Ever give preference with a singleton?

[whereagles]

Hi all. Suppose you have, say...

 

♠ KQTx

♥ x

♦ Jx

♣ Qxxxxx

 

and the bidding goes:

 

Pard You

1♥ 1♠

2♦ ..?

 

What now??

[maggieb]

I would just pass. The clubs are not good enough to have started with 1N, but that is the normal action with these kinds of hands.

[kfay]

I would just pass. The clubs are not good enough to have started with 1N, but that is the normal action with these kinds of hands.

Normal?

 

I'm not sure if you're referring to bidding 1NT over 1♥ or passing 1♦ but both of those decisions seem extremely abnormal to me.

 

I'd definitely bid 1♥.

[TimG]

I would just pass. The clubs are not good enough to have started with 1N, but that is the normal action with these kinds of hands.

It's normal to respond 1NT when you have 4 spades and 6 clubs? I wouldn't think so.

 

Yes, I'd take preference to hearts on this auction.

[gwnn]

I like pass here, sometimes we can ruff a heart or two in my hand and somehow could scrap up 8 tricks.

[maggieb]

I would just pass. The clubs are not good enough to have started with 1N, but that is the normal action with these kinds of hands.

Normal?

 

I'm not sure if you're referring to bidding 1NT over 1♥ or passing 1♦ but both of those decisions seem extremely abnormal to me.

 

I'd definitely bid 1♥.

Yes, with Jxxx xx x KQJxxx you would obviously respond 1N, planning on bidding clubs next.

[TylerE]

I consider that far far far from obvious.

[OleBerg]

I bid 2♥, but I dont like it.

 

Diamonds are probably a slight favourite to play better, but on 2♥ partner will occasionally bid again, taking us to a better contract.

 

If I played something artificial, where 2♣ from opener showed diamonds, I would bid 2♦.

[maggieb]

Diamonds are probably a slight favourite to play better, but on 2♥ partner will occasionally bid again, taking us to a better contract.

A better contract like 3♦? 3♥? 3NT??

 

My partner doesn't usually have ♣AKx on this auction!

[jdonn]

I don't think I have ever given preference with a small singleton, only a singleton honor. With a small singleton if I'm 1-2 I'll pass or overbid 2NT, never preference (I pass on the given hand). If I'm 5116 I'll rebid 2♠. If I'm 4117 I'll tend to respond 1NT to begin with rather than 1♠.

[OleBerg]

Diamonds are probably a slight favourite to play better, but on 2♥ partner will occasionally bid again, taking us to a better contract.

A better contract like 3♦? 3♥? 3NT??

 

My partner doesn't usually have ♣AKx on this auction!

"Diamonds are probably a slight favourite to play better, but on 2♥ partner will occasionally bid again, sometimes taking us to a better contract."

 

Ok, just to be sure it says what I mean

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

the answer is partially depends on the answer to the following

question:

 

Do you always open 1H, with 5332 and if you always open 1H,

do you rebid 2D with this hand, assuming clubs being the two

card suit?

 

If 2D could be only a 3 carder, I would give preference.

But opener should correct back, if he holds 3 spades.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[rogerclee]

Diamonds are probably a slight favourite to play better, but on 2♥ partner will occasionally bid again, taking us to a better contract.

A better contract like 3♦? 3♥? 3NT??

 

My partner doesn't usually have ♣AKx on this auction!

"Diamonds are probably a slight favourite to play better, but on 2♥ partner will occasionally bid again, sometimes taking us to a better contract."

 

Ok, just to be sure it says what I mean

The point is that you have this completely backwards. If partner bids again you probably should have passed 2♦.

[OleBerg]

Diamonds are probably a slight favourite to play better, but on 2♥ partner will occasionally bid again, taking us to a better contract.

A better contract like 3♦? 3♥? 3NT??

 

My partner doesn't usually have ♣AKx on this auction!

"Diamonds are probably a slight favourite to play better, but on 2♥ partner will occasionally bid again, sometimes taking us to a better contract."

 

Ok, just to be sure it says what I mean

The point is that you have this completely backwards. If partner bids again you probably should have passed 2♦.

Guess I'm just luckier than the average guy. Sometimes my partners bid spades, clubs or NT. And they are not compulsive overbidders in misfit auctions.

[jdonn]

Guess I'm just luckier than the average guy. Sometimes my partners bid spades, clubs or NT. And they are not compulsive overbidders in misfit auctions.

So you give preference to partner on a bad hand with a singleton in the suit, then commend your partners for not overbidding when there is a misfit? You and your partners are a match made in heaven :)

[benlessard]

Pass even if my partner may have 6H and 3D.

 

In our relay system. We are playing that we dont relay if we dont have a sure 7 card fit somewhere.

 

1S------???

 

2C= C + others suit 10 cards

2D=D+H

 

We do this to play better partscores but it rarely happen, so IMHO standard bidder shouldnt be too scared of 4-2 fit.

[MFA]

I would bid 2♥. I'm used to a style where opener tends to rebid 2♦ with 6-4.

[OleBerg]

You and your partners are a match made in heaven :)

I agree. But then again, I'm used to taking the odd position. B)

[whereagles]

Thanks all. There is no 'solution' to this one. I was just wandering whether people would ever give preference with a singleton.

 

Apparently, some would consider that, while others prefer to over- or underbid (2NT or pass) depending on the hand.

[pkl]

Guess I'm just luckier than the average guy. Sometimes my partners bid spades, clubs or NT. And they are not compulsive overbidders in misfit auctions.

So you give preference to partner on a bad hand with a singleton in the suit, then commend your partners for not overbidding when there is a misfit? You and your partners are a match made in heaven :)

 

I don't understand. 2H is not encouraging in any way, and a 5-1 fit often rates to be better than a 4-2, not to mention a 3-2. My bid would be 2H as well, and although I probably am as unhappy about the bid as OleBerg, I would be even more unhappy playing in 2D. As Ole said, partner will often pass, but could bid on rescuing us to the good contract of 2S or 2NT.

 

/Peter

 

I don't understand. 2H is not encouraging in any way, and a 5-1 fit often rates to be better than a 4-2, not to mention a 3-2. My bid would be 2H as well, and although I probably am as unhappy about the bid as OleBerg, I would be even more unhappy playing in 2D. As Ole said, partner will often pass, but could bid on rescuing us to the good contract of 2S or 2NT.

 

/Peter

[OleBerg]

Guess I'm just luckier than the average guy. Sometimes my partners bid spades, clubs or NT. And they are not compulsive overbidders in misfit auctions.

So you give preference to partner on a bad hand with a singleton in the suit, then commend your partners for not overbidding when there is a misfit? You and your partners are a match made in heaven :)

 

I don't understand. 2H is not encouraging in any way, and a 5-1 fit often rates to be better than a 4-2, not to mention a 3-2. My bid would be 2H as well, and although I probably am as unhappy about the bid as OleBerg, I would be even more unhappy playing in 2D. As Ole said, partner will often pass, but could bid on rescuing us to the good contract of 2S or 2NT.

 

/Peter

 

I don't understand. 2H is not encouraging in any way, and a 5-1 fit often rates to be better than a 4-2, not to mention a 3-2. My bid would be 2H as well, and although I probably am as unhappy about the bid as OleBerg, I would be even more unhappy playing in 2D. As Ole said, partner will often pass, but could bid on rescuing us to the good contract of 2S or 2NT.

 

/Peter

Yes, and even when partner bids 3♥, we might still be better off than in 2♦.