From: steinhau@Lise.Unit.NO (Steinar Hauan)
Subject: Re: Problems from Portland
Keywords: Just two fewer mistakes...
Organization: Norwegian Institute of Technology
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 92 03:35:13 GMT

In article <1992Nov19.181842.13023@linus.mitre.org>, bs@fatima.mitre.org (Robert D. Silverman) writes:
 > :4. Both vul. South dealer. You are North: QJ95, T97, AKT762, void
 > :
 > :West   North   East   South
 > :                      1S-1     1. 11-15 HCP, at least 4 spades
 > :pass   2C-2    2H     pass-*   2. artificial, forcing to game
 > 
 > 				In your VOID???? Do you mean 2D?
 >  
 > If you really mean that 2C is just an artificial GF, then how do
 > you bid clubs? What are your methods? How do you show suits?
 > 
 > :3H     ?                          opener may not pass short of game
 > :                                  2C bidder may pass short of game on misfit
 >  
 > Is 3S weaker or stronger than 4S here?
 > 
 > Damn it! Noone can know what to do here. We don't know your methods.
 > Assuming partner's pass shows what you detailed (omitted), I just
 > signoff in game, assuming that 4S does not show extras.
 > 
 > The problem with your methods, is that if the opponents sack,
 > you still haven't told partner you have diamonds! How can he make
 > an intelligent decision? Would 4D over 3H show extras? Does it
 > just show a suit? There is no way to show both diamonds and spades
 > over 3H, so you've been screwed by your own system.

Playing relay-precision, this is a quite common position.
[ Except partners 1Sp would show 11-15 HCP, 5 + spades.
  If I want to force to game, I'll call 1NT instead of 2C.]

Pass on 2H shows a minimum with no interest in playing hearts doubled.
Most likely this bid is based on 5332 or 6+ spades with no side suit or
5-2-4-2/5-2-2-4 hand. Unless the distribution is 5332 with no heart honours,
partner has minimum (11-13) HCP.

Dbl   = suggestion for penalties, 3 good or 4 hearts.
2NT   = exact 6 spades MAX, no side suit.
3C/3D = 5 Sp + 5 minor suit or 4 minor and MAX
3H/3S = 6+ Sp + 5+ minor suit (3H => clubs, 3S => diamonds)
3NT   = 5332, MAX, one heart loser.
4C/D  = 6+sp and 5+minor
4H    = 7+Sp, MAX, no side suit.
4S    = 7+Sp, min, no side suit.

Conclusions : partner has a minimum hand and bad distribution.
I'll bid 3SP = natural, asking for possible cue bids.
Unless partner produces 4HJ, I'll call 4 S as signoff.
(4C shows honours without real value, 4 D misfit.
  If partner has both club AND H cuebid, our Spades are too weak.
  as partner didn't have 2 heart stoppers....)

4Sp would be a sign off, saying 'We'll play 4 Sp partner'
  
 > 
 > :5. NS vul. East dealer. You are South: 9, J4, AK7654, JT94
 > :
 > :West   North   East   South
 > :               pass   ?
 > :
 > :Do you preempt or not?
 >  
 > Of course I do. I'm in second seat and have a perfect weak 2D call.
 > Why is this a problem?


I consider this a hand to be opened 1D (still playing relay precision).
[opening bid shows 11-15 HCP and 1+ diamonds ]
If partner produces 1H (game forcing OR natural hearts), I'll bid 2D
denying 4 hearts and 4 spades, showing minimum and 6+ diamonds.

Playing a natural system I either pass or open 1D.
Defending against a weak 2D is seldom hard anyway...
 	
** Steinar Hauan                            /     Internet adress :        **
**                                          /        steinhau@             **
** Department of Chemical Engineering       / {flipper,lise,alkymi,kjemi}  **
** Norwegian institute of Technologi (NTH)  /        .unit.no              **

Any fool can play 7NT with 19 cold tricks - It takes expertise going down....