2♠ | -2NT | is Lebensohl forcing a 3♣ bid from Opener, after which any bid is natural and strictly a sign-off unless obviously invitational eg: 2♠-2NT-3♣-2♠ is mildly invitational in Spades, probably wanting good Spades as well as upper range (a hand worth a strong invitation would go via 3♣) |
2♠-3♣ | A forcing enquiry to find our more about Opener's strength and distribution. Note: Responder should not use this route if a maximum Opener with a Minor-suit shortage is no good for them (See 2♠-3♣-3♥ below): |
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-3♦ | shows a Heart shortage, max range. 3♥ is Beta | |
-3♥ | shows a Minor Suit shortage, max range. Now 3♠ asks again (not a sign-off in Spades) and Opener bids 3NT with a Club shortage and 3♣ with a Diamond shortage. The short Minor is now Beta. |
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-3♠ | shows minimum range, any distribution. 4♣ is Beta, but rarely used |
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-3NT | shows a max range 6322-shape hand with scattered values. | |
-4♣ | shows a 4+-card Club suit, max range. 4♦ is Beta |
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-4♦ | shows a 4+-card Diamond suit, max range. 4♥ is Beta | |
-4♥ | shows a 4+-card Heart suit, max range. 4NT is Beta | |
Once a shortage has been shown the short suit can be used for a Beta Ask, but no Epsilons are permitted. If Opener shows a second suit then a relay in the next suit up (not including 3NT or 4♠) is Beta. Epsilons are still not permitted. |
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2♠ | -3♦ | Is Gamma in Spades. Asking Bids are established. |
2♠ | -3♠ | is purely pre-emptive and not invitational. |
2♠ | -4♠ | is purely pre-emptive but may well conceal strong vales. |