[jillybean]

---

2♣ strong
2♦ A or K
3♣ clubs

[P_Marlowe]

You have to do something.

I would go with 4NT, which should be quant, and basically showes a max. passed hand.
The alternative is 4C.

You could argue, that opener is showing more than a 2NT opening, i.e. 22+, which would
mean, that you have to force.
You know your p better than I do.

[jillybean]

P_Marlowe, on 2026-April-30, 12:24, said:

You have to do something.

Yes , not the green card

You haven't played with this partner for decades, she is known for being "aggressive"

[P_Marlowe]

jillybean, on 2026-April-30, 12:26, said:

Yes , not the green card

You haven't played with this partner for decades, she is known for being "aggressive"

I played with such a player recently.
We agreed to have only one strong opening, and he opened a hand with 2C, followed
by 2NT, ... holding 10HCP, I decided to go with 4NT, he bid 5C ( I assumed 3KC )
and I was left with bidding my 5 carder Axxxx or 6NT ... Nice p I am, I showed my
ragged suit.

In the end it did not matter, he had a hand, that on could upgrade into a 2NT opener,
he decided to further upgrade and sell the upgraded hand as max.
I only got to decide, who went down, being a nice p that I am, I ventured to undertake it.

Sometimes you are only a passenger on a train you cannot leave.

[Cyberyeti]

I don't understand why you don't give a positive with this type of hand, are you playing 2♥ double neg and transfers or something ?

Goes so much easier after the 2♣-2♥-3♣-4♣ we would have, you've given way more info out.

That said, 4♣ seems beyond obvious in your auction

[pescetom]

Am I too grumpy if I start with a complaint about disclosure?

jillybean, on 2026-April-30, 12:06, said:

2♣ strong
2♦ A or K
3♣ clubs

I struggled with 2♦ until I realized you meant "at least one A or K in an undisclosed suit, no suit with these requisites"
And you still failed to explain whether "clubs" imposed or merely proposed trumps.

I too fail to see why your hearts did not make the cut for showing your own suit, however you do that.
But if now 3♣ merely proposes trumps then 4♣ fixing suit and inviting control-bids looks automatic, you have Kxx and a source of tricks.
If 3♣ imposed trumps then you have to explain what 3NT over 3♥ means.

[mw64ahw]

I'm going to avoid 4NT as opener will pass with a minimum and you have over 4 playing tricks
Does 3♥ show 5 here? with 3♦ asking for Majors?
Does 3♣ guarantee 5 (rather than a (4414)?
If so then 4♣ as a slam invite is clear and I'll look to establish where the controls are.

[jillybean]

I've been out in the sun, and have a lot to answer

Cyberyeti, on 2026-April-30, 13:44, said:

I don't understand why you don't give a positive with this type of hand, are you playing 2♥ double neg and transfers or something ?

Goes so much easier after the 2♣-2♥-3♣-4♣ we would have, you've given way more info out.

That said, 4♣ seems beyond obvious in your auction

I very rarely use a positive response, prefering to let the strong hand describe their hand. If I make a positive response we are looking for grand.
2♥ would deny A,K. I find this very useful for opener to know they could be missing 1st/2nd round control early in the auction.

pescetom, on 2026-April-30, 15:30, said:

Am I too grumpy if I start with a complaint about disclosure?

I struggled with 2♦ until I realized you meant "at least one A or K in an undisclosed suit, no suit with these requisites"
And you still failed to explain whether "clubs" imposed or merely proposed trumps.

I too fail to see why your hearts did not make the cut for showing your own suit, however you do that.
But if now 3♣ merely proposes trumps then 4♣ fixing suit and inviting control-bids looks automatic, you have Kxx and a source of tricks.
If 3♣ imposed trumps then you have to explain what 3NT over 3♥ means.

Apologies for my sloppy disclosure. Artificial 2♦ "waiting" is standard in ACBL simply indicating an Ace or King somewhere in the hand.
3♣ does not impose trump, it will show an unbalanced hand (although that definition is getting stretched beyond most players imagination) , 6+ solid clubs.

mw64ahw, on 2026-April-30, 15:42, said:

I'm going to avoid 4NT as opener will pass with a minimum and you have over 4 playing tricks
Does 3♥ show 5 here? with 3[di} asking for Majors?
Does 3♣ guarantee 5 (rather than a (4414)?
If so then 4♣ as a slam invite is clear and I'll look to establish where the controls are.

3♥ should be 5, I do not have a specific agreement that 3♦ would ask for a major, it would show a suit, unsuitable for nt
3♣ 6+
Partner will respond positively to any cue

footnote. you are all having a dull auction

[mike777]

4C now

I don't mind a positive in H(2NT) or 2D.

Being a passed hand, a heart positive does have a lot going for it.