Balancing decision

[T Hunt]

[hv=d=w&v=e&s=sq4hkq93dkj983c73]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

If you chose to pass how much extra would you need to bid?

[han]

I pass. I need considerably more to bid.. double is unattractive because I can't handle the most likely response, and 3D is not getting us anywhere.

[Guest Jlall]

Nah I wouldn't. This shape sucks so I would want full values to bid. I would probably bid 3D with a king more (I can't stomach a X).

[kgr]

Pass

Change ♣3 to ♠3 and I DBL.

[ArtK78]

I bid 3D.

 

Partner is sitting there with a good hand on which he cannot act. Something like 4333 or 3433 with a 14 count. If I don't balance, they are going to play in 3C making 8 or 9 tricks. Meanwhile, we are cold for something - anywhere from 3D to 4H.

 

You just cannot sell out on a hand like this.

[joshs]

Even moving a club into the spade suit I would still pass. I don't like making light takeout x's as an unpassed hand without convertable values. My hand has no aces and only 1 KQ. Would you be suprised if it went all pass, and my hand took only 1 trick with that hand for making 4 or 5? Even as a passed hand, xing would be marginal. I would rather have a 3451 8 count with 2 aces than these cards.

 

For me, I would need at least a king more (maybe 4 more points if I don't like my diamond suit texture much- e.g. Adding the spade K, I would still pass) with this shape to balance with 3D.

[han]

I bid 3D.

 

Partner is sitting there with a good hand on which he cannot act. Something like 4333 or 3433 with a 14 count. If I don't balance, they are going to play in 3C making 8 or 9 tricks. Meanwhile, we are cold for something - anywhere from 3D to 4H.

 

You just cannot sell out on a hand like this.

You sound like you have seen all 4 hands.

 

Is it possible that partner has a 3-3-3-4 6-count instead, and that we go for a huge number if we bid? If you frequently bid 3D with hands like this, will partner take you seriously when you bid 3D next time on xx AQx AKJxxx xx or even more?

 

I think the answers are "yes, that's certainly possible" and "no, partner won't expect you to have your bids anymore". Nobody likes to sell out with xx in clubs, and it is true that a double partscore swing is possible. But in my opinion you just have to sell out with hands like this.

[Kalvan14]

Pass at IMPs. 3♦ NV at MPs.

[han]

Pass at IMPs. 3♦ NV at MPs.

Bidding at matchpoints is also more attractive if the opponents are not vulnerable.

[akhare]

Pass -- 5422 hands don't play too well in my experience and besides pard never bids either of my long suits when I X w/ such hands :D....

 

Atul

[Kalvan14]

Pass at IMPs. 3♦ NV at MPs.

Bidding at matchpoints is also more attractive if the opponents are not vulnerable.

I'd not be so sure N/S hold the balance of strength. 3♦-1 (or even -2, undoubled) would still be better than 3♣ making