Two suiters in response to a strong 1nt

[matmat]

So I play what I think is fairly common (at least here on the West coast). Over p's 1nt opening

3c shows 55 in the minors, weak

3d shows 55 in the minors, forcing

3h shows 55 in the majors invitational,

3s shows 55 in the majors strong,

 

I realize that this is not the only system out there (imagine that!) and other treatments, I bet have their proponents and detractors, I am just wondering whether it wouldn't makes sense to invert the meanings of 3d and 3h in this?

[adhoc3]

For me: 3C/D/H/S, invitational, 6 cards+ with 2 of AKQ.

 

Could anyone kindly advise which one happens more frequently? 55 or 6+ 2 of AKQ?

 

Thanks,

[han]

Here is something that I have played and liked:

 

1NT-2S = either invitational balanced, weak with diamonds, weak with both minors or strong with both minors.

 

In response partner bids 2NT with a minimum or the best minor with a maximum. Then:

 

With a balanced invitation: bid 3NT over 3m and pass 2NT.

 

With a weak hand and both minors, bid 3C over 2NT, else pass.

 

With a weak hand and diamonds, bid 3D over 2NT or 3C, else pass.

 

With a strong hand and both minors, bid your short major.

[han]

Currently I play a second round of transfers after Jacoby transfers with Arend. I first read about this in Justin's blog, and recently found it in Danny Kleinman's "the notrump zone" (which is older than Justin's blog I think).

 

With 5-5 in the majors and invitational values we transfer to hearts and bid 3h (spades), with gameforcing values we transfer to spades and bid 3D (hearts). With 5-4 in the majors we bid Stayman first.

 

With 5-5 in a major and a minor we have different options. With GF values we transfer to the major and then transfer to the minor. With a weak hand we just transfer to the major and pass. With invitational values we use this:

 

With spades, we bid stayman followed by 2S. This shows an invitational hand with exactly 5 spades. If partner bids 2NT (failry rare) we bid 3m next.

 

With hearts, we transfer to hearts and bid 2S. This shows an invitational hand with exactly 5 hearts. If opener bids 2NT we can bid the minor.

[SoTired]

The system you play is very common on both coasts. It is listed in Washington Standard.

 

Playing 4-suit transfers (with pre-accepts for the minors), you don't need a 3-level jump to show a single-suited hand, so many players find other uses for the 3-level jumps.

 

The 3C/3D showing weak/strong minor 55's is very playable. Using the 3D as 5/5 minor allows opener to bid 3H to accept clubs and 3S to accept diam. Responder can now bid 4-of-the-accepted minor as RKC or 3N as slam invitational. The 3H/3S, however, duplicates other auctions and wastes those bids.

 

A strong Major 5/5 is easily bid by 2H followed by 3H. Opener bids 3S to accept spades and q-bids a minor or bids 4H to accept hearts. So the 3S game-forcing jump is not needed.

 

An invitational major 5/5 is also easily bid by initially treating it as an invitational 5/4. Start with stayman. If partner bids a major, then bid 4 of that major. If partner bids 2D, bid 2S showing an invitational 5s/4h hand. If partner tries to sign off in 2N or 3N, bid 3H or 4H.

 

Fred G. has a good use for 3H/3S responses as splinters showing 5/4 in the minors either way. Opener with strength in the splinter suit can bid 3N. Without strength in the splinter suit, slam in a minor is possible.