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1. • CommentAuthornorma
   • CommentTimeJan 2nd 2010

    
   Recently in a game of duplicate with a new partner - they opened 1 club, I responded 1 heart with 6 points, opposition went 1 spade and partner went 4 clubs. I was unsure what this meant - how would you interpret it?
2. • CommentAuthorjohn boughey
   • CommentTimeJan 12th 2010

    
   By they opened one club I assume you mean partner opened one club!
   Depends on what system you are playing. I would interpret this as a hand with opening points (12 to 15 or so) and seven or so clubs. The bid has a double intention 1. To make life hard for the opposition to find the right contract (If they have one) and 2. To offer a sacrifice in 5 clubs should the opposition find their 4 spade game.
   It is not recommended to use 4 clubs as Gerber (asking for aces) when clubs have already been bid and confusion could follow.
3. • CommentAuthorpirate22
   • CommentTimeJan 13th 2010

    
   To clarify my partner opened 1cl ---pass---i respnded 1 ht (6 points)----1sp
   4cl----pass---?? you have not also stated if ply acol-sayc-precision--If acol-I would assume pard has some hts,and a strong hand,if not as john states it cannot be gerber-so if you have 5 hts and still 6 points bid 4 hts-if 3/4/3/3 and still 6 points ----PASS
4. • CommentAuthorDaisy
   • CommentTimeJun 21st 2010

    
   The bid could also be the same as it would be without intervention -- partner has a strong hand with good hearts and good clubs.
5. • CommentAuthorJeremy
   • CommentTimeJun 22nd 2010

    
   I think 4C should be 2-4-2-5 with about a max for a 1 level opening. With a singleton you would probably prefer 3S or 4D
6. • CommentAuthorTerrence
   • CommentTimeJun 24th 2010

    
   Although it is improper to use Gerber in such situations, there are many inexperienced players (some of whom have been playing this way for years) who treat all 4C bids as Gerber. It may be something they have been told not to do, but you were not there when they were told, so once again the 4C bid, meant as Gerber, surfaces, however much some of us gringe at the thought.
   
   So, I presume partner was showing heart support and asking for Aces.
   
   Oh, if I were in your seat, even believing that is what is meant, I would not reply to Gerber, because I refuse to encourage anyone with whom I play to ever think that all 4C bids are Gerber. I'd rather get a zero and move on than reply with my number of aces.
7. • CommentAuthorDaisy
   • CommentTimeJun 25th 2010

    
   *Oh, if I were in your seat, even believing that is what is meant, I would not reply to Gerber, because I refuse to encourage anyone with whom I play to ever think that all 4C bids are Gerber. I'd rather get a zero and move on than reply with my number of aces.*
   
   I don't think it is a very good idea to punish partner at the table. Play what you think the system is and then change your agreements after the session.
8. • CommentAuthorJeremy
   • CommentTimeJul 15th 2010 edited

    
   I can think why it is not best to play 4C as Gerber but there is nothing improper about it. On the other hand to punish partner because you don't like their bidding must mean you lose an awful lot of partners who would rather play a more pleasant game even if it involved what you saw as an inferior time to use a convention. You might rather get a zero but not only would partner prefer some match points but the other opponents in the club game might prefer a playing field not sullied with quite such a loose cannon!