Hi all. \u00a0I want to clarify a few items from today’s lesson. \u00a0The potential for confusion was a bit higher today than usual because there were some treatments with alternatives. \u00a0Furthermore, the choice in one area influences the choice in other areas.<\/p>\n
In all of the discussion below we assume your partner opens 1NT (15-17 HCP balanced).<\/p>\n
The first item to clear up are the meanings of the auctions 1NT – 2C – 2D – 2H\/2S. \u00a0There are two reasonable ways of treating these sequences. \u00a0If there’s a standard meaning this sequence shows that responder has 8-9 HCP, 5 cards in the bid major, and 4 cards in the other major. \u00a0However a large population play that as a sign-off with 5 in the bid major and 4 in the other major. \u00a0That’s my personal preference. \u00a0If you were there you heard that Jennifer Christman does it the other way in several partnerships. \u00a0If I were playing with a random stranger I would take this sequence as invitational. \u00a0With the 0-7 HCP hand, 5-4 in the majors I would transfer to the 5 card suit and stop. \u00a0You need to discuss this with your regular partner. \u00a0Either way of doing it works, but you need to agree.<\/p>\n
If you choose to play the sequence above as a sign-off you need to figure out how to bid the hands with 8-9 HCP and the same distribution. \u00a0In that case you transfer to the 5 card suit and you bid the 4 card suit. \u00a0With 5 hearts and 4 spades you get this nice auction: \u00a01NT – 2D – 2H – 2S. \u00a0The opener can choose a game or part score contract. \u00a0With 5 spades and 4 hearts it’s a bit messier: \u00a01NT – 2H – 2S – 3H has a wider range in distribution (does it show 4 hearts or 5?) and HCP (can opener stop in a dime at the 3 level?). \u00a0One tool that can help with this is the use of 3H and 3S responses to 1NT to show 5-5 in the majors.<\/p>\n
Now the sequence 1NT – 2H – 2S – 3H should show 5 spades, 4 hearts, and invitational values. \u00a0Opener can pass, but usually won’t.<\/p>\n
This is another area where you have a choice. \u00a0The standard way to bid this\u00a0(see ACBL Standard American Yellow Card, for example) is to start with Stayman and jump in the 5 card major after a 2D answer. \u00a0For example: \u00a01NT – 2C – 2D – 3H shows 5 hearts, 4 spades, and 10+ HCP. \u00a0It’s forcing to game. \u00a0This does have the disadvantage that responder becomes the declarer if you play in the major. \u00a0A common alternative, adopted nearly universally by experienced players is a convention called Smolen<\/strong>. \u00a0Instead of jumping in the 5 card major you jump in the other major. Looking at the same auction: \u00a01NT – 2C – 2D – 3H responder shows 5 spades<\/em>, 4 hearts and game forcing values.<\/p>\n It doesn’t matter whether you play it as standard or Smolen; it doesn’t really affect the rest of the system. \u00a0In the opinion of most Smolen has an advantage, but if the memory strain is too much you don’t have to do it.<\/p>\n As I think I mentioned near the end, this is a simplification. \u00a0The really saying should be something like “You can’t bid Stayman and then rebid 2NT with fewer than 8 HCP.” \u00a0You can use Stayman with weaker hands to try to find a 2 level suit contract using Garbage Stayman: \u00a0Weak hands short in clubs. \u00a0Example xxxx xxxx xxxx x. \u00a0You bid 2C and pass your partner’s response.<\/p>\n If I confused you in any other way then send me a note. \u00a0I’ll correct it here and in the next lesson.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hi all. \u00a0I want to clarify a few items from today’s lesson. \u00a0The potential for confusion was a bit higher today than usual because there were some treatments with alternatives. \u00a0Furthermore, the choice in one area influences the choice in…“You can’t bid Stayman with less than 8 HCP”<\/h2>\n
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