I open 1
. Will elaborate later.
[Added]
Obviously not a gambling 3NT, at least using anything resembling a standard definition of that method. And 4
as Gerber over
any 3NT is a poor agreement. As Ken mentioned, if it’s Gambling 3NT --- 4
is now pass-or-correct.
So, how to bid this?
There are many possible auctions depending on your agreements, and your style.
First of all, I am intensely reluctant to open 2
when my suit is a minor. Yes, there are exceptions. This ain’t one of ‘em. It’s a rare hand that I decide to open 2
and intend to rebid 3
. Because responder will usually bid 2
, which will often make him declarer, I strain to avoid that start to an auction. If I do rebid 3
it’s truly a one-suited hand—at least six cards. A hand that, should partner pass my one-level open, I kick myself for not choosing 2
. Those hands happen. But this ain’t one of ‘em.
As an aside, if I have a four-card major, in addition to a six-plus card diamond suit, I jump rebid the major, a specialized agreement showing the 6-4 nature of my hand. It solves an otherwise difficult to handle space issue.
If this hand is opened 2
, responder’s
suit is not good enough (I prefer the 2-of-top-3 method) to respond 2
, so 2
it is. Also, after opener’s 3
, if this pair has agreed 3
is only rebid with single-suited hands, then responder knows they have at best a 5-3
fit. So . . . does responder introduce the
suit, showing a 5+ card suit not good enough to respond 2
? Or, does he support
by bidding 4
? I think it’s a close call if the previously mentioned agreements are in place.
So one possible auction beginning with 2
:
2
– 2
3
a – 4
b4
c – 4
d5
e – 5
f*
6
a) Six plus
usually no four-card major
b) Choosing not to introduce the
suit knowing "a." Agrees trump. Slamming.
c) Kickback
d) One key --
A obviously
e) King ask
f) Showing the
K
* A bold responder (not me) knowing that the King ask also indicates partnership possession of all the key cards, might, with two Kings, simply bid the grand. I doubt I would do this, but it would cross my mind.
Another possible auction if responder shows the
suit:
2
– 2
3
– 3
a4
b – 4NT
c5
d– 5
e5
f – 6
ga) Showing a 5+ card
unable to show in response to 2
b) Okay, I have three
c) Too much to sign-off. RKCB
d) Three key cards
e) Q-ask
f) Nope. Do not have trump Q.
g) Five keys, missing Q. Small slam is high enough.
Or, if opened 1
:
1
– 1
3NT - ??
Is responder worth a slam try? I think yes. Opener is showing 7 running
(presumably) and stuff outside. With my Ace, two Kings, and a Jack in the “outside” suits, those are certainly fillers for partner’s gaps. I would probably just rebid 4
here as responder, agreeing
as trump, showing the slam try, and a control along the way. Partner could then keycard with 4
.
My personal preferences about how to begin the auction stems from my lurking on the BridgeBase Forums for hours and soaking up what I can from better players. They almost universally agree with the one-level approach with a minor. A friend posted a similar hand to Bridgewinners a couple of years ago. The results came back over 90% to open 1
. That does not mean everyone must. It's a choice of what you give up and what you gain. While I dislike the 2
approach, and understand the thinking, I would not choose it because it lacks just enough in defensive values to steer me toward 1
. Give me a
K or
K and I would feel better about opening 2
.
There are plenty of other possible auctions for the hand provided.