2/1 auction

[Winstonm]

So much of this depends on methods. Some use the major rebid to guarantee a 6-card or longer suit, which would certainly make this hand easier; however, it does become troublesome when you are dealt xxx, AKJxx, xxx, Ax and partner bids

2C.

 

If 2H does not show 6, then in the auction shown it makes sense to have 3H show doubleton honor support and have 3D deny that support. This would allow opener to bid 3N with something decent in diamonds yet allow a rebid of 3H on 5 very good hearts suggesting a suit playable opposite xx or even 3S with honor-third to suggest 3N might be in question. In my mind 3D should be the "catchall" bid that leaves open all possible contracts.

[whereagles]

After a 2/1, I believe "patterning out" is technically inferior. It is true that shape should come first, and strength later. But relying on fast arrival to tell a 11 hcp hand from a 20 hcp one is not precise enough. It is, in my opinion, necessary to pattern out at the same time you say something about strength. This implies retaining at least part of the sayc reverse and jump shift structure.

 

Dumping all the strength showing scheme into fast arrival is what gives 2/1 a bad name.