[jillybean]

---

[mike777]

3D

[pescetom]

If 4SF is a game force and I know partner's style well, then 3D.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I would bid 3NT.

Ok, we have 16HCP, but we are bal.
To a certain degree it does not really matter, if 2H was GF or inv.+,
but if it was gf, fine ..., we have 1 Ace more than we have shown,
if p has enough to give slam a chance, he will move, if it was only inv.+,
2NT was min anyway.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[jillybean]

2♥ gf, isn't that universal?

---

[Cyberyeti]

jillybean, on 2026-May-17, 06:38, said:

2♥ gf, isn't that universal?

---

Nope, we play 4SF F2N/3♦ at the 2 level.

We would start

1♦(4+)-2♦(inv+ not denying 4M)
3♣-3♠
3N

Then unclear, not sure whether I want to be in 6♦ or not when seeing both hands, and not clear if I'd bid it.

[jillybean]

Cyberyeti, on 2026-May-17, 07:06, said:

1♦(4+)-2♦(inv+ not denying 4M)

I like this method, but it is not popular in North America.

My partners subsequent bid was surprising, I will hold off on our auction until others have contributed.

[P_Marlowe]

jillybean, on 2026-May-17, 06:38, said:

2♥ gf, isn't that universal?

---

FSF as GF is the modern standard, but the diff is not that big, we still play it as inv.+.
Given that 3D should show slam inerest, and given that you have lots of Aces, ..., the only minus
being the shortage in spade, you have to do something, ..., either 3H or 4D.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[jillybean]

I find inv+ sequences difficult.

If you continue with 3♥, are you any wiser after 3♠ and likewise, 4♦ 4♠, it looks like a signoff

[pescetom]

 jillybean, on 2026-May-17, 06:38, said:

2♥ gf, isn't that universal?

Nope, some people still play it as a one round force, either always (at 2nd level) or when the suit is lower rank than the suit of first response.
And few over here would consider 1C 1D; 1H 1S as forcing more than one round (without spades we could bid 2C which is still forcing).

[mike777]

 jillybean, on 2026-May-17, 06:38, said:

2♥ gf, isn't that universal?

---

I would definitely assume 2H is Gf


Expect to get to 6D now, after a bunch of control bidding.
Not a great slam, however I have been in worse.

Kind of decision that can win or lose a short swiss team match or even a 16 bd knockout bracket round.


I might bid it a bit more artificial and end up in 3NT or 6D, not clear. Again 6D not a great slam but..


.

[P_Marlowe]

jillybean, on 2026-May-17, 08:33, said:

I find inv+ sequences difficult.

If you continue with 3♥, are you any wiser after 3♠ and likewise, 4♦ 4♠, it looks like a signoff

I am not sure, either side will force to slam, both are min with regards to what they have show, East has a nice min opener,
West hast a min SI hand.

Mind you, I would be finished with the auction after the 2nd round, playing 3NT, my auctions are quick.
3H may still be not a cue, ..., although it is hard to construct.
3H should show a hand willing to cooperate, i.e. if this is not enough for West,
you wont reach the slam, West knowes all suits are stopped.


Anyway 4S over 4D is not a sign of, but it tells East, that the wastage in spade exists,
which is a reason to put the breaks on.

[pescetom]

mike777, on 2026-May-17, 09:35, said:

I would definitely assume 2H is Gf


Expect to get to 6D now, after a bunch of control bidding.
Not a great slam, however I have been in worse.

Kind of decision that can win or lose a short swiss team match or even a 16 bd knockout bracket round.

I too would assume GF with a pickup, especially if NA.
The point was only that some do not play it GF and that radically modifies the meaning of 3D.
There is also the issue of what 3H/S mean over 3D, it's clear to me but my agreements are already probably different from yours, with a pickup I would have bid 3NT.
Agree with you about the thin diamonds slam.

[mike777]

Yes, the kind of swingy board I would hope for when playing up.

Adding a bit of artificiality to the auction I can rebid 1NT rather than 2C to show clubs. Now XYZ can be used where 2C can be artificial and invitational, 2D art. And gf, or 3D natural slam try.
However responder still has to decide between options here.

[Tramticket]

Cyberyeti, on 2026-May-17, 07:06, said:

Nope, we play 4SF F2N/3♦ at the 2 level.

Given that you have the possible auctions:

---

Which is non-forcing, simple preference.

---

which is non-forcing, invitational.

It makes no sense for the given auction to also be non-forcing:

---

Even where FSF is only forcing for one round, going through FSF to support partner should be game forcing.

[Cyberyeti]

Tramticket, on 2026-May-18, 08:32, said:

Given that you have the possible auctions:

---

Which is non-forcing, simple preference.

---

which is non-forcing, invitational.

It makes no sense for the given auction to also be non-forcing:

---

Even where FSF is only forcing for one round, going through FSF to support partner should be game forcing.

That last one is a forcing raise, but 2N/3♦ from E can be passed over 2♥.