[jillybean]

Here's another hand from my game. Please note the forum this is posted in

---

[Cyberyeti]

What is X ?

[jillybean]

Good question.
I would take it as values; hearts and clubs, no spade support.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

without any add. agreement 2S looks sensible.
You have 11HCP, all players bid, this means the HCP will be evenly distributed,
and this means, p wont have a lot more than what he already has shown.
You have 4333 shape and only a 53 fit, the nice thing is, that you have xxx in
their suit.

Stay low, go plus.

If they compete to 3D you can still show a max using the red card, asking p, to
choose between defence and 3S. If this is pairs, this is another reason to stay low.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Cyberyeti]

The other question is what is the min/max for 1♠ ? this varies a lot

[jillybean]

1♠ will be a "good" 6+

[mike777]

typical 2s bid, would not think twice about it.

exactly same bid if pard promised 11+

[Cyberyeti]

jillybean, on 2025-February-16, 13:42, said:

1♠ will be a "good" 6+

In that case don't even think about going above 2♠

For us it's more 11+ and I'd consider X or 3♦.

[pescetom]

This is the N/B forum: a bit early to introduce cue raises IMO.
Partner has shown 5 cards in spades and we have fit, but he may have a fair bit less than opening strength, so a simple 2♠ raise is enough here.

[jillybean]

P_Marlowe, on 2025-February-16, 13:01, said:

Hi,

without any add. agreement 2S looks sensible.
You have 11HCP, all players bid, this means the HCP will be evenly distributed,
and this means, p wont have a lot more than what he already has shown.
You have 4333 shape and only a 53 fit, the nice thing is, that you have xxx in
their suit.

Stay low, go plus.

If they compete to 3D you can still show a max using the red card, asking p, to
choose between defence and 3S. If this is pairs, this is another reason to stay low.

With kind regards
Marlowe

All players bid, but do all players have their bid?
2♦ is an easy raise on xxx,xxx,KJxx,xxx

[jillybean]

I'm surprised shocked that no one is considering 3♦ here.

[pescetom]

jillybean, on 2025-February-16, 15:05, said:

I'm surprised shocked that no one is considering 3♦ here.

Why?
We do not teach our N/B to make cue raises (*), nor am I convinced it would be a good idea.
That is part of their initiation to intermediate.

We do teach our N/B the requisites for a 1♠ overcall (more than "good 6") and for a 2♦ raise after an overcall (not the rubbish you describe).
They need firm ground to to stand on.


(*) I have been known to do so. But that's why I am not the teacher

[mike777]

jillybean, on 2025-February-16, 15:02, said:

All players bid, but do all players have their bid?
2♦ is an easy raise on xxx,xxx,KJxx,xxx

If you want to discuss is this hand worthy of a 3D cuebid, fair enough. What is your bridge logic?
Yes RHO may raise to 2D on close to zero, so?

Yes raising to 2S here in competition is rather wide ranging and yes overcalling 1S NV is definitely wide ranging..

[Cyberyeti]

mike777, on 2025-February-16, 15:51, said:

If you want to discuss is this hand worthy of a 3D cuebid, fair enough. What is your bridge logic?
Yes RHO may raise to 2D on close to zero, so?

Yes raising to 2S here in competition is rather wide ranging and yes overcalling 1S NV is definitely wide ranging..

Well it is if you don't WJO on 5 card suits regularly

[jillybean]

mike777, on 2025-February-16, 15:51, said:

If you want to discuss is this hand worthy of a 3D cuebid, fair enough. What is your bridge logic?
Yes RHO may raise to 2D on close to zero, so?

Yes raising to 2S here in competition is rather wide ranging and yes overcalling 1S NV is definitely wide ranging..

2♠ is simply competing. I have a better hand than a simple raise. Of course I would prefer a 4th spade, C'est La Vie
I may only have one bid and not get another chance to show this strength.

[jillybean]

 pescetom, on 2025-February-16, 15:37, said:

We do teach our N/B the requisites for a 1♠ overcall (more than "good 6") and for a 2♦ raise after an overcall (not the rubbish you describe).
They need firm ground to to stand on.

How are your N/B's fare in today's highly competitive auctions?

[akwoo]

South's 2♦ bid definitely improves your hand (it's much less likely that partner has Axx or xxx in diamonds), but I'm still going low with 2♠. Yes those are very good 11 hcp, but you're also completely flat. Having 4333 distribution makes this quite possibly a hand that will be under on total tricks.

If partner has a good 14 count, they'll probably make another noise, and you should be very enthusiastic if they do. (Even if partner makes a noise showing a 6th spade and only 11-12, you should go; you're making 4♠ opposite AKxxxx Kxx x Jxx, but note the importance of that 6th spade.)

I'd consider 3♦ vulnerable at IMPs opposite a fairly timid partner.

[P_Marlowe]

jillybean, on 2025-February-16, 13:42, said:

1♠ will be a "good" 6+

The weaker 1S could be, the more attractive 2S gets.

[P_Marlowe]

jillybean, on 2025-February-16, 15:05, said:

I'm surprised shocked that no one is considering 3♦ here.

You can make the cue, it would be an overbid, but not a huge one.
2S is certainly an underbid, but again, not a huge one. Take your pick.
Also take into consideration, on what hands p will (not) make a 1S
overcall at the given colors, position.

If p has an average hand for his overcall, chances that game is good,
are not very high.
We play methods, that enable us to differentiate between a weak raise
and a constructive raise, that would still allow us to play 2S,
this can be achieved by playing xfer after an overcall, but this is not
N/B stuff.

N/B stuff: your hand does not get stronger, if they could have a weak hand
for their auction. Assuming the opponents always have min for their actions
is usually wrong, but knowing the possible joker helps, see above.
Pairs scoring favors going plus.

[mw64ahw]

I'm surprised you would even consider a 3♦ cue-bid. This may show 3-card support, safety playing at the 3-level and asking if opener has more.


Responder has a basic pre-revaluation mod. loser count of 8.5 opposite a potential minimum of 9.5 and barely scrapes in at the 2-level. Yes you have points, but no ruffs.