[the hog]

Imps v vs nv

You are playing a big C system and you hold:

AKQJxx
Ax
Axx
xx

You open 1C and hear the usual 1D, (0-7).
Your options are:
1H - any 19+ further relay
3S to show about 8-9 playing tricks,
2NT - wimpy imo
3N

What do you rebid and why?
Fwiw, my choice is 3NT, gambling on C breaking and pd holding a red suit K or on his holding the CA or on a favourable lead.

I should elaborate - sorry Mike, you might wish to change your options -
* can't bid 1S as this shows 16-18 with 5+4+ in the ms
* can't bid 2S as this shows 4S and a longer m
* you can bid 2D - t/f to S; over this pd can bid 2H with 4+H or 2S with not much and no great fit, or 2N with some values

Pd thinks 2D followed by 3N is best, but I think this gives away too much.

Would you bid differently at mp?

[mike777]

1S

Well if I cannot bid 2s, which would be my first choice.
Hope 1s shows 17-20 and is not limited to 18 hcp.
Have no idea how a relay of 1h will help.
Hope p is allowed to bid natural over 1s.
Hope 1 D is just 0-2 controls and not HCP.

Thanks with new information.
1) 2D
2) Second choice is 1H relay.

[mikestar]

I relay with 1H. I admire 3N, but there are just too many hands where 3N goes down and a spade partial or even game makes. If you had a bid that makes partner declare 3N I'd like that best--much better chance 3N makes from his side.

With the additional options available how about 2D transfer to spades, intending 3N only over 2N, and play in spades over 2M?

[hotShot]

Well I don't like the choices I have, but it's your system. So I choose 3♠, there is a good chance my P has one trick on his hand, if not in down one.
But after 4♠ my partner can make a valid decision, he knows that I don't need ♠'s but controlls. So with 2 tricks he can see in his hand, he will make the right decision.
Bidding 1♥ forcing another relay is not likely to produce the information we need.

[the hog]

Well I am not trying to pursuade anyone, but pd has played for England on many occasions and has partnered Nicola Smith nee Gardiner for over 20 years. Do you think he is correct on this?

[Chamaco]

I bid the 1H relay followed by 4S in case of double negative.

[fred]

I have very little experience playing big club systems (20 sessions in the past 20 years), but I would bid 1H with this hand.

Mikestar's post sums up the most important points of this problem in my view, but some additional thoughts:

- We might even have a slam when 3NT is down (say opposite KQxxx of diamonds and a singleton club). I admit this is very unlikely.

- It sounds like your system probably gives you a huge advantage on hands like this one: you have the ability to find out what the "right" contract is a lot more often than pairs who play "standard". By just bidding 3NT (which I agree could easily end up being where you want to be) you are not letting yourself gain from one of the primary benefits your system provides.

- You can always bid 3NT later. Admittedly, by doing so, you will have to give more information to the opponents and on some deals this might help them to find the winning defense. However, my instincts suggest it is more likely that either it won't matter or that you will find out that 3NT is not where you want to play.

- In general I have found the maxim "don't mess around when you have a big hand" to work well for me. A common example of ignoring this maxim are the many people (unfortunately my regular partner is one of these) who open 2NT on weird hands or on relatively normal 19-counts.

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[the hog]

Thx Fred.

[Free]

I like the relay, for the same reason as Fred: you have a lot of chance to have slam, and you also know relays are best for slam bidding

[pbleighton]

3S, because it shows your hand. You have a single suiter in the major with 8 playing tricks.

If I had played a relay system I might bid 1H

Peter