[jillybean]

I haven't decided the best way to present this problem. I will start by asking a question without giving you a hand.

You are playing 15-17 nt, are there any 17hcp hands that you would consider opening 1x and rebidding 2nt or do you adhere strictly
to 15-17 1nt openings?

[DavidKok]

The Milton Work count isn't the final authority on hand evaluation. There are many factors that may make a hand worth less or more than its HCP strength indicates. Some common reasons for upgrades are aces and tens, a five card suit, honours in the long suit, connecting honours and more.
There are tactical advantages to opening 1NT, but if a nominal 17-count has the playing strength of an 18- or even 19-count I think it is better to bid what I think the hand is worth.

[Cyberyeti]

AJ109x, A109, Ax, A109 is closer to a 2N opener than a 1N opener

[jillybean]

Q2

Partner did not upgrade his 1nt opening but did super accept your transfer.

---

Do you agree so far?

[DavidKok]

Yes, though I've also previously played that 3♦ is shortage (and I've seen, but never played, that it's a relay). My next bid is 4♣.

[jillybean]

---

[mw64ahw]

Cyberyeti, on 2024-October-18, 12:28, said:

AJ109x, A109, Ax, A109 is closer to a 2N opener than a 1N opener

Only a 17 count for me with 6 mod. losers

[jillybean]

---

[mw64ahw]

Q2
I play the super-accept as 3♣ and 3♥ is then semi-balanced or ♦ splinter. Now 3♠ says I have an issue with a ♦ splinter. For reference 3♦ shows GF xx55 or xx46

Your auction works although 7N may be on with 10 cards in ♣
My auctions
1N-2♠
3♣-3♥
3N-4♣ SI (higher bids show odd KCs)
4♦ even KCs - 5N all KCs, no Q♣, ♦ honour (Note: opener not concerned about ♦ splinter)
7N playing for Q♣ dropping
or
1N-2♠
3♣-3♥
3N-4N odd KCs, K/Q ♦
7N

[akwoo]

1) I don't upgrade that 17 count.

2) Unfortunately for me, the superaccept in that situation is based purely on my club holding. Any hand holding Qxx of clubs, even the rattiest 15 count, bids 2N. This is to prioritize getting to 3N when it's right (i.e. any time responder has AKxxxx of clubs) over slam finding. So responder has no idea how good opener's hand is at that point.

3) However, with opener's hand, once responder shows a hand looking for slam, I'm going straight to my keycard ask, whatever that is. I can hardly have a better hand.

[nullve]

mw64ahw, on 2024-October-18, 16:05, said:

My auctions
1N-2♠
3♣-3♥
3N-4♣ SI (higher bids show odd KCs)
4♦ even KCs - 5N all KCs, no Q♣, ♦ honour (Note: opener not concerned about ♦ splinter)
7N playing for Q♣ dropping
or
1N-2♠
3♣-3♥
3N-4N odd KCs, K/Q ♦
7N

Would the auctions be different if South's hand was

xxx
Ax
AQ
KJ98xx

or

xx
Axx
AQ
KJ98xx

?

[mw64ahw]

nullve, on 2024-October-18, 22:50, said:

Would the auctions be different if South's hand was

xxx
Ax
AQ
KJ98xx

or

xx
Axx
AQ
KJ98xx

?

Yes - I don't show Q♦ in this case. I think this issue has popped up before in a historical post.

[DavidKok]

jillybean, on 2024-October-18, 15:40, said:

---

4NT is an offer to play on this sequence.

Finding 7 missing the ♣Q seems tough. For me the club transfer could be a 5-card suit. I do not have a clear agreement about the 4♣ bid (well, it is a slam try without a spade control, but does it promise a sixth club?). If your agreements are different North may be in a position to diagnose the great fit and trick-taking potential. Arguably it is better for North to show the controls (4♦ over 4♣, showing a diamond and a spade control) and then later show the club queen plus their key cards if South asks with Blackwood. Unfortunately South will think it's the real queen, miscount North's points, and decide that the ♠K is missing. Maybe not so clever of me after all.

[Cyberyeti]

mw64ahw, on 2024-October-18, 15:42, said:

Only a 17 count for me with 6 mod. losers

Aces are massively undervalued, AJ109x is worth WAY more than 5, K&R gived 20, I would give it at least 19. It's a fine slam opposite say xxx, KQJx, Kxx, Kxx

[nullve]

jillybean, on 2024-October-18, 15:43, said:

---

Assuming standard tools such as 15-17 NT, 4-suit transfers, RKCB 0314, specific king ask, maybe


1N(1)-2♠(2)
2N(3)-4♣(4)
4N(5)-5♣(6)
5N(7)-6♦(8)
6♠(9)-7N(10)
P

(1) 15-17
(2) club transfer
(3) super-accept
(4) slam try, 6+ clubs, no shortness
(5) RKCB, suggesting controls in diamonds, hearts and spades
(6) 0 or 3 key cards
(7) specific king ask, confirming all key cards
(8) ♦K, except that Responder knows that Opener knows that Responder knows that Opener has the ♦K and that Responder is therfore now being creative. And what could be a more plausible interpretation of 6♦ than that Responder is trying to show the ♦Q? Unfortunately, 6♦ seems consistent with Responder having ♦AQ instead of ♦AQx, so Opener is still not able to count to 13 tricks.
(9) cuebid on the way to 6N. Opener knows that Responder knows that Opener has the ♥K (in fact ♠A+♥K+♦K+♣A), so cuebidding 6♥ is pointless at best. But Opener also knows that Responder doesn't know about the ♠K, so that is the card Opener is trying to show.
(10) contract (knows about ♠AK+♥K+♦K+♣A and 4+ clubs (Opener didn't ask for the trump Q, but has already shown 17 hcp outside clubs) and can therefore count to 13 tricks)

?

[jillybean]

You lost me at the specific King ask but it does seem creative.
Can responder be sure opener has ♦K, can we give him another queen,jack?

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,


I rarely downgrade / upgrade.

The HCP count is a pretty good measurement with regards to playing strength of balanced hands.
The followup seq. after a 1NT opening a usually well defined, less after a 2NT jump rebid.

You can upgrade into a NT opening, but should be wary to upgrade out of a NT opening.

Your auction was reasonable, as it is most would play 4C / 4D as some kind of RKCB for clubs.
Discovering the 10 card fit is not simple.

With kind regards
Marlowe