[mck4711]

All hands are played with random partnerships, no agreements.

Nr 1: Partner opens with 1D, opps dont bid, my Q: how to bid after 1S, and is my understanding correct?

KQx
QJ10xxxx
x
Q9

1D - 1H
1S - 2C*
2D** - 4H***
5C - 5H
* my understanding: 4th colour forcing, natural doesnt make sense
** my understanding: denies C-values, otherwise 2NT, shows something like 5D-4S
*** my understanding: to play
Partner had: Axxxx, -, Axxxx, KJ10

Nr 2: Partner opens with 1H, opps dont bid, my Q: sh © ould I have investigated if p has 5H, and is my understanding correct?

K10xx
AJx
QJx
QJx

1H - 1S
2S* - 3NT**
* my understanding, should show 4S or good 3S
** my understanding: p, please choose, I have most likely 4S, otherwise I would bid 4S on my own
Partner had: AJx, Kxxxx, A10x, xx

Nr 3: Partner opens 1H, RHO X, all red, my Q: pass or 2H, if 2H: what shows 2H, since free bid, is my understanding correct?

Axx
Jxx
Jxxxx
10X

1H - X - 2H* - 2S
4H - p - p - p

* my understanding: competitive, shows 4(3)H, 6-9 HCP
Partner had: xxx, AQxxx, Qx, AJx

[Hanoi5]

1. Your partner should have opened 1S. His/her 2D shows 5-4 or 6-4. 4H is to play BUT your partner had a void so he thought he was improving the contract. If 1♠ had been opened a superior 4S contract could have been reached.

2. Doesn't 1H show 5 hearts? Unless you're playing ACOL or 4-card Majors you should support partner's hearts.

3. Yes, it is competitive. It shows 3(4) hearts. 5-9/6-10/6-9 HCP's unless you have a special agreement.

[paulg]

mck4711, on 2011-July-20, 05:03, said:

All hands are played with random partnerships, no agreements.

Nr 1: Partner opens with 1D, opps dont bid, my Q: how to bid after 1S, and is my understanding correct?

KQx
QJ10xxxx
x
Q9

1D - 1H
1S - 2C*
2D** - 4H***
5C - 5H
* my understanding: 4th colour forcing, natural doesnt make sense
** my understanding: denies C-values, otherwise 2NT, shows something like 5D-4S
*** my understanding: to play
Partner had: Axxxx, -, Axxxx, KJ10

Your understanding about 2♣ and 2♦ is correct.

I think the meaning of 4♥ is open to debate, as many would believe that it shows a stronger hand than bidding 4♥ immediately over 1♠. That is, making a bid after fourth suit forcing is generally stronger than making it directly.

Your partner appears to be a beginner as most would open his hand with 1♠. So I think it is likely that he did not understand fourth suit forcing. In such circumstances bridge can be a real adventure.

mck4711, on 2011-July-20, 05:03, said:

Nr 2: Partner opens with 1H, opps dont bid, my Q: sh © ould I have investigated if p has 5H, and is my understanding correct?

K10xx
AJx
QJx
QJx

1H - 1S
2S* - 3NT**
* my understanding, should show 4S or good 3S
** my understanding: p, please choose, I have most likely 4S, otherwise I would bid 4S on my own
Partner had: AJx, Kxxxx, A10x, xx

This depends on which bidding system you think you are playing. In most countries, and almost everywhere on BBO except the Acol Club, the 1♥ opening bid would show at least five hearts. In this case you could rebid 4♥ to give partner a choice between hearts and spades as trumps.

mck4711, on 2011-July-20, 05:03, said:

Nr 3: Partner opens 1H, RHO X, all red, my Q: pass or 2H, if 2H: what shows 2H, since free bid, is my understanding correct?

Axx
Jxx
Jxxxx
10X

1H - X - 2H* - 2S
4H - p - p - p

* my understanding: competitive, shows 4(3)H, 6-9 HCP
Partner had: xxx, AQxxx, Qx, AJx

I would raise to 2♥ showing a weak raise and I think this would be considered 'expert standard'. Generally all direct heart raises over the double are pre-emptive. It looks like your partner did not know this, but your understandings were correct.

[pooltuna]

1)4♥ but no guarantees
2) You should probably bid 4♥ instead of 3NT. It is very hard for me to believe partner is 34xy and didn't bid 1NT over 1♠
3)If you are using Meckwell transfers here bid 2♦, a less than constructive ♥ raise. Otherwise just bid 2♥ to let partner you have some support.

[wank]

** my understanding: denies C-values, otherwise 2NT, shows something like 5D-4S

almost - it just means that 2♦ is the most descriptive bid he has available. if for example, he has 6 diamonds he would likely bid 2♦ now, knowing that it doesn't take up any room and he can still bid no-trumps later. with a 4153 shape with no club stp though for example he would bid 2♦ too so it doesn't guarantee the 6th diamond.

both your partners on these hands are evidently beginners. learning with beginners is very difficult as you will find yourself copying their errors. i think it's a much better idea to learn by watching expert players (ideally, not a regular partnership as they would have too many special non-natural bids you wouldn't understand)

[cloa513]

mck4711, on 2011-July-20, 05:03, said:

All hands are played with random partnerships, no agreements.

Nr 1: Partner opens with 1D, opps dont bid, my Q: how to bid after 1S, and is my understanding correct?

KQx
QJ10xxxx
x
Q9

1D - 1H
1S - 2C*
2D** - 4H***
5C - 5H
* my understanding: 4th colour forcing, natural doesnt make sense
** my understanding: denies C-values, otherwise 2NT, shows something like 5D-4S
*** my understanding: to play
Partner had: Axxxx, -, Axxxx, KJ10

Nr 2: Partner opens with 1H, opps dont bid, my Q: sh © ould I have investigated if p has 5H, and is my understanding correct?

K10xx
AJx
QJx
QJx

1H - 1S
2S* - 3NT**
* my understanding, should show 4S or good 3S
** my understanding: p, please choose, I have most likely 4S, otherwise I would bid 4S on my own
Partner had: AJx, Kxxxx, A10x, xx

Nr 3: Partner opens 1H, RHO X, all red, my Q: pass or 2H, if 2H: what shows 2H, since free bid, is my understanding correct?

Axx
Jxx
Jxxxx
10X

1H - X - 2H* - 2S
4H - p - p - p

* my understanding: competitive, shows 4(3)H, 6-9 HCP
Partner had: xxx, AQxxx, Qx, AJx

1.
Even with the bizarre opening suit choice of partner, your hand is too weak for 2C fourth suit forcing, its either 1♥ rebid 4♥ which is ambitious in itself.
If Partner was bidding half sensible, he took 2C to at least near game forcing, so you imply your hand is 6 near solid hearts and singletons in diamond and spade and 5C and too powerful to risk a pass over a simple 3C rebid -he has the right hand for you with those aces. Alert any conventional bids you bid e.g. 2C.
3.
Reasonable understanding, rediculously aggressive jump to game by partner.

[cloa513]

paulg, on 2011-July-20, 05:47, said:

Your understanding about 2♣ and 2♦ is correct.

I think the meaning of 4♥ is open to debate, as many would believe that it shows a stronger hand than bidding 4♥ immediately over 1♠. That is, making a bid after fourth suit forcing is generally stronger than making it directly.

Your partner appears to be a beginner as most would open his hand with 1♠. So I think it is likely that he did not understand fourth suit forcing. In such circumstances bridge can be a real adventure.


This depends on which bidding system you think you are playing. In most countries, and almost everywhere on BBO except the Acol Club, the 1♥ opening bid would show at least five hearts. In this case you could rebid 4♥ to give partner a choice between hearts and spades as trumps.


I would raise to 2♥ showing a weak raise and I think this would be considered 'expert standard'. Generally all direct heart raises over the double are pre-emptive. It looks like your partner did not know this, but your understandings were correct.

His raise is standard not expert standard.

Something like
x
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
would be expert standard raise

[Phil]

#1. I agree with PaulG. 4♥ logically shows a hand stronger than a direct 4♥. Why? If partner made a more encouraging call instead of 2♦, a slam is possible. 2♦however isn't good news so 4♥ is a signoff. Can partner bid over it? Partner would need a very good hand in the context of the bidding to do so.

2. In spite of the raise and our heart support, this hand screams 3N, but to bid it with heart support would be very unilateral. I will bid a forcing 3♥ and pass 3N but also offer 3N over 3♠.

3. 2♥ is clear.

[Cyberyeti]

cloa513, on 2011-July-20, 07:37, said:

1.
Even with the bizarre opening suit choice of partner, your hand is too weak for 2C fourth suit forcing, its either 1♥ rebid 4♥ which is ambitious in itself.
If Partner was bidding half sensible, he took 2C to at least near game forcing, so you imply your hand is 6 near solid hearts and singletons in diamond and spade and 5C and too powerful to risk a pass over a simple 3C rebid -he has the right hand for you with those aces. Alert any conventional bids you bid e.g. 2C.

Disagree with this, you have 6 playing tricks, playable in game opposite a hand as bad as Axxx, x, Axxxx, Kxx.

Some people play 4SF game forcing (which you're not good enough for), but if you play it inv+ as I do, this is fine. Why partner failed to bid 2♠ over 2♣ to show the 5th one I have no idea. He probably opened 1♦ because he didn't fancy 1♠-2♥-2♠ end and playing in a 5-1 fit with a 5-5 diamond fit available or similar.

[ggwhiz]

1. I prefer a direct 4♥ bid to FSF. Too quacky and min strength for any higher ambitions. Agree that pard endplayed himself by not opening 1♠ or at least bidding them again.

2. IF pard has 4♠ to go with 5♥, there is a likely hole in a minor. If they raised ♠ on 3 cards, there is likely a hole in a minor (if they have a good reason). I would bid 4♥ offering the major suit choice instead of 3nt.

3. You bid fine. Pard had a lot of ways to invite game without just bidding it.