Tramticket

First double is take-out. I would want more high-card points for this. If 2NT is two-suited, then I would bid that instead. Or a simple 2H. The second double is still takeout - but promises extra strength. Note that you still have the same hand for the second double as for the first double. Note also that partner had three opportunities to bid and passed each. It is likely that partner has a bust, or shortages in your suits or both.

What is a minimum for you? xx KQxxxx xxx xxx? I don't want to be in game. To be honest the 2NT inquiry was a bit pushy.

Given the methods, you have to pass - particularly at this vulnerability. There is a lot to be said for playing 2D/2H/2S as natural, but even if we are playing these as natural, I would want to have 2C as Landy.

If you do the normal thing and pass with the West cards, do you imagine that partner will just fold up the cards and put them back in the bidding box?

Do 't even think about it.

Yes I bid 4♠, expecting a two suiter. Partner didn't even have a four-card suit - she just reasoned that the opponents had a heart fit, so I "must" hold spades. [hv=pc=n&s=sak86hkjd8543cj52&w=s542hdakjcakt9763&n=sqt3hq8432dqt9cq8&e=sj97hat9765d762c4&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=2dd3c3hpp3sp4sdppp]399|300[/hv] Maybe I would have been wiser to double 3♥. At least it gets partner on the same wavelength.

I also passed, hoping that partner would re-open with a double. She bid 3♠ instead. What now?

No, 2NT will tend to be looking for 4M / 3NT, so there isn't the inference that 3C is limited.

[hv=pc=n&e=sj97hat9765d762c4&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=2d(Multi%20%5Bweak%20Only%5D)d(12-15%20Balanced%20or%20Strong)3c3h]133|200[/hv] Pairs 2♦ is a multi showing either a weak-two in hearts or a weak-two in spades (no strong options). South's Double shows a balanced 12-15 or a strong (20+) hand. What are your methods over the double? Our agreement is that we largely ignore the double and bids of a major are pass or correct as in an uninterrupted sequence - the only difference being that 2♥ promises at least tolerance for either major. Without tolerance we either pass (with long diamonds) or redouble (with long clubs). I am interested if others play different methods? And why? Given that partner would redouble with a weak hand with long clubs, the 3♣ bid is strong. What action would you take over North's 3♥ bid? Do you double, telling your opponents that they are trying to play in your suit? Or pass and hope that the bidding dies here?

A double for us is penalties. A pass is forcing and would be our choice on this hand. It is also reasonable to agree that the first double is take-out, in which case you double. The key thing is to have firm agreements with partner.

This would be a reasonable choice. The club holding looked attractive when you picked it up, but less so when partner shows spades and diamonds. One advantage of 4SF here is that the holding becomes much stronger again if partner now shows the club fragment. As an aside, I do prefer 4SF as for ing to game.

I am late to this post. Notwithstanding the comment from Gilithin, the standard Acol treatment is: - 1S-2C; 2D-2S is giving preference. Very often with only two card support. Responder will be be minimum for the two-level response - typically 10-11 points (the 8-10 range given is too weak, the modern two-over one suggests 10 points, or possibly a good nine). - 1S-2C; 2D-3S is invitational. Around 11 points, but guaranteeing genuine three-card spade support. - 1S-2C; 2D-4S shows game values, but not suggesting slam. - Stronger hands will bid 2H (fourth suit forcing), then support spades.

You could open a gambling 3NT, but your passed-hand partner is very unlikely to hold the necessary stops and it will be very revealing to your opponents when you lose the auction. The three doubletons is not a good feature and this hand is very limited. A 3c opening in third seat is wide-ranged and on this occasion I will be top of my range.

Do you really want to force to game opposite a balanced 15? ♠KQJ2 ♥AJ2 ♦832 ♣A43

I would like a bit more if in second seat. Looks fine as a fourth seat bid.

2♠

You have 7-5 distribution, huge playing strength potential and very little defensive potential. I wouldn't be looking to defend. The slams depend on a two-way diamond finesse, so not a disaster if you stay out of the slam.

You don't necessarily lose the club suit. One method has the sequence 1♥-2♣; 3NT as showing this hand-type with club support. Alternatively, responder can rebid a forcing 3♣ over 2NT (if not playing Check-back), if responder is interested in playing in clubs opposite a fitting club suit.

You seem to have three ways of showing spades with less than game values. The auction 1♦-1♠; 2♣-3♠ with 10-11 is particularly ugly. The main reason for playing WJS in my opinion is to avoid having to play a dicey part-score contract at the three-level.

2♦

I agree that there must be a way of setting setting spades as trumps and forcing the bidding. We would play that 2♠ is invitational. This leaves two routes to make a forcing spade bid: (1) 3♠ instead of 4th Suit Forcing or (2) 4th Suit Forcing, then spades. We would play that the immediate spade bid sets trumps.

It looks a pretty good defining feature to me. Even if we accept that the EBU owns Acol (it doesn't) the Standard English System File that you quote has: "A change-of-suit response at the one level promises at least six points and introducing a new suit at the two level at least 10 points. There is no upper limit. Opener must bid again (unless, exceptionally, responder has already passed).". The requirement for opener to bid again makes the bid forcing and the 10-point requirement is certainly not enough to force to game, so the response is forcing for one round.

Do you play it as containing both minors? Or just one minor? Which is the better method and why? Which is the default method if you haven't previously discussed? [hv=pc=n&n=sjt4haqj85d7cak85&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=1h1sd2s]133|200[/hv] Can you bid 3♣ in this type of auction, relying on partner to hold a four-card club suit?

[hv=d=n&v=0&b=1&a=1h1sd]133|100[/hv] A simple negative double sequence. But what precisely does the double show? - What does it show for your partnership? - What does it show if undiscussed? I think that this should be independent of system, but please state if you think basic system makes a difference.

We would treat 3♦ as to play. But we are only promising 5-4 distribution and it is a rare bid. I can't imagine ever bidding 3D as a natural bid opposite a 5-5 opening. A 2NT response is normal and a good set of responses is needed.