A question about Free bids

[Kungsgeten]

Let's say you have:

 

Jx

AQxxx

Jxx

KJx

 

A pretty bad hand, but I think most would choose to open this one with 1H. Now LHO overcalls 2D, and your partner bids 2S (forcing). What's your call?

 

The reason why I'm asking is that I want to understand forcing free bids and how they're played. I'm so used to playing negative free bids (where 2S would show 5+ spades and constructive values [8--11], but not enough to force game). So, what would opener's rebids mean in this auction? And also, how much has responder promised (my guess is 10+)?

 

1H (2D) 2S (Pass)

 

2NT: Natural, non-forcing? Does it promise a stopper? Does it show any form of extras?

3C: Does it promise 4 clubs, is it forcing? Could it be a two card suit with something like Qx KQxxx xxxx AQ?

3D: This seems like a game force, could be extra length in hearts or spade support or investigating 3NT?

3H: Minimum? Does it promise 6+ hearts? What if we're playing four card majors from the start?

3S: Also minimum? How good hand can we have? Two or three spades?

3NT: To play I guess?

4C: Is this natural GF or some kind of bid agreeing spades?

4D: Spade slam try?

4H: Long hearts and some extras?

4S: Is there a max for this bid?

 

Another question, regarding continuations:

 

1H (2C) 2S (P);

2NT (P) 3D

 

Is responder's 3D forcing now, since 2S was unlimited? If it is, is it forcing to game? If not forcing to game, how should opener's 3H/S rebids be interpreted?

[wank]

just bid whatever you would have bid over 1S, just 1 level higher, albeit new suits are forcing.

 

so new suits are natural, rebidding hearts is 6, etc. new suits are 1RF so a jump to 4 of a new suit is a splinter.

 

so on this hand 2nt - shows shape and range. if partner wants to know if you have a stop, he can cue to ask.

[Kungsgeten]

Okay, thanks.

 

7642

KJx

Jx

AKxx

 

1C (1S) 2D (P)

2NT (P) 3S (P)

 

Now I would bid 4D?

[wank]

yes. that should be a doubleton - if you had 3 card support and no stop, you'd have raised in the first place.

 

the cue doesn't establish a GF. as is normally the case, if you're trying for 3NT and find you have no stop in the opps' suit, that doesn't imply you have enough to make 5m

[fromageGB]

1H (2D) 2S (Pass)

...

My take on the bids:

2NT : yes (shape), yes. No, no (denies).

3C: yes, yes, no(NT with that).

3D: yes to all (to be clarified later).

3H: yes. yes, don't know but probably.

3S: yes. I would expect 3.

3NT: yes

4C: no, splinter with spades.

4D: yes, ditto.

4H: yes

4S: yes, I would suggest no more than 17 and no shortage. Stronger would be 3D then spades.