billw55

Generally agree with others. Except on 1, with good working honors in partner's suit I would consider 3♣. Maybe a stretch, but 1NT has its flaws as well. Not sure which I would choose at the table.

That's kind of my point. If anything, they are more likely to bid over us after a 2♥ call than after a pass - since that would absolutely confirm the fit. They should know we have a fit anyway? Maybe, but opponents are not infallible. Why help them? Basically, I think we have a better chance of playing 1♥x than 2♥x. Furthermore, I can't imagine our side bidding higher than the 2 level - which ops will certainly outbid. So what can I gain by bidding 2♥?

I pass. Thanks to my brilliant (?) 1♦ call, ops don't necessarily know that we have a heart fit. From their point of view, we could be flailing desperately to avoid a number - so there is some chance of playing 1♥x for a cold top. Not a huge chance, but worth a try IMO. And if they work it out right and bid on, I can too, if it seems wise. edit: actually thinking about it, the chance to play 1♥x isn't bad at all. Righty balanced with a double, then hit 1♥ directly. Put yourself in lefty's seat; what does this auction sound like?

To me it's a clear pass at any scoring or vulnerability. If I bid 4♠ on this junk, I'm letting the opponents jerk me around. Besides, why shouldn't partner have a call over 4♥ and two passes? Chances are he has a better bid than I do.

Well if they redouble, I can always change my mind and bid 7♥. So yes, I double for the ♦ lead.

Just because you go down, doesn't mean the bidding was wrong. Especially at matchpoints, which is what this sounds like. OK, you got a few zeros going down in 3NT. But if you make a habit of playing in 4 or 5 of a minor instead, some of those will be zeros as well - for failing to be in 3NT when it makes. Probably more of them. Several things have to happen to go down in 3NT (when you otherwise have the goods to make it). First, you have to have a weak suit; second, they have to lead it; third, they have to not block the suit, or otherwise misplay it to give you an extra stopper. Opponents are not infallible! On top of that, sometimes you will have 9 cashing tricks after your one lonely stopper is driven out, say if the finesse you need works. On the whole, bidding 3NT with shaky stoppers pays off in the long run at matchpoints.

I am glad somebody said that :) I confess to an ulterior motive for my conservatism in this thread. In the "what's your flavor" thread, a healthy majority of posters were willing to psych. The conversation almost made it sound ... ordinary. But if that is the case, why should we assume partner has anything at all on this hand? Or why should partner assume we have anything at all? Are we a bunch of raging psychists or not? Personally, I vote for not. So yes, on this hand it sounds like at least one opponent is off his rocker, and slam is probably 50-50 or better. *goes to figure odds on bidding nonvul small slams at IMPs*

East might have opened 2♥ with that hand; but OK 1♥ is reasonable. But 2♥ with that west hand? A preemptive 3♥ or even 4♥ seems much more likely; 2♥ freely should be constructive. At these colors I find it much more likely that partner is the one with no values but distribution. I think you are stretching to construct a perfect deal - giving partner ♦x opposite your ace, plus the ♣KQxxx!? How often does partner have such perfect cards in the real world?

You guys sure are imagining partner having alot for the auction. Vulnerable opponents have opened 1♥ in first seat, and raised freely over a double. You hold 24 HCP. What can partner possibly hold? Can he even have a king to show? A queen?

eh, I suppose just 4♠, lacking in imagination though it is. Partner could be distributional with no values and still take a freebid. I could try 4♥, but what could partner possibly bid over that besides 4♠ anyway? I am happy to let them lead a heart.

hm, my partners would never overcall with a 4 card major. I would also choose 3♦.

... you ask if I psych?

6♠. When in doubt, whip it out ;) White on red and partner couldn't scrape up a 1♠ call. Ergo he cannot even have a minor suit K. 6♥ almost has to be making.

Seems like too much defense here for 5♦. If teammates are -100 they won't be happy to find us -300 or -500. But if teammates are +620, -620 is break even. It seems like 5♦ would be laying about 2:1 that 4♥ is making; with this hand, I'm not that confident.

How about 4♠ directly over 3♠? To me that shows a strong hand with 5-5 in hearts and a minor, which sounds accurate for this hand.

I can't imagine that will work, the auction has blueprinted the defense: ♥ over to righty, ♣ back through.

Well if I double ... certainly. But a pass in tempo could go through, and might be our best chance at a plus score.

Clear pass, even without 3♣ bid on my left.

5♦ sounds right to me. It's obviously a move toward slam and tells partner someting he needs to know.