[svengolly]

3 passes to South who opens 2C

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This hand came up in a local Swiss team event. We ended up in 6♥ which goes down one due to a 4-1 trump split (W holding ♥Q963). The proper contract is 6D which makes on any distribution except 5-0 split of hearts. So my question, how would you bid this? If you use controls, why?

The textbook bids get you into trouble (how do you get to slam?):

2C - 2N (8 - 10 balanced)
3D - 3H (xfer)
4D (is this a 2nd suit or a control?)

If you assume it's a 2nd suit, you end up in 5D and then what?

After reading Larry Cohen's discussion on 2C, he never bids NT directly after 2C. So now I'm inclined to bid this way:

2C - 2D (waiting)
2H - 2N (2 or fewer H, decent hand)
3D - 4D
5C - 5S
6D

How would you bid this?

[Tramticket]

1. I hate the 2NT response. Just make a waiting bid with 2D and allow partner to start showing his suits at the two-level.
2. If you must bid 2NT, transfers don't apply.
3. But I prefer: 2C, 2D; 2H, 2S; 3D, 4D; ..... Opener has shown both suits at the three level and responder has shown diamond support. You can then continue with your favourite slam methods.

[pescetom]

Tramticket, on 2018-March-05, 12:44, said:

3. But I prefer: 2C, 2D; 2H, 2S; 3D, 4D; ..... Opener has shown both suits at the three level and responder has shown diamond support. You can then continue with your favourite slam methods.

This, if you don't play Kokish or the silly standard 2NT response (we use 2NT as both minors).

Favourite slam methods: 4♦, 4♥, 4♠, 5♣ (also shows odd keycards), 5NT (positive but denies more ♥ and Q♦), 6♣ (also affirms Q♦), 6♦ (nothing more here), pass.

[nige1]

John Matheson's 2/1 includes control responses to 2♣, thus...
- 2♦ = ART At most a King.
- 2♥ = ART An Ace or two Kings.
- 2♠ = ART An Ace and a King.
- 2N = ART Three Kings.
- 3♣ = ART Four controls.and so on

This can lead to cramped auctions but has the merit of simplicity.
Although John might well open 1♥ on the South hand

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[Cyberyeti]

I'd open 1♥ and we'd proceed 1♥-1♠-2N(GF unbal)-3♣(semi forced)-3♦-4♦ and on to 6♦

If you twist my arm and make me open 2♣, we play the 2N response a touch stronger than standard because we play it F4N, this hand is really borderline.

2♣-2♦-2♥(♥or 24-25 bal)-2♠(semi forced)-3♦-4♦ etc

or 2♣-2N-3♥-3N(forcing)-4♦-4N(spade cue agrees diamonds, 4♥ would be F agreeing hearts, 4♠ would ask aces with diamonds agreed) and on to 6♦.

[steve2005]

People often run into problem on this type of hand a big 2-suiter. The original poster's auction he wasn't sure if 4♦ was a suit or a control.
Other people who have posted auction have the same situation. If you can read 4♦ as a suit your fine. Or if 6♦ is at least a place to play your fine. But in any case you may find it difficult finding grand when 7 is there.

The posters second hypothetical auction I like, at least 4♦ here is agreeing a suit.
"
2C - 2D (waiting)2H - 2N (2 or fewer H, decent hand)3D - 4D5C - 5S6D
"