you could play 2♥ as weak with 4+/4+ in the majors for example.

With deal 2 is the standard to play 1m - 1M; 2NT(18-19) - 3M as forcing or a minimum response with a long major which may be passed? I think anything bid after 2NT in this auction is accepting the game invite and forcing but I could be wrong. If I trust partner to be on the same wavelength I can bid 3♥, she raises to 4♥, then I can be satisfied she doesn't have ♥xx and start slamming. It would be similar to the hand I posted a while ago where we had 30-31 HCP, a major fit, we got to slam and I went off on a 4-1 trump break. You have hit the nail on the head in your last paragraph. With virtually all partners I have played with, 4NT will be taken as Blackwood in all but the basic situations where it is quantitative after a 1NT or 2NT opening. This can sometimes be a problem when I want to tell partner I wish to engage in slam investigation but want to set the trump suit and have a dialogue, not take over the auction. On deal 3, I explained to partner 4♦ shows slam interest and is inviting a cue bidding sequence, her response was "that sounds like a complicated way of doing it, just bid Blackwood". I don't think Blackwood should be the automatic default tool to use as soon as there is a whiff of slam in the auction.

Taken from the EBU blue book new edition 1st September 2022: Level 4: 7C: Opening bids from 2♣ to 3♠ inclusive Suit opening bids These may be played as one or more meanings within (a), or (b), or ©. Alternatively any number of meanings of (a) may be combined with a single meaning from (b) or ©. (a) Any “Strong” hand (see 5D1(b) above) (b) Natural, defined as either of the following in the suit opened: (i) 5+ cards, or (ii) 4+ cards if a second suit is also specified © Non-natural, defined as either: (i) Any hand that shows 5+ cards in at least one suit, specified or not, but which must not show 4+ cards in the suit opened, or (ii) Any hand that shows at least 4-4 in two specified suits, neither of which is the suit opened, or (iii) A 3-suited hand (5440, 4441 or 5431) with any specified shortage https://www.ebu.co.uk/documents/laws-and-ethics/blue-book/blue-book.pdf Page 23-24

A few hands from an absurd session for your mild amusement or facepalming. A train wreck (and embarassment) of a board: [hv=pc=n&s=saj76h92dk86cjt52&w=st93hkjt6d95caq84&n=sk42ha5daqjt32ck6&e=sq85hq8743d74c973&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=pp1dp1sp3dp4dp4hp4sp4np5hp6dppp]399|300[/hv] I thought 4♦ showed a maximum original pass with slam interest, holding something like a flat hand with scattered AKK or AAK and after some cue bidding ended up in 6♦. When dummy came down I saw I needed the hand of God to bring it in, who duly obliged. Spades 3-3 with the queen onside and the club ace onside means it is cold. I apologised to the opponents for this hideous example of bridge which gave us a completely undeserved top. Afterwards my partner said she was inviting game in diamonds, not suggesting slam interest. There was this one we missed (my fault): [hv=pc=n&s=sk85ha42daq9ckq94&w=s9743ht65d3caj832&n=saqhkqj983dt42c65&e=sjt62h7dkj8765ct7&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=p1cp1hp2np4hppp]399|300[/hv] My mind went blank after partner bid 2NT and I struggled to come up with a way of setting hearts as trumps and starting slam investigation. I didn't trust partner not to pass a 3♥ bid, 4NT is crap with no minor controls, and 3♠ will be taken as natural. It was a choice between 4 and 6♥ and I took the conservative option. It is there as it needs one of the ♦K or ♣A onside on a non diamond lead. Better than it should have been, the slam was only bid once (you can sometimes get away with a lot in a mixed and largely mediocre/poor field). We agreed after that after a NT rebid a club response is Checkback enquiring about the majors. Finally there was this one where I did my best but partner wasn't on the same wavelength: [hv=pc=n&s=saq65hkt6dkt32ct5&w=s3haqj532d965ck73&n=sk87h9daq874caqj6&e=sjt942h874djc9842&d=e&v=e&b=6&a=p1d1h2hp2sp4dppp]399|300[/hv] Maybe I should have bid Blackwood at my second turn and trusted partner to appreciate diamonds had been agreed, but I thought cue bidding the opps suit followed by jump raising in diamonds beyond 3NT must show a strong hand looking for slam. This was not punished properly either as +170 was worth 50% thanks to one other failing to get past 3♦ and two others going off in 4♠. Playing in a part score with a combined 28 HCP and a good trump fit, missing a 70+% slam and bidding a <10% slam is pretty poor so partner and I have some (a lot of) work to do with our bidding.

In this case the board wasn't played and no score was assigned for us, so the overall score was calculated over 20 boards instead of 21 boards. In the event it made no difference as we won.

Yesterday evening partner and I came up against the slowest player in the room and as usual, the hands went their way on the first two boards. On the second board, the bid painfully slowly after a 1NT opening to 6♣, and by painfully slowly I mean both of them spent 20-30 seconds in the tank on every bid, then declarer took an age to play it. The result was the director called the move before we had started the final board and told us to enter it as not played. I pointed out that the delay was not our fault but that didn't change the director's decision. In such a situation, am I correct in thinking that the non-offending side can or ought to receive an average plus as a penalty for the slow play and as compensation for being denied the opportunity to get a good score? The slow player in question is notorious for slow play but in this case, his partner ended up getting in on the act as well, as though they didn't really know where they were going in the slam auction. They are both experienced players.

The North hand looks like a normal 1♦ opening to me, and if South responds 1♥ West is shut out of the auction.

Or I might avoid -200 which is what tends to happen when I bid on very light values.

I would pass and be prepared to shrug my shoulders if miss a nine card spade fit and it turns out I should have opened.

If I am going to open very light in third seat, I would open in a suit that I would like led should partner be on lead. Jxxxx doesn't cut it.

I agree. I don't like it but I have been having some success discussing certain sequences with partner, like 1♦ - 4♦ has now been agreed as not invitational to game but a slam try. I have had this problem in a previous competitive auction when we had the hearts, opponents had the spades, they bid 2♠ over our 2♥, I had enough to compete to 3♥ but not enough to invite game so I bid 3♥. Partner took it as invitational, raised to 4♥, one down (or was it two down, I can't remember, it wasn't good whatever it was). I failed to convince partner that in this situation, double can be used to show an invitational hand leaving 3♥ as purely competitive.

With KJxxx, AKTx, xx, Jx it is less clear whether someone will double. Sod's law says a double will have you playing in a 5-2 or 4-2 club fit with a 5-3 spade fit on the side. Sod's law also says if you overcall 1♠, you'll play in a 5-2 spade fit with a 4-4 heart fit on the side. :)

If the ♥AK are under partner, I also need West to have at least three so East cannot cash them both and give West a ruff, which is what I thought was about to happen when dummy came down.

I decided to pass and this is what happened: [hv=pc=n&s=s2hq742dqj83cakt8&w=st874hj85dk9c9742&n=saq6h963dat654cq5&e=skj953haktd72cj63&d=n&v=e&b=9&a=1d1sd3spp4d(Invitational%20to%20game)ppp]399|300[/hv] 4♦ was invitational to five but I felt I had a dirt minimum so passed. East led their ace then switched to a spade and once I had ruffed my way to dummy and drawn trumps, four rounds of clubs allowed me to dispose of both my heart losers. Making +2 for 7/16 MPs, which given we missed the optimal 3NT contract which I would normally expect most of a field of weak NT players would reach, was generous. In an ideal world we would have defended 3♠X and got 800 out of them. I'm surprised only two pairs found 3NT (and I'm surprised one East was allowed to play in 2♠ drifting one off for a top). There were four others in a diamond partscore like us, and three of them clearly didn't get barraged given they played in 2♦ and 3♦.

Sorry, I cut and pasted out of my set of notes, and unfortunately it came out very long. This is not the most intensive part of the system. I don't have the notes on responses to 1-minor but I hear one of them is very complicated, to the point that one of his partner's never got fully to grips with it after more than a year of playing it.

This is a part of the system I have not practiced yet. After 1♥ opening: 1♠: Natural 1-round forcing. May occasionally be 3♠ with 0-1♥ and “weak-ish” minors 1NT: Transfer with 5+♣ 2♣: Transfer with 5+♦ 2♦: Exactly 2♥ (with less than 4♠ and no significant minor) NB: this may be a 33(43) shape with weak ♥, suitable for 2♥ or 2/3NT. 2010: this is likely to be 8+HCP, or a very good 6 with “something” in ♥ & or ♠ 2♥: 7-10 HCP with 3♥ OR 4+HCP with 4+♥ 2♠: Game Forcing: 5+♠ headed by Ace or King; and may have 4+♥ but no other 2NT: 3+♥ support; and (a) worth 10-12 with shortage values (so 8 loser types) OR (b) GF 3m: GF: a 5+♣(♦) headed by Ace or King; and may have 4+♥ but no other. NOT an Invitational Fit Jump: 5+suit, with 3+♥ - as those hands go via a Transfer! 3♥: 4-7 HCP with 4+♥ and a shortage (singleton or void) or 5332 shape 3♠: Splinter (usually 11-15HCP or 19+); will have 4+♥ 3NT: To play, with a singleton ♥ 4m: Splinter (usually 11-15HCP or 19+); will have 4+♥ Responder's Rebid (after 1♥-1♠; 1NT): Here Opener is wide range (12-16), so we use a Crowhurst 2♣ to explore further. Other 2 level bids (2♦, 2♥, 2♠) show weakness & are sign-offs. Invitational bids of 2NT, 3♥, 3♠ are available. Game Forces of 3m may also be used. Responder’s Rebid (After 1♥-1♠; Other or 1♥-2♠; Any): We are now into Natural Bidding. However, beware the rare GF support of ♠, by the Opener after 1♥-1♠ Be ready to spot the rare bids of 3NT(45xx), 4m (56 & void) 4S (5611 shape); all 20+ value. Responder’s Rebid (After 1♥-Transfer; 2m): Opener completes the minor transfer on most ordinary opening hands, especially with no fit. Jumps by Opener to 3m may be based on fit and just a reasonable (non-minimum) hand. Responder is now in charge and can continue with a new suit (natural and Forcing, including ♠) or invitational bids in ♥ or 3m. Responder’s Rebid (After 1♥-2♦ / Rebid): The first thing to note is that we can no longer play in ♠, any such bid will be Artificial. Opener will complete to 2♥ on all ordinary hands (up to 14 HCP) and featureless 15-16's. With a “good” 15-16 Opener may invite with any of 2NT, 3♣, 3♦ or 3♥ In all these case, Responder is in charge of any further bidding. Note that any bid in ♠, by either player, is now 4th Suit Forcing. A strong Opener bids 2♠ (unnatural) on ALL hands 17+. Responder now needs to help in the exploration of Game and Slam contracts: 2NT: any 6-7 HCP (you really hope Opener does not Pass or bid 3NT, now!) 3m: GF: 5+♣(♦) with 8-12 HCP 3♥: GF: usually 3244 with 8-12 HCP and minimal ♠ stop 3♠: Slam Try: 13+ HCP 3NT: GF: usually 3244 with 8-12 HCP and a ♠ stop 2NT: a Relay with no short suit OR very minimum 3♣: a singleton (void) ♣ +acceptance of the try 3♦: a singleton (void) ♦ +acceptance of the try 3♥: Forcing: a singleton (void) ♠ +acceptance of the try 4♥: a maximum (accepts any shortage from Opener) Responder’s Rebid (After 1♥-2NT; Rebid): Responder is raising ♥ with a good hand. This may (rarely) stop in 3♥ but is often the basis of Game and/or Slam investigations. We include a “Redwood 4♦”, by either partner, with 6 Key Cards and 2 Queens, after we have identified a double fit (see 3NT, below). Opener rebids 3♥ on minimum hands (Responder may Pass) but may stretch to 4♥ with shape. With a “reasonable” hand or Slam ambition, Opener may invite with 3m Slam tries are also 3♠ (Cue Bid) and 4m (specifically a Void). Finally, Opener may suggest 3NT on a suitable 5332 shape. After 3m, we may end up in a slam in a minor, as well as Heart contracts Responder may choose from: 3♦: Either values in ♦ (unsure of Level & may Pass 3♥) OR a Cue bid 3♥: minimum and/or a poor holding in the trial suit 3♠: Cue Bid (but without 4 card support) 3NT: Shows 4+ cards in the Trial Suit (We may now play Slam in that suit!) We then have our special slam investigation with 6 card Redwood + 2 Queens. 4m: Cue Bid (but without 4 card support) 4♥: a good hand but little slam ambition Responder’s Rebid (After 1♥-2♦; 2♥): We are now in an artificial auction, with ♠ set as an “impossible” suit for trumps (we must have at least as many ♥ as ♠). Responder clarifies the firstly the strength, then the shape and slam potential of their hand, as follows (opener already knows of exactly 2♥): 2♠ is “4th suit Force” (Responder may NOT pass Opener’s 2NT); thereafter 4♠ is RKCB (usually for Hearts) while 4NT will be a quantitative raise. 2NT is any 11-12 HCP, with an adequate ♠ stop. 3♣ is GF with 5♣ and may have 5♦. 3♣ is GF with 5♦. 3♥ is 11-12 with ♥Qx or better. 3NT is to play (or correct to 4♥). Responder’s Rebid (After 1♥-2♦; 2♠): We are now in an artificial auction, with ♠ set as an “impossible” suit for trumps (we must have at least as many ♥ as ♠). Responder clarifies the firstly the strength, then the shape and slam potential of their hand, as follows (opener already knows of exactly 2♥): 2NT is any 6-7 point hand (you tend to hope that Opener does not “Pass”!) 3♣ is 8-12 with a “weakish” 5♣ 3♦ is 8-12 with a “weakish” 5♦ 3♥ is 8-12 with 4-4 in ♣ and ♦ (specifically 3244) and a poor Spade stop 3NT is 8-12 with a Spade Stop (and often 4-4 in the minors) 3♠ is bid on all 13+hands, to start a slam investigation (forcing to 4NT or higher). Responder’s Rebid (After 1♥-2♦; 3m): Pass: All minimum hands 3♦: 5♦ and INV+(forcing) 3♥: INV but poor Spades (will have 4♣ or 3♥ after 3♣) 3♠: 4th Suit (a try for 3N but not forcing to 5m) nb: this may also include very strong hands that bid again, later. 3NT: To play 4m: Forcing (slam try) 4otherm: RKCB for the minor only 4♥/♠: Cue Bid with the minor set as Trumps. Responder Continues after 1♥-1N(2♣); 2♣(2♦): Any bid, except 2♥, 2NT or a Self-Raise is now Game Forcing (except that 4th suit at the 2 level (2♦, 2♠) may be INV – but only Responder may pass below Game). Pass: a 6+ card suit – poor hand 2♦: NAT (may be a 3 card NT stop) and 11+(only over 1♥-1NT; 2♣) 2♥: a 2(poor 3) card raise with 5+card side suit (7-11 points) 2♠: NAT (may be a 3 card NT stop) and 11+ (usually 5+-4+) 2NT: 11-12 and (semi-)Balanced 3♣(3♦): 6+Suit & 11-13 points (or a good 10-12) 3♣: (after 1♥ 2♣ / 2♦) is NAT (may be a NT stop) and is GF 3♥: 11-12 and 2 good Hearts (Qx or better) NB: this is now more likely to be a “fit jump” type with 3+♥ and 8-11 3NT: to play (usually with a singleton ♥) 4m: A minor jump raise (e.g. 1♥-2♣; 2♦-4♦) is RKCB 3x: A jump in a new suit (e.g. 1♥-1NT; 2♣-3♦) is ?? undefined

I think it is to do with bidding to the level of the fit quickly when a nine card fit has been established. If partner guarentees five spades, responder uses the jump raise to show a weak shapely hand with four card support. If partner could have only four spades, the number of hands where it is suitable for partner to make a weak jump raise is reduced, hence the jump raise is used for game invitational hands.

In other words, there is nothing different I should have done. Overcalling 1♠ looks very borderline, I'm not sure I would have given the minimum HCP, anaemic suit and values in opener's suit, even with the favourable vulnerability. If I am wrong here I am open to persuasion otherwise.

Someone expressed an interest in a bidding system I have started to learn with a good partner. I do not know all of it but I do have the notes for the 1♥ and 1♠ openings, and I have only practised some of the sequences after the 1♠ opening. After a 1♠ opening: Weak with support: 2♠ = 5 - poor 11 HCP, 3 spades and sometimes 4 spades with no singleton, 9-10 loser hands. 3♠ = 4-7 HCP, 4 spades and shortage (singleton or void), 8-9 losers or 10 NV or 5♠332 shape. 4♠ = 5 spades, pre-emptive, 7 losers or 8 NV. Invitational with support: 2NT = 8+, 3+♠ equivalent to 10-12 HCP with shortage values, 8 loser hands. 3x = 7-11, 5+suit with 3+♠, nothing in the other two suits e.g. xxx, Jx or Q Game forcing with support: 2NT = 8+ HCP, most game forcing hands. 3x = 15+, 5+suit with 3+♠, slam try. 4x = 11-15 HCP, splinter with 4+♠, singleton or void but slam unlikely unless opener is good. After 1♠-2♠: 2NT = relay to 3♣ on all weak or balanced hands. Breaking the transfer accepts the game try and responder may show a shortage as a slam try. (3♠ shows a ♣ shortage and is forcing). After the 3♣ relay, opener bids 3♦/♥/♠ to show a shortage. After 1♠-2NT; 3x: 3♠ = Declines, minimum and/or a poor holding. 4♠ = Accepts, but unsuitable for slam (fewer than 4x). 3y = A useful holding with game try values (may also be an Advance Cue Bid). 3NT = 4+ support for Opener's 2nd suit. 4any = A cue bid (fewer than 4x). After 1♠-2NT; 4x: Here Opener is trying for Slam and shows specifically a VOID. Responder reacts accordingly. Any Blackwood bid will now exclude that Ace, of course. No support: 2♣/♦ = 6-12 HCP, strong 6+ suit or very strong 5 card suit, 0-1♠. 2♥ = 5-9 HCP, strong 6+ suit or very strong 5 card suit, 0-1♠. 3NT = 2♠ and 14ish balanced. 1NT = all other hands. After 1♠ - 1NT: 2♣ = any ordinary opening hand with <4♥ and 3+♣ (may be 5323) 2♦ = any ordinary opening hand with <4♥ and 3+♦ (may be 5323) After 1♠ - 1NT - 2♣: 2♦ Special Case: A passed hand shows 5-5 in ♥/♦ and is weak. 2♦ = GF denies 5♥, may have either ♣ or ♦. 2♥ = 11+ INV+ 5+♥ forcing to 2NT or 3 of a "bid suit". 2♠ = 6-10 balanced, usually 2♠ but may be 3♠ and 4333 shape. 2NT = 11-12 Natural and invitational, may have 4♥ or 4-5minor. 3♣ = 10-13 NF, 5+♣. 3♦/♥: 13+ GF, 6+ solid suit (playable in 7 opposite a void). 3♠: 11-12 Hx in ♠. 3NT: 14ish, balanced but 0-1♠, otherwise bid 2♦ to investigate Opener's shape. 4♣: RCKB for ♣ 4♥: To play (e.g. AK to 8 and junk). After 1♠ - 1NT - 2♦: As above except: 3♣: 12+ GF, denies 5♥, may have either ♣ or ♦. After 1♠ - 1NT - 2♥: 3♥ = Inv, 4+♥. 3♣: 13+ GF, may be a shape enquiry rather than ♣. 3♦: 13+ GF, 5+♦. After 1♠ - 1NT; 2m - 2♥: 2♠ on ALL hands with 6♠ (and thus 4 of the bid minor) (this is forcing to 2N) 2N = a minimum and 5♠ (this may be 5233, after 2♣ only, else 5? with 4+ of the minor) 3♣ (after 2♣) = 15+ and 4+♣ 3♣ (after 2♦) = 4th Suit force with 4♦ 3♦ (after 3♣) = 15+ and 5044 shape 3♦ (after 2♦) = 15+ with 5+♦ 3♥ = a minimum and 5♠3♥ 3♠ = a Cue Bid with 5♠3♥ 3N = ANY 5♠2♥ with 15+(good 14) & unsuitable for other bids, so does not show any stops! 4m = a Cue Bid with 5♠3♥ 4otherm = VOID with 5♠3♥ Responder must continue, after 2♠ or 2N. The 4th suit establishes a Game Force. All three other bids at the 3 level are INV and may be Passed by the Opener. Note: 1♠ 1NT 2♦ 2♥: Any bid by Opener that does not support ♥ must show 4+♦; as 5332 is the only shape with 3♦. After 1♠ 1NT 2m 2♥(INV+) 2N: 3y = GF. The fourth suit is a Game Force. Opener then bidds the next suit up (relay). 3x = 11-12. Any previously bid suit may be passed.

[hv=pc=n&n=saq6h963dat654cq5&d=n&v=e&b=9&a=1d1sd3s]133|200[/hv] MPs, 5CM, strong NT, 1♦ is a real suit, double is standard Sputnik. Your call?

I decided to pass based on the reasoning given here. Double could work brilliantly or dreadfully depending on the layout of the cards. To anyone who would have risked a double, well done. Here is the full layout: [hv=pc=n&s=sk9642hqt96dqt2c5&w=sjt5hj74da8cqt743&n=sa873h5dj9643ca62&e=sqhak832dk75ckj98&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=ppp1hp2hppp]399|300[/hv] My attempt to avoid rash/dangerous bidding rewarded us with three out of 16 MPs. The full traveller: 2♥ E 9 -140 (us) 4♥ E 9 100 4♠ S 8 -100 1NT W 10 -180 4♥ E 9 100 3♥ E 9 -140 3♦ N 7 -100 3♣ E 9 -110 3♣ E 9 -110 The only way we could get a decent score on this board is for us to find a way into the auction. 3♠ is makeable. Given the consensus suggestion for me to stay quiet, I'll put this one down to bad luck.

Sorry, MPs. As to overcall style, if the length of the suit plus the number of honor cards in the suit (ten being classed as an honor) equals the number of tricks it is good enough to overcall. An exception is if the hand is strong in HCP and has trick taking potential outside the long suit, the suit can then be weaker.

I can do that, I will probably start a new thread.

[hv=pc=n&n=sa873h5dj9643ca62&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=ppp1hp2h]133|200[/hv] Your call?