[marmot101]

I hold:   Sx HAKJxxx DAQx CAxx

open 1H, partner 1S, what shall I bid?

3H or 3D?

I choose 3H, and partner pass, actually, he had 8HCP, we are cold in 4H. And he argued that 3H is just invitation.

In Max Hardy's book, jump shift is 19+. Since I only have 3 diamond, should I jump shift or just jump?

What's the range for opener's jump?

Thanks for your help!

[pbleighton]

Your partner was correct that 3H wasn't forcing. Your hand is a bit too strong for 3H for this reason. I would bid 3D and hold my breath - the requirement is 19+, you have 18 hcp plus 2 for length, and a great suit.

You should normally have 4 to jump shift, but sometimes you have to tell a lie ;D

[Rado]

This example is from the weakest part of the Sayc or 2/1 based systems. Without one of the Aces 3H would be good rebid, but now your hand is too strong so the smallest lie is jump-shift to 3D, even 3NT is worthing as an option. For example in French 5 card Majors systems there is an opening bid to show such type called "strong 2" good 6 cards and 17-20 Honour points - 2C=FG and 2D=any strong 2 or vice versus

[inquiry]

First, your hand only has 11 cards. I will assume since you were so careful to show a singleton in partner suit and a lack of four card diamond suit, that your hand was 1-7-3-2. If you are 1-8-3-1 my answer below is even more clear:
      Sx HAKJxxxx DAQx CAx

I disagree slightly my friends who have responded to your quiestion. First, of course, they are right that 3H is NOT FORCING, as they said. But I would simply rebid 4H not a creative 3D. The reason is what are you going to bid if you bid 3D and partner bids 3S or 3NT? You are going to bid 4H anyway. After a partner with 4D and singleton HEART Queen pulls you to 5D you will be sorry you bid an off-shape 3D.

Now, Rado is absolutely correct about this being a problem hand for 2/1. It is a double problem. First, your partner may pass 1H when holding..

A)  S-xxxxx H-xxx D-x C-xxxx    where you will miss 4H,
 S-xxxxx H-Qxx D-x C-xxxx  where you miss 6H's if you had the 1-8-3-1 hand... :-)

So the first problem in sayc and 2/1 is partner may pass when you can make a lot. The second problem is after your partner responded, you may have rebid problems (3H not forcing 3D misdiscriptive).  You could of course change to precision to handle this problem. Or you can do what I do. I expand the meaning of my 2C opening bid to include ACOL two bids in two of major. I can get away with this because my partner with a true negative hand (not a single trick of a heart contract) will respond to 2C with a 2H bid. Thus I would get to table a good hand if partner is truely broke without a heart fit. I will not describe this system here, simply because it woudl take too long to enter. But I pretty much follow the method laid out in excellent details by Chris Ryall. You can go read what he has to say. Take some time to look at his multi-2D system while you are there too.
http://www.cavendish...e/two/clubs.htm

[marmot101]

Thanks for explaination!

First, it is the actual hand I just played the day before yesterday It is 1-6-3-3 shape, which deprived me of 2NT rebid  >

Second, 1H - 1S - 3H, what's the point range for this 3H in 2/1 system? My impression is it should be at least as strong as reverse (16+). Is that right?

Last, I don't worry too much about missing a game or slam. As an ameteur player, I think Hardy's system is good enough for me  : Precision requires too much memory for me  ;D

[Rado]

Hi Marmot,
1H-1S-3H tends to show good 6 cards in H (KQxxxx or better) and good14 to bad 17 honour points:
AKJxxx +AQ is abt min (good 14)
Jx KQxxxx AQx KQ (bad 17)

Some experts recommend even AKQxxx+A to be included
Best regards, Rado

[marmot101]

Thanks, Rado!

That's helpful explaination.

Best Regards,

marmot101

[pkl]

An interesting twist would be to define 2NT as artificial showing either the strong heart-hand without support for spades or the traditional 18-19 HCP.