[WasWinM]

mike777, on 2026-June-25, 13:16, said:

Your example poster child for Bergen raises or if you prefer playing 4 card mix raises.

1H-3C-4H

3C=4 card mixed raise
4H=Bergen advocates accepting with shortness


Even if you hate Bergen, intermediate level players please give serious thought to playing some version of mixed raises

Even constructive raises help, which is what I assume when playing 2/1. Little reason not to unless playing semi-forcing NT.

[pescetom]

WasWinM, on 2026-June-25, 13:07, said:

Many of the world's greatest players, including Hamman-Wolff in their heyday, would bash into game if they sniffed it instead of delicately describing their hands to the defense.

Agreed. And FWIW none of my partnerships would have failed to bash into 4♥ here at IMPs (or failed to stop in 3♥ at MP either, the message about diamonds is hardly encouraging).

[akwoo]

WasWinM, on 2026-June-25, 13:59, said:

Even constructive raises help, which is what I assume when playing 2/1. Little reason not to unless playing semi-forcing NT.

I fairly strongly dislike constructive raises. It gives fourth seat a cheaper way to double or bid a minor when they are most likely to want to do it.

I prefer 1M-3M mixed with 1M-2N invite+