[straube]

I'm looking to get rid of our 10-15 4H/6+D hands with a 2N opening. We've done this with 4H/6+C hands before and like any preempt we usually do well with it.

When we used to bid 2N with clubs our continuations were...
.....3C-to play
.....3D-GF relay
.....3H-to play, always a fit and could be raised
.....3S-to play, could be raised

So with diamonds we gain a step if we want to relay
.....3C-relay? Or asking strength?

So that's my primary question. I could also do...

.....3C-relay
..........3D-min
...............no more relays
..........3H-max, higher
..........3S-max, 2461
..........etc

I've a second idea which is to put the high short hands into 2N openings and the low short hands in with the 2D opening, but I think this is confusing and I'd rather not go this direction. But if the other isn't playable...

2D-6D with possible 4C or possible 4H if low short
.....2H-GF asking
..........2S-4C or 4H if low short
...............2N-asking
....................3C-4C, high short
....................3D-4H low short
....................etc-4C, low short

[whereagles]

It should be easy to devise a structure for this opening. Since it's so shapely, game becomes more likely than usual, so I would advise some invites.

Here are some ideas:

2NT ..??

3♣ = relay. Can be e.g. invitational in diamonds (opener bids 3♥ if max), sign-off in hearts, GF with 6+ spades.
3♦ = to play
3♥ = nat invitational
3♠ = puppet to 3NT. To play or slam invite (follows up with 4♣/♦ with ♦/♥ fit)
4♣ = bonus step
4x = to play


2NT ..??

3♣ = puppet to 3♦. Sign-off or slammish in a red.
3♦/♥ = nat invitational
3♠ = nat GF 6+
3NT = to play
etc..

[Zelandakh]

3♣ as INV+ relay seems like a good start. Over a 3♦ (min) rebid you could use 3♠ as a GF relay if you wanted perhaps (3NT = short spades; 4♣ = 2461; 4♦ = 3460). Since this covers GF hands with spades, the immediate 3♠ response becomes a natural invite. Seems like it should be playable. Summary:

2NT
===
3♣ = INV+ relay
... - 3♦ = min
... - ... - 3♠ = GF relay
... - ... - ... - 3NT = short spades
... - ... - ... - 4♣ = 2461
... - ... - ... - 4♦ = 3460
... - 3♥ = max, short spades
... - 3♠ = max 2461
... - 3NT = max, 3460
3♦♥ = to play
3♠ = 6+ spades, INV

[straube]

Thank you both.