Robert

Hello everyone 1S-1NT-2C-2D-2H can be played as natural with a very good hand. I would expect near jump shift values from my partner(17-18HCP) The 1S-1NT-2C bid is only limited by the fact that opener did not bid 1S-1NT-3C. Some play jump shifts as one round forces in standard. I play them as game forces, however, I do make an exception for letting partner pass 4m, if 3NT is unplayable. Regards, Robert

hello everyone My thanks to everyone that pointed out my 'overlooking' the meaning of 'discard.' :) This appears to be a much worse ruling than I earlier believed was possible. I reread the post and 'saw' what was defined as a 'discard.' They are talking about 'not following suit' when they call the card a 'discard.' You are not limited to from just one suit when 'using' that meaning. If you choose not to discard trumps, you normally have at least two side suits to choose a card from. You may play any low card from a suit that you 'want to have led' or you 'again have' at least two suits to select an even card from(that has the proper size spot to convey your desired message) I guessed that 'throwing away' a card when it was my turn to play was 'discarding.' Apparently, I was simply following suit and the ACBL rules lawyers decided to fancy up the wording. One slur was directed against a well known Italian pair some years ago. They were accused of playing their cards slowly during one hand. The punch line is that the 'slowly played card' called for partner to play a given suit and his partner 'did lead' the suit indicated by the 'slowly' played card. They defended as if the played card called for a certain suit and their partner had the 'daring' to actually play the suit that his partners' signal suggested. If following your own carding methods is wrong, my partnerships struggle to be 'wrong' as often as possible. Regards, Robert

Hello everyone I would have assumed that 5Ds was 'voidwood.' Assuming that 5H denys an Ace 'outside' of diamonds, I pass. I am guessing that you are not playing 5Ds as 'voidwood' or 5H as denying an Ace 'outside' of diamonds, so I bid 6Hs. I do not see a problem if you are playing 'voidwood.' If you were just making a noise with that 5D bid, you now get to gamble a pass or bid 6Hs. Grand slams should have pretty good chances to bid them. Once 5Ds is decided to 'not be' voidwood, the auction is a gamble for any action that you take. Regards, Robert

Hello everyone Even with 'so many' Zar points that opposite a possible weak four card heart suit(without extra values) you aren't likely to make ten tricks in hearts. Mike777 hit the nail on the head. Partner will trust your bids 'until' he finds out something different in another auction. Do not make 50 cent bids with a penny partner. S. J. Simon would be proud of a 3C bid here 'with' a pick up partner. Hello Chamaco If you were a novice, you would not know that a 3C bid was the book bid here. A bunch of 'instructors' have decided to visit and comment. Chamaco, you are doing just fine. Enjoy. I cannot scroll back that far. No, 3Cs is not forcing. It shows about 16-18HCP and a 6+ card suit in standard methods. Regards, Robert

Hello everyone Did everyone see the we were RED and they were White? Bid 5Ds at red vs white? Did the scoring table change again? Fluffy seems to understand that 5Ds might go for a very large number. A telephone number to Mars or even maybe as far out as Pluto. With an understanding partner, I can just see a possible 3D bid. With an agreement that a 2D bid shows a good suit and 'perhaps' nothing else, I can also just see a 2D bid. Hello Al _U_ Card No information on vulnerable conditions or type of game? I like the idea of bidding 4H to get the lead. I expect that partner 'knew' who was vulnerable when he bid. I do have some values for him. Regards, Robert

Hello Flame Without any other agreements, I like Fluffys' method. Suits are natural if that agreement is at all possible. I like to show my shape so partner can judge the degree of fit. Certain bids are 'alarm clock' bids. 1H-1NT-2m-2S* shows a good raise to 3m since partner did not bid 1H-1S. I recently 'converted' to a 'double transfer' like auction for 1M-1NT-2C-2D* that will show various hand types if partner will relay/puppet to 2Hs. I am willing to give up playing exacting 2Ds to better define many other auctions. I really like Al Roths' non forcing, new suit at the 3 level auctions in his Picture Bidding book. He trys to bid his three suiters 'including 5431 shapes(showing the 3 card fragment at the three level(with the required values present) and partner is allowed to pass or bid on as needed. Regards, Robert

Hello everyone 1. Is a matter of style. If I had not discussed this auction with partner, I would consider it forcing. In close decisions, you bid if 'partner might think' that his bid was forcing. I have played this both ways. Whatever way partner likes to play. I felt very comfortable playing it as a one round force in KS since we opened with some very heavy one bids. 2. With less than 8+-10 dummy points, I prefer to make a direct raise to 2Hs holding 3 card support playing standard methods. I play 1Y-1Z-1NT-2C* is a semi-forces 2D to play 'or' it becomes an invitation bid 'if another bid is made.' 1H-1S-1NT-2C*-2D*-2H would show 10+ values. My 1Y-1Z-1NT-2D* is a game force 'unless' either partner bids 2 of openers major. I also play that 1H-2S shows 0-9HCP and a rebid of spades 1H-1S-any-2S shows 9+-11HCP and a six card suit(only five cards 'if' your AKQ10x suit 'looks' like a six bagger?) My Big Club version opens 10+/11-15 and partner holding 12HCP should not force us to bid game with a possible 22-23HCP and no great fit. The 5=2=1=5 example hand bids 1H-1S-1NT-2H which does not invite because the 2C* toy was not used. If the hand was 5=2=5=1 I might use the 2C* toy to relay/puppet to 2Ds and pass. We use an option to skip the transfer to 2Ds holding 3 card support for partner. Skipping over 2Ds to bid 2M would also show extra values since we tend to raise directly with suitable 3 card minimum hand types. The dreaded 1H-1S-(3D)-p-p-3H shows 9-11 with less you pass here. You should have raised to 2Hs earlier to avoid a problem. My methods would be to bid 1M-2M showing 10-11 dummy points. They have to bid 3D or pass and partner has a pretty good idea of what we hold. We also get to play both short and long suit games tries over our constructive single raise. Regards, Robert

Hello everyone Spiral scan bidding if often impressive. However, any well bid hand is worthy of note. I do not feel that sharing a well bid hand with the world is of much 'added' value. Just knowing that our methods coped with a difficult hand is the result that I try to produce. Of course, my view might change after I win my first Bermuda Bowl. The masses of my loyal fans can throw flowers at that time. Regards, Robert

Hello everyone You seem to have everything under control. I was just curious about some of the details. If I see something 'good', I tend to 'add' it to my methods. You have been warned. Walmart is not EVIL, maybe just a little bit evil? Showing 6-6 hands with no idea of the range/controls might result in a strange contract. I realize that the same problems might result from a lower path, however, partner might be able to agree a suit and cue bidding(or RKC) could start somewhat lower. If size asking RKC(Power style) is used, even more information might be shown. On the other hand, showing the exact 6-6 pattern before the other side 'can bid' would be an advantage. At least one relay method says that they never get to use their methods that show 11+ cards in two suits, the other pair always 'jumps' into those auctions. The problem is that I currently use all of the bids from 1C-4C* to show 4441, 5440 plus 'any' solid suit. Zooming pass 3NT only with 5=4=4=0 with extra values. Maybe I can use 4D and 4H to show 6601 and 6610 hands? That bidding should wake up the other pair and my partner! I will generate some hands and look at the results. It might slow down my hand generating when I limit the possible hands to exact 6601 and 6610 types. I normally get 50-100 hands generated in seconds. The good news is that the number of 6-6 major hands(and 5=4=4=0) is a somewhat low percentage of bridge hands. hello luke warm Minor comments, no offense intended. A matter of 'maybe' making some small improvements. It is your system so 'pick' the methods and enjoy. When you ask about shape after 'knowing about two suits, you might want to reverse the order of the answers. Use lower bids to show more cards. You are unlikely to want to play in a suit opposite your first step 'void' reply. If the first step showed 3 cards, it would likely be a much more encouraging reply. Over a higher response(several steps) showing shortness, you could either change trumps or maybe sign off in 3NT. A 3,2,1,0 or 3,2, 0-1 order of steps might gain you some bidding room. "If' you held a AKQxxxx suit that needed to check on the 0-1 step, you could make an asking bid. It is highly unlikely that you want to play opposite 0-1 cards(on most hands) so using up several steps would not normally matter. Some relay methods use a 'do not bid above' 3NT in certain bidding paths. 'Anti relays' are sometimes used to say ' show your remainder, but 'do not' bid above 3NT 'without' a longer major fragment. In your club one suited auctions, you might want to show 6331 and 6322 type shapes(7222/7321 etc.) shapes 'before' you show controls. Clubs may well become trump, however, opener may want to play his suit opposite a 3 card(or 2 card?) holding. This is a very minor suggestion(I am a Type A person and worry about things that I can neither change nor control) Even your 12+HCP and 5 control 3H* bid is still fairly low. I much prefer IMPs to matchpoints, however, 3NT is often 'the contract' to play at matchpoints. I have added a method where opener often shows a minimum with his first step in many bidding areas and 'zooms' to show the exact shape with maxiumum(extra?) values. You might want to use that style in the club auctions: 1C-2S*=clubs 8-11 and direct higher bids show 12+HCP plus the exact shape. You might be much better placed to ask for controls or sign off opposite a known 12+HCP and you already 'know' the exact shape. Thanks for your posts and replys. Regards, Robert

Hello luke warm I am a bit tired. That last sentence should read, "If you do not mind(not might) Sorry. Me bad. Regards, Robert

hello everyone These are my current methods. They are not carved in stone nor do they have any promise that following them will make you a world champion. I have never opened 1NT with a 6 card major(at least not unless I was using a Romex 1NT one round force* opening bid) I often open 1NT with a 5332 long major. My NT methods are extensive and tend to get me to the correct contract(most of the time) If the other pair competes I tend to freely bid my major at the two level. If I have a six card minor, I tend to bid it even at the three level. Playing a 15-17HCP NT I sometimes open with a 6322 shaped 'weakish' minor, with stoppers in the short suits Kx A10x AQ Qxxxxx looks like a 1NT opening bid to me. Playing a 14-16HCP 1NT range, I would bid the same way. I played a lot of 12-14HCP range weak NTs and never opened one with a 6322 shape. I often opened 1NT 12-14HCP with a five card major or a 5 card minor. If the points are all in two suits(strong major or very strong minor) AKQxx Axx xxx xx I open 1S Axxxx Axx Qxx Kx opens 1NT=12-14 5=2=4=2 or 5=2=2=4 hands should open 1S. They do not have a rebid problem in any decent system played with a 14-16NT. Over a 1NT bid, you bid the 4 card minor or you might even pass if the 1NT bid is not forcing. 2=5=4=2 or 2=5=2=4 hands should open 1NT unless most/all of your HCP are in the two long suits xx AKJxx AKxx xx You will rebid the minor after 1H-1S. If the short suits have 'some values' in them, you open 1NT because you do not have a good rebid after 1H-1S-? xx Axxxx AJxx AQ opens 1NT because neither suit is strong and you cannot rebid 1NT holding 14-16HCP. Partner will expect 'only' 11-13HCP for a 1NT rebid. 2=4=5=2 or 2=4=2=5 open 1NT unless the points are all concentrated xx AKxx AKQxx xx in the two long suits and your reverse might be 'only' 16 HCP. With 14-15HCP you open 1NT. If you play a 'limited' non big club opening, you can shade your reverses downward to fit your system methods. 4=2=2=5 and 4=2=5=2 hands open in the minor and rebid 1S with any range up to a forcing jump shift(18+HCP) One possible method of dealing with 5 card majors in a 14-16HCP range is to jump to 3M when partner bids Stayman and you hold 16HCP with a good suit. I do not use this method because of my NT rebid structure, however, I have seen it suggested in Kantars' bridge books. If you play garbage stayman, the jump to 3M might not be your best bid. The same basic 'rules' would be followed for opening a 2D* bid with 17-19HCP. I would tend to open 2=4=5=2 or 2=4=2=5 hands with 17-19HCP with 1m and reverse into 2Hs because I have extra values. If you like to play a 2D range of 17-19HCP, enjoy. I have played a method with a 2D opening that showed 18+-20(-)HCP. I have also played Acol and made jump 2NT rebids with 17-18. The choice of system and methods is a matter of personal style. My early Precision bidding made jump 2NT bids with 14-15HCP. That does not happen anymore. My current bidding is opens a 15-17 1NT and 1C-1D-1NT=18-20HCP. I use a Precision like base and open 1D(2+ Ds 11-15HCP) and rebid 1NT with 12-14HCP. If I open 2NT I hold 21-22HCP I like to keep the bidding low and try to keep any 2NT bids or 2NT rebids within a narrow 2 point range(unless they are forcing) Regards, Robert

hello everyone The same problems that the ACBL sees with odd-even are present when a normal discard of a small card is played 'very slowly' and with 'obvious distaste.' A player might also smile warmly and nod knowingly while playing a 'deuce' on partners' lead. Many club players will never fail to 'get' the correct message. The suit will be continued or a 'switch' made no matter what card is played 'if' the body language is allowed. If I understand this correctly, the ACBL in their great wisdom believe that odd even signals are legal at the first trick. The use of the 'same exact method' is 'magically' somehow different at tricks 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12? What changed? If there are any legal 'problems' at the 2nd trick, those same exact 'problems' existed at trick one! Using the exact same method of carding from the 2nd trick onwards would somehow 'not have' the same exact problems' that the ACBL 'ruled' were legal to use at trick one. Is the ACBL going to rule that odd even carding is legal on tricks 1,3,5,7,9,11 and illegal on 2,4,6,8,10 and 12? That ruling would make just as must sense(just as much nonsense!) To be legally consistent the ACBL should force 'high encourages and low discourages' players to play another carding method at trick two. Regards, Robert

hello everyone A 3C rebid would show 5-5 minors. The 2NT bid 'shows' 6D and 4C and still lets partner choose which minor to play. If the other pair bids (1S)-2m-(2S)-p-p-? when you overcall in a minor, you can bid 2NT to suggest four hearts plus 5+ of your minor. If you only held the minors, you would bid 3Cs and let partner 'pick' a suit. Regards, Robert

hello luke warm Where do the 6-5 and 5-6 hands go? The next relay should be for the exact shape and you should also have an option to use higher steps for RKC in the 'known' suits. Setting which suit is trump lets you ask for the trump queen later. You might also want to also use 'anti relays.' When the remaining cards might be say 3M and 1m( in a 5431 shape) your 3D-3H is a relay bid and 3D-3S* would be an anti relay which says, "Do not bid above 3NT without the 1m-3M hand type." If the 3m-1M hand will eliminate slam chances, the ability to play 3NT is nice. Zoom bidding is also very good. Partner answers a relay(with the highest answer) if his hand permits, he goes into the next question 'without' being asked. If a 3S answer showed the exact shape, higher than 3S would show RKC or whatever answer that the next relay would ask. I first saw zoom bidding and anti relays in Ultimate Club. They are very valuable when you need to save one or more steps. Reading both Ultimate CLub and Power might be of great interest since you want to use relay methods. Both Power and Polish Club use a 4D* bid to force 4H so that opener can sign off in any game. Direct bids of 4H and higher are 'size asking' RKC bids. Size asking RKC surprised me at first, however, it proved to be a valuable tool. You often get to use RKC with a 4C bid(or sometimes lower bid!) so the bidding room is normally available without any problems about bidding room. Partner bids the first step to show a minimum. The second step upwards lets you show normal RKC steps. You tend to have more information available than normal RKC since partner sometimes shows 'extra values' plus his key cards. If partner bids that first step to warn of minimum values, opener may bid the next step up to 'really' ask for RKC replies. I also built a Precision type system. I use the bids up to 3NT to show exact 4441, 5440 and all possible solid suits. If you do not might listing the lower replies to 1C? I am just curious. Regards, Robert

hello Jlall You use classic bidding 'around the clock.' Bidding two suits and supporting partner shows 3 card support(if unforced) and Bidding two suits and jumping to 4M shows 4 card support. The shortness and often the 3-4 card trump support is defined. 1S-2H-3C-3D-3NT-4S shows club shortness and 3-4 spades. 1S-2H-3C-3D-3H-4S shows club shortness and 4 spades. I also like to use two tier splinters so my range would be about 11-13 and 14-16 so I can show serious splinters and courtesy types. If you show the heart suit, partner can revalue the golden heart King(if he holds it? ) It is a close call, I suspect that bidding three suits is slightly superior 'since' it stress heart values and also shows club shortness. The splinter bid shows the 4th trump, however, it does not stress the value of a possible heart King. Regards, Robert

hello everyone I overcall 1S good suit, directs the lead and shows some values. Not even close. Not worried about an agressive pair, they likely play more action, negative and other competitive doubles. With a suit this good, they very rarely have the cards and methods to catch me. I do not like off shape doubles. Much rather pass than have partner bid a suit that I do not have 3+ card support for. Regards, Robert

hello pigpenz The LAW is certainly sometimes wrong, however, it does serve as possible bidding guideline. Larry Cohen sometimes appears to violate the LAW when he bids in Bridge World auctions. Maybe he 'knows' something that I do not and maybe he is making some unknown(to me) correction? The LAW has a lot of corrections 'if' it functions properly. Your 5332 opposite a 5332 shape is just one of those corrections. It the hands match up exactly with the doubleton opposite each other, the number of losers will be 'way above average.' You devalue a holding of 5332 opposite a 4(5) card holding. WHen I refer to opening a 5332 major hand, I often refer to it as a 'death trap' hand because of the number of losers. Any other 5 card opening shape has at least one less loser. If you hold a fairly normal 5431 shape opposite either 5332 hand 'your' LAW tricks will be much closer to normal. Two 5431 hand with the shortness 'not matching' will take a lot of tricks. You can often estimate how the hands 'fit' and make corrections in the LAW. It is often overlooked that the LAW is based on the HCP being fairly well divided between the two pairs. If my pair has 40HCP your 4-4 card fit will not take anywhere near 8 tricks. Even if I hold near game values, the total tricks should be 'adjusted' upwards in view of my added HCPs. I use a 'Stayman in Doubt' method in my 1NT bidding to 'avoid' playing a 4-4 major fit with two 4333 hands facing each other. A 4333 shape is devalued by most serious players for suit play. One advantage in 'knowing' the number of trumps is that many experts normally 'show' the trump queen when they 'know' that they hold a combined ten+ trumps. AKxxxx xxxx and Axxxx Kxxxx will not often care if they are missing the Queen(and Jack) of trumps. This does not always work. I remember that I once held AK 8 times and had xx in dummy. The first trump lead found RHO showing out. I never claimed to be a good card holder. Regards, Robert

hello everyone I used to play Gladiator. 2NT-3C forced 3D. If I was playing that convention, I would use it here. I do play a version of puppet stayman over 2NT. So I could use my toy knowing 90+% of the time I would end up in 3Ds. If partner bids 3Hs(showing 5) that is another matter. I suspect that my methods would alter this bidding somewhat. I play 1C-1D-1NT shows 18-20HCP. Which would eliminate about 40-45%of the 20-22HCP range. I also play a 2NT bid shows 21-22 HCP which makes gambling with the weak hand somewhat more likely. 3NT is not a really bad gamble if partner does not bid 3Ds over a 21-22HCP 2NT. Regards, Robert

hello everyone Cuebids=bidding their suits to show various hand types. I like to play natural in the suit bid to my right (1D)-(1H)-2H natural. I like to bid (1D)-(1H)-2D* as an 'off shape' cue bid showing 4 spades and 6-7 clubs. A sandwich NT shows 5-5 shapes and double takes care of 4-4 or 5-4 type shapes. A jump cue bid ask for a stopper for 3NT. I have a solid minor(I also like to use solid hearts for this bid) I walk the dog on this hand. Reese suggests a 4C bid and follow up with 5Cs to 'bluff' them and hoping to get doubled in 5Cs. If I were going to jump, I would bid 5Cs. You might only have one card in the suits that they are bidding, however, you have not seen what cards are in partners' hand. He might not overcall a good 4 card major and so hold four(five?) diamonds plus a good 4 card heart holding. If he is weak he might have 4/5 hearts and 4/5(+) diamonds. Partners' Q8xx KJ9x AQ9xx void may slow down the other pairs slam hopes a tiny bit. Depends on your overcall style. I tend to bid with 8+HCP at the one level with a decent suit. My partner making a face after seeing one of my overcalls might disagree with what he thinks is a 'decent' suit. Do not worry too much about how to bid this hand type. You will not see it very often. Regards, Robert

Hello everyone Some pairs play the XX shows 9-11HCP and seeks partners opinion. He can rebid his suit, double or even pass. A pass followed by a X suggests that the other pair has sinned. I like to play transfer replies 'if' room permits. 1C-(X)-XX=diamonds, 1D=hearts, 1H=spades, 1S=balanced(semi) hand. You make the doubler lead away from his honors and also gain any other lead advantage. You also get another bid 'if' needed. Partner accepts the transfer with 3 card support(at the one level) and can jump with 14-15HCP and 4 card support(by bidding at the two level) With less than 3 card support partner makes another bid. Sometimes you simply have to accept' a transfer at the two level. You might have a 5431 hand and partner 'transfers' to your stiff. If you do not have the values(or suit) for another bid you 'accept' the transfer 'in tempo.' No fair making faces before 'accepting' the transfer bid. One Italian method(Ambra) is to have two level transfers show six card suits or have extra values(you are going to make a strong rebid to show the extra values) Meckwell and some other methods 'reverse' the meaning of some transfers to gain space. You might want to 'reverse' the meaning of the transfer to gain bidding space. Ambra sometimes changes the meaning of the cue bid and the suits(I think?) I can look up the exact details from Ambra if needed. It is posted on the net. Regards, Robert

Hello everyone Passed hand doubles at the five level should be lead directing much like a passed hand double of a 4 major contract. You cannot have the defensive values to double for takeout so these doubles have a lead directing meaning or you are looking at QJ109x of their trump suit. :lol: The double says that opener does have 4 spades so I give partner a spade ruff. My spade holding will get another trick after partner ruffs the first spade. If declarer plays a high spade at trick one, I could get two tricks. If partner does not have a spade void, you should suddenly remember a previous engagement right after this hand is over. Doubling an opening 5m bid with A AK is just not good bridge. Regards, Robert

Hi awm No offense intended. I am a die hard transfer fan. I read a double transfer concept at the Cambridge web site a couple of years ago which changed my bidding style. I have added layers of new meaning into my bids over 1NT. If you play a double transfer system, you gain additional meanings and also additional 'branches.' Other places sometimes gain by adding double transfer sequences. Just getting a single step back is a system designers dream. With double transfers, you sometimes get several additional steps/meanings. I really like to keep the bidding under 3NT and double transfers often give me the additional room. Anyone reading my system notes could make a comment that I am completely mad. I have many long strings of 'double' transfer bids that convey a lot of information, however, they are not for the timid. One slip and the whole thing falls apart. I change back and forth in my system 'likes.' I played a lot of weak four card majors when I played Blue Team Club. I converted to 5 card majors when I played Precision or KS. My opening NT ranges from 8-10HCP to 17-20 in Roman Club or the Power system. I have also tinkered with Romex and its forcing 1NT opening. When I played Roman Club, you sometimes have to open in a 3 card major. That is the system bid with3=3=2=5 because you cannot open 1C and you are playing a canape system. You open 1H and rebid 2Cs. I modified the system into a 4 card major system with a 'shorter' 1D opening after making a major preference with 4 card support and found partner with a 3=3=2=5 shape. Roman Club was fun to play, but that auction had to go. Regards, Robert

hello everyone That example hand is worth a 3H bid in any form of bridge. Vulnerable at IMPS or rubber bridge is it probably a 4H bid. You only have to make game about 38% of the time vulnerable at IMPs. If partner is not a good declarer, you can just bid 3H. I have seen different methods played for the jump shift of 1NT. Some play that it is a one round force. I like to play that it is forcing to game when I play natural methods. I normally do not have to worry about whether it is forcing or not. I play a Big Club type base and 11-15HCP openerings. My jump is defined as a maximum hand with 6S and 5Hs. I also play a 2D* toy that shows 5-5 majors 10-13HCP. My 2H rebid cannot be weaker than 14HCP with 5-5 majors. Regards, Robert

Hello G r e g I tend to bend over backwards to bid as if partner has all of their bids. What would a 3C bid mean after a support double, if your partner was showing 3 card support? My auction would promise extra values, a long club suit "plus" 3 card heart support. If you want to add more excitement, you can use Good/Bad 2NT. Direct bids at the 3 level show extra values, while 2NT forcing 3C and converting to your suit show long suits 'without' extra values. You do not have to worry about problems with playing support doubles. All you have to do is to 'remember' that you play Good/Bad 2NT. I would be very nervous about passing 3Cs. If partner was showing extra values along with the 3 card heart support, she did not forget and your guess is a bit insulting to partner. Are you sure that there was no UI from a startled look, a sudden head jerk or a rolling of her eyes when you alerted that caused you to guess that she forgot? Did she make a normal 'in tempo' bid of 3Cs? What happens when you play Jacoby and hear 1NT-2D-2H-3Ds? On another forum the TD claimed that almost everyone played that as strong(some play it as a slam try) and natural, however, in 5 out of 6 times when he was called to the table 'someone had forgotten and their partner fielded nicely by 'passing' the 'strong forcing' 3D bid. Partner managed to pass 3Ds(guessing that it was natural!) when the auction clearly showed hearts and diamonds plus added values. Apparently people forget, however, their body language just happens to 'clue' partner in and they pass a fairly common type 'forcing' bid. I play a lot of conventions and agreements. My style is to 'trust partner.' If partner forgets, I am not going to 'remember' the 'two way' style of bidding a suit either 'naturally' or according to our agreements. Just my view of things. No one can question my flight plan, I follow a 'crash and burn' style by trusting my partner to have their bid. I have several times commented to partner(afterwards) that I would have guessed that they had forgotten some agreement when we had both remembered. The auction was 'funny', however, I alerted his conventional bid and followed up just like he had his bid. We landed on our feet and the convention had worked! It is a compliment to partner when you suspect that they have forgotten, however, you trust them to have remembered. If you do guess wrong, it is only because you showed trust in your partners bidding. That is not a bad reputation to have. Regards, Robert

hello everyone Pass. I have pretty fair defense to a 2H bid. Partner was supposed to bid with heart shortage. Maybe the 2H bidders partner passed because he has a heart shortage. Partner does not have to credit you with this much 'stuff' when you balance in 4th seat over 2Hs. At IMPs you often take a small plus rather than gamble for a possible minus. They are vulnerable so down two will beat any partscore and beating them one will break even most of the time. Bidding 2Ss might get you to a part score or even a 4S game. It might also get you doubled if the 2H bidder passed because of his heart void. You are unlikely to get doubled in 2Ss, however, if partner pushes a bit, you could get doubled in 4Ss. Was it Larry Cohen who passed out one of his partner's 'weak transfer' 2S bids with something like A AKxxx Axx Axxx He had seen his partner's 'weak' 2S bids before. An opponent balanced and was buried. A real worse case auction. I rate to go plus defending 2Hs and hope that bidding leads to a minus score. Regards, Robert