[DavidKok]

I play that 1♣-1♥; 2♣ can be five, and that 1♣-1♥; 2♣-2♦ is a generic GF not promising any particular hand (though a few special ones are ruled out by failure to jump rebid by responder).
On this auction and some other related ones I prefer to raise on 3 cards over rebidding our minor suit, so those hands are ruled out and don't require bidding sequences on this start.

[pescetom]

It's an interesting drift and I encourage continuation either here on in a spin off thread.

But I am also aware that patience and attention are limited, especially at weekends

So here is what was going on on the other side.

---

Your second bid as Responder?

[DavidKok]

3♥, setting trumps and showing slam interest, demanding a control bid.

[mike777]

You didn't mention how you show the hand with 4h and long minor, weakish hand.

I suppose you can pass 2c with 11 card fit, 4h, but and weak hand.

But how do you bid the hand with h and d and weak?

[mike777]

 pescetom, on 2026-April-11, 12:58, said:

It's an interesting drift and I encourage continuation either here on in a spin off thread.

But I am also aware that patience and attention are limited, especially at weekends

So here is what was going on on the other side.

---

Your second bid as Responder?

2d then 3h over 3d

Remember opener has shown short h.

[Cyberyeti]

pescetom, on 2026-April-11, 12:58, said:

---

Your second bid as Responder?

2♦ bourke style artificial

[pescetom]

mike777, on 2026-April-11, 13:27, said:

You didn't mention how you show the hand with 4h and long minor, weakish hand.

I suppose you can pass 2c with 11 card fit, 4h, but and weak hand.

But how do you bid the hand with h and d and weak?

I bid the weak hand with 4 card hearts and long diamonds using judgement and an eye on vulnerability, like we do with so many other problem hands within a natural system.
With decent hearts show them and then listen carefully to decide what to do next, otherwise ignore them and weak jump diamonds.
I can see the issue but I don't remember it even coming up, let alone being a problem worth a convention.

[pescetom]

DavidKok, on 2026-April-11, 13:03, said:

3♥, setting trumps and showing slam interest, demanding a control bid.

As I play... but others might play this as a NF invite.

mike777, on 2026-April-11, 13:28, said:

2d then 3h over 3d
Remember opener has shown short h.

And does 3H set trumps such that 4C/4D are control-bids?
What do we do with slam interest in diamonds and hearts control?

Cyberyeti, on 2026-April-11, 14:35, said:

2♦ bourke style artificial

And then?

[mike777]

No, it does not demand H are trumps, but certainly encourages that. Again I cant ever remember this problem coming up, but always interesting to discuss.

Over 3D and slam interest I would probably just bid 4D, then 4h would be kickback, ace asking.

[pescetom]

mike777, on 2026-April-11, 15:55, said:

No, it does not demand H are trumps, but certainly encourages that. Again I cant ever remember this problem coming up, but always interesting to discuss.

That was my initial doubt about 2D not promising 5+ hearts.
After reflection I agree it is playable (not surprising if it turns out it was published in TBW in 1996 ) but I think that in that case a hearts rebid does have to set trumps, otherwise we are on shaky ground.

mike777, on 2026-April-11, 15:55, said:

Over 3D and slam interest I would probably just bid 4D, then 4h would be kickback, ace asking.

I prefer to be able to control-bid in diamonds, with or without kickback.
I can live with just 4D asking for a control-bid including 4H, but I would prefer that a jump to 4H is kickback in diamonds too (it makes little sense otherwise).

[Zelandakh]

Some generic rules for agreeing diamonds at the 3 level:
If 3♦ explicitly establishes slam interest, then 3♥ is frivolous (usually declining a slam try) and 3♠+ are control cues/asks with serious slam interest.
If 3♦ is only GF, 3M is initially a 3NT probe but can become an advance (denial) cue; 4♣ demands a cue auction (with 4♦ used for ♣); 4♦ is a general slam try; 4♥ is RKCB.

As with all such generic rules, they do need to be adapted to the specific auction.