[pescetom]

This time from pairs tournament.

MP

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In your preferred partnership, would you have opened differently from 1♥ and if so, how and why?
What inferences if any do you have about the hearts of partner after 1♠?
What do you rebid now and what does it tell partner?

[Cyberyeti]

We don't automatically bid 3♥ in front of 4♠, I will lie, 1♥-1♠-2N(GF unbal)-3♣(semi forced unless extreme dist)-3♠ (6♥/3♠).

[DavidKok]

I agree with the 1♥ opening. 1♠ denies three hearts (the spades only get priority with slam interest, which is not possible as a passed hand). Do note the negative inference from failure to bid 2♠.

In my main partnership I'd bid 2NT Gazzilli, showing 5-5 GF. Responder asks with 3♣ and 3♥ shows secondary clubs. We don't have a way to find a 5-3 spade fit on that start. I suspect that a natural and game forcing 3♣ would be more effective here.

[mw64ahw]

I guess standard would be 3♣, but playing KI5 I use 2♠ to show the same ♣ bid. 4♠s (any strength) by opener are shown via 2♦.
If responder has 5♠<3♥ weak they bid 1N. After 1N I bid 4♣ (support) given a slam in ♠ is still possible.

[pescetom]

Standard is certainly 3♣ showing 5+♥ 4+♣, which exerts severe pressure on Responder if in a minimum misfit.

[jillybean]

1♥ (agree)
1♠ as expected!
3♣ is the only option I have, my partner can cope with it

nice problem

[mikeh]

I agree with David that 1S, by a passed hand, denies 3 hearts. I disagree with him on needing slam interest to bid spades, with heart support, as an unpassed hand. I think it standard that one raises hearts if one has only single raise values…it’s a beginner’s error to bid 1S with those hands. But I happily bid 1Scwith hands stronger than a single raise, since I like to describe my hand to partner.

As for the problem, playing normal 2/1 style methods this is a routine 3C, recognizing that strong jumpshifts by opener constitute one of the weakest areas of standard bidding theory. At least I have clubs rather than diamonds, which gives responder a 3D punt on some difficult hands, over which we bid a happy 3S.

[Cyberyeti]

mikeh, on 2026-April-01, 18:31, said:

I agree with David that 1S, by a passed hand, denies 3 hearts. I disagree with him on needing slam interest to bid spades, with heart support, as an unpassed hand. I think it standard that one raises hearts if one has only single raise values…it’s a beginner’s error to bid 1S with those hands. But I happily bid 1Scwith hands stronger than a single raise, since I like to describe my hand to partner.

As for the problem, playing normal 2/1 style methods this is a routine 3C, recognizing that strong jumpshifts by opener constitute one of the weakest areas of standard bidding theory. At least I have clubs rather than diamonds, which gives responder a 3D punt on some difficult hands, over which we bid a happy 3S.

Do you really bid 2♥ with xxxxxxx, xxx, void, AJx or do you not pass this ? or bid 2♠ ?

[DavidKok]

I play Maas and 'support with support', and I choose to raise hearts even before showing spades with invitational hands. The continuations after 1♥-1♠ have gaps as well for hearts hands, which results in blasting just to get our support in. Some example auctions are 1♥-1♠; 3♣/3♦, 1♥-1♠; 2♠ or even auctions like 1♥-1♠; 3NT-4♥ where partner might have had slam aspirations on hearing of the support. All things considered I prefer supporting immediately, and I can show the spades after.

 Cyberyeti, on 2026-April-02, 00:21, said:

Do you really bid 2♥ with xxxxxxx, xxx, void, AJx or do you not pass this ? or bid 2♠ ?

I think it is a bad idea to pass this hand the first time around. However, if we change the seating and we are an UPH, I have sympathies for both a simple raise and a weak jump shift - with a hand this weak spades likely plays better despite the known fit.

[pescetom]

DavidKok, on 2026-April-01, 15:10, said:

I agree with the 1♥ opening. 1♠ denies three hearts (the spades only get priority with slam interest, which is not possible as a passed hand). Do note the negative inference from failure to bid 2♠.

In my main partnership I'd bid 2NT Gazzilli, showing 5-5 GF. Responder asks with 3♣ and 3♥ shows secondary clubs. We don't have a way to find a 5-3 spade fit on that start. I suspect that a natural and game forcing 3♣ would be more effective here.

I too prefer to play that 1♠ denies three hearts except with certain hands, mainly slam interest. And share the negative inference from lack of 2♠.

I opened 1♥ here and would do so with most partners, although in my rogue NT partnership this would go through 2♣-birthright-3♣ showing 5-5 GF (5-4 takes its chances in 1M or some level of 2NT).
My Gazzilli is still on the shelf awaiting partner, but could show either 5-5 through 2NT (thanks) or 5+ 4+ with 3= spades, which I would have preferred here.