4-level decision at matchpoints

[kfgauss]

Playing matchpoints, you hold, in 1st seat with both vul:

 

1098652 K63 2 J108.

 

You pass, and the auction continues:

 

P 1D 2C 4H

?

 

What's your call?

 

Andy

[Blofeld]

Pass. What's to recommend bidding?

[whereagles]

normally pass, 4♠ if you need action.

[han]

I'd lead a diamond.

[P_Marlowe]

Pass.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[jdeegan]

:P Pass seems clearly the percentage bid.

If you wanted action, AND you weren't vulnerable, you might have opened 2♠ in first seat. Your hand is relatively 'pure' from a LOTT standpoint, and it has excellent intermediate spot cards (just no tops to go with it). Being vul, tho, you have an extra way to lose (down 2 or 3 undoubled). ALSO, partner needs to know about your deviant habits and play some version of Ogust so as to better survive hands where you open a weak two and he has some cards.

[kfgauss]

Pass is indeed the winning action. I was the 4H bidder, and held

 

QJ AJ108752 1053 6

 

and was displeased because 4H went down 1 (essentially because the heart finesse was off) and this opponent hadn't buckled under pressure and bid (4S and 5C are both down 2).

 

Any opinions on the 4H call would be appreciated. My hand is certainly good enough to bid 2H..3H I think, but I hoped applying pressure would have a big enough upside to recommend it over that course of action.

 

Andy

[Free]

Pass is clear, I have great defensive values! If you take away all my green cards, then I guess I'll Dbl ;)

 

I think 3♥ is enough on this hand: you have lost values in ♠ and the ♥ suit is not solid enough. If partner has only 1 ♥ it's already going to be very difficult! 3♥ shows the same type of hand, and suggests ♦ as alternative. Partner can decide what to do, and he'll know how to evaluate his ♣ values (if he has any).

[mike777]

Pass is indeed the winning action. I was the 4H bidder, and held

 

QJ AJ108752 1053 6

 

and was displeased because 4H went down 1 (essentially because the heart finesse was off) and this opponent hadn't buckled under pressure and bid (4S and 5C are both down 2).

 

Any opinions on the 4H call would be appreciated. My hand is certainly good enough to bid 2H..3H I think, but I hoped applying pressure would have a big enough upside to recommend it over that course of action.

 

Andy

I like the 4H bid, I would bid 3H with one less heart and one more club.

[kfgauss]

I think 3♥ is enough on this hand: you have lost values in ♠ and the ♥ suit is not solid enough. If partner has only 1 ♥ it's already going to be very difficult! 3♥ shows the same type of hand, and suggests ♦ as alternative. Partner can decide what to do, and he'll know how to evaluate his ♣ values (if he has any).

3♥ would've been a fit jump, which is not an option with only 3 diamonds for us.

 

Andy