[olien]

Hi all. I apologize in advance if this should be in the natural bidding forum. I am trying to develop sensible continuations after 1♠ - 2♥. Our 1♠ opener denies 5(332) shape and the range is 11-21 and the 2♥ response is natural and game forcing. I would like to differentiate between min and extra value heart raises as well as between strength when opener has a secondary minor (i.e. if natural, I would like 1♠ - 2♥ // 3m to show extra values). The structure that I have come up with so far looks something like this:

1♠ - 2♥:
2♠ = 6+♠ or minimum 5+♠ 4+♣
2NT = 5+♠ 4+♦ any strength
3♣ = 5+♠ 4+♣ extras
3♦ = minimum hand, 3+♥ with shortness
3♥ = 3+♥, no shortness (then serious 3NT applies, etc.)
3♠ = solid suit
3NT = extra values, exactly 3♥, some shortness
4m = extra values, 4+♥, shortness

After 1♠ - 2♥ // 2♠:
2NT = waiting, <4♣
3♣ = 4+♣
else = Natural

After 1♠ - 2♥ // 2♠ - 2NT:
3♣ = 6+♠ (then 3♦ = waiting with natural continuations)
3♦ = 5+♠ 5+♣
3♥ = Hx in ♥, 5♠ - 4♣
3♠ = 6+♠ 4♣
3NT = 5♠ 4♣, natural

After 1♠ - 2♥ // 2♠ - 3♣:
3♦ = 5+♠ 4+♣
Else = 6+♠

After 1♠ - 2♥ // 2NT:
3♣ = waiting, natural continuations
Else = Natural

After 1♠ - 2♥ // 3♦:
3♥ = relay
3♠ = double fit

1♠ - 2♥ // 3♦ - 3♥ (relay):
3♠ = 3♥ only (3NT asks LH splinter)
3NT = ♣ splinter
4♣+ = ♦ splinter, and cuebidding

Input would be much appreciated.

Thank You
Owen

[WesleyC]

I tried transfer rebids by opener in this sequence a few years back. e.g after 1S - 2H

2S = Minimum or 6+S
2NT -> ♣
3C -> ♦
3D -> Strong ♥
3H -> Weak ♥

which is basically a worse version of you're suggesting.

However, my conclusion after a few tournaments was that add all the extra definition into the heart raises wasn't useful while we still struggled on some other hands.

I think there's more value in using your extra step to handle hands with 6+S and slight extras (but non-solid) which is an otherwise tricky hand to show.

[Zelandakh]

Perhaps I am missing something but this seems easy, for example:-

2♠ = min
... - 2NT = relay
... - ... - 3m = nat
... - ... - 3♥ = nat
... - ... - 3♠ = 6 spades, 3 hearts (can switch this with 3NT, if preferred)
... - ... - 3NT = solid suit (or void splinter, if preferred)
... - ... - 4m = splinter
2NT = 1-suited, 0-2 hearts
3m = nat, extras
3♥ = nat, extras
3♠ = 6 spades, 3 hearts, extras (can switch this with 3NT, if preferred)
3NT = solid suit, extras (or void splinter, if preferred)
4m = splinter, extras

I think the OP scheme is way too specific and complicated unless it matches logic used elsewhere in the system.

[rhm]

I have submitted an article to the Bridge World with a pet idea of mine.
The idea is a simple one: After 2/1 essentially switch the meaning of the next highest bid and 2NT.
This follows Ruben's useful space principle.
Since the next highest bid is cheaper than 2NT it can take more meanings.

The next highest bid shows

1) any balanced or semi balanced hand
2) any minimum unbalanced hand with less than 6 cards in your major and where your second suit is a minor. So bidding a new minor shows extra.

All other bids promise an unbalanced hand (singleton or void somewhere) including 2NT, which is the substitution bid for the next highest bid after 2/1.

So after 1♠-2♥

2♠ shows either a balanced or semi balanced hand or a minimum hand with 5 spades and a minor suit.
2NT shows at least 6 spades and unbalanced. If you are 6♠322 you bid 2♠ followed by 3♠. The same holds true for any 5♠422 hands. You bid 2♠ before bidding your second suit.
The same holds true if you have heart support. If you raise hearts immediately you guarantee a shortage. Otherwise you bid 2♠ followed by 3♥.

This avoids the complexity of a relay system, but delivers more information than standard responses.

Rainer Herrmann

[phil_20686]

I used a scheme which I believe originally came from Kristoff Martens and was used by some Polish players I knew:

After 1s-2h

2S-> any undisclosed hand, forces 2N unless responder has v good hearts or a 3 card splinter in spades or is 55.
2N-> 18-19 bal may have 3 hearts.
3c/d = 5-5 15+
3H = 53/63 in the majors 15+ with a singleton minor
>> 3S = agree hearts, ask for the minor
>>>> 3N = club single with diamond control
>>>> 4c = diamond shortage with club control
>>>> 4d = club single no diamond control
>>>> 4h = diamond shortage no club control
>>>> 3H = agree spades ask for singleton. Responses are same steps as above.
3S = v good spades (not solid but happy to play opposite a singleton)
>> 3N = warning with void spade, opener can sit, look for new strain (normally hearts), or bid 4S anyway, or bid 4N keycard if he doesnt care.
>> 4c/d = cue for spades
>> 4h = suggesting of strain, slam try ish.
3N = 5422 15+
4m = 54(13)/6412 15+
4h = 5422 11-13
4S = slightly heavy preempt type hand. AK to 8 plus an ace typical.


after 2S-2N
>> 3c/3d/3h/3d are natural. 3c/3d min if 55 can have extras if 54. 3H is basically always a wk nt or sometimes 6322.
>> 3N = 5233 11-14
>> 4c/4d = 53(14) 11-14.
>> 4H => doesnt exist.
>> 4S = some min hand with 8 spades. Usually carries the inference that the spades are too poor for a preemt, like QT to 8 or something and an 11 count.