[jillybean]

Hi,
1st game today after another hiatus, it felt and I played like I hadn't played for decades.

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[mikeh]

I think this is enough to bid 2C. I am not a fan of the convention in which a subsequent jump to 3S shows 4 spades and longer diamonds, but this is definitely an advertisement for the method

Me: I’m stuck with intending to bid diamonds next

[Cyberyeti]

mikeh, on 2023-October-27, 21:32, said:

I think this is enough to bid 2C. I am not a fan of the convention in which a subsequent jump to 3S shows 4 spades and longer diamonds, but this is definitely an advertisement for the method

Me: I’m stuck with intending to bid diamonds next

I agree, my guideline for 2♣ with <23 points is if I can make game opposite the right flattish yarborough or a slam opposite a hand that might pass a 1 bid, I open 2♣, and this hand fits that bill xxxx, xxxx, xxx, xx and xx, xxx, xx, Axxxxx fit the bill.

We play the jump to 3♠ shows a solid suit so also have to bid diamonds next.

[DavidKok]

I'll open 2♣ and rebid 3♦ as well, though I don't love it. Previously I've written a few points on when (not) to open 2♣, I think the 'perfect minimum opposite' is an example of a very common mistake.

[mw64ahw]

Opener's 2nd bid is 3♠ for me showing this shape either via 1 or 2♦

[Dinarius]

I play Benjamin twos. I open 2♣️ and rebid 3♦️ showing the nine tricks I have. D.

[jillybean]

As you can guess, that didn't happen.
1♦ 1♥

So you pulled the wrong bidding card, what now?

[DavidKok]

I don't hate 1♦, and would have definitely opened that with majors flipped (somebody always bids if we have short spades).

2♠ seems like the normal rebid. I know some partnerships have extensive agreements here about 1♠ vs 2♠ versus Gazzilli versus transfers and other gadgets. I'm very concerned that partner will pass 1♠ after having dredged up a minimum response with some hearts, short diamonds and almost no values. As it is our opening worked out great - we get to show our shape and strength a level lower than had we opened 2♣.

[jillybean]

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[DavidKok]

There's a lot of gadgets and inferences here, but I'm concerned I'm being pedantic by inquiring (do we play Lebensohl? Is fast arrival on? Would 3NT be (Non)Serious?). A 4♣ control bid seems fine, if you can ask for key cards directly with 4NT that's also fine.

[jillybean]

Leb yes, fast arrival not discussed.

Partner would return to 4♠ after a 4♣ cue.
4NT ask would solicit a response of 5♣ 1 keycard

[DavidKok]

It's safe to ask for the queen of spades over 5♣. If partner has it I'll bid 6♠. If partner does not I'll stop in 5♠, as partner likely has four (small) spades, five hearts to the ace with more hearts honours, relatively short diamonds and nothing much in clubs. If either contract loses to a diamond ruff so be it. There's a chance that 6♦ is better, but I don't immediately see a way to get there when it is right.

[Bad_Wolf]

jillybean, on 2023-October-28, 06:18, said:

As you can guess, that didn't happen.
1♦ 1♥

So you pulled the wrong bidding card, what now?

No you didn't. 1♦ is fine. In all my partnerships I now play 1♠ forcing. To make sure I play 2S is something else.

[pescetom]

jillybean, on 2023-October-28, 07:36, said:

Partner would return to 4♠ after a 4♣ cue.

In which case we would take note of a hearts loser but continue with 5♦ (denies even keycards, denies twin control of clubs, shows control of diamonds).
Now 5♠ is game over, anything else must have ♣A and we're going for 6 although we can't have certainty about ♠Q in time this way.

[jillybean]

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[mikeh]

I disagree with the 3S bid

This hand has not grown up much, and opener will show 5 spades over either 2N or 3C. Which one chooses between those two is unclear, although in my partnerships we’d definitely lean towards 2N, artificial and usually (but not always) weakness

That diamond void is a bug, not a feature. It’d be a bug even with 4 spades….slam will usually depend on setting up diamonds and it’s easy to see that AKJxxx opposite x sets up easier than AKJxxx opposite void, as one example. Plus, having a diamond in dummy sometimes helps with communication.

Over 1D 1H 2S 2N, opener has choices. 3D complicates matters whenever we belong in 3N since responder may be looking at weak clubs. 3N abandons diamonds most times, but opposite weakness it’s tough to see how any other game rates to be better, so I bid 3N.

[Cyberyeti]

jillybean, on 2023-October-28, 18:16, said:

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Did they find the heart lead ?

[jillybean]

Yes

I'm East, wrongly expecting partner to be 6-5

[mikeh]

2S is a jumpshift. Say he’d opened 1D and rebid 3C. Would you think that was 6=5? You wouldn’t. The actual auction was theoretically the same. The second suit is always to be assumed as 4 cards until the suit is rebid

[jillybean]

yes, thanks