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Weak w. ♠ would go 3/4♠ so cue-bidding would show ♥ support SI. With an MLT of 9 and the single keycard East is too weak for the slam try. Perhaps using 2NT for the (semi)balanced hand (3♣ asks?) is better and reserve 3♥ for the unbalanced ones.

Typically I wouldn't open 2♥ with 6♥ and suit quality >7 so that would be a pass for me. 45♥♠ are fine, but I tend not to open 4♥♠ with a mid-range point count

The Modified Loosing Trick Count is 5.5/total points 19 so classifies as a Strong hand for me and worthy of a Jumpshift in Standard

Has anyone else noticed that those who bid a close makeable slam as above often go down, but the game bidders can make 6. I've seen this quite a few times, and wondered if there a sense of caution/lack of caution that leads us to this situation?

Anyone bid the ♠ slam?

Or perhaps 2NT if you reserve 3♥ for Int+ 5♥s

Playing a Gazzilli type structure I bid 1♠-1NT 2♣-2♦ (relay) 2NT (4♥/52♥33 Str+)-3♣ (Shape?/COG or 3M/Pass when absolute minimum) 3H (5422)-COG

The original Ekren 2♦ bid opened at least 4-4 in the majors with 3-10 points with something like Jxxxx♠ Qxxx♥ so point wise the above opening isn't lacking Against the 2♥ Ekren style opening I play the following defence X-4+♠/19+hcp 2♠-Both minors 2NT-15-18hcp 3m-6+ natural 3M-6+ Int+ 3NT-Long running minor type In this case X should elicit a 2♠ response and lead to either 3NT/4♠ Did West lead a major or ♣s?

Showing controls & showing keycards 2NT-3♣ 3♥-3♠ (♠ control) 4♣ (♣ control & 2+♥ honours)-4♥ (denies ♦ control) 4NT (3 keycards w. ♦ & ♠ controls)-6♣ (Q♥ & K♣ or Q♣ w. no Kings) 7♥ (alternatively 6♠ to show the Q and ask partner to pick the grand)

GF version 1♦-1♥ 1♠-3/4♠ (5431) or 4♠6+♦ Min-Int --1NT 4/5♥ --2♣ to play in minor Pass/Correct opener must have 5m --2♦-4♥4+♦ --2♥-4♥4♠ --2♠-4+♠ Weak-Avg --2NT-4♠ Inv --3♣4♥5♣ Inv --3♦-4♥5♦ Inv --3♥-4♠5♥ Inv --3♠-5+♠ Inv 1NT-3/4♥ (5431) or 4♥6+♦ Min-Imt --etc 2♣-5♣5♦ or 4♣6+♦ 2♦-6+♦ 2♥-4♥6+♦ 2♠-4♠6+♦ 2NT-3/4♥ (5431)/Str+ etc. as above, but with Str+ hands 3NT-3/4♥ (5431) XStr+

I play a slightly unusual unbalanced 1♦ and Transfer Walsh 1♣ which can include 3352 hands in a 5 card Major context. For both I use a GF/GI bid of 1♠ with the main continuations summarised as below: 1♦-1♠ 1NT-Any 5431/6♦430 2♣-4441/5440 not short ♦ 2♦-6+♦ 2♥-4♥6+♦ 2♠-4♠6+♦ 2NT-5+♦5♣ 3♣-4♣6+♦ Min. etc. 1♣-1♠ 1NT-Weak NT/18-19NT 2♣-5+♣ w. 3+M6+♣/(43)15/(42)25 2♦-(422)5♦ 2♥-441(0)4(5) 2♠-2245/2236/2227 2NT-2245 Min 3♣-6+♣ Min 3♦-4♦6+♣ w. extras 3♥-4♥6+♣ w. extras 3♠-4♠6+♣ w. extras etc. Additional continuations flesh out strength and shape further. When responder is weak 1♦-1♥ signifies either or both majors and am happy to play in the Moysian fit. Other responses show 6+ new suit or 4+ support for ♦. With TW and 5♦ I tend to play in 1NT unless responder has bid 1NT and the ♦ suit is decent. Invitational hands allow a bit more flexibility. 2 level responses tend to be 6+ WJS or 5/6+♣

I tend to exclude 3+card support from Major 2/1 sequences and instead show the support directly via a limit+ 3+ Jacoby 2NT style approach. In this case I think the combined hands eventually kick off a cue-bidding sequence, but would stop at 5♥

I find this approach works well https://bridgewinners.com/article/view/advancing-a-nebulous-2c-response/ 2♦ Min 2♥ asks with responses as below. 2♥ 4♠ Min+ 2♠ 4+♦ Int+ 2NT 6+♥ Int+ with singleton/void 3♣ Shape? 3♣ 4+♣ Int+ 3♦ 6322 Int+/5332 Str+ 3♥ asks? 3♥ Int+ self-sustaining suit

I use a Multi2♦ with an XStr+ hand 8.5/9 playing tricks and longer minor to show this. Simply 2♦-2♥-3♣ Any response apart from 2♥ would be GF

I happily bid 2♥ as both Majors

And get penalised?

X followed by 3♠ regardless of whether this is a weak 2♥ or an Ekren style 2♥ Too strong for 2♠ A direct 3♠ would show a stronger suit for me

Interesting As a starting point the grand looks possible, but do I have the agreements in place to get there? Can I show both 4-6 ♥ & ♦? - Possibly with the right agreements/partner's understanding. As it stands I'll try for 6♦ with no expectation, but the ambition of bidding 7: 2NT-4♦ SI I play Kickbo so develop further following partners response

2♣ - you have a potential a game vs a max. NT opening I should have added I'm looking for partner to respond positively in either ♥ or ♠ and if max end up in 4♥/3NT vs ♥ or 3NT vs ♠

I guess for Takeout Doubles the sequences could be the same, but with response strengths versus say a 13+ NT

I use X as Power followed by Herbert negative/transfer responses for any 1-suited opening. I'm not sure if I'm reinventing the wheel, but this approach was worked from scratch as part of my T&P system For example over 1♣-X Pass 4+♣ Avg+ 1♦-HN/4♥ 1♥-4♠ Weak 1♠-4+♣ Weak 1NT-4♦ Avg+/GF 2♣-5+♦ Weak+ 2♦-5+♥ Weak+/4♥ Avg+ 2♥-5+♠ Weak+/4♠ Avg+ 2♠-HHx/4+♣ Avg+ 2NT-4♥&♠ Inv+ 3♣-4441♣ Inv+ 3♦-6+♥ Avg+ 3♥-6+♠ Avg+ 3♠-4333 Inv+ 3NT-AKQxxx(x)♦

♠ I didn't get on well with serious/frivolous NT either and now use 3NT to deny 2+ of the top 3 honours or 1+ if supporting partner. In this case it will avoid the slam in ♥. I wouldn't bid the grand available in ♠ or NT and would likely sign-off in 4♥/3NT as West rather than looking for the NT slam. 3NT looks better since East must have ♦honours to make his point count for a slam try Just back from an early morning spin class so thought I would complete the post. Continued Q bidding after 3NT would show a top honour and a remaining interest in a ♥ slam, while bidding above 4♥ would be a NT slam try in whatever approach you use. I would use 4♠ to show an even number of Aces with other bids showing an odd number of Aces and a King in the suit bid with 4NT representing ♠ in this case.

If you consider the Modified Loosing Trick Count (MLT) North will have a minimum of 4.5 opening 2♣; in this case North has less than 4. Once South has bid 3♥ and had support from North it becomes clear from South's MLT of 8.5 that a slam is on. i.e. 19-4-8.5 = 6.5 level. Slam exploration is then de rigour for South Going via 1♠ would also work for me 1♠-1NT 2NT (Str+, 4+♦/balanced with ♦ doubleton)-3♣ (Avg+ Shape?) 3♥ (5341)-4♥ (5+♥) MLT calculation 19-3.75-9.5=5.75 level. With 3 keycards and controls in all suits the 5 level should be safe so I start a slam exploration sequence

Agreed - which is why I play an extended version of Hello which allows a wider range of 2-suited hands to be bid if the desire is there

Multi-Landy is popular Personally I prefer an extended version of Hello