[AL78]

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MPs, playing Benj Acol (4CM, weak NT), 2♦ is a good 9+ HCP. What do you do now?

[jillybean]

Does 2D promise a rebid? And it shows diamonds ?

[AL78]

jillybean, on 2025-February-01, 15:12, said:

Does 2D promise a rebid? And it shows diamonds ?

Yes it shows diamonds and no it doesn't promise a rebid. If I bid 2♠ for example partner can pass with a minimal 9 or bad 10 count.

[Cyberyeti]

What arrangements are being played ? what is 4♦ ? forcing ? minorwood ?

[AL78]

Cyberyeti, on 2025-February-01, 16:14, said:

What arrangements are being played ? what is 4♦ ? forcing ? minorwood ?

Agreements were minimal, we haven't played together for a couple of years and she doesn't like being burdened with a lot of agreements. 4♦ is natural and forcing, slam interest. We have 4NT available as RKCB.

[mw64ahw]

I hope 3♠ is forcing.

[AL78]

mw64ahw, on 2025-February-01, 16:59, said:

I hope 3♠ is forcing.

Yes, 3♠ is forcing to game.

[jillybean]

3C

[mikeh]

Seems pretty simple to me. Admittedly I’d never have the auction since I always play 2/1. But assuming 2D promises 5 (realizing as I type this that it may not but surely nobody bids 2 D with Qxxx) we keycard

I can’t think of a single sequence where we don’t end up keycarding at some point. xxx xxx KQxx xxx will usually be safe in 5D and the more likely minimums with xx Kxx Kxxxx QJx….I have to swallow hard to imagine that’s 2D would be very unlucky to fail. Meanwhile x xxx KJxxx Axxx is a decent slam and who’d cuebid over 4D?

Jb…..never, ever conceal huge primary support. 3C shows spades and clubs. No matter what you do next, partner will never play you for good diamonds. Bid your hand. Tell partner what you have. Don’t make up bids when you have a clear forcing raise…if you don’t like 4N, bid 4D

Bidding is a dialogue. You can’t expect partner to cooperate intelligently when you lie to her.

Picture 1S 2D 3C 3N. If you bid 4N, its quantitative. If you bid 4D you show a big hand with 5=1=3=4 shape.

And so on. I know you play with partners who often don’t know how to bid in cooperative auctions, but they’re never going to improve if you don’t try yourself. Quit masterminding. It’s bad for you and bad for partner.

As for rebidding spades, sure 3S is forcing but….same comments as I addressed to jb.

Meanwhile, opposite 3 keycards, we bid grand unless 2D could be 4 cards in which case we ask for the queen.

[jillybean]

I find this a little ironic, we are launching into keycard opposite a "good 9" , but I see we can always retreat to 5D

[smerriman]

 jillybean, on 2025-February-01, 19:26, said:

I find this a little ironic, we are launching into keycard opposite a "good 9" , but I see we can always retreat to 5D

It goes to show how powerful this is, opposite 2 keycards you're almost cold for slam, and that's only a 7 count, let alone a good 9.

[jillybean]

smerriman, on 2025-February-01, 19:37, said:

It goes to show how powerful this is, opposite 2 keycards you're almost cold for slam, and that's only a 7 count, let alone a good 9.

Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing the hand.

[mikeh]

jillybean, on 2025-February-01, 19:26, said:

I find this a little ironic, we are launching into keycard opposite a "good 9" , but I see we can always retreat to 5D

Why is it ironic? Why not look at playing strength, fit, potential for tricks. You shouldn’t worry about hcp. As I’ve tried to say so many times, hcp don’t take tricks. Cards do. Give the opps the ‘right’ 15 count and 7D is cold. Why can’t you see that?

The only things you need to know are side aces and the diamond KQ. Guess what information keycard provides

[jillybean]

mikeh, on 2025-February-01, 21:43, said:

Why is it ironic? Why not look at playing strength, fit, potential for tricks. You shouldn’t worry about hcp. As I’ve tried to say so many times, hcp don’t take tricks. Cards do. Give the opps the ‘right’ 15 count and 7D is cold. Why can’t you see that?

The only things you need to know are side aces and the diamond KQ. Guess what information keycard provides

I can see that. It light of recent posts, I'm bending over backwards not to use 4nt as a slam try.

I realize this hand is the perfect hand to keycard. if we change the hand a little, move ♠3 to the heart suit.
1♠ 2♦ 3♣ 3nt 4♦ does 3♣ become an advanced cue?

[thepossum]

AL78, on 2025-February-01, 14:51, said:

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MPs, playing Benj Acol (4CM, weak NT), 2♦ is a good 9+ HCP. What do you do now?

4C splinter? Get a 4 heart control Voila

I know it's MPs