joshs

We can all construct hands that advance our particular device. On the example hand, if S is moving over 3N (not clear on a misfit with borderline values) why not 4♣? Does that have to be 5-5 or more? If so, why? More importantly, the most common 2♣ opening bids are based on balanced hands or good one-suiters: not carefully chosen 5431 with minimum values and a stiff in partner's suit with him having borderline values, a weak suit and a stiff in your suit. Give me any method you choose and I will come up with a problem hand for you. The main weakness of the 2♥ positive is in notrump sequences, in which kokish is unavailable: 2♣ 2♥ 2N ? Of course, you get all your favourite toys to play with over 2N, but what does 2N show? Is it 22-23 or could it be 24 or 27 or ??? Most methods developed for bidding in response to big notrump openers are based on the notion that responder is usually in charge of level... even when he is not actually in charge, he is making invitational bids... but how does responder value his hand as invitational when he has no clue how strong opener is? And how does opener know if partner was asking him if he had a good 23 or whether he needed 26 to accept?? A secondary and infrequent problem is when opener has a primary ♥ suit along with a secondary suit. x AKQxx AKQx KQx opp Qxxx x Jxxx AJxx 2♥ positive 2♣ 2♥ 3♥ 3N nice preservation of space with 3♥ ;) 4♦ ? your convincing auction, please, and don't tell me that 4N is keycard: it isn't in real bridge Yes, you'd probably land on your feet on this hand: jump to 6♦... but you'd be guessing and, if I wanted to spend a little more time, I am sure I could come up with a more difficult example. 2♦ positive 2♣ 2♦ 2♥ 2♠ kokish relay 3♦ 4♦ and we are off to the races. Why is 2C-2H-2N wide ranging a problem when you are in a force to 4N? In fact you have extra toys available here as 3N is forcing, so its easy to find the 4-4 minor suit fits. You could, of course, again use a split range and play 3N as 25-26 here, and have stayman and x-fers over that, but that gives up find the 4-4 minor suit fits, so I think direct NT jumps by either player should show: a. 2-3 extra HCPs b. regressive shape (usually 4333) So for instance: 2C-2H-2N-4N(10-11, 4333) Opener can pass with 22 or bid a 4 card suit to see if it gets raised or bid 5N with exactly 23 and no interest in finding a 4-4 fit. Slam auctions opposite 4333's when you are balanced without a 5 card suit are basically quantatitive and you need more like 34 HCP for slam. x AKQxx AKQx KQx opp Qxxx x Jxxx AJxx 2C-2H-3H(denies 4 spades on the side)-3N-4D-5C(Qbid)-5H(Qbid)-6D(no spade A) Thats actually a really easy hand. And you are correct, 4N is not keycard there with no suit agreement, it shows a misfitting minimum. If responder had KQJx x Jxxx Jxxx he would just bid 5D over 4D.

If you aimed the missle at hannie, you will die while waiting. In fact, he would not respond 2♥ with this hand. Never. He plays a system where 2♣ is either game force, or major one suiter and not game force. Over 2♣ he will bid 2♦, since if his partner has a major he will provide a trick (heart Queen for hearts or diamond ruff for spades). If your 2♣ is not quite as well defined, the response would be 2♠ (no tricks for ♠, but willing to go on if partner has ♥). This is a reason for the dual paradox bids of 2♥ and 2♠. A great side advantage is that you 1Major opeing bids are now much better defined (on the top end), since you can open 2♣ and bail out should partner have a busto. I wasn't aiming a missle at anyone in particular. I was was aiming a missle at the hypothetical person that hannie described that: a. plays 2H as the only xx negative (a common treatment) b. thinks thats passable. I have nothing against the parodox responses to 2C. They cater to lighter 2C openers than what most play in the US (at least with a major suit), and thats a reasonable way of handling them. You are slightly behind in showing some good hands, so its a question of do you want to be able to stop in 2M over your 2C openings.

Its not just scattered cards. Its values for 4N, generally 8+. Consequently in auction 2: Yes opener can bid 3N, but its forcing, so he really should introduce his strong 4 card suit. yes 3N might work out better when you belong in diamonds, but its a statistical thing, since partner will not always introduce a weak 4 card suit over 3N. One of the first things I learned about good slam bidding, is that in a borderline slam auction, its usually a bad idea to introduce a bad 4 card suit (less than 3 points in the suit). Too often you end up in slam with an inadequite trump suit. But yes, someone has to bid it... As to the last hand: yes you would have the same problem playing bith methods with: AKQxx x KQx AKJx x Qxxxx Axxx Qxx in both methods. It doesn't always gain to have the 4N force set up early, but it rarely hurts. Its hard to have a nice auction to a. 3N! b. 4S c. 5D After 2C-2H-2S-3H-3N-4D is it clear to bid 5D with AKJx in the unbid suit??? Or similarly after 2C-2D(waiting)-2S-3H-3N-4D-? 4N seems normal here, just not a winner. Maybe the problem with the auction was bidding hearts naturally in the first place? But opposite a 3 card holding, you often belong in hearts....

Ok lets switch the majors: x AKQxx KQx AKJx Qxxxx x Axx Qxxx Standard, with kokish: 2C-2D-2H-2S(forced)-3C-4C-4H(an offer to play, not good enough to bid any higher opposite what may be a 4-5 count)-4N(guessing, not really sure they have a spade control)-5C(3)-6C 2H scattered pos: 2C-2H-3H-3S-4C-4D(likes clubs, says nothing about diamonds)-4N(rkc)-5D(1)-6C The point is that even here with the majors switched forcing opener to make the most space consuming bid, the auction is more convincing with the scattered positive since the strong hand has more info about the weak hand, and they have an extra level of bidding room since they have promised enough values for 4N.

I am waiting to see: AKQx KT98xx Axx A Open 2C (is it even good enough?), and Pass the 2H double negative, and find: xxx Qxxxx x xxxx opposite +230 ;) I don't think the purpose of a double negative is to say "we might not have a game". Its to say "I don't have high card values that will be useful for slam". Its pretty hard to stay out of game after opening 2C except for the 2N rebid and occasional auctions where opener bids and rebid his suit opposite a xx neg.

Assign the blame: AKQxx x KQx AKJx x Qxxxx Axx Qxxx 2C-2D(waiting)-2S-3H-3N-4N-P An unlucky Down 1 on a heart lead with 6C making At the other table it went: 2C-2H(Scattered Positive)-2S-3H-4C-4D(Good hand for clubs, not nececarily a control)-4N(rkc)-5D(1)-6C

Its playable but not ideal. 1. the 2D bid carries a lot of ground and sometimes you want to differentiate a useful 7 count from a useful 4 count, and its hard to do, when you might also have a useful 10 count. 2. There is exactly 1 xx negative auction playing kokish: 2C-2D-2S-3C Over 2C-2D-2H 2S is semi-forced (I personally think that with 4-6ish responder should bid a 6 card minor or 2N with both minors here instead of 2S) Over 2C-2D-3C-3D is what you bid if you want to find out if opener has a 4 card major on the side, so doesn't really have the double negative connotation. But you can usually sort things out after the 2D bid: Suppose you have: a. xx Jxxx Qxxx Qxxx or b. xx Jxxx Axxx xxx or instead c. Qx Jxxx Axxx xxx or d. Qx Jxxx Axxx Kxx or e. Kx KQxx xxxx xxx f. xx KQxx xxxx xxx g. xx Jxx QTxx Kxxx h. Qx Jxx KTxx Kxxx 2C-2D-2S-2N-3H-? a. 4H (2 queens is not a double negative) b. 4D c. 4D and try again d. 4D and bid keycard next e. 5H (great trumps, no control in the minors, extras). But this uses up a lot of space. f. A problem hand. You might need to fake a cue bid (or bid a last train 4D) g. 3N h. 3S or 4N

For what its worth, the winning bid was x, followed by any plan that would declare 3N from the Jx side. I had AKJ9x Kxx xx xxx and had an easy pass of a x. The overcaller had x AQT9x T987x Kx Your probably not going to make 3N from my side unless they misdefended. We have 300 against 2H-x as long as we lead trumps before diamonds. If you bid 2N overcaller might well lead the heart T and let you make. I don't know what the moral of the story is...

Favorite Directors: A. Hitchcock W. Allen R. Reiner C. Crowe S. Spielberg I. Bergman A. Kurosawa Honorable Mention: Q. Tarintino B. Wilder M. Scorsese S Lumet R Polanski FF Coppola M Brooks S Kubrick Good start: C. Nolan S. Coppola

I would hardly consider bergen raises standard. In fact if I was summoned to a table to play 2/1 with an east coast expert (who recognized me as also being from the east coast), and he bid 3C here I would have assummed: a. partner has a death wish b. Invitational In DC, for instance, 3 level Invitational Jump Shifts are completely standard thanks to Steve Robinson's influence. IN DC, You will get only 1 or 2 pairs in each section playing bergen raises, and they usually are none of the top players. In any case, either: a: this problem is an advertisement for INV jump shifts b: the problem giver, recognizing that all sets of systemic agreements handle some hands poorly in order to handle other hands better, wants to know what to do when you are left with a decisions between imperfect alternatives.... There was a BW problem once which is what do you respond to 1S holding: Kxx AKJx KJx xxx playing BWS. Yes it would be nice to have a natural 2N here. Yes it would be nice to have a 2C GFing relay here. Yes it would be nice to be playing 1M-2M forcing! Or to be playing 1S-2H as a good spade raise, or better. The problem, of course, is that BWS doesn't include any of these treatments.... BTW, as to this problem, while I am in the minority in the "no new suits at the 4 level" debate, and think that after 1S-1N-3H that the best use for 4 of a minor is natural (but unlike some others I never have a balanced game force when I use a forcing NT) I think the suit should not have 2+ losers opposite a singleton, so I would bid 3N (or 3S waiting) after 1S-1N-3H.

Thats ok, although xxxx x AQJx AKJx is a problem, but you can probably bid 3H and hope to survive. Amyway, these are all rare hand types.

Yes :rolleyes: wtp? If partner xed 1S with Ax xxx Kxxx Qxxx does he really know to bid 3N if 3H is bid both on the balanced hand, and the hand with a singleton heart? Even adding the heart Q to the above, bidding 3N would be scary here...

Pass. I expect something like Jxxxxx and a 9 count. Opposite that hand I don't think I am making game, and even 3S isn't safe. I lack a second heart stopper or the ability to run a long suit. There is nothing like +110 on our 26 high :) Actually the funny thing here is that the weaker partner is, the better chance 3N will make. I might balanced here on KJxxxxx and a king. But with that good of a suit, and any more values I would have bid 1S....

Partner's x of 1S was a balancing action, so you are forcing to 3N or higher opposite an 8/9 count.... I think a forward going 3D is enough with that hand.

I think what Josh suggested is standard (but one can argue about if it is optimal). x by both players is penalty oriented. In direct chair its more of a statement about your hand (usually Hxxx of trumps, but a strong 3 card holding will sometimes do, especially with a stiff in partner's suit). In balancing chair, you have more information than in direct chair. You have partner's pass, which denies lots of shapes. x thus is more a statement that: "Since it appears that we don't have much of a fit anywhere, I think we should be defending". I think the typical balancing x in this auction is 2353 or 1354 shape. Most treatments will miss some juicy x's. But the least important x's is when responder has 4 good trumps but opener has only 1 trump since: a. the trumps are well placed for declarer, so the penalties are not as big as when the trumps are well placed for the defense b. playing 3N is usually a good alternative, with the oppoennts suit protected from the opening lead

so are we bidding 3H with: xxx Kx AQxx AKxx? I actually was figuring that this hand was a 3S bid (strong NT without a stopper) rather than the biggest penalty pass this side of kingdom com.

I agree with Josh. Don't you hate having a 4 or 5 card major and a 2 count after 2C-2H-3N? I generally play over 2C: 2D negative, but about 0-7ish 2H scattered positive, no great suit, 8+ or a good 7 2S Natural, decent suit, positive 2N Hearts, Pos 3m Great suit, positive But my 3M bids vary with partnership (My preference is a broken 6/7 card suit, and about 5-7 HCP: Kxxxxx and a side K would be typical. Its a hand that is slammish opposite a primary fit, probably should be trumps opposite Hx, and should quit while its ahead opposite a stiff) I also play 2C-Positive as Forcing to at least 4N. That way you can comfortably set trumps in auctions like: 2C-2H-2S-2N-3H-4H More recomended conventional sequence: Play: 2C-2H(scattered positive)-3S as 4S, 5+H and 2C-2D-3M as 4M, 5+D

OK, Phil got the Analysis right, as Adam did at the table (with the 4333 12 count, not the 3523 14 count). If you bid 3N you will make it barring a double dummy lead. I was the 1D opener. As I would have shown 3 hearts if I had 3, and 4 spades if I had 4, and I systemically can't have 6 diamonds (thats a 2D opener as I explained, ok maybe I would treat 6 small as a 5 card suit, but then I have to have points somewhere and thus likely have a club stopper...), I am marked with at least 3 clubs. My most likely shape is 3253, but I could have 4 weak clubs (xx54 or 3244 but highly concentrated in diamonds and spades - perhaps AQx xx AKxx xxxx). I actually had T9x JT AQJxx Axx (I upgraded this to a 13-15 balanced hand). If you bid 3D, I will pass, LHO will lead a club through the J and I will lose 2 clubs, 1H and 2S for down 1. If you bid NT the player with KQT9xx of clubs is on lead. So unless he finds a spade lead, followed by a club switch, you are making 3N. I might have bid only 2N with Adam's hand, but I think its correct to bid NT. Occasionally even when partner has 3 small clubs, the suit might be blocked, and we have 9 fast winners and partner's having 3 clubs indicates that we are unlikely to be making game in a suit.

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sxxhjxdakjxxcaqjx]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Partner opens 1S (about 10-14 with 5+ spades) You bid 2D (Game Forcing) LHO bids 2H Passed around to you. Your bid? Your plan? 1S-P-2D-2H P-P-?

I have been wanting to write such a computer program for years. Its embaressing that a. the state legislatures can, having taken power, seize power for their party perminantly by redrawing the districts b. the public has no confidence in the democratic process these days. This ranges from how districts are drawn, to how votes are counted. Now the wrangling over the exact algorithm chosen to draw the districts will be intense. So the algorithm has to initially have a stocastic element to it, so the parties can't predict the exact districts that will come out of it ahead of time....

LHO follows to the 2nd spade. Your 9 is overruffed by the J and the ♦K is returned. Ooh, I thought this line works, but now I noticed that I am a trick short.......... :( I guess I had to play 2 rounds of trumps first and hope they break.

I do bid 6H I the win the Spade A. I then cross to the heart K and lead a spade up. If LHO follows, I win the K and then ruff a spade with my 9. How am I doing so far?

3D has the merit of ending up in a reasonable contract opposite: KQxxx x Qxx xxxx or lots of other hands with 5 spades and 1H that would pass 2D The main question you have to ask if you decide to make an overbid like this is: does it significantly help you get the strain correct. I think the answer is uncertain here, but you will usually get to a reasonable strain after 3D. I do slightly prefer a 2D bid, but I tend to be very conservative in my bidding...

I consider 2D and 3D reasonable, I don't think 3H on that weak of a suit, with sutability for 3 other strains to be reasonable. My vote is 2D. The 2D bid is a mild underbid, but lets you explore more strains, assuming partner doesn't pass. But its close... I seem to recall that in washington standard the auction 1H-1S-3N showed 3S and 6H, Not Forcing. But washington standard uses a flannary 2D opening, so 1S is usually 5 cards, and that significantly upgrades openers hand.

We have no systemic agreements about my rebid priorities over the re-opening x. We also don't have any systemic agreements about the strength promised by the re-opening x. I do think this all falls into bridge common sense. We do play support x's. I should have mentioned them, although when I pass and then rebid 2D over the re-opening x I certainly don't have 3 hearts even if I wasn't playing support x's.