[phoenixmj]

My partner chose to open 1 club - vulnerable. Opps said 1H, I passed, and opp passed, and partner bid 2d - reverse which we play as one round forcing. I had 2 points, zero clubs, and 5 diamonds.

From my perspective - we did not have a game since partner did not open 2c - and since I had support for diamonds and a void in the first suit - I made a judgement to pass.

Big mistake as it turned out. Partner had 21 points and a low losing trick count. We wound up making a game even though we only had 23 HCP - but I had 5 of our suit and a void.

I know forcing is forcing - so I screwed up. But is it ever acceptable to pass a reverse if you have a strong preference for the second bid suit? I personally would have opened 2c with partner's hand, but it is awkward to open 2c when your suits are the minors.

[apollo1201]

Opening 2C with a big 2 suiter is not recommended

Opps were kind enough to bid modestly but it is not a surprise if it gets 2C 3S pass 4S

Now you have to show a suit at the 5 level or make an ambiguous FP or 4NT 2 places to play

In all cases 2D facing a passed partner should probably be NF

With a monster 2 suiter that partner (correctly) risked to open at the 1 level rather than 2C they should do more like 3D, cue or X followed by diamonds

Then 5D comes naturally I guess

[edit] you still owe a (NF) raise to 3D despite your major Q that is likely completely useless, 5 trumps and a void deserve to be honored

[mw64ahw]

I would say that the reverse is non-forcing in this case with Pass showing a preference when Bust.
In this case you have 3 potential ♣ ruffs so your hand is worth more than 2hcp and 3♦ is warranted.
From a system perspective you can play a Multi-2♦ which frees up 2NT for a weak or very strong minor 2-suiter and takes some of the pressure from a 2♣ opening.

[fuzzyquack]

You are not forced to bid anything after you've showed nothing and partner bids again. It is different from the situation when only your side is bidding and partner reverses. Your problem falls in a different territory. You deliver at least three tricks in the play of a ♦ contract. Normally you need lots of HCP to deliver three tricks before any semblance of a fit has been found. Last, huge minor two-suiters are awful to bid after opening 2♣ and your perspective was completely wrong also because bidding 3♦ doesn't force a game.

[gszes]

always try to imagine how your hand will play opposite partners hand. There is a VERY good chance your HCP are useless but there is a VERY good chance your hand is worth 3 tricks ruffing clubs (if needed). Those potential ruffs would be worth 9 points and even opposite a minimum reverse your side would be close to 5d. Picture Ax x AKxx AQJxxx. Nowhere near a GF bid and making 6 with some luck. I do not suggest you go bananas and jump to game but at least raise to 3d which should represent around 8 useful points. If partner shows signs of life raise to game.

[pescetom]

♦I am wary to comment in what seems a US nuanced thread, but FWIW I agree that one should not open 2♣ with minors (unless you have a sub-convention to explain the hand) and disagree that you were even forced by the rever given your pass.
It looks to me automatic to raise to 3♦ all the same.

[phoenixmj]

Thanks everyone for replying. Very useful info going forward.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

the reverse by partner is certainly nonforcing, it showes a great hand, but it is nf.

You have a fit, a 9+ card fit, a ruffing value, i.e. due to your partners bidding your hand improved,
you should show the fit, a simple raise is enough, ... given the intervention, you could have a big
hand, a trap pass, so keep the ball low, a jump raise would overstate the strength.

With kind regards
Marlowe