Telling a lie with my second bid

[Vampyr]

It also is worth being aware of that in a number of other systems, a second bid in a higher suit at the 2 level after partner makes a 2/1 bid does not show extra values.

 

A number of other systems? It is a style if 2/1 is GF, but it is unlikely for 2/1GF to be the first system a player in an Acol-playing country learns.

[helene_t]

As Wank says, it is only when responder is 3145 and about 10 points that a 2♥ rebid leads to a silly 2♥ contract, and it's not like a 2♦ rebid works great opposite that hand either as you will be playing 3♦ in a 3-4 fit. So while I have a lot of sympathy for avoiding bidding lousy 5-card suits twice, I don't think it is much of an issue on this hand.

[1eyedjack]

As Wank says, it is only when responder is 3145 and about 10 points that a 2♥ rebid leads to a silly 2♥ contract, and it's not like a 2♦ rebid works great opposite that hand either as you will be playing 3♦ in a 3-4 fit. So while I have a lot of sympathy for avoiding bidding lousy 5-card suits twice, I don't think it is much of an issue on this hand.

With a 10 count and that shape I will pull 2H to 2N. May regret it when opener turns up with a 6th H. With a 9 count and that shape I will respond 1N. May regret it when opener turns up with a 16 count. The end result may work out poorly, but I don't expect it to be a "silly .... contract".

[Zelandakh]

Hello everyone,

I am a beginner and was taught similarly - I.e. To bid a higher suit next time round would mean 16 points. However, my current partner (more experienced), tells me to bid up the line and to jump if I have 16 points. I am doing as I am told but feel we are going too high with this approach . Comments would be appreciated.

Hi keith, I am not sure if you mean the immediate response (1♥ - 3♦) should be a jump with 16 or Opener's rebid (1♥ - 1♠; 3♦). I suspect the latter auction as this is quite often played as 16+ in certain circles, mainly because they do not understand how to cope with the 2♦ rebid being wide-ranging. I have played this way myself in the past as a compromise. You are right that it is not ideal though.

 

The basic theoretical point is that you have 3 hand types you want to describe (weak, extras, GF) but only 2 rebids (simple, jump). Thus it makes sense to use the cheaper call to show 2 hand types and the higher one to show the remaining type. With the wide-ranging rebid though, you do need to understand where the brakes in the system are and how you can show the hand with extras in the later auction. When you start playing with better partners they will be able to show you these things - or you can just ask us here on BBF. In the meantime, stick with what your partner says when playing together as a bad agreement is still better than none at all. Just be aware that this will likely change later on.