Please suggest an auction

[Vampyr]

Our methods aren't all they could be, but we did reach 6♠ on the following layout. I am interested in how others with possibly better methods would get there.

 

[hv=pc=n&w=sa9h96daq54ck9643&e=skq8752hakqj8dj7c]266|100[/hv] West dealer, teams if it matters.

[32519]

Nice problem. This thread is quite obviously directly linked to your other thread where you asked is 3♠ forcing. East cannot use 5♣ as Voidwood as ♣ had already been bid twice. My guess is this is what actually happened at the table:

[hv=d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1cp1sp2cp2hp2np3sp4sp4n(RKCB)p5h(2%20without%20queen)p6sppp]133|100[/hv]

Did you make 6? Where was the ♦K and how did the ♠ break?

[Vampyr]

No, our auction was as follows:

 

[hv=d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1cp1sp2cp2hp2np3sp4sp5sp6sppp]133|100[/hv]

 

2NT was not forcing, and yes the there is a question as to whether 3♠ was forcing. Whether the contract made is immaterial; it was a good slam.

[trevahound]

This is an easier auction with some form of xyx. Presuming str NT, then 1♣ - 1♠ // 1nt - 3♥ (natural, GF, slammish+)// 3♠ - and your off, any reasonable continuations will get you there...

 

Without that tool, the auction is essentially identical, though, I think? Or do people play 3♥ as invitational or something? There has to be some way to force with both M's.

[SteveMoe]

[hv=pc=n&w=sa9h96daq54ck9643&e=skq8752hakqj8dj7c]266|100[/hv] West dealer, teams if it matters.

Would expect this or similar:

[hv=d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1dp1sp2cp2hp3cp3hp3sp5cp5sp6sppp]133|100|5♣ EKB [/hv]

 

Am used to opening 1♦ when 4=5 or 5=4.

Therefore 3♣ promises 5♣ cards, but not 5♦cards.

3♥ rebid shows powerful 2-suiter.

If you don't play EKB, then 5♣ can be a self-splinter.

[mike777]

No, our auction was as follows:

 

[hv=d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1cp1sp2cp2hp2np3sp4sp5sp6sppp]133|100[/hv]

 

2NT was not forcing, and yes the there is a question as to whether 3♠ was forcing. Whether the contract made is immaterial; it was a good slam.

 

 

if 2h is forcing over 2c then a jump to 3h over 2c must be forcing?

[Vampyr]

This is an easier auction with some form of xyx. Presuming str NT, then 1♣ - 1♠ // 1nt - 3♥ (natural, GF, slammish+)// 3♠ - and your off, any reasonable continuations will get you there...

 

What would be your auction playing weak NT?

 

Would expect this or similar:

[hv=d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1dp1sp2cp2hp3cp3hp3sp5cp5sp6sppp]133|100|5♣ EKB [/hv]

 

Am used to opening 1♦ when 4=5 or 5=4.

 

We don't do this, and though I am looking for suggestions to improve my methods I doubt this is one we will adopt.

 

Therefore 3♣ promises 5♣ cards, but not 5♦cards.

3♥ rebid shows powerful 2-suiter.

If you don't play EKB, then 5♣ can be a self-splinter.

 

I am not sure that splintering or bidding exclusionary Blackwood is a very good idea when partner has shown 5 cards in a suit. While I am not sure of another reasonable meaning for 5♣ on this particular auction, I think that other auctions could produce ambiguity. Plus if I have better clubs and worse diamonds we are getting dangerously high.

[Vampyr]

if 2h is forcing over 2c then a jump to 3h over 2c must be forcing?

 

Undiscussed. Perhaps this is the way to show 6-5 invitational hands? Or is some sort of splinter?

[mike777]

Undiscussed. Perhaps this is the way to show 6-5 invitational hands? Or is some sort of splinter?

 

 

sounds like a good discussion of what you want your bids to mean after:

 

1c=whatever

2c=?

[Vampyr]

sounds like a good discussion of what you want your bids to mean after:

 

1c=whatever

2c=?

 

Yes. And for that matter after 2NT in the actual auction. Obviously partner could have bid 3♦ over that bid to be unambiguously GF, but then over 3NT it is not so clear what he should do.

[PhilKing]

1♣(nat or 12-14 bal)-1♥(spades)

1♠(various, but includes all 45m)-2♥(FSGF)

2NT(45m, 11-14)-3♣(relay)

3♥(2245)-3♠(nat!)

4♦(cue)-4NT(RKC)

5♥(2 without)-5NT(kings)

6♣(♣K or both red kings)-6♠

Pass

 

Could chance 6NT at MPs.

[Vampyr]

Love it, Phil. Can I have a copy of the 100-page system notes next time I see you?

[Cyberyeti]

Weak no trump I have previous for opening 1N with the W hand but assume I don't:

 

1♣-1♠

2♣-2♦(inv + asking)

2N(5+♣/4♦ not 4♥ or 3♠ not maximum)-3♥(4SF)

3♠(2245/2146)-5♣(Exclusion, 4♣ would be suit setting and forcing, 4♦ would be KC in ♣ as I'd have bid 3♦ over 2N with ♦, so no need for 5♣ nat)

5♠-6♠

[trevahound]

I don't play a medium NT, so don't know what that auction would look like. I do play lots of weak NT though (10-13), and playing that I think 2 way stayman with transfer responses on the GFs is wise. I think our auction would be worse than a str NTer's auction, though. So:

1nt - 2♦* (artificial and GF)

2nt* - 3♠ 2nt=5+♣, no 4cM, and 3♠=5(+) spades strain sorting OR self supporting spades and slam interest

4♠ - 5♣ tough rebid for opener here, and might rebid 3nt instead, even with hearts wide open -- however, our style is to raise with Hx in these close situations

5♦ - 5♥

6♣ - 6♥

6♠ - pass with a reluctant sigh. We're off the trump A or a diamond card.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

One alternative after 3 suits have been bid, is for Opener to bid 5S over 4S -- asking for 6S with at least 2nd Rnd Ctrl in the unbid suit ( ♦ ) : at least a singleton or K x .

Unfortunately, with a positive reply, one doesn't know if the ♠ Ace is missing in addition to the ♦ Ace .

 

EDIT: I see now in OP's post #3 ... this was their auction .

Edited July 26, 2013 by TWO4BRIDGE

[Fluffy]

The bidding is easier if you rebid 1NT with west's hand

 

 

1m (any)-1♠

1NT- 2m (whatever is forcing)

2x denying 3♠-3♠ forcing

3NT- 5 clubs exclusion

5x- grand try

nopes-6♥ (should be the right trump suit.

 

[Vampyr]

One alternative after 3 suits have been bid, is for Opener to bid 5S over 4S -- asking for 6S with at least 2nd Rnd Ctrl in the unbid suit ( ♦ ) :

 

This happened in the actual auction.

 

The bidding is easier if you rebid 1NT with west's hand

 

 

Not available.

[Fluffy]

is 1m-1♠-2♣-3♥ available as nat GF?

[Vampyr]

is 1m-1♠-2♣-3♥ available as nat GF?

 

See above. I am not sure.

[y66]

[hv=d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1cp1sp2cp2hp2np3hp3sp4cp4dp4np5hp5np6cp6sppp]133|100[/hv]

 

2H forcing

3H 5+ hearts, forcing

4C cue hoping pard can cue 4D

4D cue

4N RKC for spades

5H 2 key cards, no SQ

5N king ask

6C CK

[32519]

No, our auction was as follows:

 

[hv=d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1cp1sp2cp2hp2np3sp4sp5sp6sppp]133|100[/hv]

 

2NT was not forcing, and yes the there is a question as to whether 3♠ was forcing. Whether the contract made is immaterial; it was a good slam.

After reading all the nonsense posted here, your original auction was fine. No need to change it.

[Free]

if 2h is forcing over 2c then a jump to 3h over 2c must be forcing?

Not necessarily, you can also play the jump as an INV with 5-5 (making 1m-1♠-1m-2♥-whatever-3♥ forcing).

[the hog]

I prefer this, not suggesting this s an auction for everyone. However I intensely dislike the 2C bid.

 

I prefer Steve Moe's auction. If you don't like opening 1D on a weak 4-5 hand, I like the following:

 

1C 1S

1NT 2D Trf to H

2S 3H Forcing 5/5

3NT 5C Exc

[mike777]

1c=1s

2c=3h

p

 

sounds like scared bridge.

 

if you want to play it as nf ok.

 

prefer to play:

1c=1s

2c=2h

p

 

as scared bridge

 

not that in 40+ years I have ever passed.

[CamHenry]

Our methods aren't all they could be, but we did reach 6♠ on the following layout. I am interested in how others with possibly better methods would get there.

 

[hv=pc=n&w=sa9h96daq54ck9643&e=skq8752hakqj8dj7c]266|100[/hv] West dealer, teams if it matters.

 

I think we do quite well on this hand. We have the advantage of playing a nebulous 1♣ opening, limited to 15HCP, with split-range transfer responses. Our auction goes:

1♣-2♥ 10-15, no 5cM, not 4-4 majors; if balanced it's 11-13 / ♠, either a pure weak takeout (e.g. KJxxxx and out) or preparing a slam try

2♠-3♥ To play opposite the weak hand / natural, second suit

3♠-5♣ Suit preference; mild slam interest (as it's a control-rich hand) / Exclusion

5♠-6♣ 2 keycards / king ask

6♠-pass no outside kings