[jillybean]

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Do I owe partner a simple raise here?

[DavidKok]

Yes.

[mikeh]

One of the advantages of playing a forcing 1N response (there are disadvantages as well, of course) is the ability to differentiate between very weak raises and more constructive raises. As an example, in my main partnership, we bid 1N. Over either 2C or 2D we bid 2H, puppeting to 2S, which we then pass. This is a variant of Bart.

If not playing a forcing notrump then raising is more dangerous since opener is going to be guessing with extras. Try for or bid game, expecting more, and turn a plus into a minus. But imo it’s better to bid than not. 2S has a very preemptive value while pass makes one an easy opponent to play against.

[mycroft]

I've been taught that an Ace is a response. Years of experience shows me that was right much more often than not. So yes.

If I can do a "weak or doubleton raise" I will do so. I will be happy to do so (I actually dislike constructive raises (except when I have one), but here it's "easier" than lying with "normal and no BART"). If not, an Ace and a ruffing value is probably as good as the worst of the 6 counts I would auto-raise on.

[jillybean]

I will *always* respond if I have an Ace but coming from the "Only 4 hcp" school, many still pass and here I languished in 1S

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1♠:1nt*
?

[mycroft]

1♠-1NT*;
3♦-4♠?

If you believe that "you don't hide controls, even with a (sub)minimum", then 3♠.

I don't mind missing a 6 that depends on picking up the trumps +. Wouldn't be upset to be in it, though; it's nowhere near the worst I've brought home. But I expect 3♠ will stop in 5, "off an ace and the ♠Q".

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I would argue, that 4S showes the 4-7 raise, a cue the limit 3 crd raise.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[mw64ahw]

Old school goes via 1N F1. I play 1N as NF with 2♥ as weak ♠ or 5♦ GI/6♦ GF. I'd look to raise if opener starts fishing.

[jillybean]

This actually has a happy ending. We are playing 2/1 f1nt, partner was unaware of 1S 1nt 2x 2S showing this hand.
We now have another bid and 1S 2S constructive.

[pescetom]

It's fashionable around here to put that hand through a 2♦ response meaning "natural, or a weak raise of spades": Opener with less than reverse strength will rebid 2♠ over which Responder can pass holding the weak raise.
I imagine that Opener with this hand would rebid 3♦.

I haven't tried it yet, suspect Davidkok and others might spot some holes in it.

[P_Marlowe]

pescetom, on 2026-January-24, 11:49, said:

It's fashionable around here to put that hand through a 2♦ response meaning "natural, or a weak raise of spades": Opener with less than reverse strength will rebid 2♠ over which Responder can pass holding the weak raise.
I imagine that Opener with this hand would rebid 3♦.

I haven't tried it yet, suspect Davidkok and others might spot some holes in it.

If natural: 2D is 5+?
Anyway, opener cannot raise to 3D with fit, so has to bid 2S, ..., somehow I have
the feeling you make things very hard, if you have a diamond fit to show it in a way,
that both side know, the fit is established.

[pescetom]

P_Marlowe, on 2026-January-24, 12:53, said:

If natural: 2D is 5+?
Anyway, opener cannot raise to 3D with fit, so has to bid 2S, ..., somehow I have
the feeling you make things very hard, if you have a diamond fit to show it in a way,
that both side know, the fit is established.

If natural then 2♦ is certainly 5+, usually GF (but some seem to play it as INV with 2C being the only GF).
I don't see that they miss a fit if Opener has 4 diamonds (or 3 in an interesting 15-16) and Responder is GF without spades fit, I imagine
1♠ - 2♦
2♠ - 2N/3♣/3♦
3/4♦ -

I don't think 2♦ can safely be doubled to show a second kind of hearts hand either, but I suspect something else is wrong with the convention.

[mike777]

 jillybean, on 2026-January-23, 08:23, said:

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Do I owe partner a simple raise here?

1NT

[jillybean]

1nt seems standard, I'm ok with 2S, let's not get me off track with any fancy 2D Italian stuff.

[pescetom]

jillybean, on 2026-January-24, 14:50, said:

1nt seems standard, I'm ok with 2S, let's not get me off track with any fancy 2D Italian stuff.