TylerE

Wasn't the direct cuebid frequently played as strong takeout in those days?

Ya know, if the opening bid was 1♣, not the 1♠ that the void implies, that should really be mentioned in the OP.

To give a simple exampel, 1m - (X) - 1♠ - (p) If opener has, say, QJxx Kx Axx Qxx and doesn't raise to 2♠.

Um, ok??

5♣ = New Partner Asking Bid

Those methods really are unfortunate. Hate hate hate 3 card J2NT. The 4th trump can be the difference between an 80% slam and a 40% one.

Well responder has bid problems (not rebid - bid!) on bread and butter auctions, yea, I consider that unplayable. The horrible SAYC 1m-3m agreement for instance.

I'm recommend making betters agreements. SAYC 1m-3m is pretty much unplayable if you actually care about having good auctions.

I'm not sure 6NT is worse, since you can make whenever Q of spades is onside no worse than 4th, after testing hearts.

Ya know, if people would just abandon SAYC as a playable system they'd be so much better off. There certainly needs to be a default B/I system in North America, but SAYC as defined leaves a lot to be desired.

I like 1♠, but I usually do on this kind of thing. Would be nice if I had the agreement that 1S-1N-4m shows this kind of hand.

3♠ is stronger.

I would expect something like a max strong NT for 4N. Basically, dbler is supposed to bid 6 on any hand when he wasn't joking with initial X.

Way I've always played is: 3NT - Doesn't promise a stop, but doesn't deny a stop like Axx, values for game 3opp = 4OM no stop 2N-3C-3opp = 4OM with stop

I'm bidding a direct 3N. This doesn't feel like a hand where we having running tricks, so I want a stop in partners hand also.

2NT

3NT.

More info needed. Are we talking about something like 1NT-(p)-4♥-(4♠)?

What is the real 2/1? Have I been a phony all these years? I'm dying to know. What i mean is a real 2/1 system, which means understanding of 4SF auctions, cue bid auctions, etc.

2♠ looks clear to me playing 2/1. You're allowed to have a max occasionally... Opening 1♠ is way too likely to lead to an absolute no play 3NT.

Strongly disagree with clee on minorwood.

Well, it kinda depends on what you mean? Do you mean *real* 2/1, or the SA with 2/1 GF and 1NTF that most people who claim to play 2/1 actually play.

One intriguing idea I've come across is the six cycle engine. Basically a combination of a normal ICE and an expansion steam engine... at the end of the exhaust (4th) stroke, a small amount of exhaust is retained, and a drop of water injected, which instantly flashes to steam, and powers another expansion stroke. Hasn't really been tried on a large scale, but there's no theoretical reason why it shouldn't work, just technical details (changing cam designs, dealing with water in the cylinder, etc).

Pass, and see what happens. Yes, it might go p-(1♠)-p-(4♠). However, look at the hand. Everything is breaking badly for opponents? Who says they're making anything?

If you're really concerned about right siding the contract, you can use the South African version (Esp. good opposite 10-12 and similar openings) 4♣ - Wants to play 4♥, opener can either bid 4♥ or bid 4♦ to let responder play it 4♦ - the same, but for spades 4M - to play 2♣ - 2x - 4♣ - G-----, not promising 4M