2/1 question

[mikeh]

We may still back into a 5-3 heart fit if he rebids 2minor, since with all 5341 or 5314 hands and accepting values, he will bid 3♥ along the way.

It's the "with accepting values part" that worries me. If partner has a 53(41) 11 or 12 count I'd rather play 4H than 2N.

Agreed. When I bid 1N, I understand I may miss the best contract. But bidding 2♥ carries the same risk, from the opposite perspective. Opening bid styles matter here, to some degree. I suspect that we all post here assuming that partner uses our own style (or that of a regular partner). I, and my regular partners, tend to open slightly on the aggressive side of neutral, when it comes to 1♠. Also, we tend to accept invites quite aggressively. If you are a more conservative opener, or if your partnerships tend to invite light and accept heavy, then I'd agree with 2♥. It is very close, and I don't think this is one of those scenarios where knowing the actual hand will prove anything :P

[Edmunte1]

At the table i would definitely bid 2♥. Considering we're playing in a IMP's tournament i think that over 70% of the field will be in game. That means:

a) If games makes the average score will be:

for 3nt: 400*.7+150*.3=325 meaning 5 IMP's loss for not being in game, 2 IMP's win for bidding the game

for 4M: 420.*7+170*.3=345 meaning 5 IMP's loss for not being in game, 2 IMP's win for bidding the game

b ) If game goes down the average score will be:

for 3NT: -50*.7+120*.3=0, 2 IMP's loss for being in game, 3 IMP's win for staying in 2NT

If we add to this the probability that sometimes 4♥ makes and we will be in 2NT, and that sometimes when we go down in 3NT we will go also down in 2NT, 2♥ seems clearly a better choice, even if maybe this isn't the 'technical' bid.

In a team match, the problem will be different.