Mr. Wolff,
Taken together, your answer to today’s question from Gonna Jump, and yesterday’s BWTA item, set a high standard for a jump-shift rebid by Opener.
Also, Opener’s new suit (non-jump, non-reverse) is made with well-above minimum values, “planning to act again”. Is the wide-range new-suit bid forcing for one round? Or, are we just assuming responder will strain to bid unless a rock bottom and with no preference for opener’s first suit?
Thanks

Hi Clarksburg.

Yes, a very good topic for discussion, and a weak part of what is considered American Standard.

When holding minor suits (as is this opening bid), standards need to be ramped up a notch in order to force to game, since it might require 29 points to make 11 tricks (game in a minor suit), although, of course, 3NT is still in the picture. Therefore on close hands, and this is one of them, only a simple 2 club bid is the choice, hoping partner will be able to keep it open, even though sometimes it might be a false preference to diamonds (by holding only 2 diamonds, but with 3 clubs).

To rather choose a jump to 3 clubs instead of only 2 would indeed, IMO, be a horrible choice and much too much of an overbid to even consider,

Forcing clubs, not a part of an American standard system, take care of these types of hands, by starting off with a one club artificial bid, immediately alerting partner and therefore allowing the bidding to progress slowly with more time and room to eventually reach the right contract. However, Mr, Goren, in his infinite marketing knowledge, knew the public, at that time was not ready to include artificiality into initial bidding and so glossed over the disadvantages of what he suggested and taught.

Sort of sad, but for the normal social bridge player, only interested in having fun and doing as well as the next guy accepted the bad with the good and, to this day, the above is the accepted method except for aspiring players who have no choice but to amend previous old wives tales.

It seems inconsistent, and in a sense it is, but heretofore standard treatments, while still popular, have been amended by serious and aspiring players, but left imperfect for the file and rank.

Good luck and thanks for the probing question.

Many thanks. Most helpful, as always.
Way back, I asked you whether a strong 2C opening with a hand very likely to end up in a minor, required “more” to be played as a game force than when a Major or NT is likely (because of the extra trick required). As I recall, you agreed.
So….maybe I should have figured this one out on my own!!

Hi Clarksburg,

Thanks for your gracious comment.

Yes, marketing ideas has unfortunately had a pronounced influence on selling everything, from necessities to snake oil.

However, when one digs deeper, as in this case, of you exploring the genesis of higher level bridge theory, the truth, like the morning sun, will shine steady and bright.

Finally, when one needs to know what really makes a difference in jumping several levels toward expert play, counting every hand while in progress, both as declarer and as a defender, is vitally necessary for success.

All I can add to the immediate above, is that once mastered, always remembered, and can the average arithmetical person accomplish it, I would answer, most certainly, and all that is needed is the enthusiasm and discipline to attempt to do it.

One’s mind facility has always been underrated and is more capable and therefore available than any of us expect it to be.