Impact

1. Both DAB (directional asking bid)= Western Cue Bid translated I believe, as the simple cue bid starts transfers. 2. I have the same agreement as Frances (1m) X (P) 4m which I believe to be standard 3. (1M ) X (P) 4M is undefined but consitent with other principles would be assumed to be a transfer with very long suit that does not have tenaces to protect...but I shall make a note! regards

100% agreement with gnasher on both points- at least one of us must be crazy! regards,

Sorry - it doesn't work as Ron points out. I am not a T-Rex fan : intermediate pass has a lot of problems. Ideally, you want to play qute differnent systems at different vulnerabilities - and positions. Even a less restrictive group of buffoons like the ABF has drawn the line at "2 systems", but appears to accept that some variation in 4th seat is ok eg hands which would otherwise be pre-empts etc in a non-forcing pass mode... In real life, you require a very disciplined system freak to absorb at least 2 different systems in full detail with inferences, while when I wanted to play 4....ah well regrds

When it is a Major they have bid, 3C= Transfer to OM which allows superaccepts below forcing to a higher level 3D= Stayman for OM 3H= transfer to C (note the availability of super accepts low again under 3NT with 2 available to suggest the top Honour and the suit will run anyway) 3S= transfer to D (see above) 4m= minimum GF on presumed fit 55 in minor & OM I accept that this loses on certain auctions with D which could otherwise play in 3D but it allows much greater fine tuning for invitational/pushy auctions to both game and slam in virtually all other scenarios regards

Pass - 1C (16+) 2C (8-9, 2+BCC, minor 3 suiter or D only) - 2D (relay) 2H (minor 3-suiter) - 2S (relay) 2NT (short S) - 3C (relay) 3NT (0-5-4-4 2 controls) - Pass wtp? :P

Doesn't anyone like 2D immediately which shows the fine quality of the suit ...sure by standard jumps you have too little defence but it si anotehr advertisement for fit-showing....and gives you every chance to complete the picture whatever the level it comes back to you (asuming it is not a weak jump shift). This way opener will value his D cards and get the gag when you bid C at a high level....

I have a very different take on these type of auctions from US standard. Firstly, double receiving a minimum advance, followed by new suit from doubler I take as very strong - but not forcing! I expect pretty much most 5HCP from advancer would make another noise - as would most hands with prime support. I retain jumps by doubler as agreeing advancer's suit and proposing SLAM! Accordingly, double followed by doubler's cue-bid in response to a minimum advance is GF denying prime support for advancer's suit. Advancer should clarify the nature of his holding - less by strength than by description eg extra length (beyond the presumed 4), second suit, stopper and failing all else, advancer with nothing else to say raises the cue bid suit (effectively denying more than 4 cards in his first suit, any other suit, any stopper...so whatever the GF is based on doubler knows he is facing support - albeit no significant distribution and can frequently place the contract. In the rare event that advancer held say an 8 HCP 4333 without a stop and has used this sequence he will usually be able to raise doubler's "placing of the contract" purely on cover cards). On that basis doubler has shown a GF, and advancer has lied by showing extra length in H (when he should have raised the 2S cuebid to 3S). Doubler has "emerged from the bushes by specifying his GF as based on C, and advancer should heed it by merely raising to 5C. Of course that contract is not underwritten by Lloyds, but that is what the sequence "means" in my style. After the "4H" bid by responder, the 4S bid by doubler would now confirm H fit for the long suit and suggest a cue of any values held... I am not suggesting my methods as ideal - and appreciate that the vast majority of players would double and follow a minimum advance with a cue on far more hands, but I am content that the method outlined works very well to locate fits, and only forces much higher with known tolerance for any suit doubler may have as base.... If you start with ANY agreement you will be better placed than so-called standard by the seat of your pants... regards

A lot depends on how you play your Namyats. My preferred response scheme is to indicate number of key cards in a hand which has slam potential:- Step 1: ie the intermediate step is 2 KC for the Major and good cards Step 2: ie the Major: no slam interest Step 3: 3 Key cards Step 4: 4 Key cards Opener then has control and a) may signoff in Major if missing 2KC :P bid slam if missing 1KC and some control in all suits (alternatively gambling) c) bid a new suit asking for control in that suit (NT can be the most expensive suit to ask): step responses This also facilitates bidding grands....I think it is a style which was first attributed to Rosenkranz in the 70s but I am not certain. I am sure it works pretty well... regards

Pass= t/o GF and a) will convert 4D to 4H assuming CHO's pass was virtually a 2nd negative... :P If he doubles for "penalties" after my t/o pass I am tempted to leave it in at this vul as it is certain that CHO does not hold 4+M c) will raise 4H to 6H d) will raise 4S to 5 e) if he manages to bid at the 5 level by himself I shall investigate grand Now none of these are necessarily right, as on one view I have "only the 3 Loser hand I promised" but I think this is playing the odds. A lot depends on the meaning of that initial pass by CHO.... regards

In Oz all doubles are NOT alertable (but pre-alerts of doubles which are unusual are required - so for instance transfer doubles that we play, PODI, PORI etc). Also note that opponents can ask, and if you become the declaring side you are required to provide the additional information before they make their opening lead. By contrast a Pass which is anything but "content" or "nothing to contribute" IS alertable (as it must be because you can hardly be put on notice otherwise!!). This occurs frequently both in relay auctions and multis... regards,

Rob, The most common reverse relay I utilise is for opener with 15/16-18 after responder bids 1NT (10+ balanced) and opener shows his shape both to protect the likely 3NT declarer from revealing more and to evaluate shortage. Otherwise, although I tinkered with all sorts of ideas, in GF auctions I have found that the best relay breaks are extreme single-suiters and 2 -suiters with a suit which might be solidified by finding a singleton honour. Hence relay break in such takes the form of an asking bid in that suit...(take your choice form a plethora of asking bids but Zeta was useful). regards

No - but I would overcall over a strong NT !! Overcalling works when partner is balanced (therefore a fit) or has a big H fit (4 cards will do very nicely) and we do not overbid...and very badly when he gets either my strength or the lead wrong (yeah T high suit just screamed for the lead....from KJ). Hence I would not overcall over 1natural C directly (but might pre-balance) and certainly WOULD overcall a strong NT where I can show shape and partner will not expect a strong HCP hand... regards

5S - I paid my table money and they dealt me 11 good black cards...but I am not holding my breath in the belief that it is underwritten by anyone. regards

Just how bad is 3S? You should be ok to get to 4D at least and this gives you a shot at the Major game without overstating your strength, and your hand has been steadily improved by the bidding (shortage in their suit, real D with playing strength opposite). I know we are not vul, but there is still a bonus for game bids!! I hate people who bid this way with 5+5+Majors - but realise that that is a possible interpretation for some. regards,

I must have missed something:- After the reverse by South, the North hand is loking at 14HCP including prime support for opener's first bid suit, control of both of the other 2 suits, and his only unsupported minor Honour (the HQ) is in opener's 2nd suit. All of that screams slam, and assuming it was a pick-up partnership with no special agreements my unambiguous choice would have been 4C to clue partner in! Actually, if you could agree C with 3C, and later Kickback or KCB in C given your controls that would be fine but many peole still play the return to 3C as n-f (whether you like that or not). 2. Frankly, I don't think opener has an excuse for another bid as he has no huge extra values after responder effectively signs off in 3NT. I would be reluctant to partner North again as he obviously despises slam bonuses, and hogs the hand under all circumstances! apologies for any offence in advance :-; regards