Stephen Tu, on 2020-September-30, 20:24, said:
GIB doesn't play crawling Stayman. My point is that even if North bids stayman then 2H over 2D, with GIB this is invitational 4-5 in the majors, South has a super hand for this auction and should accept. So you end up in 4H anyway.
It's a bit too strong IMO to just transfer to 2H and pass, because there's too much potential opposite fit in either major.
Yes GF Smolen is an overbid; it's overvaluing the void opposite probable wastage, and doesn't account for hands where partner doesn't have heart fit at all where you are likely hopelessly overboard. But GIB doesn't really have sophisticated evaluation skills, it sees 10 total points and in its mind that = GF in this situation. It probably should be tweaked to require a bit more in HCP.
Yes it's not the greatest contract in the world, but just play better and give yourself a chance.
Neither of hrothgar's proposed auctions make any sense IMO. I would never give up on spades by transferring, and 2H is clearcut over 2D response. Even if 2H were not inv over 2D, and was being played as crawling (weak with both majors), I would much rather signoff in 2H than bid 2nt on this shape concealing the hearts and inviting 3nt on a 7 count.
I know if I play better I give myself a better chance. I think my strengths are bidding contracts and having better people make them for me. I would have been happy to make 2 or 3 hearts. Not sure if I would have made the 3NT either
But in all honesty if I had held North's hand I wouldn't have rated it that high for a game force option in one or other majors. The spades are very ordinary, 7 losers (it looks like 8), despite the void etc
One thing I am interested in regarding Smolen is that despite us having more trumps in hearts than spades, as south I didn't really feel like I had a preference for a major contract and possibly should have bid No Trumps. But I dont know all the options for Smolen etc
EDIT. I just checked and one North bot did make 4 spades because their human south clearly preferred their spades to their hearts, despite having one fewer
But it seems most of the smart crowd were in 3NT contracts on this hand. But to be honest I'm still looking for my 9th trick
But on hand 1 I feel on safer ground and would even have considered an immediate 6 diamond bid