On BWTA partner hasn’t used Flannery either so this is another reason not to worry about the spades. Many, many years ago, I might even have punted 2N or even 3N on such a hand which is rather primitive; I can imagine the likes of HH bidding 2C playing 4 card majors then bidding 3N to angle for a pointed suit lead but that is a bit too twisted for me.
Regards,
Iain
jim2August 31st, 2022 at 10:34 am
Unfortunately, BWTA does NOT include Flannery. I have teased Or Host about that for years.
Iain ClimieAugust 31st, 2022 at 10:54 am
Hi Jim2,
Fair point! If playing 4 card majors though I’d still bid 2D – do we really want partner with a minimum 3541 hand raising to 2S?
The same hand on BWTA is also interesting opposite a 15-17 NT. I’d bid 3N avoiding the risk of Qxxx AKJ Qx QJ10x opposite. If you did that, pard would have KQJx Qxx Qx KQJx and tge first 4 or 5 heart tricks plus SA would strike.
Regards
Iain
bobbywolffAugust 31st, 2022 at 1:29 pm
Hi Iain & Jim2,
Not fair, since Flannery (usually 2D or sometimes, if overall system conflicts, 2H) is close if not, my favorite convention. In its absence, the 4-5 major suit holding, becomes very tricky to handle, and has been, since 4 card majors were popular, meaning perhaps up to ninety years ago.
Yes, to do so, opening 2 of either red suit, precludes playing that specific opening a weak two bid, but, at least in my judgment, a small price to pay (particularly so, 2D) but not to all, which only confirms the oft spoken adage, “different strokes for different folks”).
And while I agree that bidding a good suit before a trashy one will help partner’s bidding judgment, it sometimes improves the chances for declarer, by receiving a less damaging opening lead by a listening opening leader.
Finally Iain, with your final opening lead comment, perhaps Jim2 will be on lead and will select the three of diamonds against your 3NT contract while holding AK532 of that suit.
Now for the final game today, please figure out why the above diamond holding was not the AK432. but instead, including the 5. Directed at all the wise guys out there.
Subscribe to our feed
Bridge-related
Hi Bobby,
On BWTA partner hasn’t used Flannery either so this is another reason not to worry about the spades. Many, many years ago, I might even have punted 2N or even 3N on such a hand which is rather primitive; I can imagine the likes of HH bidding 2C playing 4 card majors then bidding 3N to angle for a pointed suit lead but that is a bit too twisted for me.
Regards,
Iain
Unfortunately, BWTA does NOT include Flannery. I have teased Or Host about that for years.
Hi Jim2,
Fair point! If playing 4 card majors though I’d still bid 2D – do we really want partner with a minimum 3541 hand raising to 2S?
The same hand on BWTA is also interesting opposite a 15-17 NT. I’d bid 3N avoiding the risk of Qxxx AKJ Qx QJ10x opposite. If you did that, pard would have KQJx Qxx Qx KQJx and tge first 4 or 5 heart tricks plus SA would strike.
Regards
Iain
Hi Iain & Jim2,
Not fair, since Flannery (usually 2D or sometimes, if overall system conflicts, 2H) is close if not, my favorite convention. In its absence, the 4-5 major suit holding, becomes very tricky to handle, and has been, since 4 card majors were popular, meaning perhaps up to ninety years ago.
Yes, to do so, opening 2 of either red suit, precludes playing that specific opening a weak two bid, but, at least in my judgment, a small price to pay (particularly so, 2D) but not to all, which only confirms the oft spoken adage, “different strokes for different folks”).
And while I agree that bidding a good suit before a trashy one will help partner’s bidding judgment, it sometimes improves the chances for declarer, by receiving a less damaging opening lead by a listening opening leader.
Finally Iain, with your final opening lead comment, perhaps Jim2 will be on lead and will select the three of diamonds against your 3NT contract while holding AK532 of that suit.
Now for the final game today, please figure out why the above diamond holding was not the AK432. but instead, including the 5. Directed at all the wise guys out there.