BPO-007D

[Finch]

I accidently made this one matchpoints, but so much the better.

Hmmm. I also noticed the introduction that said they were all IMP problems.

I'd have made the same call at MPs (although it's closer) so I shan't complain.

[mauro_1946]

Pass.

2♦ is a free bid, so either a good hand or a good shape. My partner bidded 1♠ but earlier he passed, so, i agree with Pclayton, 3♣ would show a very constructive raise not 3♦. I dont have any more respect my free bid and i dont see how and why i have to bid more

[inquiry]

This hand is all about how much we respect our partner's curtsey raise to 3♦ (and his free bid of 1♠). Some didn't think too much of it. Choosing to pass and play in 3♦ were Reisig, and MikeH. Mike explained his pass like this: "Pass: even thinking is an overbid on this misfit with that trump length and spot cards."

 

Everyone esle did more than think about bidding, they actually bid. Let;s start with the two lone rangers, who choose a bid no one else picked. Starting with this matchpoint driven choice: Beto: 3NT. Usually the best game in MPs. I am hoping that neither defender has 5 clubs. This way i can loose 3 clubs and 1 trick to get one of my suits going.

 

Going against the grain of playing in NT at matchpoints was Joker_GIB, who had the pedal to the metal trying for 5♦: "4♣ Partner is likely unbalanced and I don't specially want to look after 3NT. 4♣ shows extra values and I don't want to bid 3♥ which should show 6 cards.

 

The remaining panelist had no trouble bidding 3♥, even though it showed a 6th heart that the hand lacked. We will start wtih Fred who mentioned this point specifically, but the others knew this just as well. Fred also discusses why he doesn't choose Beto's choice of 3NT.

 

Fred: 3♥ - This call is forcing and would normally suggest a 6th heart, but this hand looks like a good candidate for playing a 5-2 fit in 4♥. I don't want to play in 3NT unless partner can bid it himself. If partner signs off in 4D I will probably pass, but I think this is a close call. If partner suggests spade strength with 3♠, I might try 3NT in desperation but more likely I will retreat to 4♦.

 

The other experts followed Fred's lead here, all pretty much with the same reasoning.

 

Roland 3♥. My heart suit is so strong that I'm prepared to play in 4H opposite a small doubleton. This is matchpoints. Go for the higher scoring game first. My dream partner has Kx of course, but less will do.

 

Luis: 3♥, I don't like bidding 3NT with this suit-oriented hand and I certainly can't bid 3s so the only bid to keep 5d and 4h in the picture at the same time is 3h. This might be understood as showing a six card suit and that's fine to me since AQJ97 is a very good suit. I will pass if pd can bid 4h with a doubleton, pass 3NT or go to 5d when pd can't bid 3NT and doesn't have 2 cards in hearts.

 

Frances and Jeffrey: 3♥, Too good to pass. Will play very well opposite a 5242. We would rather pass than bid 3NT: if 3NT is the correct spot it looks obvious that it should be played by partner.

 

ng. 3♥. I have maximum with Aces. 3NT has no chance if partner has club singleton and there is no 9 quick tricks. With Qx in clubs 3NT is better from his side. My hearts is good, and would be great if partner has Kx. 3H leaves open all possibility. MP scoring is important also, so I will pass 4D.

 

All in all, 3♥ was a clear winner, it keeps hearts in the picture, it doesn't force to 3NT while not giving up on it. 3NT and pass put all the eggs in one basket, and 4♣ gives up on the chance to get into notrump and makes it harder to get into higher scoring hearts on 5-2 fit.

 

Scores

3♥ - 100 (five votes)

Pass - 50 (two votes)

3NT - 20 (1 vote)

4♣ - 10 (1 vote)

[han]

Thanks to the panel for showing me my mistakes, I'm now convinced that 3♥ is much better than 3NT.