[Simpleboi]

Playing 2/1 GF,

Scoring: IMP

Opponents silent
P-1♠-2♦-3♥-4♥-4NT-5♦-6♥

---

6♠ or 6NT obviously the better contract here..

Any problems with the bidding?
How best to show a strong 6-4 hand?

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

Since p is a passed hand, 2D is certainly not gf anymore, depending
on your agreement, it may be forcing for one round or promising a
rebid.

As it is, it is a matter of agreement, if responder can pass after

p - 1S
2D - 2H
??? -

If he can pass, opener has to bid 3H, which means 3H does
not promise 5 cards, hence 4H is garbage.
Since 2D should deny 3 card support, responder can bid 3S
over 3H, which will show secondary support.

If he cant pass, 2H is of course better.
......................................................................................
As opener you plan to bid 1S,3H,4S.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[helene_t]

I am not so happy with the 2♦ response. I can understand that since responder is a passed hand, he cannot force to game, but that begs the question which follow-ups will be forcing after such a 2♦ response. Better to use the 2♦ bid for something conventional (for example 2-way Drury) and respond 1NT with this hand.

Assuming 2♦ is a GF (or at least that a 2♥ rebid is forcing as it would be in all modern natural systems, even Acol), 3♥ here shows five hearts. S must rebid 2♥.

[mike777]

rebid 3s over 3h not 4h.
P=fine
1s=fine
2d=fine
3h=fine

[han]

1S = fine.

[kenrexford]

1♠ = fine
2♦ = fine
3♥ = fine
4♥ = dead wrong. Clear 4♣ call.

The problem is technique as to what happens next. IMO, 4NT by Opener should be RKCB for spades and 4♦ by Opener LTTC or better for hearts. But, I doubt many have discussed this or have agreements necessary to resolve this problem.

[pclayton]

kenrexford, on Jun 27 2008, 12:42 PM, said:

1♠ = fine
2♦ = fine
3♥ = fine
4♥ = dead wrong. Clear 4♣ call.

The problem is technique as to what happens next. IMO, 4NT by Opener should be RKCB for spades and 4♦ by Opener LTTC or better for hearts. But, I doubt many have discussed this or have agreements necessary to resolve this problem.

Do you really have Last Train agreements when you haven't agreed trump? This seems like a recipe for a train wreck.

[awm]

In my partnerships a 2♥ rebid over 2♦ would be forcing, so I would have bid it.

Assuming that there was no agreement about 2♥ or that it would be NF, then the auction is okay up until the 4♥ bid. In a clearly game-forcing sequence there is no reason to raise what could be a four-card suit on only three. It is very normal to rebid 3♠ (which can't really be three-card support given the NF 2♦ response at first turn) and await developments.

[kenrexford]

pclayton, on Jun 27 2008, 03:45 PM, said:

kenrexford, on Jun 27 2008, 12:42 PM, said:

1♠ = fine
2♦ = fine
3♥ = fine
4♥ = dead wrong.  Clear 4♣ call. 

The problem is technique as to what happens next.  IMO, 4NT by Opener should be RKCB for spades and 4♦ by Opener LTTC or better for hearts.  But, I doubt many have discussed this or have agreements necessary to resolve this problem.

Do you really have Last Train agreements when you haven't agreed trump? This seems like a recipe for a train wreck.

Yes.

When a call by partner has placed upon me a limited choice between two suits (4♣ says "pick a major" with no other alternatives), then flags are in effect.

Had 3NT served that function, then 4M would be a contextually weak selection, 4♣ a stronger heart flag, and 4♦ a stronger spade flag.

As 4♣ was the choice bid, 4♦ (cheapest option) is the stronger heart flag and 4NT (the next up alternative) the stronger spade flag.

If the flag is below game in our suit, it shows last train values or better. If the flag is above game in our suit, it is RKCB for the flagged suit.

Had 4♦ been the choice call, 4NT would be RKCB for hearts, 5♣ RKCB for spades.

[mike777]

I think the whole issue here is:
1) South wonders if 2H is forcing and standard
2) North wonders if 3H promises 5-5 and standard.
3) Note forum posters do not even agree if 2d is standard on this auction.
4) Another post that shows many of us nonexperts are not 100% sure what standard bridge bidding is.

[gnasher]

kenrexford, on Jun 27 2008, 09:51 PM, said:

pclayton, on Jun 27 2008, 03:45 PM, said:

Do you really have Last Train agreements when you haven't agreed trump?

Yes.

When a call by partner has placed upon me a limited choice between two suits (4♣ says "pick a major" with no other alternatives), then flags are in effect.

Why are you calling it "Last Train" when it is, in fact, "Fourth Suit Forcing"?

[mr1303]

Someone (Fred I believe) once told me that you shouldn't jump shift unless you can control the auction. This looks like a case in point.

If 1S 2D
2H

is not forcing (even when responder is a passed hand) I change my system. Surely 2D still promises a good 9-10 count at a minimum. If 2H is not forcing here then I have to jump shift on every 5-4 15 count, which is completely unplayable IMO.

Therefore I bid 2H and kill partner if (s)he passes.

[han]

Jlall, on Jun 27 2008, 11:51 AM, said:

han, on Jun 27 2008, 07:45 AM, said:

1S = fine.

No love for 2D by a PH? I like it personally.

Missed that it was a passed hand.

[kenrexford]

gnasher, on Jun 29 2008, 02:41 AM, said:

kenrexford, on Jun 27 2008, 09:51 PM, said:

pclayton, on Jun 27 2008, 03:45 PM, said:

Do you really have Last Train agreements when you haven't agreed trump?

Yes.

When a call by partner has placed upon me a limited choice between two suits (4♣ says "pick a major" with no other alternatives), then flags are in effect.

Why are you calling it "Last Train" when it is, in fact, "Fourth Suit Forcing"?

Huh? I could call it "Roberto," I suppose.

The call is "Last Train" because it is a flag (sets trumps) and is below game. Thus, as a "general slam try," I use the term "Last Train."

Unless you mean the 4♣ call, which I do not call "Last Train" or "Roberto." I'm calling Opener's rebid of 4♦ after 4♣ Last Train, not the 4♣ call.

[gnasher]

kenrexford, on Jun 29 2008, 01:17 PM, said:

Huh? I could call it "Roberto," I suppose.

The call is "Last Train" because it is a flag (sets trumps) and is below game. Thus, as a "general slam try," I use the term "Last Train."

Unless you mean the 4♣ call, which I do not call "Last Train" or "Roberto." I'm calling Opener's rebid of 4♦ after 4♣ Last Train, not the 4♣ call.

Oh I'm sorry - I did mean the 4♣ call, which I erroneously thought you'd called "Last Train".

:looking like chimpanzee:

[kenrexford]

A chimpanzee named "Roberto" perhaps? LOL