PC: GF with 4 trumps

[42]

Hi!

Opening 1M, we show support and / or GF this way (mainly taken from Jassem's WJ 2005):

- 2♣ = GF, maybe only 4 ♣s, 3 crd M support possible

- 2♦ = GF with ♦s or 6 ♦s 9-11 --> Rebid in ♦. 3 crd M support possible

- 2♥/♠ = 6-9. (9 with 3 M support, otherwise 3♣) --> Opener can bid Romex

- 3♥/♠ = preemptive (4 - 8), 4 M support

- 2♠ (after 1♥) / 3♦ = 16+, SI, at least 2 of 3 top honors

- 2NT = limit: 10 or 11 >> 3 trumps, (continuation: short suit trials) OR very strong

- 2NT and later 4NT = RKCB 1430

- 3♣ = 9-11 >> 4 trumps --> 3♦: "inviting"

- 3♠ (or 3NT after 1♠) = unknown mini-splinter, 10-12 --> 3NT (4♣ after 1♠) asks

- 3NT/4♣/♦ (4♥ after 1♠)= splinter, 13-16

- 4M = preemptive

 

I find it hard to bid GF with support, especially with 4 crd support.

Now we use 2NT or 3♣ and then bid on with a stronger hand, but I don't feel really good with that. Where is the hole?

We discussed to switch the meanings of 2NT and 3♣ using 3♦ as a bid to show a non-minimum hand, but I am not sure if that is a good idea.

 

We don't want to change the whole bidding structure here, but suggestions are really appreciated!!

Thx! :)

Caren

 

OT: Do you splinter with a K or A?

[DJNeill]

Hi 42,

In WJ05, balanced GF's (with 2-4 card support) always respond 2C, which shows clubs or balanced. Then responder follows with 2NT which reveals the 2C was just a convenient bid. Finally it shows the heart support. I think Jassem is clear on this point.

 

Thanks,

Dan

[Gerben42]

Hi Caren, I personally think this is also a weak spot in WJ that with many hands with 4+card support you need to be a diff. suit first. With smirny I play that 1M - 2NT is 4+card support and invite OR BETTER. Maybe something for you?

[42]

Hi Caren, I personally think this is also a weak spot in WJ that with many hands with 4+card support you need to be a diff. suit first. With smirny I play that 1M - 2NT is 4+card support and invite OR BETTER. Maybe something for you?

Hi Gerben!

Where does the invitation start? 9,10,11 pts?

How does the bidding proceed then?

3♣/♦/(♥) = shortness?

3M = minimum, 4M = maximum without shortness?

How to bid ♠-singleton after 1♥ 2NT?

What does 3♣ mean in your PC version?

 

And again the OT question because the partnership has a different view about that: do you (all of you are asked B)) show also a stiff K/A as shortness? Imo showing a stiff K is senseless, the stiff A might be ok, but who am I?

 

Another OT: I miss Ron's (The hog) postings, who also played PC, at least sometimes.... Btw: he is fine and living an exciting life (...my perspective, drawn from from his emails...)

[Echognome]

Hi Caren, I personally think this is also a weak spot in WJ that with many hands with 4+card support you need to be a diff. suit first. With smirny I play that 1M - 2NT is 4+card support and invite OR BETTER. Maybe something for you?

Hi Gerben!

Where does the invitation start? 9,10,11 pts?

How does the bidding proceed then?

3♣/♦/(♥) = shortness?

3M = minimum, 4M = maximum without shortness?

How to bid ♠-singleton after 1♥ 2NT?

What does 3♣ mean in your PC version?

 

And again the OT question because the partnership has a different view about that: do you (all of you are asked B)) show also a stiff K/A as shortness? Imo showing a stiff K is senseless, the stiff A might be ok, but who am I?

 

Another OT: I miss Ron's (The hog) postings, who also played PC, at least sometimes.... Btw: he is fine and living an exciting life (...my perspective, drawn from from his emails...)

The best answer to that question is to flip flop your 2♠ and 2NT responses over 1♥. So that 2NT is your 16+ hand and 2♠ is your raise.

 

The best continuations after that is quite a debate.

 

I personally like:

 

Step 1 (1♥-2♠-2NT or 1♠-2NT-3♣) = Any min

Step 2 = Bal, extras (5332 or 5422)

Step 3 - 5 = Low/middle/high shortness, extras

Step 6 - 8 = Second suit, extras

Step 9 = 4M = 6332 or 7222, extras

 

After Step 1, then responders steps are:

 

Step 1 = GF (tell me more), then similar to above

Step 2 = Game Try (how bad are you?)

Step 3 = 3M = sign-off

 

For a simpler version, look up Bekkasin which Roland showed us in an earlier post discussing this.

[Echognome]

I wanted to say more generally about this discussion, you have the following hand types to consider when making major suit raises:

 

PRE = 4-6

MIX = 7-9

INV(or LIM) = 10-12

GF = 13+

 

Or some eliminate the PRE and widen the MIX to 6-9.

 

You also have 3 or 4 card support. Note that the above point counts are a guideline only. You obviously need to use some judgment on how good your hand is.

 

The structure of using 2NT (or 1♥-2♠) puts all the 4+ card support hands in the INV and GF range (which I called INV+) into one bid. I think that structure works well and eliminates the need for one of the Bergen bids.

 

Some structures have additional restrictions, such as using 3m as an INV jump shift without support. In my favourite structure (with limited openings), I play fit jumps and transfers (so it's specialised of course).

[Gerben42]

The balanced invites are included in 1NT in our system.

2/1 GF except rebid (WJ-similar)

 

2M+1: Balanced invite with 4 trumps OR GF with 4+support

2M+2,3,4: Mini- or maxisplinter

 

After 1M - 2M+1:

 

3M: Won't accept balanced inv.

2M+2,3,4: Singleton (NT for impossible suit)