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Over a 15-17 point 1 NT opening, what's the best way to show a weak or invitational hand that's 5-4 in the majors. If it matters, we use Smolen for game-forcing hands and 2NT as a transfer to 3D; so 2C Stayman does not promise a 4-card major. Would a 2 level bid of a major show a less than game forcing hand (with 4 in that major and 5 in the other)?
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5-4 majors over 1 NT
#2
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Posted 2024-January-13, 13:51
With a weak hand, I would just transfer to the 5-card major and pass.
With an invitational hand: Even though 2♣ doesn't promise a 4-card major, I believe opener continues as if it's normal Stayman. If that's the case, then, if opener bids 2M, I would raise to 3M; if he bids 2♦, I would bid the 5-card major at the two level.
I'm sure others have more sophisticated methods.
With an invitational hand: Even though 2♣ doesn't promise a 4-card major, I believe opener continues as if it's normal Stayman. If that's the case, then, if opener bids 2M, I would raise to 3M; if he bids 2♦, I would bid the 5-card major at the two level.
I'm sure others have more sophisticated methods.
#3
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Posted 2024-January-13, 14:12
A 5-card non-promissory Stayman
5♥4♠
1NT-2♦-2♥-2NT/3NT
4/5♥5♠
1NT-2♣ 5-card Major?
2♦ No (not 2/3♥2♠) - 3♥ GI, 4♦ SI, 4♥ GF
2♥ 2/3♥2♠ - 2♠ 5♥♠
2♠ 5♠
2NT/3♥ or 3NT 5♥
When weak transfer to the 5-suiter
5♥4♠
1NT-2♦-2♥-2NT/3NT
4/5♥5♠
1NT-2♣ 5-card Major?
2♦ No (not 2/3♥2♠) - 3♥ GI, 4♦ SI, 4♥ GF
2♥ 2/3♥2♠ - 2♠ 5♥♠
2♠ 5♠
2NT/3♥ or 3NT 5♥
When weak transfer to the 5-suiter
#4
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Posted 2024-January-13, 19:48
mw64ahw, on 2024-January-13, 14:12, said:
A 5-card non-promissory Stayman
5♥4♠
1NT-2♦-2♥-2NT/3NT
5♥4♠
1NT-2♦-2♥-2NT/3NT
You have hidden the 4 card spade ?
"And no matter what methods you play, it is essential, for anyone aspiring to learn to be a good player, to learn the importance of bidding shape properly." MikeH
(still learning)
(still learning)
#5
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Posted 2024-January-13, 22:22
jillybean, on 2024-January-13, 19:48, said:
You have hidden the 4 card spade ?
To right-side the contract; opener bids 3/4♠ with 4/5♠.
You can do that with 1NT-2♣-2♦-3/4♦ too, to make sure opener always plays, but I use the GI sequence to show other shapes.
#6
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Posted 2024-January-14, 12:42
With kind regards
Uwe Gebhardt (P_Marlowe)
Uwe Gebhardt (P_Marlowe)
#7
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Posted 2024-January-15, 08:08
As a corollary to
5♥4♠ 1NT-2♦-2♥-2NT/3NT
1NT-2♦-2♥-3♥ is GI with 6+♥, and
1NT-2♦-2♥-2♠ (range ask)-2NT/3♣ with 2♥-3♥ can be SI with 6+♥
5♥4♠ 1NT-2♦-2♥-2NT/3NT
1NT-2♦-2♥-3♥ is GI with 6+♥, and
1NT-2♦-2♥-2♠ (range ask)-2NT/3♣ with 2♥-3♥ can be SI with 6+♥
#8
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Posted 2024-January-16, 07:39
There is this little gem called Better Wally (don't know why). It works with all 54 major responding hands, weak, inv, GF or SI:With 4S-5H weak, transfer to H to play
With 4S-5H inv or GF, bid 2C. After 2D, bid 2S and place the contract when Opener bids 3H or 2NWith 5S-4H weak, inv or GF bid 2C. After 2D, bid 2H as transfer to 2S, then place the contract.With any 54 slammish, use the traditional Smolen sequence, 1N-2C-2D-3M (4cder).Bonus: It works with 5cdMajor Stayman.
With 4S-5H inv or GF, bid 2C. After 2D, bid 2S and place the contract when Opener bids 3H or 2NWith 5S-4H weak, inv or GF bid 2C. After 2D, bid 2H as transfer to 2S, then place the contract.With any 54 slammish, use the traditional Smolen sequence, 1N-2C-2D-3M (4cder).Bonus: It works with 5cdMajor Stayman.
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