What is 4C?

[TWO4BRIDGE]

This may be "all wet" :

From my post # 16 ( and both hands post # 20 ) :

South North

1S - 2D ( 1RF )

2S - 3C! ( cheapest-bid new suit forcing, could be artificial )

??

...3D ( 3 cards ♦ ; Edit: denies 4 cards ♥)

...3H ( 4 cards ♥ ; 1st priority )

...3S ( ♣-stop(s), possibly 4 cards ♣ )

..3NT ( no 4h, but have ♥-stop(s) )

 

so, after ......... - 3C!

3D ( 3 cards ♦ ) - 3H

3S .................. - ??

..........................3NT probably a suggestion to play ( I don't think "Serious" applies here )

.......................... 4C would be a cue, or perhaps last train ?

.......................... 4D would be Minorwood since suit agreement was on 3-level

.......................... 4H would be cue, denying a ♣-Ctrl

 

so, after .......... - 4H

5D ( no ♣-Ctrl either ) - pass

[phil_20686]

Nobody has yet mentioned what seems to me to be the most obvious meaning: choice of strains in the red suit. 3-3 in the red suits but may wish to play the 4-3 heart rather than the 53 diamond is not uncommon hand type here I think.

 

The second most obvious meaning, to me, is natural with a weakish 5-5 hand: Axxxx xx x AKJxx, ofc i generally just bid 3N with this type of hand, but there is some variety of style available in the 3H bid, and a lot depends on whether you have some way to set up a GF with 3S. Does 3H always deny 3 spades? Not sure if this makes sense, but if it going to be natural 55 makes a lot more sense than 6-4 or 54.

 

There is obviously some merit in playing it as a good hand for diamonds aswell.