[blml] L9A vs L73B1

[Herman De Wael]

Jan Peter Pals wrote:
> East (dealer) opens 1C, not alerted. This may be a doubleton in a
> 5crd-major system and is alertable in the NL. Against this opening, NS
> play an artificial defence, based on transfers.
> 
> South, who knows about the possible doubleton C, holds:
> 
> K9
> 62
> QJ8
> AKQ942
> 
> He would like to bid 1S (=transfer to clubs OR showing diamonds and
> hearts). 
> Over a 'natural' 1C (min. 3crd)  he would have bid 1NT.
> 
> South does not know what will happen: 
> a) If he bids 1S, partner may not alert and jump to 3S. 
> b) If he bids 1NT, partner may alert, explain spades and diamonds OR
> hearts and clubs, and jump to 3H.
> 
> Is south allowed to ask the meaning, or draw attention to the
> alertability of 1C?

I would not rule against someone who asks the meaning of a bid when it 
clearly defines his system. I would almost rule against someone who 
does not ask and solely relies on an alert.

> If he doesn't, what are his options under the calamity scenarios in a)
> and b)?
> 

"Failure to protect oneself could come up!"

BTW, in Belgium there is no difference in treatment of "1Cl can be 
4432" and "1cl better minor", but even here, players are obliged to 
tell their system at the start of the round. I would imagine that in 
the Netherlands, where such difference is much more important, it 
should be a big infraction if people do not start by saying that they 
play that 1Cl could be 2.

BTW2, I find it stupid that the NBB make such a distinction, and I 
find players even more stupid that insist on playing diamonds 4, when 
they know that over their 1Cl they can expect anything.
But then I'm only Belgian. ;)

> Thanks for comments
> JP
> 

-- 
Herman DE WAEL
Antwerpen Belgium
http://www.hdw.be