Monday, March 12, 2007 11:28 PM

2♦ - Positive Response

PITBULLS:

OK we have broke down . Previously the only response allowed to a 2♦ opener was a 2♥ waiting bid. This restriction was due to the Roman 2♦ being included so you had to await clarification from the 2♦ bidder. It might assist some auctions , if one positive bid is allowed by responder & that is a 3♦ bid. This bid shows long diamonds & is an immediate slam try. If opener bids 3NT , it shows the Roman 2♦ with diamond shortness. All other bids are meant to get to your diamond slam at the correct level.

Partner opens 2♦ and you have ♠A ♥QJ10xx ♦10987x ♣xx . You know you have a 5-5 diamond fit minimum so the final contract should be 6 or 7♦ . Setting the suit early has Q bidding advantages. Partner now bids 3♥ so you comply with 3♠. Partner bids 4♣ so you wait with 4♦. Partner bids 4♥ so you bid 5♥ ( source of tricks ) so partner bids 7♦ with ♠Qxxx ♥AK ♦AKQJx ♣Ax .

Since 2♦ is normally natural , responder is captain of the ship. This is why the 2♥ waiting bid is pretty automatic. Opener can now describe a 2 suiter with diamonds as the anchor suit or a NT hand with diamonds or a single suited diamond hand or the Roman 2♦. However if you have a big diamond fit, who cares what opener has ? Lets make it simple as possible for slam or grand slam bidding. With the above auction, if partner did have a Roman 2♦ , 6♥ looks pretty easy.