Hi all,
It is always with great pleasure that I, through this forum, get to review the teachings of my mentor. This subject presents another occasion. I too well remember discussing different methods of competing over opponent's NT. The retort was this "I loathe to give up the penalty X over NT". There was no qualifier there --i.e. baby, weak or strong NT. Penalty X's over all NT can reap huge rewards.
I can share with you that through my own experience I have reaped a wealth of mp and imps from this treatment. Unfortunately I have not reaped the optimum results because of an inability of the partnership to field the penalty X over NT properly.
First, let me say that a penalty X over NT could be a balanced hand at the top of the opponent's NT range. However, it's important that one has prime cards and/or a source of tricks. Using a penalty X over a strong nt with this hand: QJ4,KJ,QJ543,KQ is ill advised. Please have at least a prme seventeen count or a solid suit somewhere. Also, be aware that penalty X's can be made with one or two suited hands also. Here are some examples: AKQ10xxx, xx, x, Axx; AKQJxx, xx, xx, Axx; AKQxx, xx, xx, AKJ10.
The idea here is that you suspect the opponents will never sit for 1NX with these hands. They'll run out to their own suit. Now when you compete over that with your own suit, your partner will know that you have an extraordinary strong hand. Remember jumps over strong NT are preemptive. This is the way to show strength (although one can jump with strength over weak nt)
The down side about maintaining this treatment in your partnership is that one needs to discuss with what types of hands one pulls the penalty X's. My teaching says that with a balanced hand you sit, period. If you're 4333, 4432, 5332 you sit. Get it, you sit, I don't care what your strength is. The idea is that even with a zero count there is no guarantee that your side is in a fit and might get X'd off for a number. And if by chance you happen to be -180 (1NX making one) then that is the risk you take. That -180 is probably a lot less than what you would get being X'd off in your two level contract on a 4/2 fit.
Just three days ago all vul at imps I held this hand: 8542,876,53,8532 . Pard opened 1N and rho X'd. Poker face I sat quietly and watched lho squirm. 2D PHEW PHEW PHEW. The opponents were plus 130 when they could have had a telephone number. PHEW PHEW PHEW. Lho had forgotten an important rule about penatly X's over nt. Pass with a balanced hand.
Some time ago I picked up this beaut over 1N. AKxx,Kxx,KQJx,Ax. It didn't take me long to find the red card. My partner bid 2S. Thinking he would have Jxxxxx,x,xxx,xxx or the like I blasted to four spades thinking we could probably make five. Down two. There went the masterpoint race for the tournament to my opponent. Heavy price to pay! My partner had pulled my penaty X with four spades and had to play the entire hand from the dummy.
If you're going to maintain the X as penatly over 1N --I can guarantee you'll get some stellar results. I certainly have. But field it properly! or else you'll be fighting each other instead of your opponents!
If you have any questions, I'd be willing to answer them.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Competing over 1M (X).. do it aggressively
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of competing with one of the top players of the Seattle area. NV vs Vul at MP I opened 1S in first chair. Lefty made a TOX and partner, without any hesitation whatsover and with all the confidence in the world bid 2S holding: 652,842,J8542,JT.
Although this raise might be a little on the light side, most experts get in there over 1MX with less than the 5/6 points required for a normal raise. Why? First off, these bids are totally LAW protected. Have an eight card fit, compete to the two level. Note the emphasis on "compete". Don't promise you partner six points out of comp and emerge with 1.
Also, in these sequences a two level major suit bid takes away one or two levels of bidding from the opponents. For example, as in the above case --note that my RHO does not have the one level bid available, nor the jump to 3H. Rho is forced to compete to the three level on a very wide range of hands --almost anything that is not worth a 3S (gf) Q!!! Oh my. Competing light over 1H (X) takes away the 2S invitational jump.
If the layout is foul, only the most experience partnerships can catch you in a X'd contract. A X by the fourth hand is usually TO for the other suits and in order for the TOX'er to X again he/she needs relatively strong values.
Competing on a minimum with a major suit hand over a TOX is just solid expert bridge. However, here's the problem. Last weekend, at imps, my partner made a game try on this hand over my 2S raise. AQJxxx,AT98,Ax,K. I refused the invitation on Jxx,J9xxx,J,Axxx. The problem is obvious...If partner thinks I can have a 1 count, he/she makes a game try. If partner thinks I have a normal "in comp bid" i.e. 7+ more points, he/she jumps to game. The ultimate gaffe was not having discussed the issue.
Lots of expert partnerships have methods to delineate the 3 to a bad 7 point raise from an good 7 to a 10 point raise. Some use a 2D artificial bid for the strong raise, leaving the major support bid for "garbage". Thus 1M (X) 2D! means: "I have a solid raise to 2M, pard, says nothing about diamonds". Some use a transfer system to announce a good raise.
All systems protect the direct natural raise as "weak"- 1M (X) 2M! garbage. Why? it totally takes away bidding room from opps, it's law protected and very hard to catch if it's wrong (i.e. the layout is foul). Hope this is somewhat helpful. This is a necessary discussion to have with all your growing/learning partnerships.
Although this raise might be a little on the light side, most experts get in there over 1MX with less than the 5/6 points required for a normal raise. Why? First off, these bids are totally LAW protected. Have an eight card fit, compete to the two level. Note the emphasis on "compete". Don't promise you partner six points out of comp and emerge with 1.
Also, in these sequences a two level major suit bid takes away one or two levels of bidding from the opponents. For example, as in the above case --note that my RHO does not have the one level bid available, nor the jump to 3H. Rho is forced to compete to the three level on a very wide range of hands --almost anything that is not worth a 3S (gf) Q!!! Oh my. Competing light over 1H (X) takes away the 2S invitational jump.
If the layout is foul, only the most experience partnerships can catch you in a X'd contract. A X by the fourth hand is usually TO for the other suits and in order for the TOX'er to X again he/she needs relatively strong values.
Competing on a minimum with a major suit hand over a TOX is just solid expert bridge. However, here's the problem. Last weekend, at imps, my partner made a game try on this hand over my 2S raise. AQJxxx,AT98,Ax,K. I refused the invitation on Jxx,J9xxx,J,Axxx. The problem is obvious...If partner thinks I can have a 1 count, he/she makes a game try. If partner thinks I have a normal "in comp bid" i.e. 7+ more points, he/she jumps to game. The ultimate gaffe was not having discussed the issue.
Lots of expert partnerships have methods to delineate the 3 to a bad 7 point raise from an good 7 to a 10 point raise. Some use a 2D artificial bid for the strong raise, leaving the major support bid for "garbage". Thus 1M (X) 2D! means: "I have a solid raise to 2M, pard, says nothing about diamonds". Some use a transfer system to announce a good raise.
All systems protect the direct natural raise as "weak"- 1M (X) 2M! garbage. Why? it totally takes away bidding room from opps, it's law protected and very hard to catch if it's wrong (i.e. the layout is foul). Hope this is somewhat helpful. This is a necessary discussion to have with all your growing/learning partnerships.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Leading A, K and Q's against NT
Hi All,
There are as many discussions about leading A/K/Q against no-trump as there are bridge players. I thought I'd get my opinion down on the matter and we can use these methods to win bridge competitions. Too fun.
Suppose your opponents have landed in 3N and you hold something like AKJT(x) in a suit. Cool. Now, you would not want to lead low, or the J and see Qx in the dummy. Nor would you like it if declarer had Qx. So with these types of power hands I lead the A. It requires my partner to unload the Q if he/she has it --so I'm not left to wonder. If he/she does not have that card, I require partner to give me a count card. Now, I know when the Q is falling in declarer's hand or if it's better that I abandon the suit and let partner lead through declarer later. In the meantime, partner knows my holding and can place some serious defensive points!
Now, suppose opponents have landed in 3N and you decided that it is optimum to lead from these holdings: AKxx, AKx, KQx, etc. Now, I lead the K! This requires partner to give me an attitude card. Do you like the suit I chose, pard, do you have an honor or length and shall I continue.
On every convention card you have the holding KQT9 in the "honor card lead" sections. It is usually advantageous to lead the Q from this holding requiring partner to unload the J if he/she has it. If partner does not unload the J, it is adventagious for partner to give you an attitude card. Sure, it would be good for partner to give a count card so that you know when the J will fall but here's the rub. One leads the Q in many situations --QJTx, QJ9x, QJx. For all these leads you obviously don't need partner to unload the J --you're staring at it. However you do need to know if you can continue the suit safely. On Q leads I require partner to unload the J or give me an atittude card. Heaven forbid I lead from QJ9x continually into declarer's AKT. Ugly. An attitude card from pard denoting honor cards in the suit or length and I/we can defend much better.
Hope this makes some sense. Not all people adopt these treatments so make sure it is a discussion point with your serious partners.
If you have any questions, let me know.
Isolde
There are as many discussions about leading A/K/Q against no-trump as there are bridge players. I thought I'd get my opinion down on the matter and we can use these methods to win bridge competitions. Too fun.
Suppose your opponents have landed in 3N and you hold something like AKJT(x) in a suit. Cool. Now, you would not want to lead low, or the J and see Qx in the dummy. Nor would you like it if declarer had Qx. So with these types of power hands I lead the A. It requires my partner to unload the Q if he/she has it --so I'm not left to wonder. If he/she does not have that card, I require partner to give me a count card. Now, I know when the Q is falling in declarer's hand or if it's better that I abandon the suit and let partner lead through declarer later. In the meantime, partner knows my holding and can place some serious defensive points!
Now, suppose opponents have landed in 3N and you decided that it is optimum to lead from these holdings: AKxx, AKx, KQx, etc. Now, I lead the K! This requires partner to give me an attitude card. Do you like the suit I chose, pard, do you have an honor or length and shall I continue.
On every convention card you have the holding KQT9 in the "honor card lead" sections. It is usually advantageous to lead the Q from this holding requiring partner to unload the J if he/she has it. If partner does not unload the J, it is adventagious for partner to give you an attitude card. Sure, it would be good for partner to give a count card so that you know when the J will fall but here's the rub. One leads the Q in many situations --QJTx, QJ9x, QJx. For all these leads you obviously don't need partner to unload the J --you're staring at it. However you do need to know if you can continue the suit safely. On Q leads I require partner to unload the J or give me an atittude card. Heaven forbid I lead from QJ9x continually into declarer's AKT. Ugly. An attitude card from pard denoting honor cards in the suit or length and I/we can defend much better.
Hope this makes some sense. Not all people adopt these treatments so make sure it is a discussion point with your serious partners.
If you have any questions, let me know.
Isolde
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
1C (1H) X (P) --Some Nifty Actions by Opener!
Hi all
I wanted to share with you some expert secrets of these sequences. This weekend, the bridge Gods gave me these tickets: KQ4,T98,K84,KQT9 NV at mp second seat. There you go, an aceless four by three thirteen count but probably warrants an opening. Hey, at least you have a T,9 spot. So, 1C (at least you can stand the lead). Lefty bids 1H and partner makes a negative X. Ok, there you are. What are you most likely to do? Bid 1S. You don't have four of them, but you don't even have as little as Jxx in the heart suit and your clubs...well probably not rebiddable given you only have four.
Now suppose you had this hand: KQ43,K98,K8,QT98 -This time you have four spades all right, but a nasty HK underneath the heart bidder. Ohhhhh, not so good. Again, 1S.
Now let's give you a better hand for the negative X. Let's say you opened 1C on KQ43,43,KT4,KQT9. Compared to the previous hands we've discussed, this is a beaut.
Experts bid an immediate 2S on this hand. Why?
1) To delineate this hand from the subminimum three card spade hand and/or honor values underneath the heart overcall.
2) They realize that with these hands you clearly belong at the two level anyway, due to the nature of the fit and the purity of the honor cards. If you don't jump there immediately, there is a good chance that opponents will push you there anyway.
Thus, over 1m (1H) X (P), a 1S bid says: "Given our combined resources, pard, we now have a subminum holding given the heart overcall. Please slow down the your assessment of the level at which you place the contract or compete.
a 2S bid says: "Full opening values, no heart honors wasted, and four card support".
Had my partner and I discussed these sequences, we might not have been in game opposite AJ98,642,AQJ2,75. And competed safely to the three level only.
Hope this is helpful. Ask if you have any questions.
I wanted to share with you some expert secrets of these sequences. This weekend, the bridge Gods gave me these tickets: KQ4,T98,K84,KQT9 NV at mp second seat. There you go, an aceless four by three thirteen count but probably warrants an opening. Hey, at least you have a T,9 spot. So, 1C (at least you can stand the lead). Lefty bids 1H and partner makes a negative X. Ok, there you are. What are you most likely to do? Bid 1S. You don't have four of them, but you don't even have as little as Jxx in the heart suit and your clubs...well probably not rebiddable given you only have four.
Now suppose you had this hand: KQ43,K98,K8,QT98 -This time you have four spades all right, but a nasty HK underneath the heart bidder. Ohhhhh, not so good. Again, 1S.
Now let's give you a better hand for the negative X. Let's say you opened 1C on KQ43,43,KT4,KQT9. Compared to the previous hands we've discussed, this is a beaut.
Experts bid an immediate 2S on this hand. Why?
1) To delineate this hand from the subminimum three card spade hand and/or honor values underneath the heart overcall.
2) They realize that with these hands you clearly belong at the two level anyway, due to the nature of the fit and the purity of the honor cards. If you don't jump there immediately, there is a good chance that opponents will push you there anyway.
Thus, over 1m (1H) X (P), a 1S bid says: "Given our combined resources, pard, we now have a subminum holding given the heart overcall. Please slow down the your assessment of the level at which you place the contract or compete.
a 2S bid says: "Full opening values, no heart honors wasted, and four card support".
Had my partner and I discussed these sequences, we might not have been in game opposite AJ98,642,AQJ2,75. And competed safely to the three level only.
Hope this is helpful. Ask if you have any questions.
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Reverse --its secrets revealed
Hi all,
It usually isn't long in a bridge journey before one becomes acquainted with the term "reverse". Hmmmm, I know this is a gear in my car, but what does it mean in terms of my bridge vocabulary.
I came across it this way. I had a very strong hand (two suiter) and opened it 1C. Partner bid 1S and I jump-shifted into hearts. When my dummy came down, a seasoned player said: "Isolde, you don't have to jump to show this hand". Thus, started my study of the "reverse" concept as it manifests itself in bridge bidding.
There are several (confusing) definitions of reverses but there are two which I like the best:
1) One reverses when one bids a higher ranking suit at the two level without a jump than one opened. Note, responder has only promised 6 points. Thus.....1C 1S, 2H is a reverse.
a) 1C 1H, 1S is not (second round of bidding does not start at the two level).
b)1D 1H, 2C is not (second suit is lower ranking than the first).
c) 1C 1D, 2H is not (note the jump)
2) One reverses when one asks responder to prefer the opened suit at the three level without a jump. Note, responder has only promised six points. If the bidding goes 1H 1N, 2S and responder prefers hearts, he/she has to do this at the three level. Thus, a reverse,
There are several musts about reverses and its best to practice them always:
1) Reverses show extra values. If you ask responder to pref the suit at the three level you should have combined resources to handle a contract at the three level. Reverse with a 13 point hand and responder owns only six--the pref at the three level will have to be played with 19 high card points between you. Not good. Have really good playing strength or at least 16 hcp as your extra values.
2) Reverses are shape-showing, that is the first suit is always longer than the second one --always. I had an opponent bid this hand 1C 1S, 2D against me this weekend. This hand was 4,A85,AQJT7,AK43. Note that diamonds are longer than clubs so this hand should have been shown through a strong jump shift, i.e. 1D 1S,3C.
3) One always promises one more bid after a reverse. Don't pass. (unless partnership agreements override this dictum).
There are many responder methods over reverses, some more standard than others. I have discussed them with most of my partners but will leave that for another day. Also, a serious discussion about handling reverses in competition needs to happen in every partnership.
I'd be happy to field any questions regarding this subject.
Happy bridging.
Isolde
It usually isn't long in a bridge journey before one becomes acquainted with the term "reverse". Hmmmm, I know this is a gear in my car, but what does it mean in terms of my bridge vocabulary.
I came across it this way. I had a very strong hand (two suiter) and opened it 1C. Partner bid 1S and I jump-shifted into hearts. When my dummy came down, a seasoned player said: "Isolde, you don't have to jump to show this hand". Thus, started my study of the "reverse" concept as it manifests itself in bridge bidding.
There are several (confusing) definitions of reverses but there are two which I like the best:
1) One reverses when one bids a higher ranking suit at the two level without a jump than one opened. Note, responder has only promised 6 points. Thus.....1C 1S, 2H is a reverse.
a) 1C 1H, 1S is not (second round of bidding does not start at the two level).
b)1D 1H, 2C is not (second suit is lower ranking than the first).
c) 1C 1D, 2H is not (note the jump)
2) One reverses when one asks responder to prefer the opened suit at the three level without a jump. Note, responder has only promised six points. If the bidding goes 1H 1N, 2S and responder prefers hearts, he/she has to do this at the three level. Thus, a reverse,
There are several musts about reverses and its best to practice them always:
1) Reverses show extra values. If you ask responder to pref the suit at the three level you should have combined resources to handle a contract at the three level. Reverse with a 13 point hand and responder owns only six--the pref at the three level will have to be played with 19 high card points between you. Not good. Have really good playing strength or at least 16 hcp as your extra values.
2) Reverses are shape-showing, that is the first suit is always longer than the second one --always. I had an opponent bid this hand 1C 1S, 2D against me this weekend. This hand was 4,A85,AQJT7,AK43. Note that diamonds are longer than clubs so this hand should have been shown through a strong jump shift, i.e. 1D 1S,3C.
3) One always promises one more bid after a reverse. Don't pass. (unless partnership agreements override this dictum).
There are many responder methods over reverses, some more standard than others. I have discussed them with most of my partners but will leave that for another day. Also, a serious discussion about handling reverses in competition needs to happen in every partnership.
I'd be happy to field any questions regarding this subject.
Happy bridging.
Isolde
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Bridge learning curve analyzed
Hi all,
The other day I was asked by one of my partners if we were "incompatible". Hmm the thought had not occurred to me. True, we had misfired and defended 3HXX making. We had also slipped up and let 2SX make. We languished in 2N making four for a major imp loss. I suppose my partner had a right to question the "incompatibility" factor.
As a seasoned player I know what incompatibility is, but from my POV it had little to do with these poor results. From my assessment, right or wrong, it was but a fact of performing at different spots on the bridge learning curve.
Let me explain using two example hands from last weekend's set. Curiously enough both hands involved competing over nt with "red suited" hands. And, as "luck" has it for illustration purposes, in both sets and partnerships we were competing using suction methods.
At imps at all nv I held this gem: Q92,AJ97,AQ32,T6 and passed over a 1N opening. My opponent at the other table launched in there with a 2S suction bid, requiring to show these two suits at the three level. It would not occur to me to try anything with this balanced hand over nt because the hand is not shapely enough. Certainly not forcing to the three level. "Shape" for bidding over nt precludes 4333, 4432, 5333 hands and starts mostly with 54 patterns. (You and the opponent may want to review my blog/Trumpet article on the matter.)
The same weekend the bridge Gods dealt me these tickets: 62,J8732,KJT954,v all vul at mp. Note the appreciable "shape" in the reds. I thought briefly about 2S but discounted that because the suits were very unequal in length and strength. I chose to show "diamonds". I was commended by that decision by a true expert player --showing diamonds was very much more "good bridge" than showing reds. However, here is the rub. The expert preferred passing with the entire hand and waiting until a nv condition? Why? Because competing in suits lacking in appreciable high cards wasn't his standard MO or good bridge.
So what am I saying put more succinctly? That as we grow in our bridge journey, communication becomes more concrete. It will take a while as long as you're "compatible" initially, and remain so in other ways of that journey.
Level 1: Competing over nt with reds Q92,AJ97,AQ32,T6
Level 2: Competing over nt with reds 64,J8762,KJT954,v
Level 3: Competing over nt vul at mp with diamonds 64,J8762,KJT954,v
Level 4: Pass and wait for nv conditions.
Do you get the picture? It's a process based solely on communication levels and the strength of that communication. Enjoy the journey with your proteges, partners, teachers and mentors! I certainly have. But if you want to learn the best, play with the best against the best. And work hard. You always want that opportunity to compare your actions with the finest! ~~~and learn their language.
I'd be happy to answer any quesitons.
The other day I was asked by one of my partners if we were "incompatible". Hmm the thought had not occurred to me. True, we had misfired and defended 3HXX making. We had also slipped up and let 2SX make. We languished in 2N making four for a major imp loss. I suppose my partner had a right to question the "incompatibility" factor.
As a seasoned player I know what incompatibility is, but from my POV it had little to do with these poor results. From my assessment, right or wrong, it was but a fact of performing at different spots on the bridge learning curve.
Let me explain using two example hands from last weekend's set. Curiously enough both hands involved competing over nt with "red suited" hands. And, as "luck" has it for illustration purposes, in both sets and partnerships we were competing using suction methods.
At imps at all nv I held this gem: Q92,AJ97,AQ32,T6 and passed over a 1N opening. My opponent at the other table launched in there with a 2S suction bid, requiring to show these two suits at the three level. It would not occur to me to try anything with this balanced hand over nt because the hand is not shapely enough. Certainly not forcing to the three level. "Shape" for bidding over nt precludes 4333, 4432, 5333 hands and starts mostly with 54 patterns. (You and the opponent may want to review my blog/Trumpet article on the matter.)
The same weekend the bridge Gods dealt me these tickets: 62,J8732,KJT954,v all vul at mp. Note the appreciable "shape" in the reds. I thought briefly about 2S but discounted that because the suits were very unequal in length and strength. I chose to show "diamonds". I was commended by that decision by a true expert player --showing diamonds was very much more "good bridge" than showing reds. However, here is the rub. The expert preferred passing with the entire hand and waiting until a nv condition? Why? Because competing in suits lacking in appreciable high cards wasn't his standard MO or good bridge.
So what am I saying put more succinctly? That as we grow in our bridge journey, communication becomes more concrete. It will take a while as long as you're "compatible" initially, and remain so in other ways of that journey.
Level 1: Competing over nt with reds Q92,AJ97,AQ32,T6
Level 2: Competing over nt with reds 64,J8762,KJT954,v
Level 3: Competing over nt vul at mp with diamonds 64,J8762,KJT954,v
Level 4: Pass and wait for nv conditions.
Do you get the picture? It's a process based solely on communication levels and the strength of that communication. Enjoy the journey with your proteges, partners, teachers and mentors! I certainly have. But if you want to learn the best, play with the best against the best. And work hard. You always want that opportunity to compare your actions with the finest! ~~~and learn their language.
I'd be happy to answer any quesitons.
Friday, March 27, 2009
More Sequences over 1N: 1N 2N -relay to 3C
Now that you've all rested from my MSS sequences and, of course, know them by heart, I'll fill in some hand patterns as responder that we haven't discussed yet.
I usually play that 1N 2N is an automatic relay to 3C. Period. Partner can say alert! and bid 3C --that's it. Now, that would cover the club signoffs. Responder passes and has set the contract at 3C.
There is one other important hand pattern that you can describe with this relay: the 4441 pattern game forcing. What you do, is relay opener to 3C then bid your shortness.
1) 1N 2N!, 3C! 3D --shortness in diamonds, thus 4414
2) 1N 2N!, 3C! 3H --shortness in hearts, thus 4144
3) 1N 2N!, 3C! 3S --shortness in spades, thus 1444
4) 1N 2N!, 3C! 3N --shortness in clubs, thus 4441
The questions begs, what does one do with the basic "1N 2N invite to 3 w/out a four card major" sequence? All invitational sequences with or without a four card major go through Stayman. If partner responds to Stayman with a 2D bid, bid 2N. Partner now knows you have an invitational with or without a four card major. Opener doens't really care whether you have one or not since opener has denied a major. If opener bids 2H over your Stayman query, and you have an invitational hand with four spades, you must bid 2S at this point. Opener has not had the opportunity to fess up to a four card spade suit so responder must check back. If the bidding goes 1N 2C, 2H 2S responder has specifically an invitational hand with four spades. Opener can take it from there.
Game forcing hands with minors I handle by going through Stayman also. This means that opener once again does not know whether responder has a major or not when it goes 1N 2C, 2X 3m. Oh well.
Hope this is somewhat helpful. Ask if you have any questions.
I usually play that 1N 2N is an automatic relay to 3C. Period. Partner can say alert! and bid 3C --that's it. Now, that would cover the club signoffs. Responder passes and has set the contract at 3C.
There is one other important hand pattern that you can describe with this relay: the 4441 pattern game forcing. What you do, is relay opener to 3C then bid your shortness.
1) 1N 2N!, 3C! 3D --shortness in diamonds, thus 4414
2) 1N 2N!, 3C! 3H --shortness in hearts, thus 4144
3) 1N 2N!, 3C! 3S --shortness in spades, thus 1444
4) 1N 2N!, 3C! 3N --shortness in clubs, thus 4441
The questions begs, what does one do with the basic "1N 2N invite to 3 w/out a four card major" sequence? All invitational sequences with or without a four card major go through Stayman. If partner responds to Stayman with a 2D bid, bid 2N. Partner now knows you have an invitational with or without a four card major. Opener doens't really care whether you have one or not since opener has denied a major. If opener bids 2H over your Stayman query, and you have an invitational hand with four spades, you must bid 2S at this point. Opener has not had the opportunity to fess up to a four card spade suit so responder must check back. If the bidding goes 1N 2C, 2H 2S responder has specifically an invitational hand with four spades. Opener can take it from there.
Game forcing hands with minors I handle by going through Stayman also. This means that opener once again does not know whether responder has a major or not when it goes 1N 2C, 2X 3m. Oh well.
Hope this is somewhat helpful. Ask if you have any questions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
