[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

the following came up in a bidding training session.

All Red, you hold in 2nd seat

♠ 963
♥ K2
♦ AT98654
♣ Q

The bidding

(1♣) - 1♦ (1) - (1♥) - 1♠ (2)
(X (3)) - ??? (4)


(1) You cant bid 2♦, this would show the majors, and the hand is too weak for 3♦ in your methods
(2) 5+, NF, constructive values
(3) Support
(4) Your choice?

Your options seem to be 2♦ and 2♠, if you go with 2♦, how high are you willing to show the
spade fit?

[shyams]

I would raise partner and bid 2♠.

To me, there are two benefits: (a) It establishes a fit for our side (at least 5-3), and (b) If 3rd seat wishes to compete over 2♠, he'd be bidding at the 3-level.

[Cyberyeti]

What are 2♣ and 2♥ ?

[P_Marlowe]

Cyberyeti, on 2024-February-07, 14:59, said:

What are 2♣ and 2♥ ?

Undiscussed, ..., most likely showing shortage and some sort of spade fit.
In case it matters, 2S instead of 1S would have been fit showing, 3 card support
would have been sufficient.

[Tramticket]

The club queen and heart king are probably not worth much. But I have three cards in partner's suit, so a courtesy raise is indicated.

[pescetom]

Does 1♠ have any nuance of ♦ fit/misfit?
Unless it suggests fit, I would certainly raise spades here.

As an aside, maybe you have a problem in methods if neither diamonds jump is available as long and weak?
I play both 2♣ and 2♦ as twin suit bids, but 3♦ shows this hand (non-vulnerable or Friday, at least).

[mw64ahw]

It's a bit more than a courtesy raise for me even with K♥ offside and Q♣ so 2♣. Partner can revert to 2♠ if minimum.

[AL78]

Put me down for a spade raise. Support with support especially in a competitive auction holding the boss suit.

[Gilithin]

A possible agreement here is for 2♠ to show a raise with a spade honour and XX to show something like ♠xxx. If you play this, you can leave it in partner's hands whether to bid over their presumed 2♥ or to defend. Also, I really dislike the methods. Losing the WJO is a big deal and you don't appear to be getting very much in return, particularly when you also take 3♦ away as well.

[jillybean]

AL78, on 2024-February-07, 15:47, said:

Put me down for a spade raise. Support with support especially in a competitive auction holding the boss suit.

This is what I preach.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I also try / like to show support as fast as possible, the training session was a good refresher,
I tried sensible alternative auctions on several bords and did not feel happy in the auction.

As it was, I decided to show my 7 carder supressing the fit for the moment, treating the hand as
a single suiter, intending to bid 2S the next round. The bidding exploded and 4H came back.
I chickened out, and ..., as far as I could tell 4H had good chances, 4S would have been reasonable
cheap, altough it is unclear, if partner would have taken the push, his suit was rotten.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Gilithin]

P_Marlowe, on 2024-February-08, 00:34, said:

Hi,

I also try / like to show support as fast as possible, the training session was a good refresher,
I tried sensible alternative auctions on several bords and did not feel happy in the auction.

Going back to my post, you never told us what XX would have meant for your partnership.

[P_Marlowe]

Gilithin, on 2024-February-08, 07:50, said:

Going back to my post, you never told us what XX would have meant for your partnership.

Sry missed it, XX showes add. strength.

[Gilithin]

P_Marlowe, on 2024-February-08, 10:20, said:

Sry missed it, XX showes add. strength.

Is that really a necessity given that the Double did not take up any bidding room? It seems to me that both Support (ie ♠Hx) and the Double I suggested (♠xxx, I think Rosencrantz but I always get those confused) both offer something extra here compared with general strength showing, not only in the auction but also in the quite probable case that we have to defend.