[camilleln]

We have a convention we learned which allows opener to respond with a 3 card major after opening a minor and partner bids a major. This convention allows responder to ask if opener has 3 or 4 in the major and his strength by bidding an artificial 2NT. Responses are similar to Ogust, 3 or 4 in the major suit and minimum or maximum values. We are trying to find out more information about this convention. Who invented it? What is it called? What are the values and distribution guidelines by both opener and responder to use it?

Example: 1C:1H:2H then responder bids 2N the artificial asking bid. Responses are 3C showing 3 in major and minimum points, 3D showing 4 in major with maximum points, 3H showing 3 in major and minimum points and 3S as 4 in major and maximum points.

[mikeh]

I suspect methods like this have several names, and are often played by people without regard to any particular name. It is a common treatment.

Responder obviously needs at least invitational values to make the call, and will generally not hold a 5 card major unless willing to play in 3N with a 5-3 fit.

My preferred response structure is different:

unbid minor = 3 card support for the major and a miniumum.

rebid minor = 3 card support and a max

3♥ = 4 card support and a minimum

3♠ = 4 card support and a maximum

3N = 4 card support and precisely 4333 (note that for me this wouldn't exist after opening 1♦, since I would open 1♣ with 4333)

4 new suit lower than the major: maximum, in context, with 4 card support and shortness in the new suit

(note that if the major is hearts, we can show a splinter in spades by jumping to 4♥)

You can tweak this approach by using 2N when the suit is spades and using 2♠ when the suit is hearts, using 2N as a substitute for whatever 2♠ would have meant otherwise. This gives you an extra step below 3M, being 2N. I leave further development to the reader.

[ArtK78]

Mike:

Would it not make more sense to rebid opener's minor with a minimum and 3 card support and bid the unbid minor with a maximum and 3 card support? That would allow responder to pass 3 of opener's minor with a 7-card major suit fit and insufficient values for game.

[fromageGB]

I have never knowingly come across this, and it seems strange, to me. So the idea is for responder to bid 2NT with a game invitational hand, and a minimum opener denying the values for game to make a bid at the 3 level with no fit other than a 4-3? I suppose it leads to interesting contracts ...