[mw64ahw]

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The above was possibly the common approach with only two of the five tables (IMPS) in 4♥. A step further from South?

I like the 'Ekren' auction, which I play with my regular partner. Now after partner's 3♦, 4♣ typically shows the extreme shape and gives North a slam try option.

[mw64ahw]

fred, on 2026-October-08, 17:55, said:

It's another 3NT opening bid.

Definitely one use for 3N, but too obscure for the local club.

[jillybean]

Yes! 3nt

fred, on 2025-June-22, 15:28, said:

I like to play a 3NT opening shows a hand like this (a preempt with at least 6-5 in the majors - obviously, as with all preempts, the vulnerability matters).

I invented (or, more likely, unknowingly reinvented) this convention about 25 years ago.

Doesn't come up very often of course, but it seemed to work better than any of the alternatives for 3NT openings that I have tried over the years. Admittedly it is hard to be objective about such things and I certainly have not made any real effort to keep track of the results.

You need to play reasonable methods over this for it to be workable. If anyone is interested, I will post what we came up with. I might not be able to do so immediately as I am in the middle of playing in a serious tournament.

It is a fun convention to play which, for me at least, is a nice plus

It would help me remember this if I had a partner who was willing to add it to the card...anyone?

[mike777]

Really wish you can post full deal and results at other tables ty

[mw64ahw]

And here it rested with 3x5♥ & 2x4♥ all making 6.
I had been close to calling 6♥ mainly because 4♥ was such a rare bid for this player. I wondered if a potential 6♣ sacrifice would have garnered the slam.

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[mike777]

Hmm

Would have over called 1NT

I thought something was off when I passed out 2C, smile

[mw64ahw]

mike777, on 2026-October-09, 20:13, said:

Hmm

Would have over called 1NT

I thought something was off when I passed out 2C, smile

Certainly an option I'd consider, but don't think it happened on this occasion.

[mike777]

 mw64ahw, on 2026-October-09, 23:57, said:

Certainly an option I'd consider, but don't think it happened on this occasion.

Thanks, certainly a fun and interesting deal

Been toying with something Swedish player Peter Fredin mentioned..

Not sure this hand was what he meant, I was curious to test it out . anyway...

[mw64ahw]

mike777, on 2026-October-10, 00:25, said:

Thanks, certainly a fun and interesting deal

Been toying with something Swedish player Peter Fredin mentioned..

Not sure this hand was what he meant, I was curious to test it out . anyway...

Yep I've rejigged my preempts to incorporate the 3N bid (3♠ being the solid minor), but have yet to implement with my regular partners.

[mike777]

 mw64ahw, on 2026-October-09, 23:57, said:

Certainly an option I'd consider, but don't think it happened on this occasion.

I would consider not over calling 1NT a clear error. Shocking no one in the entire field bid it.

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Mr. Fredin is actually talking about something else. Psychology ,
Not a convention.
Not sure I have a firm grasp of the hand type. This example seems too
extreme to even worry about but did want to experiment with passing...thanks for posting .


For me turns out partners boring, flat, hand was the most challenging on this ..
Smile