[kenrexford]

Funny thing.

A while ago, one of our greatest post starters asked a question regarding whether we like or dislike 4SF auctions. In jest, I eventually suggested that an alternative would be that fourth suit be more like Lebensohl and weak, allowing anything else to be GF, to get to the point more quickly. Well, this might work here, especially with a strict Walsh approach.

1♣-P-1♥-P-
1♠*-P-3♣

If 1♠ is not bid with four spades and balanced, then it shows (3)4 spades and 5+ clubs. Responder can then bid 2♣ preference (weak), 2♦...3♣ with a passable club raise, but 3♣ direct as a GF club raise. I think this start works better, somewhat.

This could even be improved more with 2♣ as an artificial bid (invitational+ with clubs or GF any shape without a five-card major). Not directly, but inferentially. In that event, Responder's 3♣ call would show club support, GF values, and hence by force five hearts (did not start 2♣), getting that issue off his chest.

Still, nothing really gets us to the ultimate point of the whole thing.

So, what about other options?

Well, one just came to mind, if you care to ask. LOL

I kind of like the theory I heard from Fred Hamilton a while back. After a 1♣ opening, he doesn't have an invitational bid with a balanced hand. 1NT shows 8+ up to whatever is not good enough to force game. That way, 2NT is GF.

Well, you wouldn't bid 2NT with a five-card major, or could you?

1♣-P-2NT = balanced, 15-17, would have opened 1NT, might have a 5-card major. Rebids by Opener: 3♣ is Puppet Stayman (no need to worry about the 5-4 majors problem). 3♦/3♥/3♠ are club rebids of some variety (shortness?). 3NT to play.

With this deal, there is still a problem, though. Opener could bid 3♥ to show the short heart, but he's more likely to bid 3♣ Puppet, getting a 3♥ reply, very discouraging.

I think the bottom line is that slams are very hard to bid in minors, when there is a 5-0 holding in a major, and when 4SF therefore gets into the mix.