[pclayton]

As Ben had requested in Justin's thread, here is a synopsis of what I play IRL:

After 2♣ - 2♦ - 3 major = 4 of a major. The floor for this call should be about 22 points and probably 3 losers. With less, open the minor and make a GF jump shift.

This call is forcing through 4 of the minor. The idea is in development, but here's the responses we are looking at:

After 2♣ - 2♦ - 3♥:

--3♠ is a double negative or spades - 0-3 (side note: because of Kokish, I don't want to start playing 2♥ over 2♣ as drek; I may change this opinion).
--3N is natural and constructive
--4♣ is natural and constructive
--4♦ is natural and contructive
--4♥ is natural, but limited
--I don't know what 4♠ is; probably a splinter for diamonds
--4N is quantitiative; 7-9 I'd say.
--5♣ is a splinter
--5♦ is a raise; no outside A or K, s or v.

After 2♣ - 2♦ - 3♠:

--3N tends to be the dog hand. Opener can pass, but we've jammed ourselves pretty badly and its tough to work out stoppers.
--4♣ and 4♥ are natural and constructive, although 4♥ should be forcing.
--4♦ is forcing
--4♠ is constructive
--4N is quantitative.

The biggest gap I'd like to try to resolve is how to make a slam try by responder with 4 card support for opener. The only logical call right now is a direct 5 of the major, but this is such a waste of space.

What I'm thinking is this:

After 2♣ - 2♦ - 3♥...[

3♠ is a puppet to 3N, then:

--4♣ is limited (where a direct 4♣ is a slam try), but still a one round force
--4♦ is a signoff (where a direct 4♦ is a slam try)
--4♥ is a signoff (and a direct 4♥ is FORCING)
--4♠ is a signoff, and shows a hand with long weak spades.

[B]After 2♣ - 2♦ - 3♠:

3N is constructive but can be passed;

4♣ puppets to 4♦ (responder can pass), then:

--4♥ is a suggestion to play with a weak hand a lot of hearts
--4♠ is a signoff (direct 4♠ is forcing)
--5♣ is a signoff

[inquiry]

Thanks.. will keep 2♥ as double negative so the full response you use are not exactly applicable.

I see you left out 2C-2D-3C and 2C-2D-3D, clearly no four card major for these rebids. Do you play 3M over either by responder as five card suit or stopper locations?

Do you use 2C-2D-3C-3D as stayman like looking for second suit?

[inquiry]

One reason I am starting to really like this bid is that.

• My 2D bid promises at least one trick (it is semi-positive or better)
  
• I will not have two five card or longer suits, so 3♥ and 3♠ will be exactly 4 card suit
  
• I will not have 5440 distribution, so I will be 5431 or longer diamonds, never longer major
  
• I don't need the second negative you used, which I think is better than your treatment ---(yes you should switch to 2♥ instant double negative)

I might make the first substantial change to my method in a long time to add this. I am not convinced the optional blackwood I have now is useful anyway, which explains my post on that use of the jump to 3H or 3S. I will add probably add 2C-2S as balanced 8+ as well. The real need for two double negatives has not panned out to be that useful.

[pclayton]

inquiry, on Feb 28 2007, 01:22 PM, said:

Thanks.. will keep 2♥ as double negative so the full response you use are not exactly applicable.

I see you left out 2C-2D-3C and 2C-2D-3D, clearly no four card major for these rebids. Do you play 3M over either by responder as five card suit or stopper locations?

Do you use 2C-2D-3C-3D as stayman like looking for second suit?

Yeah; 3♦ denies a 4 card major (pretty much), so 3M definitely promises 5.

3♦ over 3♣ is the proverbial punt / stayman.

[whereagles]

You guys don't like this scheme?

2♣ 2♦ = waiting, GF
2♣ 2♥ = double negative, 0-3
2♣ else = nat, good suit GF

Nat follow-ups, except after the dbl neg. In that case opener rebids in transfer:

2♣ 2♥
2♠ = balanced, 23+ unlimited. Resp bids now as if opener had bid 2NT
2NT...3♥ = transfer. Gives opener a chance to bid again with a monster
3♠ = 5♠+4♥ GF, which is hard to bid otherwise
else = nat

The only problems I see with this are
1. the memory work for a casual pardship
2. sometimes strong hand becomes dummy