how many spades?

[bhindi]

[hv=d=s&v=b&s=saq10hxd109876cqjxx]133|100|Scoring: IMP

Pass (1♦) 2♠ (dbl)

 

Your partner's 2♠ is weak but obv variable in 3rd. How many spades do you bid?

 

If you bid three spades, 4 hearts is bid on your left round to you?[/hv]

[kenrexford]

This is weird. How am I looking at a stiff heart?!?!? I mean, it's possible, but weird anyway.

[helene_t]

4

[mtvesuvius]

Four.

[nick_s]

3♠ only.

The way we play, partner is allowed to be extra aggressive since I've already passed (yes, even at Red/Red). I have to respect that by raising conservatively. For the same reason, I'm passing 4♥.

 

With a pick up partner, I'd bid 4♠.

[OleBerg]

Easy 3♠.

 

My Q10 of spades strongly suggest that partner hasn't gotten wise on a 5-card suit. They also suggest that the opponents lack the intermidiates to double us for penalty. (It might be profitable, but it will be difficult for them to diagnose it.)

 

People bidding 4♠ deserves a fate worse than death. Those bidding 3♠ and then 4♠ deserves an even worse fate.

[jdonn]

I am scared to answer the problem now, I definitely want to avoid a fate worse than a fate worse than death.

[Phil]

A fate worse than death? Someone needs to switch to decaf...

 

4♠ looks pretty clear. The hearts are 1-3-4-5 / 1-4-3-5 / 1-4-4-4 1-5-(3-4)around the table - whats so strange about that?

[mikeh]

Heck, I'm not scared of a fate worse than death.... I make the obvious 4♠ bid.

 

I won't redouble, because I expect to go down, but I won't be astounded if he made it.... it is very easy to construct hands where this is a double game swing deal.

 

I am mystified by the thought processes of anyone who bids 3♠. Are we going to be surprised when LHO bids 4♥? Do we truly LIKE our chances of beating that contract? Using what?

 

I do agree that there is one scenario in which those who bid 4♠ deserve, but may not get, a fate worse than death... if they bid 3♠ first

[Lobowolf]

I'd bid 4, and I like it.

 

I wouldn't bid 3, but I don't hate it.

 

Whatever the strongest of hate/despise/detest/abhor is, it would have to be multiplied by a factor of about 10 to get close to describing what I think about 3, then 4 next round.

[whereagles]

I'd use that Robson/Segal gadget of 2NT, inviting a save by pard.

 

Might turn out to be the unlucky expert bid if 4♠ happens to be a good save and we misevaluated.

[OleBerg]

I am mystified by the thought processes of anyone who bids 3♠. Are we going to be surprised when LHO bids 4♥? Do we truly LIKE our chances of beating that contract? Using what?

It all depends on your preempting-style.

 

If your style is solid and pure, 4♠ is obvious. You can already diagnose, that vs their 620, you will only be -500, with the occasional -200 as a bonus.

 

If partner has more leeway, regarding both strenght and flaws, things are much more uncertain. 4♠ might be -800, 4♥ might be down, or 3♠ might be a winner.

 

Hope this de-mystifies our thoughts a little.