Donna had some lesson hands to day. One would have been easier in the old days.
I do not recall vul or form of scoring but I don't think it matters. Suppose you are dealt a 3=3=3=4 hand with an 18 count. Your partner opens 1
and you rho passes. You so what?
In the old days referred to above, you bid 2NT. This showed a balanced hand, not passable. far more often than not, partner will raise to 3NT. Then you can bid 4NT, showing this strength. Or, since you have four clubs, you could bid a natural 4
, after which opener can sign off in 4NT or start cueing to see if a slam might be there. With a 14 count and a bit of shape, 6
might be a fine contract. If the flat 18 seems a little light for this wait for 19 or a good 18, with some tens, say.
Ok, in modern times this plan is out since 1
- 2NT is passable. So now what?
It seems to me that 1
-2
would be fine in preparation for a 4 NT bid at responder's. Yes, partner will think you have five clubs when you bid 2
but he could rethink that when you rebid 4NT. And even if he does not rethink that, he is not going to pursue a club slam if he started with three cards, and the club slam may be just fine if we have a 4-4 club fit.
So I think this is reasonable. But, as was said at the time, there needs to be agreement.
Mostly my point is that the modern agreement, with 1
- 2NT being passable, leaves a gap where the old style auction could go 1
- 2NT-3NT-4NT for a balanced slam invitation.
Your thoughts?