Assuming the
partners are not playing Jacoby Transfers, what is the meaning of 2H
in this auction? Can opener raise to 3H with good Hearts
or must opener Pass? Our bidding went:
1N - 2H;
3H
The standard
treatment for partners who do not play Jacoby Transfers after opener bids 1
Notrump (assuming 16-18 points) is:
HCP |
|
0 - 7 |
Bid 2D, 2H,
or 2S with 5+ cards in suit (2C is Stayman) |
8 - 9 |
Bid 2N |
10-14 |
Bid 4H or 4S
with a 6+ card suit
Bid 3H or 3S with a 5+ card suit
Otherwise, bid 3N |
Thus,
responder's 2H bid is a signoff bid, sometimes known as a "drop dead"
bid - this requires the opener to Pass (no possibility for game).
Not
surprisingly, many newer partners have never discussed this agreement and
have had the same problem. Ironically, when emerging players convert
to the Jacoby Transfer convention, many forget this bidding scenario and
make similar mistakes. And when the opponents' compete, partnership
agreements are all the more lacking. Let's say the auction goes:
1N - (2H)
- 2S
Is the 2S
bid still 0 - 7 points and only a competitive bid, or does 2S imply
greater values? What would responder's Double mean? Does the
vulnerability matter?
These are
areas that are partnership dependent - there are no generic guidelines for
such competitive bids where all partners agree. So while your partner's
understanding of the your auction is correct, I suggest you use the
opportunity to discuss other auctions, too. |