Turns out there's more to it
Things I didn't know about Italian Cues:
NT shows a second control in the suit just bid ie:
1h-p-3h-p-3s-3n (shows a spade control)
If a suit is skipped next suit bid shows the skipped suit
1h-3h-4c-4d (4d shows a spade control)
After two cues at the four level you cannot use bw
1h-p-3h-4c-4d-4n (shows a d control)
Over splinters a cue of splinter suit shows only a first round control
NT shows a second control in the suit just bid ie:
1h-p-3h-p-3s-3n (shows a spade control)
If a suit is skipped next suit bid shows the skipped suit
1h-3h-4c-4d (4d shows a spade control)
After two cues at the four level you cannot use bw
1h-p-3h-4c-4d-4n (shows a d control)
Over splinters a cue of splinter suit shows only a first round control
posted by Deborah at 3:14 PM
3 Comments:
I've only heard of the middle of these three before, I can't be certain (Italian cues are still rare in the UK) but I think you have picked up someone's pet methods.
I play 1H:3H, 3S:3N as showing poor trumps. Having it as showing good trumps is fine too, but as we play Frivolous 3NT on other auctions I thought this would reduce the chance of a mix-up - either way, it is showing the worse of the two possible handtypes. (I think it only makes sense to use serious/frivolous 3NT when neither hand is limited, in this case opener knows whether he has slam interest or not)
1H:3H, 4C:4H is a sign-off denying a spade control, so 1H:3H, 4C:4D shows a spade control and invites opener to go on. Some may play that it denies a diamond control, otherwise they would bid past 4H immediately.
1H:3H, 4C:4D, 4N is definitely keycard for me. If you want to sort out the diamond control somehow, it would seem better to have 1H:3H, 4C:4D, 4S asking for one.
Anyone know if there is a standard for all of these sequences?
I agree with Mike, I very much doubt this is standard, apart from the second example, which holds by pure logic. (4D must imply slam is still possible; since 4C has denied a spade control, the 4D MUST have a spade control.)
Actually, I would have thought RKCB is essential when playing Italian cues, since often it's the only way to find out whether you are off two aces from the top.
May I humbly repeat my suggestion that you read Fred's excellent articles on improving 2/1 that also talk about Italian cue-bidding in the context of major suit fits :)
(I suspect many have read and been influenced by these articles, even though some suggestions are probably not the expert majority choice; e.g. Fred himself seems to have changed his opinion on cues at the 5-level.)
Arend
Thanks Mike and Arend. I was telling Mike that it was a relief to be able to again include rkc. whew. I'm reading [URL=http://www.imp-bridge.nl/articles/2over1.htm]Improving 2/1[/URL] right now. I have it open in another window. Thanks again.
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