1D-1M, 2C alert

[straube]

We open 1D as artificial (0+ diamonds) and when we rebid 2C we alert how this shows minors but how we may have different patterns than opponents might be expecting. For instance, 1D-1S, 2C could be 1435.

 

So we play our (to be) teammates last night in a casual game. They also open 1D artificial and alerted it as 0+ diamonds. The auction went 1D (4H) P P 5C P P dbl. We assumed that opener had both minors when he only had clubs.

 

Is 5C alertable as only clubs? Do we have to ask?

[ArtK78]

Given the system being played, it makes sense that 5♣ would be clubs only. 4NT was available for both minors.

 

I believe that bids above 3NT are not alertable on the second round of the auction. A delayed alert might be required, but that would not help you. You would have to ask.

[blackshoe]

The fact that two pairs play ostensibly the same convention, with the same initial meaning (art, 0+ diamonds) does not mean that follow ons must mean the same thing to both pairs. Also, the fact that opener in this case had only clubs does not mean that their partnership understanding includes this possibility. Your question therefore is not answerable as posed. What is their complete partnership understanding of the 1D bid? What is their complete understanding of the 5C bid?

[straube]

The fact that two pairs play ostensibly the same convention, with the same initial meaning (art, 0+ diamonds) does not mean that follow ons must mean the same thing to both pairs. Also, the fact that opener in this case had only clubs does not mean that their partnership understanding includes this possibility. Your question therefore is not answerable as posed. What is their complete partnership understanding of the 1D bid? What is their complete understanding of the 5C bid?

 

I don't know what their complete understanding of the 1D bid is. I know that they use 1C as strong artificial and they use 2C as stronger artificial. They said afterwards that 4N by opener would have shown both minors. 5C promised only clubs.

[blackshoe]

I gather your pair doesn't play 4NT and 5C the same way. <shrug> Seems to me on this kind of auction you make assumptions about opponents' bidding at your own risk. So I guess you have to ask when they bid 5C. I would say the explanation should be something like 'she has clubs; if she had both minors, she would bid 4NT."

[campboy]

The problem here is that "0+ diamonds" is a very poor description of, well, anything really. Most bids I make could have as few as 0 diamonds. It sounds like your 0+ diamonds bid can't be a single-suiter in clubs whereas your teammates' can be.

[bluejak]

It is very normal for pairs who play short diamonds to play them in all sorts of different ways. Sequences like the one in the OP which are above 3NT so alerting is not done should always be asked about, opponents should never assume after a short diamond opening.