[Cyberyeti]

Matchpoints:

---

You open 1♥ (12-14 NT, 4 card majors but 4m4M open the minor so most often 5), partner bids 1♠ (2/1 not GF, and 2♣ always 4+ cards)

You have a choice between:

2♥ something of an underbid, 6+♥
3♥ stating your values correctly and your heart length, but partner will expect a better suit (you have a stronger alternative sequence for the death hand, so min a tad lower than is normal)
1N 15-bad19 which is what you'd do if the 6th heart was a club

What do people reckon ?

[DavidKok]

3♥ seems fine to me, especially since it denies a third spade in this system.

[mike777]

I will try 1NT rebid

option2=3H

[Cyberyeti]

DavidKok, on 2025-November-28, 10:12, said:

3♥ seems fine to me, especially since it denies a third spade in this system.

It's not entirely clear it does here, there is a range between a minimum opener and a GF where it's difficult to show 6♥/3♠ give me xxx, AQJxxx, AK, xx I'm too good for 2M and not good enough to GF so probably rebid 3♥

[DavidKok]

The death hand is any hand that is too strong for a simple rebid or 3-card raise with the 6-3 pattern. I think I misunderstood your methods if this hand type might be folded into 3M in your system.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I think it is a min 3H at best, I would go with 2H.
But 1NT? Why not? It would not occur to me at the
table, but why not.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Cyberyeti]

DavidKok, on 2025-November-28, 10:40, said:

The death hand is any hand that is too strong for a simple rebid or 3-card raise with the 6-3 pattern. I think I misunderstood your methods if this hand type might be folded into 3M in your system.

I tend to think that the death hand is stronger than that where if partner has a near minimum response with 5 in his suit you now want to force to game. Our alternative sequence is GF

[TMorris]

2 ♥ for me. Partner will expect a better suit if I bid 3♥.

[akwoo]

I think twice about 1N because my hearts are so terrible I'm worried about setting them up at notrump, but I have a lot of side entries, so 1N it is.

[mw64ahw]

3♥ works for me, but how do you differentiate a 15 hand vs an 18 hand?

[Cyberyeti]

mw64ahw, on 2025-November-28, 11:47, said:

3♥ works for me, but how do you differentiate a 15 hand vs an 18 hand?

We play a 15-bad 19 1N rebid and good 19-21 2N opener, this leaves the 2N rebid free for really big unbalanced hands, bad 18 we probably rebid 3♥, good 18 probably bites the bullet and bids 2N.

[Huibertus]

I don't see why this hand would be too strong for 2♥? That's what I'd bid.
I'd consider 1NT before considering 3♥.

[Tramticket]

3H is traditionally 7 playing tricks. This is a little bit short. I go with 2H.

[P_Marlowe]

mw64ahw, on 2025-November-28, 11:47, said:

3♥ works for me, but how do you differentiate a 15 hand vs an 18 hand?

There are various structures, but the one we are using (our range is 14/15 ... 18/19)
can be found in

https://www.amazon.d...e/dp/0575061146

Basically
2C is a ask, showing a hand with a good 7 onwards
#1 2D says opener is min, i.e. 14/15
#2 answers on the 2-level are mid range, i.e. 16/17, telling something about the
major, 2NT denies certain major holdings
#3 answer on the 3-level are max range

The seq.

1C / 1D - 1H
1NT - 2S

showes exactly 4-4, 8+

Jumps to the 3 level by responder show add. distribution, usually 5-5

2NT by responder is a relay to 3C, 3C can be passed by responder, i.e. with max. and good clubs
opener has to break the xfer

after 3C, responder showes shape, 5-4.
Rebidding his suit, showes 5 in his suit and 4 clubs bidding NT showes 5332

It works, and is not overly complicate.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Cyberyeti]

Tramticket, on 2025-November-28, 16:46, said:

3H is traditionally 7 playing tricks. This is a little bit short. I go with 2H.

As I explained, for us the minimum is a bit lower, I evaluated this as 6.5 which is fine, just the suit isn't what you'd expect