Questions to ask partner

[awm]

I'd like to come up with a fairly comprehensive list of questions to ask a new 2/1 partner. Obviously there are various things like "what conventions to play" as well as things like overcalls and balancing style. But I'd like to stick to things that are basically style in a constructive auction. Here's what comes to mind for me:

 

(1) Raising responder's major after 1m-1M. How often is it three cards?

 

(2) Reverses in game-forcing 2/1 auctions. Do they show extra values? Just extra shape? Nothing necessarily extra? How about opener's raise of responder's suit?

 

(3) Two-level rebid of opener's major (i.e. 1S-2C-2D-2S). Does it guarantee 3+ cards? Is opener's next bid pattern or cue?

 

(4) Fourth suit in 2/1 auctions. Natural or just a temporizing bid? For example: 1S-2C-2D-2H.

 

What other questions would you want to discuss with a new partner assuming that "2/1 GF" is your general approach?

[coyot]

I'd like to come up with a fairly comprehensive list of questions to ask a new 2/1 partner. Obviously there are various things like "what conventions to play" as well as things like overcalls and balancing style. But I'd like to stick to things that are basically style in a constructive auction. Here's what comes to mind for me:

 

(1) Raising responder's major after 1m-1M. How often is it three cards?

 

(2) Reverses in game-forcing 2/1 auctions. Do they show extra values? Just extra shape? Nothing necessarily extra? How about opener's raise of responder's suit?

 

(3) Two-level rebid of opener's major (i.e. 1S-2C-2D-2S). Does it guarantee 3+ cards? Is opener's next bid pattern or cue?

 

(4) Fourth suit in 2/1 auctions. Natural or just a temporizing bid? For example: 1S-2C-2D-2H.

 

What other questions would you want to discuss with a new partner assuming that "2/1 GF" is your general approach?

What works best for me:

 

1) Always 4card. If you employ xyNT (CBS), support doubles and 1M on 4card after overcall (no change compared to free bidding), this fits together well. (Note that weak 1NT rebid after 1m-(1x)-1M-(p) does not promise a stopper, just shape and strength.

 

2) No extra values... since 2/1 is GF, no need to reverse, just bid your shape.

(Mainly because you don't want to have to LIE about your cards when you couldn't afford the reverse). Raising responder's minor with 4card, hearts with 3card (if they guarantee 5card). I would generally raise without jump, unless I am 100% sure that we're not going to play NT. 1♥-2♦-4♣ is a splinter with diamond support, so I don't think that 1♥-2♦-4♦ would ever have any meaning. With a strong 2542 hand I will just bid 3♦ and see what partner says.

 

3) System major raises decide this. (See other recent thread). Generally I believe this should show good diamonds and full support, opener should bid pattern. (Responder is unlikely to have superstrong hand as he would use 2NT major raise...)

 

4) If opener bids 2 suits, it is very unlikely that there will be a fit in the 4th suit. In fact, it is next to impossible, if you strictly use 2NT rebid to 2/1 to show balanced hands.

1♦-2♣-2♥-2♠ would be the only possibility (with responder having 4432 shape), but I would always bid NT over 2♣ with this.

So, use fourth suit as asking for stopper.

 

Other issues (not necessarily 2/1 related):

- the 2NT rebid over 2/1... I use 12-14 OR 18/19 (and 3NT with 15/17)

- major raises scheme.

- Usage of serious 3NT

- 2/1 including 9-11 with a good suit. (Immediate rebid shows this variant and therefore is not gameforcing, but an attempt at 3NT with a trick source).

- inverted minors - ON/OFF after overcalls? 1m-2NT as garbage preempt and 1m-3m as constructive preempt?

- responder bidding majors after overcall? (I prefer 4cards with negative double showing all remaining majors. (1♣-1♦-x promises BOTH while 1M denies the other one, AND the expection of 1m-1♥-x DENYING spades.)

- opener bidding 1NT even with biddable major below it? (implies 1x-1y-1M promising unbalanced hand)

- 3NT, 4m, 4M bids (gambling + natura + natural vs. minor preempt + good long major + major preempt).

- structured reverse (Lebensohl in offensive bidding).

- Weak jump shifts or strong?

- Is 1♣-1♥-2♠ a splinter or a natural GF? (Yes, I am a freak that likes the first variant, playing 1♠ as forcing :))

 

My variant of SA 2/1 covers most of these topics. I believe many will find the system flawed but I still like it :)

[Fluffy]

I assume the first 3 questions to be standard, of course my standard is not universal sadly :). The 4th is a great question, but happens not very often that I won't bother with a pick up partner. (can only be natural at the 2 level, when you are below 2NT).

 

Things that bother me the most are competitive auctions... what is the minimum for an overcall or double after a pre is one of the most important to me for example :).

[cherdano]

Before discussing responder's rebid, you should discuss opener's rebid IMHO:

 

(3) After 1M-2x, does 2NT promise stoppers in the other suits? Does 2M (tend to) promise 6? Usually the answer to one of the questions will be yes, and the other bid become more of a catch-all.

 

Of course, question (0) is: what is your opening and preempt style? And maybe (0a): What is our weak jump shift style (if we play them)?

 

Arend

[luke warm]

(1) Raising responder's major after 1m-1M. How often is it three cards?

if i have 2 honors or if i absolutely have no better bid, and rarely in either case

 

(2) Reverses in game-forcing 2/1 auctions. Do they show extra values? Just extra shape? Nothing necessarily extra? How about opener's raise of responder's suit?

 

i prefer no extra values, just shaping out

 

(3) Two-level rebid of opener's major (i.e. 1S-2C-2D-2S). Does it guarantee 3+ cards? Is opener's next bid pattern or cue?

 

i see no reason for it to show fewer than 3 card support in a gf auction.. opener's next bid is cue unless it's 3d, in which case i'd guess it shows 5/5.. anything else should probably show an ace

 

(4) Fourth suit in 2/1 auctions. Natural or just a temporizing bid? For example: 1S-2C-2D-2H.

 

usually natural, i'd say

 

What other questions would you want to discuss with a new partner assuming that "2/1 GF" is your general approach?

 

nt range and nt rebid range... whether or not rebid the major shows 6 (i prefer that it does)... major suit raises, minor suit structure... normal things like 1430 or 0314, leads, carding (not specific to 2/1, i know)... all competitive agreements

 

opening philosophy, which impacts 2/1 philosophy.. i'm not a huge fan of weak openings unless they're known limit bids, because responder is more often guessing.. i like to respond 2/1 with 12, and can't always do this if opener can have 10+

[candybar]

First, most important ... what is the minimum for an opening bid? Does it differ by seat position?

[Al_U_Card]

1) Do you have a sense of humor?

 

2) Do you have a heart condition?

 

3) If I make a bid that you don't understand, will you consider it forcing?

 

4) If we get a bad result, will you understand?

 

:)

[luis]

Forget all those and focus in competitive bidding.

That's the area where an unprepared partnership will be likely to lose a lot of imps.

When is pass forcing, when a double invites to game, what the cuebids mean, what is the meaning of 2NT in several competitive hands, do bids that don't show direct support deny it in competition? Are jumps fit-showing? What about several different doubles? What about splinters? Exclusion RKCB? How do you continue when pd overcalls? Do you play two suiters? What kind of hand? How do you contuinue? what to you play against their two suiters or preempts ? etc etc.

 

 

Handling the bidding when they never enter the auction is easier and in the worst scenario your problems are shared by the field but in comepetitive auctions you are not sure if what is happening at your table is happening in the others so you have to be very prepared.

 

My 2 cents.

Luis

[whereagles]

Hum.. not sure if I'm buying that theory, Luis. Players still make a lot of mistake in solo auctions because they tend to take riskier moves than they would in competition.

[pclayton]

I'd like to come up with a fairly comprehensive list of questions to ask a new 2/1 partner. Obviously there are various things like "what conventions to play" as well as things like overcalls and balancing style. But I'd like to stick to things that are basically style in a constructive auction. Here's what comes to mind for me:

 

(1) Raising responder's major after 1m-1M. How often is it three cards?

 

(2) Reverses in game-forcing 2/1 auctions. Do they show extra values? Just extra shape? Nothing necessarily extra? How about opener's raise of responder's suit?

 

(3) Two-level rebid of opener's major (i.e. 1S-2C-2D-2S). Does it guarantee 3+ cards? Is opener's next bid pattern or cue?

 

(4) Fourth suit in 2/1 auctions. Natural or just a temporizing bid? For example: 1S-2C-2D-2H.

 

What other questions would you want to discuss with a new partner assuming that "2/1 GF" is your general approach?

Add:

 

0) Is 2/1 100% GF? Or is it forcing thru 3 of responder's suit? Or if its "100% GF" can it stop in 4 of respnder's suit? If it is 'almost GF', which of opener's rebids create a GF?

 

5) What is a jump shift in a 2/1 auction by EITHER hand? A big (or limited) 5-5? or a splinter?

 

6) Related to your #3, what is a 2N rebid by Opener? Extras? Or is it the default call.

 

7) What is a jump rebid of opener's suit? Solid? Semi-solid? Or just 7 cards +

 

8) Is a 3N rebid by opener 15-17? Or is it some kind of fast arrival? or a jump to 3N by responder after opener's 2 level rebid, i.e, 1♠ - 2♦ - 2♥ - 3N.

 

9) Is fast arrival on? Is a delayed raise to 3 of opener's major a slam try or just a preference? What is our cue bidding style? Are we playing Roman Q's, Serious / Friv 3N, or Last Train?

 

10) Discuss treatments after 1♦ - 2♣......

 

Others can augment this :huh:

[whereagles]

Actually, back to the main point, the first thing I say to a new pard is "I DON'T PLAY GERBER" :)

 

This is frequently also the only thing I say :(

[Winstonm]

I'd like to come up with a fairly comprehensive list of questions to ask a new 2/1 partner. Obviously there are various things like "what conventions to play" as well as things like overcalls and balancing style. But I'd like to stick to things that are basically style in a constructive auction. Here's what comes to mind for me:

 

(1) Raising responder's major after 1m-1M. How often is it three cards?

 

(2) Reverses in game-forcing 2/1 auctions. Do they show extra values? Just extra shape? Nothing necessarily extra? How about opener's raise of responder's suit?

 

(3) Two-level rebid of opener's major (i.e. 1S-2C-2D-2S). Does it guarantee 3+ cards? Is opener's next bid pattern or cue?

 

(4) Fourth suit in 2/1 auctions. Natural or just a temporizing bid? For example: 1S-2C-2D-2H.

 

What other questions would you want to discuss with a new partner assuming that "2/1 GF" is your general approach?

My partner and I have recently gone through this process and I can tell you the things to talk about are myriad - exhausting actually.

 

Just a sample and just on 2/1 autions:

 

What does: 1S-2C-3C show?

1S-2C-2N

1S-2C-2D-3S?

1S-2C-2H-3H?

1S-2C-2H-4H?

1S-2C-2D-4H?

1S-2C-4C?

 

What about forcing NT auctions?

 

What is 1S-1N-2D-3C?

 

Other questions: How good of suit for a 2/1? Is it always 5?

 

And on and on and on and on.

 

As my partner pointed out to me, it's not the bids themselves that are difficult, but the ripple effect that causes other bids to change.

 

Winston

[Finch]

What other questions would you want to discuss with a new partner assuming that "2/1 GF" is your general approach?

What leads do we play? What signals? When we switch do we switch to attitude or count? When we return partner's suit is that current count? What card asks for an unblock at NT? If partner asks for attitude and dummy has the Q do we switch to count? Do we play Smith vs NT, and if so what does it imply not to Smith? When would we give suit preference on partner's lead? What do we lead from 4 low in a suit where we have raised partner? How often do we give count in declarer's first suit, rather than playing randomly or giving SP? Is a peter in trumps a desire to ruff or suit preference? Do we tend to lead passively or aggressively against suit contracts? Against NT games? Against NT partials? How often do we lead the honour from Hxx in partner's suit? What do we lead from xxx in partner's suit against a NT contract?

 

having got all of that out of the way....

 

Is a change of suit forcing in response to an overcall? Does a responsive double guarentee, deny or suggest the other major? What is our style of simple overcall? What is our style of take-out double, and do we play ELC? How often are we off-shape for a 1NT overcall? 1NT opening? When are doubles take-out, and when penalty, and when action? What is our agreement on forcing pass auctions? How freely do we make lead-directing doubles in slam auctions? What do our pre-empts look like?

[zasanya]

If I play with a 2/1 new partner the only question I ask is "Okay?" after telling him capp +std carding +rkcb 0314+lebensohl+Ogust+everything else natural. :(

[ArcLight]

Questions pertaining strictly to 2/1 bidding, as opposed to general partnership discussion (which is also crucial)

 

 

 

>(2) Reverses in game-forcing 2/1 auctions. Do they show extra values? Just extra shape? Nothing necessarily extra? How about opener's raise of responder's suit?

 

Since responded has an opening bid, Miek Lawrence sugegsts a reverse by opener show a king above miniumum. Certainly worth discussing.

 

>(4) Fourth suit in 2/1 auctions. Natural or just a temporizing bid? For example: 1S-2C-2D-2H.

 

Since you are in a game force, theer is no need for Fourth Suit forcing.

 

 

>What other questions would you want to discuss with a new partner assuming that "2/1 GF" is your general approach?

 

a) 1D - 2C - is this a game force?

 

:( Can a 2/1 response stop in 4 of a minor if we can't reach 3NT or a major suit game?

 

c) since you are in a gameforce after the 2/1 what do jump bids mean, other than an obvious splinter (which might not even be so obvious)

 

d) 1M - 2m - 2M doesnt show 6. But 1M - 1NT - 2M does.

[mgoetze]

If I play with a 2/1 new partner the only question I ask is "Okay?" after telling him capp +std carding +rkcb 0314+lebensohl+Ogust+everything else natural. :(

And then you'll be sure that he plays the same replies to Ogust as you do and that you both agree as to when Lebensohl applies? (Only after overcalls of 1NT? How about after takeout doubles of Weak 2s? Or even more generally?)

[luis]

If I play with a 2/1 new partner the only question I ask is "Okay?" after telling him capp +std carding +rkcb 0314+lebensohl+Ogust+everything else natural. :(

A perfect recipe for disaster.

[inquiry]

Partial list, but only for a new partnership you plan to play with again in the future. If this is a one time throw off on line, don't worry about it, agree to bbo advanced or okbridge 2/1, or Bridgeworld standard, of "simple 2/1" and play.

 

1. Sound opening or light?

2. How do you play respondess jump shift? (1H = 3C, 1C - 2H)

3. What is your forcing major raise, and if 1S-3S in not limited, what is it?

4. Four way transfers over 1NT?

5. 0314 or 1403 responses to blackwood?

6. Lebehnshol or rubenshiol?

7. Good bad 2NT? scrambling 2NT?

8. Sound 2/1 responses? (and point out for me, 2/1 after 1M 100% GF).

9. Fit jumps in competition? or have you read robson/Segal if so can we play that?

10. Negative doubles or negative free-bids?

11. Do you play transfer advances on any sequences, if so when?

12. What are you rules for when bids are splinters?

13. Do you use GERBER or Minorwood, and if so, on what auctions?

14. Texas? Namuats? other transfers at the four level?

15. Balancing NT shows what range?

16. System on or off after NT overcall? or do you prefer raptor?

17. Leaping michaels?

18. Are your takeout doubles always shape specific?

19. How do you play 1m-(1H)-dbl?

20. Preempt style? Aggressive, solid, mixed? Does it vary by vul or position (again, did you read Robson/Segal? Can we play that?)

21. 1D-1H can that be three cards?

22. 1C-1D can that be three cards?

23. lebehnsol over reverses?

24. Your cue-bidding syle in competion? Always support? Game force?

25. Do you play 2C-2H as instant double negative?

26. Do you play puppet stayman over 2NT?

27. What is 1NT - 3C, 1NT-3D, 1NT-3H, 1NT-3S

28. How high do you play takeout doubles and negative doubles.

29. Any other special doubles I need to know (lightner, slam negative, maximal overcall, support, snapdragon, anti-lead, etc)

30. Do you play OBAR bids

31. Do you overcall on four card suits at the one level?

32. Defense to 1NT and artificial 1C?

33. Michaels promise two highest or if over major, highest and either minor?

34. Unsual versus unusual agasint all two suited bids by opp?

35. Continations after 1D-2C, and 1m-2m

36. When is fourth suit Game force, and when is it not game force.

 

 

And more, also of course, carding agrreemnet, opening lead agreements, etc.

 

As for the original questions in this post.

 

1) I raise with support. This is often three card support (not always). I would not make a federal case out of it. I don't even consider this one important enough to ask. IF partenr is so worried about playing in a moysein fit when the hand with three cards is unbalanced that he needs a rule the raise HAS TO ALWAYS be four, well then he is not a partner that would enjoy playing with me.

 

2) Reverses show extra. This is a duh for me. Now, a two level reverse (we are talking about here is 1H-2m-2S because I have very special agreements after 1m-2m and 1D-2C. The "reverse to 2S on 1H-2m-2S shows "extras" but does not promse as much as if the bidding had been 1H-1NT-2S.

 

3). Two-level rebid of opener's major (i.e. 1S-2C-2D-2S). Does it guarantee 3+ cards? Is opener's next bid pattern or cue? No it does not promise three, and yes, opener is to keep describing his hands. Often spades WILL not be trumps at the end of these auctions.

 

4) 4th suit after 2/1 for me show some values there, but is not an attempt to play in the fourth suit. Usually it shows some reason not wanting to bid NT from that side of the table, or might be start of slam exploration without fit for first suit, and seeking additional info from opener.

[Al_U_Card]

Reminds me of the only "indie" I ever played in. A New Year's Eve charity game where everyone played with a different partner every round of 3 boards. When it came time to play with a certain partner (good player, good sense of humor) I suggested "no conventions, everything 100% natural". He smiled and said " the only way to play!" We had 3 pretty good boards but I must say that the bidding made me happy to go back to my systems and conventions, as natural bidding was harder and involved more guesswork!

[Double !]

Just an interesting observation:

 

Unless I missed something, only one of the posts in this thread (so far) mentioned and focused on carding (leads and signals, etc.), approximately 50% of the game. And this, at least to establish basic agreements, takes the least amount of time.

 

DHL: :P

[inquiry]

Just an interesting observation:

 

Unless I missed something, only one of the posts in this thread (so far) mentioned and focused on carding (leads and signals, etc.), approximately 50% of the game. And this, at least to establish basic agreements, takes the least amount of time.

 

DHL: :P

Good bridge players have to learn to count. Maybe a recount is in order as more than one has mentioned carding.