[kenrexford]

I, personally, would have no problem rebidding 2NT on this hand IF playing the way I prefer, namely that 1D is only opened with a stiff or a void (or 2245/2254 10-13; or rebiddable diamonds -- 6+). Thus, 2NT would show this very hand.

Barring that, 2C seems slightly best, as I am prepared for a delayed reverse after as little as a simple courtesy preference to 2D. 1S is a VERY close second, as I would rebid 1NT on many balanced hands -- tends to imply the length in diamonds. This is not assured, however, and is flawed for this reason. I have difficulty getting pattern, and valuable to know pattern, back into the picture.

[MickyB]

Yup, not opening this 2♣. 2NT isn't ridiculous but I still prefer 1♦.

Hard to say when I'd jump to 3♣ without knowing what a minimum response looks like. I'd rather only jump with a monster (given that I could easily have one and decide not to open 2♣) and have partner respect my GF than jump on a random 18/19 and have partner pass if he has a minimum.

I think I'd need the queen in one of my regular partnerships, and the jack in another.

[hrothgar]

I think that this is a quite good question...

From my perspective, there are three responses worth considering

1♠: Right on strength, lies about Spade length. Risks playing in a 3-3 fit

2♣: Right about shape, however, something of an underbid.

2NT: Right about strength, suggests at least xx in Hearts

Personally, I'm torn between 2♣ and 2NT, with a slight preference for 2N.

For what its worth, I strongly dislike 2♣ openings on two suited hands. I'd open 1♦ with either Kxxx or Qxxx in Clubs. I might even do so with Axxx

[cherdano]

I would jump-shift with the Q. Given the A, I would open 2♣ and rebid 2N.

Arend

[hrothgar]

Jlall, on Feb 3 2006, 06:39 PM, said:

Why is 1S right on strength, but 2C is an underbid? Don't both have a maximum of "not good enough to jump shift"?

Personally, I'm used to playing

1♦ - 1♥ - 1♠ as forcing

and

1♦ - 1♥ - 2♣ as non-forcing

accordingly, I'm comfortable bundling stronger hands into the 1♠ rebid...

[awm]

I rebid 2NT on this hand. The 2♣ rebid wins when your best strain is in clubs; this will be true either if partner has a truly awful hand and passes 2♣, or if partner has the magic hand that produces a club slam on a 4-4 fit. However, with such a weak club suit, I think it's not all that likely that clubs are your best strain. Partner will pass with some hands where you can make 3NT, and also with some hands where your best partial is elsewhere (for example a bad 4-5-1-3 will probably play better in 2NT). If partner does drive to a club slam, she may be hoping for a little something in the suit (for example if partner has something like Axxx Kxxx x AQxx then 6♣ is really nothing special and I'd rather have gotten out in 3NT or 4NT).

The 2NT bid correctly communicates the values, and this hand will be at least as good a dummy for 4♥ as something like KQx xx AKQxx Axx on which I'm sure we all rebid 2NT. We miss out on some of the times we'd like to play in clubs, but I think showing the values is more useful here. Certainly 2♣ is not exactly an "underbid" but you are very maximum for that (wide-ranging) action and partner will have a problem with many hands in the 7-9 point range which can't stand to correct to diamonds.

With all that said, I think this is a close decision between 2♣ and 2NT (3♣ seems like an overbid and I don't really see the point in bidding 1♠ when partner will sometimes pass with three and virtually never let me play 3NT with four). The decision I made at the table was influenced in part by who I was playing with (playing with a weaker player, I had some desire to make the follow-up auction a simple one and also to declare the hand).

[han]

I agree with Arend: I would jump shift with the king or queen of clubs, and would probably open 2C with the ace (close).

[dcvetkov]

Jlall, on Feb 2 2006, 11:26 AM, said:

2C, I don't see any problem. I don't understand why I would want to distort my hand by bidding a 3 card suit or 2N on a stiff when I have a perfectly good natural bid available.

Dont you have a at least some worry you will get passed? There are lot of hands responder can have with 7-9 range and no good second rebid, so he will want to take a plus score and pass. I doubt he will be making game tries with probably nothing in spades. Most likely game is 3NT, and 5 minor distant second.

I agree 2C is probably best rebid, but be ready to accept some losses occasionally when responder is weakish.

[EricK]

I think 2NT is the right bid here. On most hands, the auction will be much easier after this start.

If I bid 2♣ and partner bids 2♦ or 2♥ I will have to bid again, but what? If I choose 2♠, I will have shown partner (and everyone else!) my exact shape but will he expect that my ♥ singleton is the A? If I choose a NT rebid on the third round, I don't see how I am better off having given the opposition a clearer idea of my distribution.

Now suppose partner actually supports our ♣ which would appear to be the best scenario for the 2♣ rebid. I am still not sure how to proceed. 3NT might be the best place to play these hands but if I bid it now, we will still often miss 6♣ as I am at least a trick better than I might be. If I don't bid it now, we might end up going past 3NT if, as is likely partner doesn't have a ♠ stop.