Help please explaining spiral responses over Jacoby 2NT

#1 mike777

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Posted Yesterday, 14:57

Sorry for the long post.

I understand this is a basic version of modern Jacoby 2NT.

I get a bit lost by what or how the spiral responses work.
Can anyone explain in plain English how they work with examples?

Please assume I have no idea or experience with Spiral responses.

Thank you in advance.
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Jacoby 2N Responses

1. 3C=any minimum

3D asks for shortness

3H=shortness

3S asks where

3N= void- next step asks (note: when H are trump, you cannot show spade void )

Steps 2-4 =stiff with spiral responses

3S= 5422

3NT asks for 4 card suit –spiral responses

3N=6+ M no shortness

4M=5332 with 1 or more controls outside the trump suit

3H=non min w void-3S asks w spiral responses

3S,3N,4C=Non minimum stiff spiral responses
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2. 3D=non minimum w shortness

3H asks

3S=void-Next step asks with spiral responses

3N,4C ,4D stiff spiral responses
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3. 3H=non min with 5422 shape-3S asks w spiral responses

4. 3S=non min with 6322 or 7222 distribution

5.3NT =18-19

6. 4m=5-5 w/2 of top 3 honors in 2nd suit+ a control in the fragment

7. 4M=balanced with no control outside the trump suit

#2 jillybean

hooked

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Posted Yesterday, 17:17

I don't know spiral over Jacoby but will be interested to hear responses

I play
3C min hand, with shortness. (3D asks where, step responses)
3D any hand, no shortage
3H Club shortage , extras
3S Diamond shortage, extras
3N Shortage in oM, extras

"And no matter what methods you play, it is essential, for anyone aspiring to learn to be a good player, to learn the importance of bidding shape properly. MikeH
"100% certain that many excellent players would disagree. This is far more about style/judgment than right vs. wrong." Fred

#3 smerriman

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Posted Yesterday, 18:53

Don't know too much about spiral myself either, but I suspect there's no major relation between it and Jacoby 2NT, more that it's this partnership's preferred way to exchange information at later stages in auctions. Where you put honors in a fixed order, and then each time you have a card in that list, you skip the next bid, so partner can tell what you have / are missing.

A better handviewer
Reverse engineering GIB, part 1: A treatise on the insanity of bidding simulations