A Reply to Jacoby 2NT -- a 'Stop Here' bid?

[leebca]

[sorry for the delay in posting/replying. Had jury duty.]

 

Bbradley,

 

For sure, it is up discussion whether 4 or 3♠ is medium or weak. I would prefer the 3♠ to be medium so that game in NT is still possible (i.e., 3NT). The 4♠ would be drop dead. Yes. It means some games will be hard on the opener/declarer to play, but when opener chooses to open light in first or second seat, that is their risk (and/or the fault of SAYC v Precision for instance).

 

gszes,

 

I figured it out and posted my correction earlier in the thread. Thanks.

[neilkaz]

[sorry for the delay in posting/replying. Had jury duty.]

 

Bbradley,

 

For sure, it is up discussion whether 4 or 3♠ is medium or weak. I would prefer the 3♠ to be medium so that game in NT is still possible (i.e., 3NT). The 4♠ would be drop dead. Yes. It means some games will be hard on the opener/declarer to play, but when opener chooses to open light in first or second seat, that is their risk (and/or the fault of SAYC v Precision for instance).

 

gszes,

 

I figured it out and posted my correction earlier in the thread. Thanks.

 

Lee, how often do you think it will be correct to play 3NT when there's at least a 9 card fit in a major and both sides have at least an opening strength hand? It sure seems better to me to have 3NT and 3♠ responses define ranges of strengths for opener's hand as the convention is written.

[leebca]

Not often, but the chance for 10 extra points should be allowed. Depends on scoring.

[frisbee]

If playing 2/1, bidding the slam is relatively easy ...

 

Responder must bid 2♣ instead of 2NT (Jacoby) to show the "source of tricks". Important to understand this concept.

1♠ - 2♣

2♥ - 3♠

4♦ - 4NT etc.

 

2♣ establishes the game force.

2♥ shows 5+ ♠s and 4+♥. Any strength.

3♠ shows very good ♠ support and is slammish with a source of tricks in ♣s.

[2♠ would show 2-3 card ♠ support.

4♠ would show a minimum 2/1 hand.]

4♦ is a cuebid, cooperating with Responder.

Responder needs to hear no more to launch into an Ace or Keycard asking sequence.

 

As others have mentioned, the problem is that Responder should not bid Jacoby 2NT with such a powerful hand. You lose control of the auction when Opener shows the weak hand by jumping to 4♠. Do not fault the Jacoby 2NT convention for not finding this slam. The convention should not have been used.

 

As an aside, when playing 2/1, Opener is not supposed to open any 11-count that he wants to. You are playing 2/1, not Standard American. With ♠Axxxx ♥Qxxx ♦Ax ♣Jx, you have a borderline 1♠ opening bid in StdAm which should be passed when playing 2/1. Heresy, I know ... but, again, you are not playing StdAm. If you insist that you can open this hand 1♠, then change your convention card to read StdAm instead of 2/1.