Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Perspective?

In thinking through a bidding sequence for possibilities, a somewhat strange thought occurred to me.  I am not sure what to make of it, but the thought process was unique.

Suppose one decided that the ability to bid a natural 2NT after a weak Two Hearts is doubled by partner is a good thing.  Suppose, further, that to cater to this, one decided to use Two Spades in this sequence as the alternative for Lebensohl.  This might not be ideal, but that's not the point that I reached.

In that scheme, you end up forced to the three-level to play spades.  This is the obvious downside.

But, the thought process was not simply along these lines.  What I thought about was whether playing 2S by Advancer as artificial and forcing would be the description.  Or, would Doubler simply be forced, in a sense?  The nuance might be elusive at this point.  "Is 2S forcing, or is the Doubler forced?"  What's the difference?

If the double commits to play at the 2NT level or higher, then there is nothing in effect "different," in a sense.  Advancer can bid 2S, knowing that the auction is alive.  However, 2S is not the forcing bid, but rather the Double forces a set level as a minimum end point, in the thought process. 

This is sort of like a Standard American sequence.  Opener starts 1S.  Responder responds 2D.  Opener bids 2H.  This is "forcing," but the 2H call does not establish the force.  2D did that.

I am still working out the implications, but it alleviates some analysis.

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