[Little Kid]

NV

(P)-1♣-(2♦)-X
(P)-2♠-(P) - ?

What does partner's 2♠ show? Does it promise any extras because I could just be weak with 5♥s or so? Or does it imply heart tolerance by skipping them? Is it forcing? What kind of major holdings and strength would you typically expect?

If it matters, I held:
♠AKxx
♥xxxx
♦xxxx
♣x

[Fluffy]

2♠ sends the simple message that you have 4 spades and minimum opener (12-15 for you)

If you have a weak hand with 5 hearts you should pass, double should be bid from 8+HCP.

If you have 8+HCP to double you need also to be able to cope with the most likelly responses form partner. Wich means, you either need to have 3 spades to pass 2♠ response, or 4 clubs so you can bid 3♣ over 2♠, or even 6+ ♥ so you can rectify to 3♥.

If you have neither then you probably have long diamonds, just pass and collect your many downs.

[pooltuna]

Little Kid, on Nov 13 2009, 10:37 AM, said:

NV

(P)-1♣-(2♦)-X
(P)-2♠-(P) - ?

What does partner's 2♠ show? Does it promise any extras because I could just be weak with 5♥s or so? Or does it imply heart tolerance by skipping them? Is it forcing? What kind of major holdings and strength would you typically expect?

If it matters, I held:
♠AKxx
♥xxxx
♦xxxx
♣x

2♠ in this auction has the same meaning as the same bid in an uninterrupted auction 1♣ (P) 1♠ (P) 2♠ about the only conclusions you can say about ♥ is that he probably chose the better suit if he has equal number of cards in both otherwise I would expect him to have 3 or fewer ♥

[Little Kid]

Thanks for the responses. That's what I thought too, but both my p and an opponent at the table yesterday seemed adamant in thinking the bid is forcing so I started to doubt myself.

[andy_h]

2♠ can possibly be a 3 card suit, say with 3235 (this can bid 2NT sometimes) or maybe with 3145. Compare this if the bid was 2♥ which may now contain hands with 3334. But otherwise most of the time it definitely shows 4. Contrast this to 1♦-(2♣)-X-(P)-2♠, this definitely promises 4 as with 3253 or 3154 opener can bid 2♦ but 2♥ may be 3 on some occasions with maybe 3352 (weak diamonds) or 3343.

Regardless, the 2M bid does not promise extras as opener should not bid 2NT with all weak NT's. The reason is because playing in 2M may be the best spot playing in a 4-3 suit contract rather than 2NT. And responder also needs to cater for opener bidding either 2M.

But of course, everyone knows this is one of the murkiest auctions in standard since if you now have an invitational hand you may need to bid 3♠ and strain all the GF hands into 3♦. Preempts suck don't they. One suggestion IIRC reading, Justin had written something on 1♣-2♦ in his previous blog.

[EricK]

Partner's double asked you to bid, and implicitly tells you that he can handle any response you make.

If he doesn't have ♠, he should have ♥ and ♣ with enough strength for at least the 3 level, or a balanced hand with ♥ and a ♦ stop and enough strength for at least 2NT.

[Quantumcat]

If you have both majors, or five spades, you can be weak. (With five spades you can pass 2♠ or bid 2♠ over 2♥) If you don't have spades, you have to have enough values to make an invitational 2NT or 3C (11 -12 HCP)

Double means you are prepared for any response.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

the neg. X promised the unbid major, hence 2S does
not promise add. strength.
And it does not promise tolerance for hearts.
P may still be 4333 with 12-14, but most of the time he
will be at least 44 in the black suits, but your guess is as
good as mine..

If you are broke with 5 hearts, there is still the option to
pass over 2D. If you have 5 hearts, than you should also
have 3 spades, not perfect, but most likely it wont be the
first 4-3 fit you reached, and even if, than it wont be the
last.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[P_Marlowe]

Little Kid, on Nov 13 2009, 10:37 AM, said:

NV

(P)-1♣-(2♦)-X
(P)-2♠-(P) - ?

What does partner's 2♠ show? Does it promise any extras because I could just be weak with 5♥s or so? Or does it imply heart tolerance by skipping them? Is it forcing? What kind of major holdings and strength would you typically expect?

If it matters, I held:
♠AKxx
♥xxxx
♦xxxx
♣x

Just a side comment:

The neg. X is ok, but you are borderline for the call, most peoble
would expect 8-9.
Now: You are 4-4 in the majors, and your 7HCP are AK, so the neg.
X is ok, but you are certainly borderline.
If you have agreed, for what ever reason, that the neg. X. promises
slightly more, say 10HCP, than it could be argues, that 2S is forcing,
mor precise, that the neg. X promised another bid.

But that would be certainly not a mainstream agreement, and 2S forcing
would be, because 2S promised add. strength, but because the neg. X
promised more.

With kind regards
Marlowe