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Aiming for 3NT or 4S (or...)?


nielsfoged

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[hv=d=n&v=b&s=sajt864h4dak5ckj5]133|100|Scoring: IMP

Pass-Pass-1(5+)-Pass, 2(5+)-Pass-?[/hv]

 

This hand was presented as a bidding problem on our local Danish bridgesite, and most (including experts) saw it as an easy 3.

 

Obviously, I understand the arguments for that bid, but still I personally went for the direct 3NT. That may not always end the bidding, but 4 will typically only be reached if Responder has a 3-card support.

 

In contrast, the more popular 3 is forcing, and could lead to 3NT (frequently with 0 or 1 spade, rarely with 2 spades) or 4 (frequently with 2- or 3- card support).

 

Where I come from, a vulnerable pass followed by 2 over 1 will typically show exactly 5 cards and 9-10 hcps (or perhaps 6+ hearts with too many (3+?) spades for a decent 2(Multi)/2/3-opening, planning to support no matter what next round - if any!).

 

Thus, I assume it will be quite rare for Responder to follow up with a bid of 4 Minor or even 4, whether Opener rebids 3 or 3NT.

 

Please feel free to comment on:

- Openers 2nd bid

- Any of the above assumptions

- Your expectations of winning 3NT and 4S, respectively, if Responder has exactly 2-5 in the majors, and 9-10 hcps. Maybe someone can run a simulation?

 

/Niels

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In many places/styles, opener could rebid 2 as a forcing call. This potentially helps a lot (saves a great deal of space). Presumably in Denmark a 2 rebid is NF (this is also what I gather from Roland's posts).

 

Another possibility is to rebid 2NT if that is forcing. This still gives space to sort out any potential spade fit and offer a choice of games. I'll assume that 2NT would also be NF.

 

Now we're down to a choice between 3 and 3NT (or I suppose manufacturing a minor suit bid). Perhaps some of the reasoning for 3:

 

(1) Bidding 3 allows partner to bid 3NT with xx if that seems best. Bidding 3NT doesn't allow partner to correct to 4 on doubleton.

 

(2) Bidding 3NT might suggest doubleton heart, and encourage partner to correct to 4 with a bad six-card suit. Presumably not all six-card heart suits are viable first seat preempts at vulnerable.

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