[mlhampton]

My partner and I play a variation of Jacoby 2NT that can identify opener's shortness in a side suit, or as an alternative it can show 6 trumps, or it can show 6-4-2-2 distribution, among some other options. Is there a clear priority of which to choose (for this example, I believe the choice is shortness vs trump length), or is the choice dependent on other factors with the hand. The hand is 6-4-2-1, and it is an above minimum HCP opener.

[mike777]

See Larry Cohen's modified Jacoby 2NT.
Priority is minimum with 3C response.
3D is nonmininum with shortness.
Etc. with nonmininum and no shortness.
-++++

I would add in practice 1M-2NT and the opponents are silent is somewhat rare.

Rarer still is for opener to be nonmininum

[mikeh]

I’ve put this out here before. I’ve played a lot of J2N structures, including one that looked for a side 4=4 fit in order to maximize the chances of an extra trick compared to playing in a 5=4 major (which usually requires that the 4=4 suit breaks 3=2).

However, the version I play currently is by far the best I’ve played.

After 1S 2N:

3C is any minimum. Responder will often lose interest in slam opposite a minimum and can just bid game. This keeps the defenders in the dark about opener’s shape and that can often result in an extra trick.

When responder can picture a slam opposite the ‘right’ minimum….if opener has the ‘right’ shortness…responder bids 3D, asking. Opener bids in steps…first step no shortness, next step club shortness, etc.

3D over 2N is extra values…we open light in a major but we jump to 4s over 2N is we’ve opened a bad 11 with at most 2 controls (A=2, K=1).

So 3D shows a nice 14 or more…if you need say 12 hcp to open 1S, make 3D be a nice 15+. The key is that 3D says I have only 5 spades.

Over 3D, responder will usually want to find out if opener has shortness. 3H asks, with the same step responses as after 1S 2N 3C 3D

3H over 2N shows extras and 6+ spades. That extra trump is an extra trick so distinguishing Trump length is important. Again, responder can relay with 3S to ask about shortness

3S over 2N shows an undisclosed void. Responder can ask via 3N.

3N over 2N shows a balanced 18+ hcp. It’s not an absolute slam force but so far we’ve never bid less than slam.

4 new suit shows extras, a good suit (no worse than KJ10xx) and promises first or second round control in the two side suits.


We used to use 1H 2S as J2N but now use it for something else so we use the same scheme after 1H 2N. The only wrinkle is that 1H 2N 3S 3N…we show the spade void via 4H.


The memory work is relatively low for such a powerful gadget.

[jillybean]

"3D showing extras, a nice 14 or more". oh, how times have changed.

It looks like a nice improvement on the basic modified Jacoby,