[Echognome]

Scoring: IMP

P - 1♦(1)
1♥(2) - 2NT(3)
3♥(4) - 3♠(5)
3NT - ?

---

(1)17+ hcp any shape
(2)0-7hcp
(3)23+ bal, game forcing
(4)Transfer to spades
(5)Completing the transfer

Are you worth another move? If so, do you bid 4♥ or 4NT?

[pclayton]

Not a good hand for the system. I'd try 4N - I don't see how 4♥ can convey extras. Maybe we can back into hearts later if pard accepts.

[mike777]

Pass.

Mr. Conservative2.

[beatrix45]

Pass
No reason on earth to place partner with 6-7 HCP as opposed to 0-5 HCP. Lack of spade fit is very much a deciding factor since even 6-7 HCP might not be enough for six, and it might place 4NT in jeopardy opposite a weaker hand.

[Al_U_Card]

Not being able to get to dummy already makes playing 3NT quite the proposition (8 tricks but then....) pass and be very very glad.

[han]

I would have thought that big diamonders, like many big clubbers, would be able to show more precise ranges than 23+.

[Echognome]

Hannie, on Nov 30 2005, 07:53 PM, said:

I would have thought that big diamonders, like many big clubbers, would be able to show more precise ranges than 23+.

In one system I play, you can game force by 2♣, but not in this system. I'm not too bothered though as the hand types are so rare. How often are you going to need to distinguish between 23-24 bal, 25-26 bal, etc.? In fact a 4NT raise by me would show 25-26, I just wasn't sure I wanted to make it. In standard you would have to open 2♣ and rebid 3NT (over 2♦), so we're no worse off.

[han]

Rebidding 4NT over 3NT with 25-26 seems unplayable when partner still hasn't shown more than a yarborough. Perhaps a relay that asks for responders hand would be best with these monsters?

In standard you would indeed rebid 3NT, but this shows 25+, it's not entirely clear if this is worse or better than 2NT showing 23+. And then there are some that play Kokish relay, which would enable you to show 25+ with 2NT.

You are of course correct that these monsters are quite rare. However, when they do come up and you can't show them then there might be a lot of IMPs at stake. Here it is not hard to imagine hands for partner that make 7NT excellent, while 4NT might be too high on a bad day.

I remember my first 29-count, I didn't have a bid for that. I improvised with 2C-2D-2S on my best 4-card suit and signed off in 3NT when partner bid the second negative. 7NT was cold, I never seem to get them right when I have to guess.

[luke warm]

Hannie, on Nov 30 2005, 02:53 PM, said:

I would have thought that big diamonders, like many big clubbers, would be able to show more precise ranges than 23+.

or at least know responder's precise shape

[Robert]

Hello everyone

I bid 1C*-1D*-2NT=23-24HCP balanced and partner may pass.

1C*-1D*-2H*-2S*-2NT=25-26HCP GF(Kokish(?) convention)
2H*=a 25-26 balanced hand or GF with hearts if anything other than 2NT is rebid.

Opening 2D*=multi weak 2M or 27-28HCP 2D-2M-2NT=27-28HCP GF

If you hold more than 28HCP you alternate back and forth with the 1C and 2D* openings to bid and follow up with by ending with 3NT to show 2HCP wide ranges.

The most I have ever held was AKJ AKx AKQ AKxx 31HCP. To this day, I still believe that the hand was 'fixed' and added to play by the club director to see how it would be bid.

Ed was a nice man, but he did have a strange sense of humor.
His club players on the day that this happens were barely beginners.

Regards,
Robert

[Free]

Poor system! After 3-level transfers (and GF) you can easily play following:
3NT = doubleton in the transfered Major, 5 card in the OM
Partner now has transfers at 4-level available and no Major fit is lost.

Now it's just a gamble. I'll probably pass or bid 4♥ suggesting to play 4M whatever is better for p.

[Fluffy]

I also think 3♠ forced while in GF is not great (althou I don't play 5 of OM, just any hand without support). But anyway I am gonna pass here.