jmcw

If the auction proceeds as you suggest it may turn out badly. Certainly, it becomes almost impossible to set ♥ and RKC with clarity. However, I'm not convinced J2N can solve the ♣ problem unless there is a well defined (better than mine) set of agreements that "slows" opener down when he has a balanced minimum. Many of the replies favoring J2N do do not explore this problem and leave the impression they are going to J2N with ALL GF hand containing 4+ trumps. Personally, I play J2N with quasi balanced hands with 6+ controls, by that definition the responding hand has 3 flaws, a stiff ♦, a good trick source ♠, and only 5 controls. My "correct" system bids (if I hide the ♠ suit) are 4♣ showing 4/5 controls and 4+ trumps, or 2♠ ambiguous splinter. A couple of replies want to start with a GF 2♣, I've never heard of this with 4+ trumps, 2/1 for me has always a maximum of 3 card support for the major.

A 2♦ rebid solves my "black" suit problem for 0 losers. I will GF with 3♣ now.

With this collection of garbage, I'm surprised you want to do anything other than pass

Showing partner you have 4 card support GF, is mainly lip service! You are in effect taking control of the auction, and he will be along for the ride!, he will be answering questions according to your follow up bids. If partner has shortness it will most likely be ♠, how do you like your hand now?, or if he is flat and bids 4♥ what next?

Even if partner has the 3 missing Keys Grand Slam is by no means a lock. Success will depend largely on openers ♣ holding. [hv=pc=n&s=s4hak542da2cqt532]133|100[/hv] Slam depends on holding the ♣ losers to 1 make it a bit better [hv=pc=n&s=s4hak542da2ckt532]133|100[/hv] The Grand needs 3 discards or something good in ♣ So, bidding slowly has significant advantage here, if opener shows a ♣ suit then the length AND quality of his ♣ will determine whether the Grand should be considered. [hv=pc=n&s=s54hak542da2ckt32]133|100[/hv] I'll take a shot at 7 with this hand Over 1♥ I'm bidding 1♠ and over a 2♣ rebid I'll force with 2♦ and go from there. If partner does not rebid 2♣ I'll continue with RKC.

I expect to go plus if I pass and everyone else does too. 1♠ seems pretty normal call to me, are you suggesting an alternative?

I would DBL to start and go from there, but I'm uncertain if this is best!. I can see rebidding 3♦, but will we ever get to play ♥ if partner thinks I have < 3 Is there some better use for the DBL in this situation ?

This should be an opener for just about everyone, if you are passing you will be against the majority on the field. What has 2/1 got to do with anything here?

1. A ♣ raise with good ♦ 2. Says 0 about ♠ 3. 2NT

2♥FSF to game followed by a ♦rebid.

In any seat at any vulnerability I open 1♣, I don't consider any other bid even close! Why on earth would I want to pre-empt a possible 4♠ contract?. Partner will more than likely bid a red suit and I can comfortably rebid 1♠ if his next call is NT, I will then happily raise to 3NT which will have a much better shot from his side.

I'm not passing. I bid 5♠, my best chance to show decent values with ♠. I expect a double fit in the blacks and partner will have a high ♦ card for his bid so I expect to make.

Double for a plus score

1♦ is fine in my book, I have decent values and a good suit. I don't see much upside in pre-empting when holding the ♠ suit. If indeed a ♠ fit exists it will be much more difficult to locate if I bid 2♦ at my first turn. Another reason to forego the pre-empt is defensive potential with 6 points outside ♦. IMO there are just too many flaws to bid 2♦. I would open the West hand in 1st seat 1♦.

At the table I have found a very wide range of holdings that seemingly qualify as "help". would you accept a HSGT with any of the following: 1. x 2. xx 3. hx 4. xxx 5. hxx 6. hhx...etc. I think it quite unusual to make a HSGT when holding xxx in the suit, more typical is a suit headed by an honor with 2 or 3 losers hxx(x),hhx(x). Accepting requires a helping honor withing the suit AND solid values for the preceeding bid. Accepting with shortness (void or stiff) is considered acceptable when holding 4 trumps. So I would consider accepting with 1,3,5,6.

If you playing maximal overcall doubles then it is a straight forward artificial game try in ♠.

Seems like partner is somewhat balanced, but interestingly did not bid 1NT at his first turn. I can imagine something like xx,qxx,qjxxx,qxx, but would he bid 3♠ with these quacks? I think he has to be a bit better xx, kxx, axxxx, qxx. but would be call only 1♦? Bid 4♠ at teams.

I dunno what downvoting is. Back to your initial response, and your follow up. It could be a solid ♣ suit missing a ♠ stopper,(♠xx ♥Kx ♦AQ ♣AKQxxxx) IMO this makes sense, but can it not also be a big ♥ raise. A reverse to 2♦ as you suggested can still be made! (unless that meaning changes with the intervening 1♠ bid)....it does not for me.

If, as you say it is single suited, then what are you going to rebid if the 1♠ bid had not been made.

What has strength got to do with a 2♣ rebid?. I think 2♣ a reasonable choice but admittedly I would rebid the flawed but seeming popular 1NT.

Amen, much better said than my earlier post.

After 2NT - 3♠ - I play various slam tries. Perhaps thats what you meant in your post. I don't think I want to make a minor game try of a 2NT opener.

When you have a systemically correct bid available why would you not use it? Maybe you don't like the system bid, so you stretch for something better? If you bid 1NT with this hand because its preemptive then why not do in 1st and 2nd seat? With this thinking would you open 1♠ on [hv=pc=n&n=sakqth753d74ca43]133|100[/hv]

Fischer's win over Spassky at the height of the cold was was the top international news story of its time. Fischer's chess brilliance few would dispute, however, later in life his incessant rantings on anti Americanism and anti Semitism had many wondering if he was sane. Decide for yourself, RIP

Getting to 4♥ should be routine. The problem is to find 5/3♠ when 4/4♥ does not exist. There is a number of ways to accomplish this. Luckily for me I play a NF 3NT showing 5♠/4♥, I play 2NT>>3♠ as a transfer to 3NT. 2NT 3♦ = transfer to ♥ then 3♠ natural/4♠ 3♥ = transfer to ♠ 3♠ = transfer to 3NT 3NT = 5♠/4♥ NF