[dickiegera]

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we play liebenshol over interference so 3♦ would be stayman which works great if 4-4

however being 5-4 is there something better?

Also if 5-5 majors would 4♦ cover this?

thank you

[Cyberyeti]

I think 3N is likely to play worse than 4♠ a lot of the time when partner is 2-3 in the majors, I would bid 3♦ and pull 3N to 4♠. I don't know of a system bid with a worse spade suit where 3N is more likely to be right.

[apollo1201]

5-4 hands are hard to handle after intervention. Especially considering contracts might play better from partner’s hand, which Lebensohl doesn't help.
I think I’d go with 3D and respect partner’s 3NT, if it promises a stopper. If it doesn’t, I’ll take my chances at 4S like Cyber.
Maybe Xing then cuebidding 3D over 2NT will elicit a 3-cd major from partner, or confirm a clear stopper.

[Cyberyeti]

apollo1201, on 2020-November-09, 13:44, said:

5-4 hands are hard to handle after intervention. Especially considering contracts might play better from partner’s hand, which Lebensohl doesn't help.
I think I’d go with 3D and respect partner’s 3NT, if it promises a stopper. If it doesn’t, I’ll take my chances at 4S like Cyber.
Maybe Xing then cuebidding 3D over 2NT will elicit a 3-cd major from partner, or confirm a clear stopper.

Well 3N should promise a stopper as we can bid 3♦ or 2N-3♣-3♦ one showing a stop the other denying

[Vampyr]

With 5-5 you can bid 3♠ and then pull 3NT to 4♥.

[helene_t]

apollo1201, on 2020-November-09, 13:44, said:

Maybe Xing then cuebidding 3D over 2NT will elicit a 3-cd major from partner, or confirm a clear stopper.

Yes, if we play negative doubles then this sounds right.

If double is not negative, I think I will go with 3♦ and then pass 3NT, although Cyberyeti may be right that we should pull to 4♠.

I really want to play transfers over interference (I find it more important than transfers without interference), but transfers won't help us find the fit on this hand.

[apollo1201]

helene_t, on 2020-November-09, 14:58, said:

I really want to play transfers over interference (I find it more important than transfers without interference), but transfers won't help us find the fit on this hand.

I think it is manageable. Not sure if that is standard but that is how I would react hoping partner is on the same wavelength.
3C transfer to 3D (hence Stayman) over which opener will bid:
- 3D with no good news
- 3H (4H and maybe 4S) or 3S (denying 4H)
- 3NT with stoppers.

You can raise 3M, think over 3NT, and bid the M you don’t have over 3D so partner can bid his 3-cd suit, NT with stoppers or gulp at 4C.

A bit far fetched but logical if you want to transfer all to opener.