[pescetom]

jillybean, on 2026-September-13, 10:34, said:

One partner takes the cautious road with 2♠, mindful we could be off two aces.

I have some sympathy for this slow road, but unfortunately it requires even more telepathy unless in a serious partnership.
What does 1S 2D; 2S 3D;3S 4D mean?

[jillybean]

I have 7+ spades, partner has 7+ diamonds? I have been thinking more about the slow route since posting this.

With this 9-2-2-1 hand, I want to know about first-round controls, and I think the best way to build that picture is to force a cue from partner on the second round of bidding.

[pescetom]

 jillybean, on 2026-September-13, 16:19, said:

I have 7+ spades, partner has 7+ diamonds? I have been thinking more about the slow route since posting this.

With this 9-2-2-1 hand, I want to know about first-round controls, and I think the best way to build that picture is to force a cue from partner on the second round of bidding.

Yes, but if you have been thinking about it then I think you will agree that a natural pissing contest unresolved even by 3S is not a great idea

One could reasonably agree that the second rebid of opener's major imposes trumps and requests a control bid, just like the jump rebid does (so the 3S in my challenge sequence is this and the 4D would show diamonds control and deny clubs control). The question then is what can Responder infer from the choice of the high road (is it just "more knowledge about your shape/intentions may be more useful to opponents than to me" or does it say something specific about our hand).

But I can imagine the reply of the designer of our system: Opener imposing trumps in his own suit after Responder forces to game is already an exception to natural logic and captaincy, one clear sequence for it is quite enough.

[jillybean]

"one clear sequence for it is quite enough". - I agree!


4 partners, 3 different approaches

4th partner would keycard after 2♦
1♠:2♦
4nt