Douglas43

The last time we used an opener's jump to 2♠ was about two years ago, my partner had a (strong) 5-1-1-6 shape, and it is i.m.o. most effective on hands with considerable shape

I can't answer for SAYC, but for comparison only, this is what I would do playing Acol: 1. Pass (I should add that I play a 2S jump rebid by opener as not 100% FG, allowing a bail-out via lebensohl, so the upper limit on my 1S is a bit lower than is standard in Acol) 2. 2♠ 3. 3♠ 4. 4♠ is a useful game try. Alternatively 2♣ fourth suit forcing, followed by bidding spades which is FG 5. 2♣ fourth suit forcing, followed by bidding spades, or use a strong jump shift on the first round with a really good hand

As somebody who doesn't normally play 2/1, is North's hand really worth a 3♦ rebid in these methods? AK empty to five, AK empty to four and a singleton in partner's suit doesn't look like a great hand to me?

As I recall, the tapes were sent by a sick hoaxer and police gave too much credibility to them, delaying their capture of the real killer?

Hi Pilowsky, the BBC gave up on "received pronunciation" quite a while ago. Even the Queen has moved downmarket if you listen to a recent speech against her "strengilated viles"* in the 1950s. * phonetic attempt at strangulated vowels

Playing weak NT: 1♠ - 2♣ - 2NT (bal15-19 GF)- 3♥ - 3NT. Opponents presumably silent over the 1 Spade opening Responder shows 4♥, 5♣ and better than minimum, but absent a 5-3 Club fit I think we stop in 3NT. Well done if you bid the slam.

OK, this is going pretty well. Partner has a spade control. 4NT RCKB should clear up the position. No Aces, stop in 5H. If playing 1430, it is still possible to use 5♦ to check for QH if partner shows one Ace. If partner denies the Queen with 5♥, give up. Otherwise bid 6♥.

It looks reasonable to follow a similar auction when not playing 2/1 (I would regard 2♥ as a natural reverse, not a no-trump probe)

Whilst North might have taken a simpler route, North's problem comes from South masterminding. If South just supports Diamonds, a reasonable auction is 1♦ (1♠ ) 3♦ - 5♦ possibly with a cue bid or two on the way.

I'm with mikeh. I would add that from a tactical viewpoint Spades outrank both of our suits. If the opponents had overcalled in hearts and I had spades and diamonds, I might stretch to make a negative double, but here it's pointless. Finally, what values I have are defensive - an Ace is a black suit.

I think (hope) law 20F is some help During the auction and before the final pass any player may request7, at his own turn to call, an explanation of the opponents’ auction. He is entitled to know about calls actually made, about relevant alternative calls available that were not made, and about inferences from the choice of action where these are matters of partnership understanding. Except on the instruction of the Director replies should be given by the partner of the player who made the call in question. The partner of a player who asks a question may not ask a supplementary question until his turn to call or play. Law 16 may apply and the Regulating Authority may establish regulations for written explanations.

On hand 2, shouldn't West lead a trump?

I have a great suit so would be prepared to suppress the spades, and would bid 2♦. Having said that, partner still has an opportunity to bid Spades, and if they have Kx(x)(x) of hearts, then playing a spade contract from their side of the table is much better. Missing spades seems most likely if partner has both majors and spades can get lost in a 4SF sequence. In Acol partner has promised 4 clubs, so the 4-4 majors hands are limited to 4=4=1=4 or 4=4=0=5. This makes the risk less than in the OP's system, and might reduce the validity of my answer in the posted circumstances.

it would also be alertable in England: "4 H 2 Because they have a potentially unexpected meaning, players must alert: (...) (d) A non-forcing new suit response, to a non-forcing suit opening at any level, below game,unless responder has previously passed, bids over a natural NT overcall, or makes a double jump"

I agree with David. Double to show (exactly) 4 spades

Hi The Possum. This is a really good entry from Wikipedia on why we all see patterns because we subconsciously look for them. In my case it leads to a morbid certainty that trumps will be 4-0 when I bid a grand slam. Pareidolia - Wikipedia

Considering I am taking part in a discussion with somebody who lives 12,000 miles away, i'd say it counts for less than it used to. And that's not a bad thing...

Take it 1♥ - 3NT= 16-18 balanced was not available?

Sorry Cyberyeti if I inadvertently implied that bigots don't target white people too. When I wrote "lucky me" I meant it. I have been lucky.

Hi Pilowsky, on a more serious note please be more thoughtful about making generalisations about "the English" and about "Europe". For the following reasons. 1. There is a small but vocal minority of racists who try to deny the "Englishness" of people whose skins are not white enough for them. Members of our football team have suffered ugly racist abuse. 2 About a quarter of the UK's population are first or second generation migrants (defined by the EU as one or more parents born outside the country) this includes me as it happens, although my parents were white so I don't get racist abuse. Lucky me. First and second-generation immigrants - statistics on main characteristics - Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 3 48% of those who voted in 2016 opposed Brexit and many of them are still mightily hacked-off I appreciate that you live 12,000 miles away and I've seen enough of your posts to know that no offence was intended. Kind regards

Hi Pilowsky, when you read that stuff about "Britain leaving Europe" I think maybe you read it a tad too literally? Mind you, as Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland, North Macedonia, Switzerland, Wales, and Scotland would also have to exit an EU-only tournament, it would certainly have been quicker. And you might have identified a field in which England might actually win. Hmm...

Opening 1NT with a singleton would be allowed under EBU rules as long as it is properly disclosed. So yes, it's an option. Personally I've never been wild about the concept but I'd be interested to hear from people who've tried it?

Hi MW this was a sub-thread about how bidding might proceed when not playing 2/1 forcing to game (so 3♠ now is not viable as it would not be forcing).

Thanks smerriman, that would have been my choice of continuation too. It is very close to a strong jump shift to 3♣, that would have been my choice if K♦ had been A♦, but I suppose that's not an option in 2/1?

Looks like a 2♣ when not playing 2/1. It would be my first choice (I normally play Acol with Jacoby, splinters and strong jump shifts. Second choice 3♣ followed by 4♠.