1C:1S, 2C continuations

[MickyB]

It seems obvious to use an artificial method here, as it's pretty useful for responder to be able to show hearts constructively (especially when 5-5) but with the ability to stop in 2♥. Any pet methods around? If it makes any difference, 2♣ almost denies 4♦ for me.

 

A few possibilities:

 

2♦ artificial and forcing

2♥ natural and non-forcing, but constructive

 

2♦ showing ♥

2♥ artificial and forcing, denying 4♥

 

2♦ showing ♥

2♥ showing ♠

2♠ balanced or wanting partner to declare NT

2NT raising ♣

3♣ showing ♦

 

Over 1♦:1♠, 2♦ there is less room available, although there's still a case for using 2♥ as artificial and forcing even there. In fact, it's almost certainly right for me to do so as I play that the 2♦ denies 4 hearts.

 

Any thoughts on methods in these auctions would be appreciated.

Edited December 18, 2006 by MickyB

[sathyab]

There's a convention attributed to Gittelman(?) that lets you bid 5-4, 5-5 major suit combinations of invitational and non-invitational strength directly over 1m. 1m-2h in the non-invitational variety with 5 spades and 4+ hearts, 5-9 HCP and 1m-2S is exactly 5-4 in Spades, Hearts and 9-11 HCP. The continuations are somewhat similar to those over good-bad 2NT. I don't happen to have a link handy for it, but I'm sure you can google it pretty easily.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

there is a simple method around, called

3rd suit forcing, which works similar as

NMF forcing, i.e. all inv. or better hands

go through the 3rd suit.

A jump in the 3rd suit shows 5-5 with inv.

values.

 

It works ok, you can of course play something

more fancy, which will be better, but it depends.

For me NMF is good enough, so I wont bother with

2-way checkback, and wont bother to play something

more elaborate than 3ed suit forcing.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[mikeh]

A scheme I have used for years:

 

1♣  1♠

2♣  2♦ art. 1 round force

    2♥natural non-forcing

    2♠ non forcing

    2N natural invite

    3♣ non forcing

    3♦ forcing 5-5 ♠-♦

    3♥ invitational 5-5 ♠-♥

    3♠ invitational

 

Then one builds off the 2♦ bid to show other forcing sequences: the development is pretty straightforward.

[whereagles]

In Europe we use mostly mikeh's scheme, except that the 3♥ jump is forcing 55.

[Guest Jlall]

I play mikeh's scheme as well. Some people play over 1D-1M-2D-2N is forcing, but this isn't useful over clubs where you have a 2D bid available.