DrDouble

If you partner opens 1 of a major do you need 4 or 5 of a minor to bid it at 2 Level. The opponents have only made pass bids in the auction. :unsure: :wacko:

Currently I play that when my partner bid 2♦ or 2♥ I always transfer to the appropriate major. However I think I have found I flaw in this method. If I complete the transfer with only 2 of the trumps my partner opens bids game often with only a 7 card fit. If I don't accept the transfer and bid 2NT my partner may have had a weak hand wanting to just play 2M. How can you resolve this problem. Beginner Here :)

Tx. - a very informative reply. :D

I understand why Splinters are useful for ascertaining slam possibilities. But why is there an upper limit for the points count - about 16 for responder. Similarly I don't understand why there is a limit for a trump fit (4) which is give in most Internet sources. Lastly I can't understand that you need a 9 card fit as responder but you can bid on an 8 card fit with your 4 as opener. I am limiting my discussion to major suits only. Can someone explain this? :unsure:

Hi, After a 2♣ opening when does bidding a suit show 5 in that suit as opposed to 4. In the case of a 2♦ Neg (0-7) and otherwise pl. Beginnner Here. :unsure:

At my club in a board, North was dealt an opening hand with two 5 card majors. South had points to support plus 3 spades and 4 hearts. The convention I believe is to open the highest of two five card suits, yet about half the players finished with a heart contract which made 1 more trick. Is there a bidding sequence or convention which would allow the better heart fit to b found or is it just a case of players not bidding the highest of 2 five card suits. :unsure: Beginner Here

When some partner wants u 2 play "High Enc" 7+ does this mean generally all on leads or just leads from your partner? Also does it apply 2 discards? I have not been playing long. :(

I think some people avoid transfers cos they don't want 2 get "lost" in the process of bidding the suit under the major you have and then correcting it. When I first heard about them it seemed crazy 2 me. However now I know that not playing them means you have to find a more complicated and less powerfull system for communicating with you partner. Please supply a link to Gerben's site. :rolleyes:

I don't open 1NT with a 5 card major. Assuming responder bids stayman and receives a 2♦ response. The bids 2♥ & 2♠ r now unused. What r the problems of responder biding 2♥ or 2♥ to show 5 of the suit. If opener then does not have 3 of the major they respond 2NT. This seems 2 me to be a logical "extended stayman" system but I can't find anything on it on the Internet. :(

Many times I have played with a partner that refuses to play major transfers. What r the alternative bidding systems that can be used for responder 2 describe their hand to the 1NT opener. :(

I know it is standard to lead the highest doubleton in defence, but does this apply to Kx where x is not an honor. :unsure:

I was North and I play Weak 2's with 6-9 points and a good 6 card suit, which is pretty well standard @ my club. That's y I think nearly every1 else ended in Hearts. However I had simply forgotten about Weak openings. Thanks all 4 ur input. :(

[hv=d=w&v=b&n=sj654hkj8652dcj53&w=saq1093h1093da76c92&e=sk72hq4dj1093cq876&s=s8ha7dkq8542cak104]399|300|Scoring: MP[/hv] Dealer West Vul: Both Most pairs ended up in Hearts contract which was best. I ended up in diamonds. Can some1 explain how u could arrive at a Hearts Contract please? Beginner here.

Why would you add points for length when opening 1NT? Does this mean that: ♠ Ax ♥ xx ♦ AKxxxx ♣ Qx is a NT opener? I never make a call with 12 cards only.... :) No I would not open with your 12 Card Hand. The HCP score of the doubleton Queen would be downgraded to 1 as an unprotected honour making 12HCP + 2 Length points making a total of 14. The six card diamond suit would be useful if partner had support in that suit. I was also taught to down grade the HCP's of unprotected honours. :)

I should of said initially I don't open 1NT with a 5 card major. Thanks 4 the input so far. :)

I play mostly MP. I have been experimenting with opening 1 or 2NT with 2 doubletons, which I believe is the modern style. Initially it seemed 2 work but now I have me doubts. Also I have been adding length points. 1 Point 4 a 5 Card suit and 2 points 4 a six card suit on 2 the HCP total when determining opening NT's I would be interested in people’s view on these issues. I have been playing only a year. :ph34r:

I have talked 2 some1 experienced at my Club and it is consistent with what Elianna says. I does seem 2 b the most intuitive system Thanks all 4 ur input. :D

Opening NT's only shows at least 2 in each suit. If u simply transferred with 5 you may only have a 7 card fit. Not enough 4 a game contract unless the spades r very good. <_<

I would be interested in what minimum points range people would advise 2 proceed with Blackwood. If I ascertain that the partnership has at least 32 points I start BW. I suspect this may be 2 conservative. Also after ascertaining the partnership has less than 4 aces I bid the contract at 5. What do people feel about this. I have only been playing 12 months

I play mostly MP, so when my partner opens 1nt if I have a four card major I use Stayman. If after getting a 2d response and say I had five spades I would bid 2s asking my partner to raise spades with 3 or bid 2nt. This process would also apply 2 hearts and 2 2nt openings. This seems logical 2 me but is it recognized with a convention name. :P

I'm afraid I can't understand fully Neg X's. Do they mostly just show 4 cards in the unbid major and 6 points at the 1 level then increasing points at higher levels. Or do they show strength in the unbid suits which could be both minors. :)

Is the use of Micheals Cue bid limited 2 the first overbid on an opponents opening bid or can it be used more broadly. Also has any1 got a link 2 Michaels and its variations. :)