[kenrexford]

Both KO events. 2/1 GF.

Problem #1:

♠AKxxx ♥AKxx ♦Ax ♣xx

The classic. 1♠-P-1NT!-P-?

Added info. 2♣ rebid could be short (2♦ promises 4+). 2NT...3♥ is GF. Immediate 3♥ shows 5-5 with 5 losers and intermediate (passable). No ability to rebid 2NT as a balanced 18-19 (2NT is artificial relay to 3♣ to show GF hand).

Responder held ♠J9xx ♥xxx ♦J10x ♣Qxx

Is the solution earlier (pass 1♠)?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Problem #2:

Who lost their mind (both possible):

A one-up rebid can be 3-card, but not a two-up rebid.

Opener: ♠xxxxx ♥x ♦AJxx ♣AQx
Responder: ♠J9x ♥Axx ♦KQ10x ♣xxx

The real-world auction:

1♦-P-1♥-P-
1♠-P-1NT-P-
all pass

1NT made +90
2♦ would make +110
2♠ would make +140
2♥ would make -110

Opener's comments: "Just rebid 2♦."
Responder's Comments: "I don't want to risk a reopen into 2♥. I can stand a reopen into 2♣."
Opener: "That's dumb. You already picked off hearts when it matters."
Responder: "Nothing gets us to spades unless you open 1♠."

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

#1 I would force to game via 2NT
followed by 3H.

#2 How about opening 1S?
How about responding 1NT instead of bidding 1H
or raising 1D to 2D, although I fail to see, why one
should do this being bal.
Having decided to open 1D, for what ever
reason, you will end up in 1NT.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[FrancesHinden]

I really don't get this desire to respond in 3-card majors.
On the second hand: either pass in first seat or open 1S. Why is this so difficult?

The first hand is a matter of partnership style: if that's a 1NT response, rebid 2H as opener (which would be my choice). I would rebid 2H as opener anyway: if partner passes, what game have we missed? (this includes the concept of responder being able/forced to make a 'courtesy raise' on most hands with 4 hearts).

[miguelm]

#1
I rather promote my hand to GF than anyhting else available. If all those aces and kings aren't enough to promote it I don't know what will and with this bid I am also likely to be with field (the field bids 2NT and most likely will end in game).

#2
I think people tend to complicate things... I open 1S and keep my energy for when its worth

[Fluffy]

I don't understand Ken, you deleted from your system the hability to show 18-19 balanced, and of course when you get the hand you get problems. There is nothing new.

[pclayton]

Problem 2:

Ken, apparently you didn't put geniusing on your list of new years 'no-no's.

In one thread you advocate a 'standard' 2/1 auction where responder responds in a 3 card major (which offends me) and opener rebids a 3 card minor (which doesn't offend me).

Here, opener opens a canape 1♦ and responder is equally up to the task rebidding another short suit, and you wonder why you are languishing in a horrible contract?

What is wrong with a 1♠ opening? I don't even mind a pass. The only response which gives you mild discomfort is 2♥.

Obviously 1♠ leads to 2♠, which the rest of us would just see as normal bridge.

[kfay]

1) Since it's a KO I'd go the 2N...3♥ route.

Edit: Why the heck wouldn't responder bid 2♠?

2) Is this a real question? Who doesn't open 1♠ on this hand? Did responder really say 'Why not rebid diamonds?' because that's hilarious.

[pclayton]

Problem 1:

1S - 1N
2H - 2S
2N or 3 minor - 3S
Pass.

[foo]

Problem #1:
♠AKxxx ♥AKxx ♦Ax ♣xx

The classic. 1♠-P-1NT!-P-?

Answer: 1S-1N;3H-?? WTP?

Responder's actual hand of ♠J9xx ♥xxx ♦JTx ♣Qxx
Will now bid 3S as a preference and Opener will pass:
1S-1N;3H-3S;ap

(You might have trouble making 3S, let alone 4S)
Again, WTP?
-----------------------

Problem #2:
Who lost their mind (both possible):

Opener: ♠xxxxx ♥x ♦AJxx ♣AQx
Responder: ♠J9x ♥Axx ♦KQTx ♣xxx

The real-world auction:

1♦-P-1♥-P-
1♠-P-1NT-P-
all pass

Answers:
a= S lost their mind opening that cheese whiz in front of partner.
(9 Working HCP out of 10 in a 4333 9 loser hand is a 1m opening? YUCK!)

b= a better auction
pa-1S (MUCH safer in 3rd seat); 2S-ap.

[mikeh]

FrancesHinden, on Jan 7 2008, 09:55 AM, said:

I really don't get this desire to respond in 3-card majors.
On the second hand: either pass in first seat or open 1S.  Why is this so difficult?

The first hand is a matter of partnership style: if that's a 1NT response, rebid 2H as opener (which would be my choice).  I would rebid 2H as opener anyway: if partner passes, what game have we missed? (this includes the concept of responder being able/forced to make a 'courtesy raise' on most hands with 4 hearts).

I agree with this, with one caveat.

In one partnership, using 2/1 GF, 11-14 1N, 5 card majors, a 2N response to a minor opening as gf values, and requiring 4 cards to raise a major suit response, we play that 1 major/1♦ (not over 1♣) can be a 3 card suit.. this will only be when responder holds 11-12 hcp, and insufficient length to make a limit raise in the minor. But I see no reason to ever distort other hands.

[kenrexford]

Well, I asked for a specific reason.

On the first, I elected to force the game. I caught hell for it when it failed.

On the second, I was the Responder. Partner opened 1♦, I responded 1♥ (same limit-raise issue), partner rebid 1♠, and I decided tactically to stop at 1NT rather than encourage heart competitition. I intended the 1♥ call to yield a 3♦ call (limit raise) only if Opener rebid 2♦ or raised hearts, because it seemed borderline. I caught hell for that as well.

BTW -- the three-card major style in this limited scenario is partner's idea.

[gwnn]

what's wrong with 1♠-1NT-2♥-2♠-2NT-3♠-pass (this in case opener knows pd can bid 1NT forcing on a nothing hand with 4 card support) or 1♠-pass ?

what's wrong with opening my friggin 5cM?

[pclayton]

I just can't see forcing to game on the 1st hand. Yes you have plenty of controls, but unless you catch a fit you aren't making game.

[pclayton]

Jlall, on Jan 7 2008, 05:11 PM, said:

pclayton, on Jan 7 2008, 06:40 PM, said:

I just can't see forcing to game on the 1st hand. Yes you have plenty of controls, but unless you catch a fit you aren't making game.

Or if you catch a random 8 or 9 count you can make a game, and if partner is 1-3 in the majors will pass.

You could also catch a heart fit and play 2H after rebidding 2H when you are cold for game.

I'm not saying I would force to game, but clearly bidding 2H has a real risk of missing game, so forcing to game must be at least reasonable.

Well thats why I play that silly convention called Gazzilli.

[kenrexford]

pclayton, on Jan 7 2008, 08:35 PM, said:

Jlall, on Jan 7 2008, 05:11 PM, said:

pclayton, on Jan 7 2008, 06:40 PM, said:

I just can't see forcing to game on the 1st hand. Yes you have plenty of controls, but unless you catch a fit you aren't making game.

Or if you catch a random 8 or 9 count you can make a game, and if partner is 1-3 in the majors will pass.

You could also catch a heart fit and play 2H after rebidding 2H when you are cold for game.

I'm not saying I would force to game, but clearly bidding 2H has a real risk of missing game, so forcing to game must be at least reasonable.

Well thats why I play that silly convention called Gazzilli.

My main irritation with this auction was precisely that -- inadequate use of the 2♣ call. But, my parameters were governed by system.

[benlessard]

1P----pass-----pass for me. I dont like passing with 4 trumps but 4333 isnt like having 4 trumps in my book. Of course ill force to game wtih 5422 18 pts all in in A &K. a 2 H rebid is ridiculous. Even if playing Gaz i would still force to game, this hand is in the 19-20 range not in the 15-17 range.


Well for the 2nd hand do your system allow to open 1D with 5S ? If no, i cant think of word strong enough to express my disgust at the 1D opening.

Usually a 1M response on a 3M is reserved for weakish, GF hands (relay) or limit raise. Why did you change ur mind and rebid 1Nt ? I don't understand why the hand isnt a limit raise anymore after the 1S responses. You have no C stopper and the hand is likely to play 3D as well as in 1Nt (its imps right ?). If you dont want to make a limit at least rebid 2D not 1Nt.

I find it funny that you consider these 2 hands bidding problems.

[DWM]

If I remember correctly just after being taught the 4-3-2-1 point system I was told length before strength.

I would probably end up in 3S on #2

on #1 I would only respond if I had a way of biding a pre-emptive raise in spades.

[jtfanclub]

kenrexford, on Jan 7 2008, 09:24 AM, said:

Opener: ♠xxxxx ♥x ♦AJxx ♣AQx
Responder: ♠J9x ♥Axx ♦KQ10x ♣xxx

The real-world auction:

1♦-P-1♥-P-
1♠-P-1NT-P-
all pass

My eyes! They burn! They burn!

[jdonn]

Lets go for a new world record. How many hands can there be where both players psych and then the wrong contract is reached as both wonder why?

1♠ p 2♠