[1eyedjack]

---

MP, Instant, 34

I bid this hand as a bit of an experiment. I was seriously concerned at the prospect of 3N being passed, and if really trying to win I would not try it, but I was curious.

A balanced hand with lesser strength would open 2N, so notwithstanding the meaning assigned to the 3N rebid I feel that it is the right technical bid for the hand.

The assigned explanation provides South with as few as 19 HCP. But a hand of such weakness would have compensating distribution. Although North is a passed hand it would appear right for South to show distributional features.

In F2F games I am accustomed to positive responses to 2C being forcing to 4H at least, and in some to 4N.

[Stephen Tu]

I don't think 3nt should be forcing. I think it should be something like 22-23 pts balanced. All the lesser HCP should show their suit.

Of course your hand with all the aces and 3 cd club fit shouldn't bid it. Should be more like hand with K of spade rather than ace.

[1eyedjack]

If NT is the right strain and 2C opener is balanced and responder has a positive then 4N is not at risk. Using 3N to distinguish between a control rich and a quacky 23 count is one way to use it I suppose. I wonder if gib plays that

[Bbradley62]

 1eyedjack, on 2015-August-09, 01:33, said:

If NT is the right strain and 2C opener is balanced and responder has a positive then 4N is not at risk. Using 3N to distinguish between a control rich and a quacky 23 count is one way to use it I suppose. I wonder if gib plays that

C'mon... you know perfectly well that GIB doesn't use any kind of qualitative factors in evaluating a hand.

[1eyedjack]

 Bbradley62, on 2015-August-09, 11:07, said:

C'mon... you know perfectly well that GIB doesn't use any kind of qualitative factors in evaluating a hand.

Indeed. And for as long as that remains, I reject Stephen Tu's objection to my OP.

[Bbradley62]

It is kind of awkward to construct possible hands. I'd think 3N should deny the intention to bid natural diamonds, just as it does for hearts and spades. So, balanced 22-24 or some Roman-esque hand short in clubs with what range?

[lycier]

 Stephen Tu, on 2015-August-08, 15:39, said:

I don't think 3nt should be forcing.

I agree.
This problem involves bidding system with 5-4 distributions,however it is given for 3♣ with and two top cards in 5+ cards suit,so opener should bid 4♣ to explore slam actively instead of 3nt since 3nt might imply no fit in ♣ with balanced 22-24hcp,and there are no problem in this Gib hand.

[1eyedjack]

Whether 3N should be forcing and whether it is the best bid on this hand are two different questions. I am happy to accept that it is not the best bid even if forcing.