1C-1D, 1H-1S, 2C (GF)

[straube]

TOSR uses 1C-1D, 1H-1S, 2C (GF)-2D as a balanced hand. They prohibit responder's hand from bidding 2N. They also aren't able to show the residue with a 5/4 pattern. Anyway, I like their structure and agree that one should be asking responder's pattern and not whether they have as much as a king or queen.

 

2D-4 hearts

.....2S-4 spades

.....2N-4 clubs

.....3C-diamond reverser (i.e. 4H/5+D)

.....3D-5+H/5+D

.....3H-5+H/4D, higher shortness

.....3S-5+H/4D, lower shortness

 

2H-4 spades

.....2N-4 clubs

.....3C-diamond reverser

.....etc

 

2S-balanced (including 5422s)

.....2N-

..........3C-puppet stayman

..........transfers

 

2N-minors

.....3D-reverser

.....3H-5+/5+

.....3S-5+D/4C, higher shortness

.....3N-5+D/4C, lower shortness

 

3C-4441s (and 5m440s)

.....3H-1444

.....3S-4144

.....3N-4414

.....4C-4441

 

3D-6 hearts

.....3S-balanced

.....3N-highest shortness

.....4C-middle shortness

.....4D-lowest shortness

 

3H-6 spades

.....etc

 

3S-6 clubs

3N-6 diamonds

 

I've thought about having the 2N bid show both majors as it wrong-sides hands with both minors, but I'm not sure it's worth the memory trouble.

 

What are other people using after a second negative?

[shevek]

We give up relay here for 2 reasons

1. Rare, memory impost

2. Structure is up 3 steps

 

No 3rd negative, mostly natural.

2♦ = no suit to show, mostly balanced. Bad to bid 2♠ with these, which inhibits opener's ability to show shape. (Give opener 4-5-3-1)

[straube]

We give up relay here for 2 reasons

1. Rare, memory impost

2. Structure is up 3 steps

 

No 3rd negative, mostly natural.

2♦ = no suit to show, mostly balanced. Bad to bid 2♠ with these, which inhibits opener's ability to show shape. (Give opener 4-5-3-1)

I'm envisioning the 2C GF as showing a balanced hand (or 4441 or (31)(54)).

 

With 4-5-3-1 GF, I might bid...

 

1C-1D, 1H-1S, 2D (Hs)-2H, 2S-2N, 3D

[shevek]

Fair enough.

Do you want me to put you in touch with Mark Abraham?