hirowla

So are you suggesting something like: 1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 3♣ - 3NT - 4♣ (3♣ shows a suit, 3 NT denies ♥ support and 4♣ shows 5+ clubs and slam interest. I guess the next bid is 4♦ (diamond control) and then into Keycard ask.

I'm just trying to work out the best way to get there, that's what I'm most interested in, including the direct follow ups after 2NT. In essence, I'm trying to define the system! In the real auction, the next bid was a keycard enquiry which I'm not convinced is the next best bid (in general). Just trying to find what others recommend.

Hi, I was wondering what would be the best way to bid this. Also, what is the best way to probe for slam after a minor suit transfer. [hv=pc=n&s=shaq853dk7cak8742&n=sak8h96dat653cqt9&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=1np2sp2np]266|200|Weak NT opening. 2S is a transfer to clubs, 2NT is a superaccept (shows at least 3 with a top honour)[/hv] Is it best to show controls, show shortages or show something else (like a 2nd suit if one exists)? Thanks, Ian

Hi, I was after some thoughts on the 2♥/2♠/2NT in a multi two bidding structure. I know a few possible ways to do it and would like some thoughts on each. 1. 2♥/2♠ shows 5 of the major and 4+ of a minor and 2NT shows at least 55 in the minors. Each of these is 6-10 pts. With this structure how would you show a hand with both majors and similar point range? Also how would partner structure a strong enquiry over the 2♥/2♠ bids? 2. 2♥ and 2NT as above, 2♠ as 5♠ and 4+ of any other suit. With this structure how would partner structure a strong enquiry? 3. 2♥ as 5 ♥ and 4+ of another suit, 2♠ and 2NT as in 1 above. With this structure how would you do a strong enquiry? Of these 3 which would you recommend and why? Keep in mind the questions I asked about each! Thanks, Ian

Hi, I'm after some useful suggestions for 4 level responses to a 1 Major opening (standard style). Here are some bids I don't want: 4 card suit raises (already covered) Standard splinters (already covered) Just after some other options I hadn't considered or useful conventions. Thanks, Ian

Hi, I was wondering how you can bid these hands to slam (if you can in fact). Bidding style is 2/1 but with a weak NT opening. Standard key card Blackwood used. Not sure if this hand warrants a 2 level opening or not [hv=pc=n&w=skq532hakt4dcakq5&e=s4h87652daqj65cj4&d=n&v=e&b=9&a=ppp]266|200[/hv] For this hand, South is the dealer. 1NT opening is not an option (we open it 1S). After a 2/1 reply, 2NT rebid would be wide-ranging due to the weak NT openings). [hv=pc=n&s=skj984h76da96cak3&n=sqhakq52dkqtcj854]133|200[/hv] Any Ideas? Thanks, Ian

Just wondering how Bart/Lisa or Gazilli would help these auctions? I have looked them up but can't find how they would help these hands. I also thought that 3C is not an invite but could be a weak bailout of spades.

Any ideas on how to bid these hands using 2/1. South is opening the bidding on both hands and is vulnerable. [hv=pc=n&s=saj9652hqjdk962ca&n=shat9djt7ckq87542]133|200[/hv] [hv=pc=n&s=sqt752hqdakq4cq64&n=s6ha2d632cajt8752]133|200[/hv] Seem to have trouble with these hands and not sure of any conventions/adjustments which may help. Thanks, Ian

Sorry for making the question clear initially but I wanted to know if double was clear and then what after that. I thought that a double then bidding 2 ♣ may require a better hand and/or a better suit - either a 6 carder or a few more points with a 5 carder (like closer to 19 points). Is that what is more standard or is the point count/ length requirements less for a double/bid own suit? Thanks, Ian

Ok, what if the bidding continues as 1♥ - Pass (this is your partner) - 1♠?

[hv=pc=n&s=sk52hakt6d4cak852&d=e&v=b&b=10&a=1d]133|200[/hv] I was wondering what people would consider to be the best approach to bid this hand, using a Standard-like approach? Do you overcall 2♣? Do you double and bid ♣ regardless of your partner's bid (unless it's hearts of course!)? Do you double and not do anything if your partner doesn't respond (and the opposition bid)? Do you approach it in another way? Any opinions appreciated. Thanks, Ian

To save typing here is a link to the system I'm using for this above. Regards, Ian

A little - if it's ♣ it promises at least 5.

As the "OP", I'll clarify the rest of the system. After a 2♣ response: 2♦ shows either diamonds or a balanced hand without stoppers in all suits. 2♥ would show hearts 2♠ would show 3-card support for spades. This is usually the preferred response if you have it! 2NT shows a balanced hand with no ♠ support and stoppers in all suits. 3♣ shows ♣ support with no shortage Other 3 level bids show a splinter with ♣ support. To be honest we are learning the system (it's not mine, it's based on an article by Andrew Gumperz). But until you try it and find difficult hands with it, you don't know whether it works! And this is one of those hands I think. It's also brought up another possible problem - what does responder do when he has the balanced hand and more than a minimum NT hand (as bidding 3NT would kill any slam search). Regards, Ian

Hi, I was wondering if there was a sensible way to get around the interference to get to a game (or even a slam, but a game is fine). [hv=pc=n&w=sak42h52dak854cq6&e=sq876haqt843dt7c5&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=p1d2cd3c]266|200[/hv] The double from East is a negative double, showing at least 1 major. To bid 2♥ would require East to have 10+ points and a 5 card suit. Any ideas? I know West was worried by the vulnerability and the useless Q♣. Thanks, Ian

Hi, I was wondering how I should find a slam on these hands. The system being used is 2/1. [hv=pc=n&s=saqjt8hajtd6ca986&n=s3hk973daq93ckqjt&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=1sp2cp3c]266|200[/hv] 2♣ shows either 5+ ♣ or a hand that denies 5+♥ and 5+♦ (usually balanced). 3♣ shows at least 4+♣ in support and no singleton or doubleton (also denies 6♠). As a alternative bidding sequence, what would happen if the bid was 3♦ (4+♣ and a shortage in diamonds)? I'm not sure of the best way to proceed to get to one the available slams. We have Italian Cue Bidding available to us, but feel free to suggest any other similar way to get to the contract (and if you use an alternative way of showing controls let me know why it is better!). Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Ian

The Gerber part is very tempting - I often look at bidding disasters and say "Gerber strikes again!".

I can see how the splinters can work. Mind you the harder hands are when you don't have a shortage! But I'm guessing you can't do that if you are transferring to ♠ as that bid isn't available. Currently I use 3♥/3♠ to show an invite/GF bid with 5-5 in each major so I don't have those bids available. I would start those hands with Stayman indeed. I have a way to short strong hands with both minors already - 3♦ over 1NT shows a game force with both minors. Actually I play 2NT as the positive and 3♣ as the negative (the in-between bid is the positive). The main reason (which I didn't mention above) is that I play a weak NT and it's rare to even require Texas - I understand its usefulness when playing a strong NT.

Hi, I was wondering how to handle slam exploration after Checkback style auctions (like 1♦ - 1♠ - 1NT - 2♣ - 2♠)? I have two major questions: How do you confirm the trump suit in those auctions? I'm thinking of this so you know whether you use Gerber or Keycard Blackwood to ask further? How do you handle it if you have less room to explore (like the Checkback starts at 2NT rather than 1NT)? What if you want to explore a minor suit rather than the major? Any ideas? Thanks, Ian

Hi, I was looking for some suggestions on the best way to handle looking for slam after transfers in any suit. I'm thinking of hands which are too strong simply to bid game so (assuming we're playing) 16+ points. Assume that Texas transfers aren't an option for the majors (they aren't commonly used where I am). One suggestion I've had is to bid a 2nd suit after the transfer. This works well if you have a 2nd suit but what if you don't (e.g you have a 6332 hand)? How do you handle those hands? How about handling the transfers of a minor when you have limited room. Any ideas? Thanks, Ian

Hi, I was wondering the recommended way to rebid hands which are a strong 1-suited hand. I'm thinking of hands not going enough to open 2C but too strong for a simple jump rebid. In particular, how to handle when you have minor suits like this (these seem to cause more trouble). So basically 19-21 hands with 6 of a suit with auctions like 1♣ - 1♥ - ?, 1♦ - 1♠ - ?, 1♥ - 1♠ - ? For the 1♥ example, assume that the suit is not self-sufficient so you can't just jump to game. Any ideas? Thanks, Ian

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies - it has been appreciated. So to clarify some things: Somebody suggested not playing support doubles. Done - don't play them anyway! Well, except with the BBO robots. At the moment I play a weak NT but everything else is "standard". In my community ACOL is the standard so I just say ACOL with 5 card majors - a better description is "Standard with a weak NT". I use a 15-18 point 1NT rebid, and use Checkback Stayman rather than NMF - seems to work. I sometimes include a 5 card major in the opening NT. Is the suggestion that if I do this, to make the 1NT semi-forcing rather than forcing? I can see the advantages - I hate the sequence 1H - 2C - 2H when I have a 5 card minimum hearts hand. If it's a game force it doesn't matter but I can always pass a 1NT response. Still have the awkward 1H - 1S - 2H auction although I have seen that reversing the 1S and 1NT responses can help with that. I like the inference of the minor bids showing extra length or extra strength, which is why I like the weak NT. I have the major rebids in the previous point, and people interfering when I have the strong NT! It is unlikely I'll be playing at the top level any time soon - unless somebody wants to mentor me :) So in terms of the auctions I'm worried about: 1x - 1NT - ? when I have the strong NT. Just rebid 2NT if I have the 15-18, just bid 3NT (or some 3 level forcing bid) if I have the 19-20 point hand (I have other tools for bigger hands)? 1x - 2y - 2NT can show 15-18 points and if I'm strong it doesn't matter (as we are in a game force). Thanks, Ian

Hi, I was wondering what modifications do you need to basic 2/1 to include a weak NT rather than a strong NT? I live in a world of weak NT bidders and have actually grown to like it! One obvious one I can think about is after an auction of 1♥/1♠ - 1NT, what does a 2NT rebid mean (15-17 or 18-19)? I don't have an answer to that. Any hints would be appreciated. Thanks, Ian

I was wondering what the best "technique" is to use in this situation - both as a player (declarer and dummy) and as a director. The situation is a common one - declarer plays from the wrong hand and dummy fails to notify him in time before he makes a complete designation of the card. The situations I'd like advice for are: If you are dummy, do you simply play the card? What if the opponents point out that the "lead is from the wrong hand"? They don't say whether they want to accept it or not. I usually just leave the card as played and I get some really strange looks when I don't change the card! As a director, how should you instruct the players to handle this? I'm considering standard "club" sessions, not more serious events where people should know better. The most common response from an opponent is "wrong hand" - in my opinion this doesn't express whether they want the lead from either hand, they are just pointing out a fact. I tried explaining it before a session and it caused confusion and didn't solve the problem. As declarer, when they say "wrong hand" do you pause? Do you play from the right hand? Do you do anything apart from calling the director? I know you are always supposed to call the director - teaching little old ladies to change what they have done for the last 20 years is difficult to do! Any suggestions would be appreciated. Regards, Ian

That sequence will work but it's a matter of whether it's worth the memory or if it comes up often enough to bother. I've heard of a sequence after all of the multi-Landy bids that says a response of 2NT shows interest in game but is it worth it and does it come up often enough. It doesn't come up that often in my experience. Regards, Ian