Spingold Hand

[cherdano]

OK, so to extend my general desire to make natural calls, I would assume that

 

2NT - 3C

3D - 3H

3S - 4m

 

also shows 4 spades and a longer minor: tell opener where his high cards are important.  Stick with 4H as a general values slam try.

Without discussion, I would think that 4m here is a cue in support of spades. We've found our fit; why look for another?

That depends on your default mindset for slam tries. Unfortunately I agree with you that in standard, a slam try after having found a fit is a cue bid.

 

However, enlightened minds (who know you also need 12 tricks to make slam, not only avoid 2 quick losers) play that the first slam try after having found a fit is always a natural bid, patterning out shape.

[Robert]

Hi everyone

 

Meckwell somitmes tends to blast contracts to 'deny' the other pair information about the contract(my guess)

 

I suspect that 'if' Meckwell opens 2NT with 19HCP, this would suggest that slam attempts would be based around that 'bottom' range.

 

Hi hrothgar

 

I find 2NT openings 'that are narrowly defined with decent methods after 2NT are not the slam killers that many believe them to be.

 

My methods use a both transfers and double transfers to both save space and hopefully tell partner the information that he might need.

 

I hope that I am not 'fixating' on HCP 'point.' I stress controls and how the hands 'fit' in my partscore, game and slam bidding. The value of a hand may change dramatically as the 'fit' or 'nonfit' is shown during an auction.

 

I found your simulation results extremely interesting, however, I try to build my system methods to follow the same path in as many auctions as possible.

In addition, I strive to place the contract in the strong hand as often as possible.

Your 4H bid showing three Aces, but denying any high trump honor would place the contract in the 'wrong' hand.

 

Game contracts outnumber slam contracts, so I try to bid my games first and attempt to get to decent(good?) slams only after the game bidding. Your suggested bidding costs me several of my favored methods. I would lose 4H*(Last Train)and I also use both 4C and 4D to show shortness. Double transfer bids permit three shortness showing 'suits' by using the 4m bids as double transfer bids.

 

The cost of your suggested methods is much to high for my chosen methods. I have discarded many bidding methods because of their cost. I examined garbage Stayman and found that it showed gains over a large number of auctions. I just cannot use garbage Stayman because it costs me other more useful methods.

 

A great deal of information is exchanged by both the use and non use of bids. My auctions tend to define fairly clearly the goal and values in many auctions.

 

Aren't you a relay player, these methods would seem to fit very well into a relay type method. I live in ACBL land and so I am banned from bidding a relay system.

We must protect the great unwashed public from a 1C bid that shows hearts.

 

Again many thanks for your helpful input. Whether I select a method or not, I am a bridge systems collector and I do like to be aware of what is out there.

 

I am new to Turbo, so I fully expect to have to change my approach as difficult hands show me that my current methods are not working.

 

Best Regards,

Robert