[mikl_plkcc]

mike777, on 2025-February-11, 19:19, said:

1. Not a game force hand, respond 1H
2. 3D shows non-minimum + unlimited...

Why isn't is a game force? Isn't 13 HCP opposite an opener an automatic game force?

[mikl_plkcc]

smerriman, on 2025-February-12, 14:45, said:

Sure, you can expect your partner to rebid diamonds, and you're perfectly fine:
1♦ - 2♣
2♦ - 2♥

LHO coming in with 2♥ over a GF having passed originally isn't something that I would have taken into account when choosing 2♣. But the whole thing appears to come down to the OP thinking they don't have a stopper when they do.

If the LHO holds ♥AQxxxx (very likely) he can run it unstopped.

[mike777]

 mikl_plkcc, on 2025-February-13, 10:33, said:

Why isn't is a game force? Isn't 13 HCP opposite an opener an automatic game force?

No

But very often a solid invite..

Thus 1H response.

[mikl_plkcc]

mike777, on 2025-February-13, 11:24, said:

No

But very often a solid invite..

How many HCPs do I need to game force open a 1-level opener?

[mike777]

 mikl_plkcc, on 2025-February-13, 11:27, said:

How many HCPs do I need to game force open a 1-level opener?

A fit would be nice for starters
Playing strength important

HCP? If none of the above?
13 is a solid invitation..


btw the Vanderbilt starts in a few weeks, notice just how light openers are in 2025, of course if you play the heck out of the cards .... you may need less to gf...

[smerriman]

Based on other threads, mike777 plays extremely light openings and therefore requires more to game force. 13 is 100% a game force for you, me, and most other players, and it's very misleading to say otherwise without context.

If LHO holds AQxxxx, you are winning the very first trick in the suit! That's precisely what a stopper means.

[pescetom]

Can you downsize that image please?

This is a tale of horrors.
W hid a nice 6cM, N stretched a bit S had a clear 1♥.
3♥ in particular is bizarre, even ignoring that the system defines it as a diamonds raise.

[smerriman]

Poll for reference. Sorry, I forgot to include West as a passed hand, though I don't think it affects much with regards to the initial response.

[mikl_plkcc]

If LHO holds AQxxxx, of course he is not going to lead the suit if I say I have a stopper!

[smerriman]

mikl_plkcc, on 2025-February-13, 15:55, said:

If LHO holds AQxxxx, of course he is not going to lead the suit if I say I have a stopper!

Why not? One of the main goals for beating a no trump contract is to set up our long suit by driving out the opponents' stoppers as early as possible..

If they are somehow a psychic that thinks that you have 9 cashable tricks on a heart lead, so the only chance of beating the contract is to lead a minor, despite your side bidding both minors, in the hope that their partner has the ace and precisely JTx in hearts, despite their partner not raising hearts.. then you still have no problem; you duck the J lead, cover the T, and your 9 now provides a second stopper.

[smerriman]

 pescetom, on 2025-February-13, 15:31, said:

S had a clear 1♥.

Currently 21 to 14 in favor of 2♣. Definitely a worthwhile debate with valid arguments both ways, though a 'clear' 1♥ is definitely an overbid.

[helene_t]

There are two aspects of this:
1) Does it make sense to agree with partner that certain auctions are an exception to the 2/1 rule?
2) Absent such agreements, is it defensible to take the view to pass a bid even if it is forcing?

1) Personally I would say no. Or almost no, maybe we can escape to 4m if they double 3NT. There are pairs who agree to play certain 4m bids as nonforcing in the context of a 2/1 system, but this particular auction should be forcing even for those pairs.

2) Generally no, and certainly not in this auction. There is simply no reason why partner can't have 20 points, so passing 3♦ is not an option. Even if it will sometimes work, such as on this hand. If you have AI to the effect that one of the opponents has three aces and♣K then ok.