Bridge Seems simple, but is it?

[microcap]

As we all know, what makes bridge so wonderful is that even after playing for 40 years, you still encounter seemingly innocent situations that turn out to be tricky.

 

You are third hand and hold:[hv=d=n&v=e&s=sk9hkq8d10654cq1084]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

Partner opens 1♥, RHO overcalls 1♠. You have a myriad of respectable choices--- which do you choose and why?

[glen]

I would bid 2♥ unless my partner used a sound opening style.

 

I know the Kx could very well be working like Ax, and I have two Ts, so this is technically an underbid. However I hope to get another bid even if partner passes, either by LHO raising ♠s or by RHO competing if goes two passes.

 

Finally, though a secondary consideration, is that we are not vulnerable, and they are, and I don't mind as much taking the risk of missing game, especially when some opponents may put the offer of a large number on the table.

[gwnn]

oops. i voted for X. but 2♥ i my actual choice: support with support.

[Fluffy]

2♠ show support before it is too late, could live with 2♥ but I don't think it is the hand for.

[mike777]

As we all know, what makes bridge so wonderful is that even after playing for 40 years, you still encounter seemingly innocent situations that turn out to be tricky.

 

You are third hand and hold:

Dealer: North Vul: E/W Scoring: IMP

♠ K9 ♥ KQ8 ♦ 10654 ♣ Q1084

 

Partner opens 1♥, RHO overcalls 1♠.  You have a myriad of respectable choices---  which do you choose and why?

Must admit I would have bid 2H without a second thought. Not even close to a limit raise for me.

[Winstonm]

Having passed, I can make a case for showing a minimum limit raise, and since I get to play 2C here as still being Drury, that's what I bid.

[glen]

Having passed, I can make a case for showing a minimum limit raise, and since I get to play 2C here as still being Drury, that's what I bid.

assuming you bid 2♣ as discussed, now it goes pass, 2NT by partner, pass, your bid...

 

Answer before reading any lower...

[zasanya]

Double and then bid 2♥ or 3♥ depending on what level Ops bid.

[mikeh]

Having passed, I can make a case for showing a minimum limit raise, and since I get to play 2C here as still being Drury, that's what I bid.

you haven't passed: you are third seat, thus partner dealt and opened.

 

As for one's bid here, that depends on style. I upgrade this due to the Kx of ♠s: 2♠ for me. It's a close call.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

2S, 2H is ok, but you will often encouter developments,

which lead to feelings, that you did not get all across to

partner.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[Guest Jlall]

The problem with X is that if it goes 3S p p you have never shown heart support yet.

 

I would bid 2S.

[pclayton]

Auto 2♠. Tougher if I HAD passed originally.

[Winstonm]

Having passed, I can make a case for showing a minimum limit raise, and since I get to play 2C here as still being Drury, that's what I bid.

you haven't passed: you are third seat, thus partner dealt and opened.

 

As for one's bid here, that depends on style. I upgrade this due to the Kx of ♠s: 2♠ for me. It's a close call.

Oops. It is closer now, but I still chose limit raise call due to the favorable location of the spade K and the good heart cards.

[Winstonm]

Having passed, I can make a case for showing a minimum limit raise, and since I get to play 2C here as still being Drury, that's what I bid.

assuming you bid 2♣ as discussed, now it goes pass, 2NT by partner, pass, your bid...

 

Answer before reading any lower...

Assuming 2N is natural game try, I am going to raise to 3N because I think now the KQ of hearts will help bring in at least 4 heart tricks. If we have 9 tricks in hearts we should have some play for 9 tricks in NT.

[jdonn]

Obvious 2♠, what is wrong with a 10 count that seems to be all working, a couple tens, and a doubleton?

[HeartA]

2H is a huge underbid. 2S is the bid I would choose.

 

Some pairs play 1NT in this situation as "regular" raise of 2H, 2H is "weaker" raise (7- HCP or so). Even with this convention, 1NT would still be underbid.

 

Without RHO's intervention, I would respond 1NT and intend to bid 3H next round.

[mike777]

I would expect partner to make a game try if we have game. After all I can have 11 pts for my constructive bid here. I do not see how 2H is a huge underbid unless we open only good hands or bid 2H on poor ones in comp.

[the hog]

2S. This hand has improved greatly because of the overcall. 2H is not enough.

As an aside, what a good hand for Ruben's Advances.

[Double !]

depends on what toys i have available.

IMO, the hand values clearly to a 3-card support GI raise.

So, I bid 2S = 3-card GI heart raise.

I agree with upgrade of henad due to favorable location of spade-king.

In addition, hand has a nice QTxx combo in clubs.

 

dhl

[jdonn]

I would expect partner to make a game try if we have game. After all I can have 11 pts for my constructive bid here. I do not see how 2H is a huge underbid unless we open only good hands or bid 2H on poor ones in comp.

"11 points" for my "constructive" bid? Maybe you, but not the rest of the bridge playing universe.

 

I don't even know why this problem is here, it is the easiest one I remember on the forums outside the beginner forum.

[microcap]

So the significant majority bids 2♠, which is fine [though neither player did at the table].

 

So you are committing yourself to the 3 level with a possible 21 points and 8 card trump fit---is this a problem or not?

 

Does it make a difference if you are NOT playing Flannery?

 

BTW, i think jdonn has it exactly wrong. I think this is a relatively complex exercise in tactics and hand evaluation in a seemingly simple auction at a low level. [hence the title] At matchpoints, I actually think it is a better problem as the IMP swing is likely to be small even if you guess wrong here.

[Fluffy]

Somebody said the *F* word!

[whereagles]

2♠ show support before it is too late, could live with 2♥ but I don't think it is the hand for.

That's funny.. I think this is exactly the hand for it :)

 

The reason: ♠Kx is good, but there's too much concentration in hearts and the minor suit values are soft, with suits not establishable and ♣Q unlikely to be of much use.

 

If pard can't make a move over 2♥, we probably won't have a game.

[Winstonm]

At matchpoints, I actually think it is a better problem as the IMP swing is likely to be small even if you guess wrong here.

 

Agree. There is much more reason to take a low-road approach at MPs, but at IMP you have to take into account that partner, with a hand like xx AJxxx, xx, AKxx, won't make a game try over 2H.

[glen]

... xx AJxxx, xx, AKxx ...

Are you saying the opponents are going to let you play 2♥ when partner holds this hand?