Gerben42, on Aug 12 2005, 09:51 AM, said:
What kind of minor suit Stayman? I might be interested in 7 of a minor if partner does not have 4
♥, or 7
♥ if he does.
7
♥ needs something like
Ax
Kxxx
xxxx
AQx
which is of course a possible hand. The question is: how much can I find out? Relayers have it easy
Don't need relays. Just use kantar RKCB.
I guess an auction like...
1N - 2C
2H - 2S (where 2S is forcing heart raise)
3C - 4N
5D - 6C
6D - 7H
Pass
Explain...
1N = weak NT (so for me by Kantar rules, responder will be "strong" hand here)
2C = stayman
2H = hearts
2S = forcing heart raise
3C = cue
4NT = RKCB, agreed hearts
5D = 0 or 3 keycards by weak hand (or can be 5C if that is your response with 3)
6C = specific card ask
6D = queen of clubs
7H = lets play, you will have to have 3-4-2-4 for this not to be great spot. I see 4H, 2D, 1D ruff, 4C and 2S.
Now the risk of mirror image hands is real, so relays could eliminate that, or opener could bid out his distribution by bidding his second card suit (here 3D) instead of cue-bidding. I guess that depends upon your style.
For me, the auction with this hand would be only slighlty different (I do play 14-16 NT) not sure what I wuold play over 11-14, but I will use my same rules). I wouild like to think my auction would be:
1N - 2D
3H - 4C
4S - 4N
5D - 5H
5S - 6D
6H - 7H
Pass
Where:
2D was "jacoby" transfer, but does not promise even 4 hearts. when not having hearts, this is way to invite 3NT with a 2NT rebid.
3H = 4 hearts and a maximum
4C = is second suit, slam try establish six key card blackwood (promises hearts)
4S = cue
4NT = RKCB (6 keycards)
5D = three covers
5H = queen ask (with three keycards, opener can not pass, as kantar says, PLEASE!)
5S = lower queen (clubs)
6D = specific control ask (if partner has doubleton we play 6NT)
6H = no third round control of hearts
7H = you have AQ of clubs, and at least three diamonds.
The 6D bid is safe, because I know we have 2D, 4C, 4H, and 2S tricks. IF parnter bids 4S showing 2 diamonds (with AQ clubs, K hearts, and ACE of spades, he can not have diamond QUEEN).
Buy Kantar's book and read it... :-)
1NT* - (P) - ?