A Woolsey vs. 1NT hand

[mgoetze]

Opponents open a strong 1NT and you are playing Woolsey, thus 2♦ shows 6+ in a major and 2M shows 5 of the major with a 4-card minor.

 

Before I show you my hand so you can tell me how I ought to have bid it I'd like to ask for your interpretation of 2 bidding sequences:

 

(a) (1NT)-2♦-2♥; 3♣-3♥; 3♠-...

 

(b) (1NT)-2♦-2♥; 5♣

[gnasher]

(a) (1NT)-2♦-2♥; 3♣-3♥; 3♠-...

 

3♣ is a game try with an unknown major and a side 4-card club-suit.

3♥ is a signoff opposite hearts

3♠ shows spades

 

(b) (1NT)-2♦-2♥; 5♣

 

Non-existent, unless Exclusion with hearts agreed is possible. I'd probably pass it, but I'd look at my hand first.

[PhilKing]

Over 2♥ one can play 2NT as hearts and a minor, too strong for 2♥ direct and 3m as the same with spades, so overcaller has spades and clubs on sequence a).

 

b) shows a void club and seven diamonds. Partner is assumed to be able to guess your major. It can't show clubs, of course, since partner might pass 2♦ on a blizzard with long diamonds.

[nige1]

Opponents open a strong 1NT and you are playing Woolsey, thus 2♦ shows 6+ in a major and 2M shows 5 of the major with a 4-card minor.

Before I show you my hand so you can tell me how I ought to have bid it I'd like to ask for your interpretation of 2 bidding sequences:

(a) (1NT)-2♦-2♥; 3♣-3♥; 3♠-...

(b) (1NT)-2♦-2♥; 5♣

IMO

1. Game-try (or possibly game-force) 6+ ♠, ♣ trial-bid (or possibly cue-bid).
2. Exclusion 6+ ♥, ♣ void.

[mgoetze]

So far, so good.

 

Now, the hand BBO just dealt me at bidding practice:

 

♠- ♥AKQTxxx ♦- ♣KQTxxx

 

Is there any sensible way to bid this?

[cloa513]

So far, so good.

 

Now, the hand BBO just dealt me at bidding practice:

 

♠- ♥AKQTxxx ♦- ♣KQTxxx

 

Is there any sensible way to bid this?

2♦ followed by 4♦cue. Continue past partner bidding 4♥ by bidding 6C.

[gszes]

I would start with 2d showing the 6+ card major and follow 2h with 6c if p cannot bid

7c (or 7h if they have support for both majors) find a partner with more imagination.

They must assume your major is self sufficient.

 

 

The other sequences leave too much room for interpretation and risk getting passed

out a way too low a level. Yes I do indeed think this hand is so good that 6 should be

the minimum I would bid.

[nige1]

So far, so good.

Now, the hand BBO just dealt me at bidding practice:

♠- ♥ A K Q T x x x ♦- ♣ K Q T x x x

Is there any sensible way to bid this?

2♦ then 6♣?

[mycroft]

Pardon me, I don't know this system, not having enough monsterpoints to guarantee playing Mid-Chart. If 2♦ then 6♣ shows this hand, what shows the hand with the majors switched? In other words, how do I show spades without partner passing a contract I don't want?

[jeffford76]

It can't be right to start with 2♦. Partner is likely to pass.

[Fluffy]

1NT- 6♥ looks like a good start :). Someone having 4 hearts seems unlikely, more worried about a singleton club lead.

 

What is double on this methods?

[PhilKing]

It can't be right to start with 2♦. Partner is likely to pass.

 

I thought that, as stated above. Although a quick sim proved this was quite possible (but not likely), LHO inevitably bid spades, so we escape that way.

 

My strategy is to start with 2♥ and take it slow, hopefully ending in a doubled slam on a murky auction.

[mgoetze]

What is double on this methods?

4-card major with 5+ minor.

[gszes]

It can't be right to start with 2♦. Partner is likely to pass.

 

2d (using this system) shows 6+ in an unspecified major and with an

unspecified amount of power. Passing 2d should be an act of pure

desperation with no support in either major and a very weak hand

with ling diamonds x x xxxxxxx xxxx or some such. Even a hand

like x x KQJxxx xxxxx should consider keeping the bidding alive

via 2h or 3d just in case p is strong.

[jeffford76]

2d (using this system) shows 6+ in an unspecified major and with an

unspecified amount of power. Passing 2d should be an act of pure

desperation with no support in either major and a very weak hand

with ling diamonds x x xxxxxxx xxxx or some such. Even a hand

like x x KQJxxx xxxxx should consider keeping the bidding alive

via 2h or 3d just in case p is strong.

 

I play this method, and I don't agree with this. KQJxxx of diamonds with 1-1 majors is a clear pass. You've interfered with their NT, and you've found a playable spot.

[Zelandakh]

Is it no longer part of Woolsey that double followed by 2NT shows a big hand?

[benlessard]

I would just keep my agreement after a (1S)--2H overcall. 3m show a good minor (AKJx or better) while 2NT is a normal 4card suit. Knowing the quality and lenght of the minor help reaching 5m instead of 3Nt.

 

I think its pointless to show wich M you hold, 95% of the times advancer knows and even if he doesnt its often not a big deal anyway.

 

So A = 6S+good clubs

 

B= Club void note that having a D void you would be too scared of bidding 2D but 5C is a clearcut void for me.

[benlessard]

I play this method, and I don't agree with this. KQJxxx of diamonds with 1-1 majors is a clear pass. Yep bidding 2H/3D is lunacy.

[jallerton]

So far, so good.

 

Now, the hand BBO just dealt me at bidding practice:

 

♠- ♥AKQTxxx ♦- ♣KQTxxx

 

Is there any sensible way to bid this?

 

What would a 2NT overcall of 1NT show in your system? For many people it shows a game-forcing unspecified 2-suiter.

[lamford]

What would a 2NT overcall of 1NT show in your system? For many people it shows a game-forcing unspecified 2-suiter.

For us, both minors, a game-forcing two-suiter or a single-suited slam-try. Then advancer bids as though it is both minors, and then, assuming advancer bids 3D:

a) 3H = hearts and not spades; then advancer asks with 3S

b) 3S = spades and not clubs; then advancer asks with 4C

c) 3NT = clubs and spades or both minors; then advancer asks with 4C (he has already indicated he prefers diamonds to clubs)

d) 4 any = single-suited slam-try in that suit.

[mgoetze]

What would a 2NT overcall of 1NT show in your system?

Just both minors at this point, but obviously it could be expanded to include more hand types (thanks for your suggestion, Paul). I also liked PhilKing's suggestion of 2♦...2NT showing a hand too strong for a direct 2♥.

 

I was hoping for a good suggestion on how to bid this hand with "simple" Woolsey as in a pick-up partnership, but I suppose that was too much to ask. This thread has produced some very nice ideas on how simple Woolsey can be expanded, however.

[rhm]

So far, so good.

 

Now, the hand BBO just dealt me at bidding practice:

 

♠- ♥AKQTxxx ♦- ♣KQTxxx

 

Is there any sensible way to bid this?

Bidding systems are not designed for freaks.

I underbid 4♥.

I am more worried about cheap saves by opponents. Any slow approach is misguided in my opinion. If I can declare at any level below seven I am fine.

 

Who knows I may get doubled too early.

 

Rainer Herrmann