The Four H Club

[spotlight7]

The 1D opening with 11-21 seems quite reasonable since 1C*

 

and rebids with Ds are sometimes problem hands.

 

 

Precision in the 90s suggested opener using transfers for minor suit rebids.

 

1C*-1D-1N* showing clubs with ...1N-2C* showing @0-5.

 

1C*-1D-2C*s showing diamonds also followed the same style ...2C*-2D* shows 5+Hs with @6-7 dummy points

 

 

NT hands bid 1C*-1D-1H*-1S*(semi forced)-1N to show 17-19.

 

 

If you like this style, it allows 1C*-1D-2D* to show strong 4441 shapes.

 

 

I looked at numerous PC generated examples and found that a range of 19+ allowed very accurate bidding.

 

 

Hands with @16-18, rebid with a 4 card major using Meckwell style bids over 1C-1D-1S-?

 

...1S-1N*=0-5, ...1S-2C* is 0-2Ss and 6-7HCP, ...1S-2D*s shows 5+Hs @6-7HCP,

 

1S-2H* is a 3 card spade raise @6-7 dummy points and ...1S-2S is 4 trumps 6-7 dummy points.

 

 

Opener is not going to pass 1C*-1D-1S-1N since he has an unbalanced hand to rebid 1S

[1Wishbone1]

Hello everyone --

 

I want to continue the Topic for a moment. I began Mapping responses for Major Openings and an interesting problem appeared:

 

Assume:

 

1 Spade: 11 - 15 HCPs, 5+ Spades.

1 Heart: 11 - 15 HCPs, 4+ Hearts (Hopefully a Strong 4 Hearts...)

 

What would be the most advantageous responses for basic support?

 

Hearts first : Accepting Glen Ashton's Analysis for a moment (See Reference article in first Post for this Thread):

 

"One of the worst big club/five card major sequences is 1H-2H uncontested so far: 2H announces at least a 5-3 heart fit, which implies the opponents have a fit too, and since both 1H and 2H are limited, the bidding tells the opponents they have some values to bid."

 

Our first choice is to consider 1 H - 2 H for offensive purposes. *IF* opening one Heart only promise 4, then raising to 2 Hearts on 3 support only guarantees a Moysian 4 - 3 Fit: "We may or may not have much but we have have some points and at least a 7 card fit. Wha'chu got?" Opener takes control here if he opened Hearts with 5 and has some more Values.

 

What if 1 Heart - 2 Hearts promises 4 support? On the modern assumption that you get in to Bid early and get out quick, 1 Heart - 2 Hearts states, "We may not have much but we do have some points and a 4 - 4 fit, maybe more". Notice the usual 1 Heart - 1 NT (Forcing) machinery still applies, implying that Responder rebids Hearts to show 3.

 

Spades: The Leading Role of Suits is Spades and the machinery for this Leading Role should be featured. On 1 Spade - 2 Spades, should support show 3 or 4? If 4, then Partnership shouts to the world, "We have 9 or more Trump AND Points. Aren't we SPECIAL?" 1 Spade - 1 NT forcing allows ummm...Exploration with greater ease and the usual Bells and Whistles apply.

 

What if 1 Spade - 2 Spades shows 3 support? "We have points and 8 spades and you can come in at 2 NT or the 3 level. Nyah, nyah!"

 

The purpose of the exercise is to examine whether treating Spades and Hearts with different Sets of Responses would give a slight advantage to a Partnership - for ex. 1 Heart - 2 Hearts shows 4 support while 1 Spade - 2 Spades might show 3 support.

 

What say Ye?

 

CW

[Zelandakh]

1 Spade: 11 - 15 HCPs, 5+ Spades.

1 Heart: 11 - 15 HCPs, 4+ Hearts (Hopefully a Strong 4 Hearts...)

Which balanced hands are included within each opening? This is a critical factor when it comes to designing a raise structure. A good source for basic background material here is Partnership Bidding at Bridge by Robson and Segal. This is available online for free.

[Kungsgeten]

I do not think it is a good idea to play a forcing NT vs a potentially balanced four card opening; 1NT is often the right spot. When playing limited openings I think it is a good idea to raise a potential four card suit with three card support, unless responder have a flat hand. I guess it all depends on how aggressive you want to be.

 

I like playing constructive major suit raises myself, so that 1M-2M show three card support (or perhaps four with a flat hand) with 8-11 hcp (perhaps 9-12 if you open light). With a weaker raise, you respond 1NT and hope opener doesn't pass. Another alternative could be the "three way 2C" response: 1M-2C showing a balanced GF, or GF with clubs, or a limit raise with 3 card support.

 

For a complete structure of major suit raises, playing four card majors, you could have a look at "Major suit raises, the Scanian way" by Mats Nilsland.