What does this sequence mean?

[Lorne50]

1♠ (2♣) 2♥ (P)

3♣ (P) 3♥ (P)

5♥ ?

 

Does 5♥ show 2 losing clubs or does the fact you bid 3♣ first mean you have 2 losing diamonds or is it a trump ask?

 

The agreements you do have are that 2♥ is 10+ points, not GF, and that a jump to 5♥ would have been a slam try with 2 losing clubs if bid immediately.

[aguahombre]

1♠ (2♣) 2♥ (P)

3♣ (P) 3♥ (P)

5♥ ?

 

Does 5♥ show 2 losing clubs or does the fact you bid 3♣ first mean you have 2 losing diamonds or is it a trump ask?

 

The agreements you do have are that 2♥ is 10+ points, not GF, and that a jump to 5♥ would have been a slam try with 2 losing clubs if bid immediately.

It would seem that you answered your own question, concluding that Opener doesn't have two losing clubs. So, now, we can eliminate trump quality asking via another route: Opener could have shown Diamond control after your 3H bid, but didn't. So, it must be the hand with (say) AKQXXX AQXXX XX V, or similar.

 

There is another possibility. Partner knee-jerked the 3C bid before realizing the interferences you would now draw....and has screwed the pooch.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

The 3 club bid should deny primary support and a club shortage.

The 3 heart bid adds 1 card to the already promised suit length, i.e. delayed heart raises

does not need to be based on primary support, secondary support is now sufficient.

From this followes, assuming standard agreements, that you cannot draw any inference about

outside loosers from the delayed raise.

 

In general I would assume, that 4C / 4D by opener are slam tries, agreeing hearts as trumps,

and showing controls in suit bid.

Given that, I am not sure, that hands exist, which want to bid 5H, but are unsuitable for a

4C / 4D bid.

Afterthough: The only suit you cannot bid is spade, because spade bids would be interpreted

as an offer to play.

 

We usually play 5M as kind of a quantitative invite, but even with a quantitative invite, I

would have a 4C / 4D bid, because those bids, give partner the chance to limit his hand.

3H did only show a 6th heart, and expressed some doubt about the final contract.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe