Decisions - raise level and the law

[drinbrasil]

♠Kxxx

♥x

♦xxx

♣QJ9xx

 

this hand at nvul x vul, and the bidding comes simple:

 

1♠ - 2♥ - ?

 

how you make decision between 3♠/4♠ or any other bid? Do you can see arguments for both biddings?

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

3S and 4S are both reasonable, 4S

will commit a higer minus score in cases

when you could have bought the contract

in 3S, but if you do not intend to pass

over 4H you should bid 4S.

It depends to a large degree on the

soundness of your opening bids, if you open

(very) sound 3S may be best

 

If you intend to bid 4S, you should

bid 4H (splinter) or 4C (fit jump), this

enables partner to judge what to bid

over 5H, the downside being, you

tell the oppoenents more.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[Guest Jlall]

Good hand to play 3S is a mixed raise. I would bid 3S preemptive even though it's probably too good a hand for it at this vulnerability (I would bid 3S with xxxx xx xx xxxxx as well). It accomplishes the goal of preempting the opps and suggesting a save to partner. If I bid 2S and LHO bid 4H I would be completely in the dark.

 

I don't really understand bidding 4S with this hand.

[Guest Jlall]

If you intend to bid 4S, you should

bid 4H (splinter) or 4C (fit jump), this

enables partner to judge what to bid

over 5H, the downside being, you

tell the oppoenents more.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

I think 4C is horrible, it allows your LHO to bid 4H. If you're going to drive to the 4 level presumably its for preemptive reasons, so just preempt them. 4H splinter is also a slam try so I couldn't see doing that.

[pclayton]

Many play 2N as a mixed raise here. Not playing that, I'd content myself with 2♠ and then taking the push to 3♠.

[jdonn]

Many play 2N as a mixed raise here. Not playing that, I'd content myself with 2♠ and then taking the push to 3♠.

I agree with this, I think this looks like a very likely time where we can make the auction go

 

2♠ 3♥ p p 3♠ p p p

 

instead of

 

3♠ 4♥ p p ?

 

Justin is totally right that IF you think this is worth 4♠, just bid 4♠. It's not that you tell the opponents more, it's that you let them tell each other more.

[mike777]

Many play 2N as a mixed raise here. Not playing that, I'd content myself with 2♠ and then taking the push to 3♠.

ditto.

[bid_em_up]

Not vul. vs. vul., I would bid 4S immediately. I also tend to play a partnership style where we have sound openings in 1st/2nd seats.

 

I see no point in letting either opponent describe his hand further at the 3 or 4 level. Let them decide what to do at the 5 level.

[bid_em_up]

My question is.....is if you bid 2S or 3S and either opp bids 4H, aren't you going to bid/want to bid/wish you had bid 4S anyway?

 

If you are, you may as well bid it immediately. I would expect 4S to make more than 50% of the time, which is good enough for me. The 4 trumps, the stiff heart, and a decent (not great, but decent) 5 card club suit (give partner the A or K clubs) for a source of tricks tell me that 4S rates to make.

[drinbrasil]

♠Kxxx

♥x

♦xxx

♣QJ9xx

 

this hand at nvul x vul, and the bidding comes simple:

 

1♠ - 2♥ - ?

 

how you make decision between 3♠/4♠ or any other bid? Do you can see arguments for both biddings?

maybe i should tell is IMP league.

my bid was 4♠, and was all passed. 4s -1.

in the other table, bidding was:

1♠-2♥-3♠-4♥

4♠-X ppp

 

i bid 4♠ at once thinking in let more pressure to opponents, 3♠ in the other table gave oportunty for opponnets exchange infos imo.

 

2♠ is out of question for me, because in many situations your partner will be totally out of game as he will expect as 3 spades in your hand and can easily make errors in analises when he have to decide to double or bid.

 

for example:

1♠-2♥-2♠-3♥

P-4♥ ? now your defend? :D if you pass partner will know what of your hand?

 

my partner criticzme in same way as i have only 4 card support, and from our methods i should bid only 3♠.

 

but as i see in this topic this is very variable and depends how you have your raises in your system.

 

thanks for participation.

[whereagles]

I don't really understand bidding 4S with this hand.

Maybe because it works? I've seen dozens of good players doing so and getting away with it.

[Guest Jlall]

My question is.....is if you bid 2S or 3S and either opp bids 4H, aren't you going to bid/want to bid/wish you had bid 4S anyway?

.

If I bid 3S and it went 4H p p I would be very content to pass. Had I bid 2S immediately I would want to bid 4S now, that's why I wouldn't bid 2S.

[pclayton]

This is why people play mixed raises.

 

Both 2♠ and 4♠ are distortions, but 2♠ looks closer to the mark. I think this hand is just too good for a preemptive 3♠.