[pescetom]

Mentoring a beginner in the I/B tournament, almost all in 4♥+2 here (I sneaked 4♠+3 on a clubs lead).
Not an easy hand to bid at any level, at least playing 2/1.
How would it have gone with your usual partner and opponents?

MP

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[mw64ahw]

Indeed a tricky one

I have two potential approaches
1. playing transfers over 1♠-1N
2♣ would be
a) 5x4x limited
b) 5xx4 strong
c) 52x4 limited
d) 55xx invitational
Two issues
a) 1N is non-forcing opposite a balanced hand
b) a simple preference for 2♦ may be too weak
Now opener has space to show shape and after 4♥ the onus is on opener to move forward.

Edit: 1b playing a non transfer approach after 2♣, 2N shows 55 in the unbid suits, then 3 & 4♥ again with the onus on opener to make the slam try. The use of 2N is one of those benefits I find not playing a 2/1 game forcing approach.

2. 2♦ 5♥ 10+, or 6♥ 8-10
Given the shape I favour this approach despite the weak hcp. Again shape can be established, but here a slam move is more likely.

I doubt I'd end in ♠

[jillybean]

t would be ugly any way any normal player would bid it, next

[mike777]

Possible

1S-1NT
3NT-then. .

Maybe 6H?

I am biased seeing the hands

[pescetom]

 mike777, on 2026-March-09, 19:10, said:

Possible

1S-1NT
3NT-then. .

Maybe 6H?

I am biased seeing the hands

I don't understand 3NT rather than 2NT?
After that, as East I might bid 3H and then pull 3NT to 4D, elicting 4H. I don't think I have the courage to Keycard over that. But with a partner I trust I might control bid 4S (yes, a singleton in his suit) hoping to hear 5D.


Of course we are biased seeing the hands.

[mike777]

3NT shows a bigger hand, solid spades.
Certainly not a perfect bid, thus the problem...

2NT is very passable.

I would add it does show good values outside of solid spades. With only a solid major we can open a "gambling" 3NT

[pescetom]

 mike777, on 2026-March-10, 07:28, said:

3NT shows a bigger hand, solid spades.
Certainly not a perfect bid, thus the problem...

2NT is very passable.

I would add it does show good values outside of solid spades. With only a solid major we can open a "gambling" 3NT

My system designer is not a great fan of suit quality requirements or low frequency.
For us 3NT has to have the opening suit 6th as well as a hand strong enough to force to game.
But to each his own.

[mike777]

Yes, having that sixth spade is nicer.
Thus the problem, not a perfect bid

[pescetom]

 jillybean, on 2026-March-09, 18:26, said:

t would be ugly any way any normal player would bid it, next

I doubt many of our "normal" players went through 1NT semi-forcing with the hand of East.
1S - 3H
4H - P
Is neither ugly nor impractical, although I dislike it all the same.

[Cyberyeti]

Playing what I play:

1♠-1N
2N-4♦
4♥

[jillybean]

pescetom, on 2026-March-10, 09:27, said:

I doubt many of our "normal" players went through 1NT semi-forcing with the hand of East.
1S - 3H
4H - P
Is neither ugly nor impractical, although I dislike it all the same.

I guess on a global basis, normal is quite different