6=5=2=v after partner opens strong 1NT

[kgr]

[hv=pc=n&s=sqjt432ht9432da2c&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=1n(15-17)p]133|200|IMP's[/hv]

What is your bidding plan with this hand?

 

In our system we can show:

- 4H transfer to 4S (and you can bid 5C voidwood afterwards if you want)

- 5-5 Majors GF and slam interest:

1NT-2C (2C=Relay to 2D)

2D-2H (2H=xfer S; 5cS limit+)

2S-3H (3H=5-5 GF, slam interest)

- 5-5 Majors GF and no slam interest:

1NT-2C (2C=Relay to 2D)

2D-2H (2H=xfer S; 5cS limit+)

2S-4H (4H=5-5 GF)

- 5-5 Majors limit

1NT-2H

2S-3H (3H=5-5 Majors; limit)

- 6cS; slam interest and splinter

1NT-2H

2S-4C (4C=6+cS and singleton C)

Remark: My partner played the hand and I don't know what hand he had. I only wonder what your plan is with this hand after partner opened 1NT.

[gwnn]

5-5 GF, no slam interest :)

[jjbrr]

I expect to be in a bit of a minority, but I'd just bid 4H and pass 4S.

 

It's nice that we have a million different ways to show hands with majors, but it's still a 7-count opposite a 1NT opener, so I'll just try to conceal the nature of my hand from the opponents at the sacrifice of some accuracy in strain.

[Zelandakh]

First of all, there is no 5 level safety on this hand so I would not want to force the bidding above 4S. However, we have 22-24 hcp and a side void so if partner is at the top of this range without club wastage then slam should at least have some play. So I am tempted by the 1NT - 2H; 2S - 4C route. It is either this or the direct 4H - I do not feel like introducing the hearts is a good idea.

 

As a side note, this is obviously a good problem as the first 3 replies have all chosen a different answer. :)

[wyman]

With more vanilla systems, I would bid Stayman, raising a major to game and delayed Texas (4H-->4S) over 2D.

 

Since that doesn't appear to be an option, I'll just Texas to 4S and be done with it. Second choice is the 5-5 GF, no slam interest route. I don't have a strong preference between the two.

[sasioc]

I probably want to play in spades unless partner has four hearts so if I can in your system I will bid stayman and then 4s. If I can't do this I'll transfer to spades at the four level. I am not considering looking for slam.

[kgr]

I probably want to play in spades unless partner has four hearts so if I can in your system I will bid stayman and then 4s. If I can't do this I'll transfer to spades at the four level. I am not considering looking for slam.

I didn't give this route that we have available:

1NT-2D (2D=xfer H, 4cH if limit+ but can also be any 5-4 or 6-4 majors)

2H-2S (2H=No 4cH or 3433 // 2S=4cS)

2NT/3C-4S (2NT/3C=Min or Max without 4cS // 4S=6cS, 4cH to play

 

If partner has 4cH then this could also go:

1NT-2D (2D=xfer H, 4cH if limit+ but can also be any 5-4 or 6-4 majors)

2NT/3H-4H (2NT/3H=Max/Min with 4cH // 4H=to play or after 2NT then you can use 4D to retransfer)

[gwnn]

Yes looks better to texas.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Yes looks better to texas.

Ditto for this hand.

[aguahombre]

Stayman, then delay Texas for spades, per Sasioc, would be fine ---if I thought of it at the table. But, I don't understand whether this is possible with the OP's 2C relay structure.

 

Am not worried about giving information to the opponents, since they will see dummy in a minute anyway, and wouldn't guess that dummy anyway.

[kgr]

I expect to be in a bit of a minority, but I'd just bid 4H and pass 4S.

 

It's nice that we have a million different ways to show hands with majors, but it's still a 7-count opposite a 1NT opener, so I'll just try to conceal the nature of my hand from the opponents at the sacrifice of some accuracy in strain.

That were my thoughts at the table.

My partner tanked before bidding 4♠, but I wasn't really worried that he would pass :)

4♠ just made.

[ArtK78]

Bid a game in spades immediately, however you get there in your system of choice. I would Texas to 4♠.

[jjbrr]

That were my thoughts at the table.

My partner tanked before bidding 4♠, but I wasn't really worried that he would pass :)

4♠ just made.

Tank doesn't really exist in this auction, so I don't think it tells us much.

[gwnn]

Am not worried about giving information to the opponents, since they will see dummy in a minute anyway, and wouldn't guess that dummy anyway.

But they might be interested to know some stuff about partner's hand (which may or may not be an issue in kgr's methods - sorry I am guilty of tl;dr on this occasion). Texas then pass merely tells opponents that partner didn't forget we played the convention.

[aguahombre]

But they might be interested to know some stuff about partner's hand (which may or may not be an issue in kgr's methods - sorry I am guilty of tl;dr on this occasion). Texas then pass merely tells opponents that partner didn't forget we played the convention.

Good point. Think I would risk it on the off-chance that our 5-5 heart fit will play better than the 6-2 spade fit; but if they gain by doubling 2C and competing or somesuch my plan might not work out well.

[Free]

I would prefer Stayman or a way to figure out if partner has a 4 card ♥. Without, I kind of like a signoff in 4♠.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

But they might be interested to know some stuff about partner's hand ....

 

For example, announcing the 5-5 may lead to losing 3 Ht tricks as well as say a top Sp .

It happened to me the other day.

Let's say here the 1NT bidder has A ( or K ) x x in Sp and Q x x in Hts... and Sp become trump.

 

It goes hA, hK and Ht-ruff....and wait for the s A or K .

[Fluffy]

When you have QJ10xxx you don't get advantages playing in another strain, except for specific things such as Ax in partner's hand and Kxx onside, or to avoid a heart ruff. You will play better in a 6-2 than on a 5-3 or even 5-4 often.

 

Receiving the lead on the correct hand might be worth more, so I'll just transfer to 4♠.

[Phil]

I prefer a 6-2 spade fit to a 5-3 heart fit, but I'd rather play a 5-4 heart fit instead of a 6-2 spades fit. 6-3 spades probably washes with 5-4 hearts.

 

I will Stayman and use delayed Texas over 2♦ or whatever I have to do in Koen's methods.

[JLOGIC]

I prefer a 6-2 spade fit to a 5-3 heart fit, but I'd rather play a 5-4 heart fit instead of a 6-2 spades fit. 6-3 spades probably washes with 5-4 hearts.

 

I will Stayman and use delayed Texas over 2♦ or whatever I have to do in Koen's methods.

 

My thoughts also

[han]

I also agree with wyman and others.

[Trinidad]

But they might be interested to know some stuff about partner's hand (which may or may not be an issue in kgr's methods - sorry I am guilty of tl;dr on this occasion). Texas then pass merely tells opponents that partner didn't forget we played the convention.

Good point. Think I would risk it on the off-chance that our 5-5 heart fit will play better than the 6-2 spade fit; but if they gain by doubling 2C and competing or somesuch my plan might not work out well.

That is why I think you shouldn't use the cheapest (2♣) relay for hands that basically know where they want to play. It is best to get the hand of your chest at as high a level as you can to minimize the risk that the opponents will get together.

 

We play:

4♥ To play game in spades

4♦ To play game in hearts

4♣ To play game in opener's longest major

 

In that system, this is an obvious 4♣ call, but in the system given by OP, I would just use the Texas transfer to 4♠.

 

Rik

[kemperb]

I expect to be in a bit of a minority, but I'd just bid 4H and pass 4S.

 

It's nice that we have a million different ways to show hands with majors, but it's still a 7-count opposite a 1NT opener, so I'll just try to conceal the nature of my hand from the opponents at the sacrifice of some accuracy in strain.

 

I'm with you. Yes, you could have a perfecto slam, but you might not even make game, so I will settle for game. The spades are so much better than the hearts that I don't want to give partner an option. Why give pard a chance to put us in 4♥ with hands like Kx Kx KQxx Axxxx or Kx xxxx KQx AKxx? You will virtually always need the spades to make your contract, but won't necessarily need the hearts.