[blml] convention

[Tim West-Meads]

Sven wrote: 
> No, that is precisely NOT what the 5H bid shows. A suit with KQJ is 
> of 50% greater strength than a suit with only the Ace. What the 5H 
> bid shows is exactly the Ace of Hearts, not the high card strength
> in Hearts.

Technically the 5H bid does not show "exactly the HA", it shows 
high-card strength including, but not limited to, the HA - but I don't 
think that is actually relevant.  One simply cannot maintain the 
position that a bid which shows an ace doesn't promise high card strength.

"High card strength" is a general term which admits of various subsets 
amongst which I have seen (in various contexts): Ace,  Ace or King, two 
of the top three honours, KJT or better, Ace or KQ, at least QJx.
If we are to rule that any specificity as to high card strength makes 
the bid conventional then many people are opening conventional weak 2s 
without realising it.  Similarly 4/5/6+ cards is a subset of 3+ cards 
and again we will have to rule conventionality for such length related 
specificity.

The allusions to 5H being a "control" bid are unhelpful.  Typically 
control bids don't promise high card strength since they can me made on 
a singleton/void.

Note to Nigel: It doesn't matter, for EBU alerting purposes, whether 5H 
is conventional or not.  It's above the level of 3N and not an opening 
bid so it's not alertable.  As with any bid agreements as to exact 
meaning are disclosable. 

Tim.