Two Decisions over 4H

[Echognome]

1.[hv=d=e&v=n&s=s3h863dkt984ckqj6]133|100|Scoring: MP

(4♥) - P - (P) - X

(P) - ?[/hv]

 

2.[hv=d=e&v=n&s=s3h863dkt984ckqj6]133|100|Scoring: MP

(4♥) - P - (P) - X

(P) - ?[/hv]

*Weak, but mindful of the vulnerability.

[Free]

1. pass

2. 4♠

[MickyB]

Pass and pass.

[Blofeld]

1. 4NT: I expect to make 5 of a minor, and partner may raise to 6 on some appropriate hands. Against that, I don't expect to get very rich in 4♥.

 

2. Pass

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

1) 4NT, scrambling.

2) Pass

 

with kind regards

Marlowe

[coyot]

Pass and pass.

 

On the first hand, we're not too likely to have anything better than 2 minor 8-card fits (if partner is 5134) - that against estimated 9card heart suit of opponents gives something like 18-19 tricks, definitely not 20.

 

Let's put it this way - if partner has spade or heart ace, the odds of beating 4♥ are pretty good. And if he does not have it, we would need just about everything in minors to work - and in that case, we can still defeat 4♥ 1-3 times.

 

Especially considering the MP, the double might be a bit more aggressive, so let's hope it'll work :).

 

On the second hand, I'd like to know more... How many losers does the 2♠ promise? What does 4♥ from opponents mean? (Weak 5card? Do they have any strong bids available?). If I'm reasonably sure that they have 10+ hearts together, I'd try 5♦, as my partner is likely to have something like AQxxxx-void-Kxx(x)-xxx.

 

5♦ should go just made (or one down if opps have their game).

 

If 4♥ is "to play based on strength", I'd probably pass unless I'm sure that partner has to have a good hand (meaning he'll cash ace of spades, give me ruff, get in with diamond king and give me another ruff :)).

[Miron]

1. 4NT, I expect us to make 11 tricks.

2. pass

[whereagles]

1. 4NT, showing 2 places to play. Pass may be turn out right, but I think we have good chances in 5m.

 

2. Pass. They've overbid a partscore deal and are probably on their way down.

[Codo]

1. I see four possibilities:

5 or 6 Diamonds.

4 NT

pass

 

I would like a tool to show a 5 and a half Diamond bid, but I have none.

 

So I pass and lead a spade. 500 is likely if we can make 5 in a minor.

 

2. I will try 5 Diamond in mps and pass at imps. I am believing, that 5 Diamond may be a winner even in this vul, but that the occasional big loss is too much for my team mates.

[Blofeld]

I would like a tool to show a 5 and a half Diamond bid, but I have none.

The normal way to do that is to bid 4NT and pull partner's 5♣ bid to 5♦.

[JohnnyH7]

1) 4N.

2) pass.

[inquiry]

1. Dbl - it is matchpoints.. lead a trump

 

2. With a parnter who will have 7 tricks for a vul 2♠ jump overcall I will bid 4♠. The ♠K is one, the ♦A is another, and either the ♣K or potential ♦ hook might be a third. If neither the ♣K nor the ♦Q are setting up a winner, they will make 4♥. With a partner who ignores the vulnerability, I pass and hope for the best on defense.

[pclayton]

1. 4N. Happy to find our game at equal. Hopefully its +400 / 420 against +100 / +300 in 4♥.

 

2. Really, really tough, but I think I can peg pard on roughly AQJxxxx,void, xx,xxxx. 4♠ could fetch; or might be -1 against 4♥. But its probably -500 or possibly -800 if he tries to make. Make pard a 7=0=3=3, and I will wish I'd bid!

[jdonn]

1. 4N. Happy to find our game at equal. Hopefully its +400 / 420 against +100 / +300 in 4♥.

 

2. Really, really tough, but I think I can peg pard on roughly AQJxxxx,void, xx,xxxx. 4♠ could fetch; or might be -1 against 4♥. But its probably -500 or possibly -800 if he tries to make. Make pard a 7=0=3=3, and I will wish I'd bid!

AQJxxxx - xx xxxx for 2♠? Really? I know r/w, but still? I would bid 3♠ vul and 4♠ not vul on this over a 1♥ opening bid.

 

I pass on the first hand. Going plus is fun, going minus is less fun.

 

I double on the second hand. My experience is partner almost always has one more trump than he is 'supposed' to have on the opponents' bidding in these situations, as you curse those 'crazy opponents'. Make those opponents pay for being too frisky not vul. I also think I can hope for a card outside spades from partner for his r/w bid. I hope that card is in clubs (or hearts!) and not the diamond king.

[pclayton]

1. 4N. Happy to find our game at equal. Hopefully its +400 / 420 against +100 / +300 in 4♥.

 

2. Really, really tough, but I think I can peg pard on roughly AQJxxxx,void, xx,xxxx. 4♠ could fetch; or might be -1 against 4♥. But its probably -500 or possibly -800 if he tries to make. Make pard a 7=0=3=3, and I will wish I'd bid!

AQJxxxx - xx xxxx for 2♠? Really? I know r/w, but still? I would bid 3♠ vul and 4♠ not vul on this over a 1♥ opening bid.

 

I pass on the first hand. Going plus is fun, going minus is less fun.

 

I double on the second hand. My experience is partner almost always has one more trump than he is 'supposed' to have on the opponents' bidding in these situations, as you curse those 'crazy opponents'. Make those opponents pay for being too frisky not vul. I also think I can hope for a card outside spades from partner for his r/w bid. I hope that card is in clubs (or hearts!) and not the diamond king.

J - doesn't AQJxxxx, void, xx, xxxx look like 7 tricks to you?

 

I usually play 2-3-4, so it really should be: AQJxxx, x, xx, xxxx, so 4♠ has even less of a chance.

 

I don't like smacking them for -1.

[Guest Jlall]

Wow, Phil's 2S overcalls look like my 4S overcalls :)

 

Rule of 2 is really really really conservative and I doubt most people are using it.

 

First hand I'd go with 4N. Passing would be a disaster if pard didn't have much in spades and had a stiff heart (think double game). Bidding will be very wrong if partner has two hearts and some spade wastage.

 

I think partner is a favorite to have a stiff heart so I'll bid.

 

2nd hand I would just pass, I don't have any tricks and see no need to double them. It's their hand. 4H is not a preempt.

[pclayton]

Wow, Phil's 2S overcalls look like my 4S overcalls :)

 

Rule of 2 is really really really conservative and I doubt most people are using it.

 

First hand I'd go with 4N. Passing would be a disaster if pard didn't have much in spades and had a stiff heart (think double game). Bidding will be very wrong if partner has two hearts and some spade wastage.

 

I think partner is a favorite to have a stiff heart so I'll bid.

 

2nd hand I would just pass, I don't have any tricks and see no need to double them. It's their hand. 4H is not a preempt.

Well, we are at adverse vul; so the rule of 2-3-4 is still pretty agressive.

 

Side note: I know a lot of good players that don;t pay much attention to vulnerability. For them: AQJxxx, xx, xx, xxx is a 2♠ call at any colors.

[Guest Jlall]

Wow, Phil's 2S overcalls look like my 4S overcalls :P

 

Rule of 2 is really really really conservative and I doubt most people are using it.

 

First hand I'd go with 4N. Passing would be a disaster if pard didn't have much in spades and had a stiff heart (think double game). Bidding will be very wrong if partner has two hearts and some spade wastage.

 

I think partner is a favorite to have a stiff heart so I'll bid.

 

2nd hand I would just pass, I don't have any tricks and see no need to double them. It's their hand. 4H is not a preempt.

Well, we are at adverse vul; so the rule of 2-3-4 is still pretty agressive.

 

Side note: I know a lot of good players that don;t pay much attention to vulnerability. For them: AQJxxx, xx, xx, xxx is a 2♠ call at any colors.

I think the rule of 4 is agressive and the rule of 2 is VERY conservative. I am in between taking no notice of vulnerability and taking 2 tricks notice. I recently wrote in my blog that I think a white/red preempt should be about 1 trick weaker than a red/white preempt. I still think so.

 

I don't think a rule that advocates a 2S overcall on AQJxxxx --- xx xxxx can be considered agressive though :)

[luis]

4NT on the first hand, no defensive tricks.

Pass on the second one, I don't know why I would want to bid something here. Close to Dbl.

 

Luis

[joshs]

1. 4N (2 places 2 play). All my values are offensive, I have offensive shape (5431), and partner made a taekout x. If partner was being frisky this might even be a good save.

 

2. Pass. I expect to beat it, but I am

a. not positive

b. don't want to encourage partner to lead the Spade A

c. its possible that partner was bidding 2S based on an extra spade rather than sound values

[1eyedjack]

First hand I pass. I don't understand Luis' conclusion that I have no defensive tricks. It might work out that way but it seems rather pessimistic. The higher the level of the double, the less is required in distribution for the double, so I am not as sure of 11 tricks as others are who choose to commit to 5-minor, which I reckon to be a speculative bid compared with a rather more likely plus score in defending. I guess it might depend a bit on your doubling agreements.

 

On the second hand I double. I agree that partner leading Spade Ace is would not be welcome, but I do not expect that lead to let the contract through.

[Echognome]

1.[hv=d=e&v=n&n=sak74ht54dq5ca953&w=sqjt9862h9da763c2&e=s5hakqj72dj2ct874&s=s3h863dkt984ckqj6]399|300|Scoring: MP

4♥ - P - P - X

All Pass[/hv]

 

I passed and lead a spade for +500. There was, perhaps, one additional piece of relevant information. EW were trailing in this match and I suspected that East was swinging. I'm not sure that makes pass right, but I was hopeful of a decent number if I lead a spade. This time it worked, next time it could be a double game swing. At least it was MPs.

 

2. [hv=d=e&v=n&n=sak74ht54dq5ca953&w=sqjt9862h9da763c2&e=s5hakqj72dj2ct874&s=s3h863dkt984ckqj6]399|300|Scoring: MP

4♥ - P - P - X

All Pass[/hv]

 

This time it was partner's problem. I agree that my 2♠ was very aggressive. It's not clear if it was right to bid. As the cards lay, 6♦ makes by South and 5♦ is an excellent contract. 4♠ by North will make on a non-club lead.

 

As it was, it turned out to be an interesting defensive problem and one of the few I got spot on. I lead a fortunate diamond. Partner took his A and laid down the ♠K. I overtook and played the ♠Q and another spade guaranteeing the set.

[Guest Jlall]

Your partners X is crazy on the first board.

 

I like your 2S bid on the second one (although for phil i guess its like 2 tricks too weak :)). I wouldn't consider it very agressive.

 

Stuff happens. You happened to be void in hearts and have a 4 card fit for his 7 card suit.

[han]

I agree with that. The double of 4H is crazy, the 2S bid is fine, and passing 4H on the second hand seems right, but unfortunately, wrong as the cards lie.

[pclayton]

Justin - whenever I play with Chris, he is always criticizing my preempts for being too lite. I counter that he is the only person I know that expects to MAKE the contract when he preempts :)

 

I see a positive correlation between age and preemption. One decade = 1/2 trick LOL.