[ArtK78]

I know the stated conditions will be a little unfamiliar for most of you, but I am hoping that you can adapt.

Swiss teams. IMPs converted to VPs. 8-board matches.

Round 5 of 6. Playing for a chance to win the event.

All non-vul. Partner opens a 10-12 1NT and you hold:

KJTx
KT9xx
x
KJT

You have two initial choices:

(1) Sign off in 2♥; or

(2) Invite game in a major by bidding "non-forcing" Stayman 2♣ (shows less than game forcing values - 2♦ would be forcing to game Stayman). If you bid 2♣ and partner bids 2♦, you will continue with 2♥ showing 5 hearts and invitational values. If partner bids 2 of a major over 2♣, you will have to decide whether (a) to invite or (b) to bid game.

At this point, I am not asking for what you would do over any other action or continuations.

Your move.

[These are your only choices in your system. If you don't like it, that is fine, but these are the conditions of contest.]

[MickyB]

ArtK78, on 2012-September-10, 07:22, said:

(1) Sign off in 2♥

Does pard ever raise this with four trumps?

[andy_h]

(2). If partner responds 2H I will raise to game, if partner responds 2S I will invite with 3S.

I hope we are playing something along the lines of 1NT-2C; 2D-2H; 2NT as a maximum with no fit (passing with min) just in case we have an invite based on distribution rather than HCP.

[ArtK78]

MickyB, on 2012-September-10, 07:32, said:

Does pard ever raise this with four trumps?

No, partner will not raise with 4 trump. Your sign-off is based on (presumably) a 5 card heart suit with less than invitational strength. It could be much less. Assume that a sign off in 2♥ is a drop dead bid.

By the way, for what it is worth, assume that, with 6 hearts and less than invitational values, responder would bid 3♥ preemptive.

[billw55]

Definitely invite. In fact I might just force to game, but luckily I don't have to decide that yet per the conditions

Despite partner's NT opening, this looks like a hand that I want to declare, the chance for a favorable lead around to me is high. If partner bid 2♠ over my 2♣, can I still bid hearts to play?

[phil_20686]

I would sign off I think. Find it hard to do these problems opposite unfamiliar NT ranges.

[ArtK78]

billw55, on 2012-September-10, 09:36, said:

Definitely invite. In fact I might just force to game, but luckily I don't have to decide that yet per the conditions

Despite partner's NT opening, this looks like a hand that I want to declare, the chance for a favorable lead around to me is high. If partner bid 2♠ over my 2♣, can I still bid hearts to play?

A 3♥ bid over 2♠ would show 5 hearts and invitational values, and deny 4 spades. It would not be forcing.

A 4♥ bid over 2♠ is undiscussed. As we are in a part-score or game auction (given the inital 2♣ call), and not a game or slam auction (which would have begun with 2♦), I would presume it to be natural. Partner might assume that it offers a choice of games, but I cannot guarantee that.

[aguahombre]

What would you do opposite a 14-16 notrump with the same hand distribution but failing the KJ of clubs, for instance? This question was intended for us folks unfamiliar with 10-12 to decide whether it is an invite.

Or doesn't that bromide work when the actual range is comic? Seems like it should.

[TimG]

I'll try (2): 2♥ over opener's 2♦ response; raise either major to three.

[semeai]

I think I'll bid stayman and bid 2H over 2D, 3H over 2H, and pass over 2S. I'm not sure though, due to inexperience with 10-12 NT.

Am I supposed to compare this to subtracting 5 points opposite a strong notrump? Say J109x K109xx x Q108. Or is it slightly better than that situation, because our points are more balanced between the two hands?

[aguahombre]

aguahombre, on 2012-September-10, 10:39, said:

What would you do opposite a 14-16 notrump with the same hand distribution but failing the KJ of clubs, for instance? This question was intended for us folks unfamiliar with 10-12 to decide whether it is an invite.

Or doesn't that bromide work when the actual range is comic? Seems like it should.

semeai, on 2012-September-10, 11:10, said:

Am I supposed to compare this to subtracting 5 points opposite a strong notrump? Say J109x K109xx x Q108. Or is it slightly better than that situation, because our points are more balanced between the two hands?

Does this mean we are buds, again?

[semeai]

aguahombre, on 2012-September-10, 11:21, said:

Does this mean we are buds, again?

Sure. I'd suggest this not depend on whether we agree on some bridge point, though.

[dake50]

Certainly invite even with this aceless hand.
Would like a rebid to show D-short to help partner
decide 4M or 3M.