[inquiry]

jdonn, on May 29 2007, 10:43 AM, said:

Ben, I have never played the method but why does the 2♠ bid have to promise 4 hearts, wouldn't 3 hearts and a singleton spade still be a ruffing trick for hearts?

Yes 3♥ and a stiff will work in a pinch. So far, when I have made the bid, I have had four hearts or more, however. With 3H and no singleton, I would bid 2♥. Actually, I think Chris wants wants 2♠ to include a queen somewhere, but I go with ruffing trick for hearts for this bid, as that seems best suited for the method I play.

[redbird97]

P_Marlowe, on May 29 2007, 09:45 AM, said:

redbird97, on May 29 2007, 08:42 AM, said:

Pass is in the poll because that is what our expert (real, not BBO) opponent did at the table. It is safe to say that most people play this auction forcing to 3 of a major or 4 of a minor.
<snip>

fine, ... but what was his partnership agreement
regarding the nature of 2S (forcing / non forcing)?

Just because most people play it as forcing, does not
mean a specific partnership plays it that way,
e.g. if you play a structure like Benjamin, in which case
2S is nonforcing.

With kind regards
Marlowe

This would suggest a flaw in the Benjamin system.

[P_Marlowe]

redbird97, on May 30 2007, 01:08 AM, said:

P_Marlowe, on May 29 2007, 09:45 AM, said:

redbird97, on May 29 2007, 08:42 AM, said:

Pass is in the poll because that is what our expert (real, not BBO) opponent did at the table. It is safe to say that most people play this auction forcing to 3 of a major or 4 of a minor.
<snip>

fine, ... but what was his partnership agreement
regarding the nature of 2S (forcing / non forcing)?

Just because most people play it as forcing, does not
mean a specific partnership plays it that way,
e.g. if you play a structure like Benjamin, in which case
2S is nonforcing.

With kind regards
Marlowe

This would suggest a flaw in the Benjamin system.

???

I would say, it is not the worst idea to have the
option to sign of at a low level, if partner is broke.
The Benjamin Structure has certainly flaws, but this
one it surely aint.

The Benjamin structure has a game forcing bid,
but it is not 2C, and if 2C is game forcing (or forcing to
what ever), than pass is not an option.
Pass forcing bids, and you better be right (and even than
it may not worth it, because you start destroying partnership
trust).

With kind regards
Marlowe

[jgo]

My hand was actually x,J9xx,Jxxxxx,xx.
Hearts were 3-2, Spades 4-3, so there was nothing to it.

-Jim O'Neil