>> Last weekend I played with someone I never met before. We had a few
>> minutes to talk about out agreements before playing. Anyway, my
>> partner opened a strong 2C when I had the following 0-point hand:
>>
>> S: xx
>> H: xx
>> D: xx
>> C: T9xxxxx
>>
>> Our bidding (opponents passing): 2C - 2D - 2N - 3C - 3D - pass
>>
>> After partner opened 2C, I bid 2D, waiting, and partner bid 2N. I
>> assumed this denied a 4-card major, so I bid 3C, natural. My partner
>> bid 2D, thinking 3C was Stayman, and so I passed. Oops. My question:
>> how do you bid this hand the "Standard American" way, so that playing
>> with strangers is easy? I think the 2D waiting bid is dumb, but I'd
>> like to learn how to play Standard American strong 2C openers with
>> strangers (I can't find a definitive reference).
>
> In SA, 2C/2D/2N/3C will normally mean the same as 2N/3C, i.e. stayman,
> puppet, or baron (bid your 4-card major; if no 4-card major, bid your
> better minor).
>
> Mmbridge
I was lucky enough to receive a "master class" from Bob Holmes on this
subject recently ("bobh2" on BBO).
As an Acol-yte I too, was not impressed, with 2D as "waiting".
"Waiting" means waiting to the extent of not having a good bid currently
available. So:
- With a nice 5+ card suit and 8+ HCPs bid your suit directly.
- With around 8-10 HCPs and balanced hand with cards to "protect" bid 2NT
(e.g. Kxx Kxx Kxx xxxx).
- Else "Wait"
The real issue is that of "Super Negative" (i.e, how to show a bust) - you
need agreement as to whether this is shown by:
- Lowest suit at the 3-level (after starting with a 2D response).
- Immediate response of 2H.
- Something Else!
However once partner has rebid 2NT (23-24) then the issue with the hand in
question is: can we stop at 4C?
Response to the 2NT rebid are (per ACBL SAYC Booklet):
3C - Stayman
3D and 3H - Jacoby Transfers
4C - Gerbil (sic)
4NT - Quantitative
I await the completion of my education by finding out from "great ones" if
3S = minor suit transfer ... it should be!
Cheers,
Matt Geare
"veryeavy" on BBO
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