where do you live?

[gwnn]

Jxx

AKQTxx

Ax

Qx

 

2♠-p-p-?

 

2♠ is either 6 spades or 5♠4m.

 

all NV MP.

Edited May 25, 2010 by gwnn

[CSGibson]

3♥, though I also contemplated 2N briefly (not my style usually, but whatever).

[gwnn]

Sorry Chris! Edited hand, the queen of clubs is now on the team.

[the hog]

3H.

[CSGibson]

Sorry Chris! Edited hand, the queen of clubs is now on the team.

Now I look longingly at 2N, wishing I had the courage to bid it, before I settle on 3♥. Heck, wait a second, this is matchpoints and not teams? I only have to answer to one person for masterminding, not look at three disapproving faces? Dammit, I'm in! 2N!

[dburn]

Sorry Chris! Edited hand, the queen of clubs is now on the team.

Now I look longingly at 2N, wishing I had the courage to bid it, before I settle on 3♥. Heck, wait a second, this is matchpoints and not teams? I only have to answer to one person for masterminding, not look at three disapproving faces? Dammit, I'm in! 2N!

Not quite sure I follow this. If I were going to bid notrump, I would bid three. If I were going to bid hearts, I would bid four (since I would bid three without both the queen of hearts and the ace of diamonds - I am in balancing position, am I not?)

 

But maybe I can double, and bid 3♥ over partner's next action. That is what I would do in direct seat if my queen of clubs were the ace, so in balancing seat maybe I can do it with my actual hand.

 

I could also bid 3♠, if that asked partner to bid 3NT with a spade guard. True, on the actual hand I will need him to have something else also, but he can't always have a Yarborough (or even if he can, I should not necessarily bid as though he does).

 

Put me down for double. After all, if spades are the opponents' 6-0 fit, that might be an easier way to make a living than guessing to bid something now.

[CSGibson]

Sorry Chris! Edited hand, the queen of clubs is now on the team.

Now I look longingly at 2N, wishing I had the courage to bid it, before I settle on 3♥. Heck, wait a second, this is matchpoints and not teams? I only have to answer to one person for masterminding, not look at three disapproving faces? Dammit, I'm in! 2N!

Not quite sure I follow this. If I were going to bid notrump, I would bid three. If I were going to bid hearts, I would bid four (since I would bid three without both the queen of hearts and the ace of diamonds - I am in balancing position, am I not?)

 

But maybe I can double, and bid 3♥ over partner's next action. That is what I would do in direct seat if my queen of clubs were the ace, so in balancing seat maybe I can do it with my actual hand.

 

I could also bid 3♠, if that asked partner to bid 3NT with a spade guard. True, on the actual hand I will need him to have something else also, but he can't always have a Yarborough (or even if he can, I should not necessarily bid as though he does).

 

Put me down for double. After all, if spades are the opponents' 6-0 fit, that might be an easier way to make a living than guessing to bid something now.

What do people play a balancing seat NT as, values wise, at the 2 level?

 

I play it the same strength as a direct 1N overcall would be, approximately 15-18, but I have no idea whether that's standard or just a ridiculous flight of fancy born of my own ignorance on the subject. Or maybe, with a nearly solid 6 bagger, I'm too strong even for the strong NT I think my bid expresses.

 

Anyway, it was interesting to hear your lucid thoughts on the subject

[Jlall]

If I bid NT I would bid 2, if I bid hearts..I have no idea since I have an obvious X then hearts imo!

[awm]

I'd bid 3♥. I don't think this hand is as good as others seem to make it out to be. Yes, there is a nice heart suit, but the hand is quite flat, ♣Qx is a lousy holding, ♠Jxx in the opponents suit is a very bad holding.

 

Doubling and then bidding hearts will win if partner has a good 4+♠ holding and can sit, but I don't think that's really very likely. Otherwise it seems like an overbid, and also sells these cards as a "flexible hand" which I don't think is really the case with doubletons in both minors.

[Hanoi5]

4♥

[P_Marlowe]

4H.

 

I think the hand is too strong for a 3H bid, after all we are

in the passout seat.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[MFA]

I think it's clear to X and then bid hearts. Sure it's good hand. 4♥ is wrong since we might well belong in 3NT and most likely do if partner can bid it over my delayed 3♥.

[mgoetze]

I think it's clear to X and then bid hearts. Sure it's good hand. 4♥ is wrong since we might well belong in 3NT and most likely do if partner can bid it over my delayed 3♥.

You have ♠Jxx and are dreaming of Partner having such a stopper that he would want to play in 3NT even opposite a small singleton? I think this hand is rare enough that not catering to it won't hurt much in the long run.

 

I agree with awm. Partner rates to have 2 spades, so let's say he can ruff one for us (rather unlikely on a trump lead). Furthermore, let's give him one of the minor-suit kings.

 

Well, oops, 4♥ is still down one. Let's bid only 3♥. Partner is not absolutely barred from raising, you know.

[Cyberyeti]

I think it's clear to X and then bid hearts. Sure it's good hand. 4♥ is wrong since we might well belong in 3NT and most likely do if partner can bid it over my delayed 3♥.

You have ♠Jxx and are dreaming of Partner having such a stopper that he would want to play in 3NT even opposite a small singleton? I think this hand is rare enough that not catering to it won't hurt much in the long run.

 

I agree with awm. Partner rates to have 2 spades, so let's say he can ruff one for us (rather unlikely on a trump lead). Furthermore, let's give him one of the minor-suit kings.

 

Well, oops, 4♥ is still down one. Let's bid only 3♥. Partner is not absolutely barred from raising, you know.

Depends what you'd bid 3H on in the passout seat, partner might assume you have something a lot less than this and not raise on xx, Jxx, Kxxx, Kxxx and similar or even slightly better hands.

 

I think x is probably best, would be nice to be playing x followed by 3S asking for a half stop, whereas initial 3S asked for a full stop, but doubt anybody actually does this.

 

You'll bid 3H next and this doesn't show the earth, this hand would be about minimum for it, if you were a little better you could bid 4H or much better x then 4H.

[MFA]

I think it's clear to X and then bid hearts. Sure it's good hand. 4♥ is wrong since we might well belong in 3NT and most likely do if partner can bid it over my delayed 3♥.

You have ♠Jxx and are dreaming of Partner having such a stopper that he would want to play in 3NT even opposite a small singleton? I think this hand is rare enough that not catering to it won't hurt much in the long run.

 

I agree with awm. Partner rates to have 2 spades, so let's say he can ruff one for us (rather unlikely on a trump lead). Furthermore, let's give him one of the minor-suit kings.

 

Well, oops, 4♥ is still down one. Let's bid only 3♥. Partner is not absolutely barred from raising, you know.

No, I don't want to bid only 3♥. 3♥ is a significant underbid in the balancing position. And 3♥ does nothing more than X to get us to 3NT.

 

Also I think you are underestimating the frequency of partner having a 3NT call (after X+3♥). It is just about as likely that partner has three spades as he has two, and without any ruffing values for hearts and a somewhat balanced hand he will not be very hesitant about offering 3NT as a final contract.

[mgoetze]

Also I think you are underestimating the frequency of partner having a 3NT call (after X+3♥). It is just about as likely that partner has three spades as he has two, and without any ruffing values for hearts and a somewhat balanced hand he will not be very hesitant about offering 3NT as a final contract.

I don't know about you but I am definitely not offering 3NT with the seven, four and three of spades.

[MFA]

Also I think you are underestimating the frequency of partner having a 3NT call (after X+3♥). It is just about as likely that partner has three spades as he has two, and without any ruffing values for hearts and a somewhat balanced hand he will not be very hesitant about offering 3NT as a final contract.

I don't know about you but I am definitely not offering 3NT with the seven, four and three of spades.

Huh? Of course he needs a stopper to bid 3NT. But I can surely see him bid 3NT with Qxx and values, and that would be sweet.

[rbforster]

Too good for 3♥ for me. Torn between X and 4♥, probably trying the latter.

[ArtK78]

I agree with many that this hand is too good to balance with 3♥. I double, intending to bid 3♥ at my next opportunity.

 

For once, I have no fear of a passout of 2♠x.

[pooltuna]

Sorry Chris! Edited hand, the queen of clubs is now on the team.

Now I look longingly at 2N, wishing I had the courage to bid it, before I settle on 3♥. Heck, wait a second, this is matchpoints and not teams? I only have to answer to one person for masterminding, not look at three disapproving faces? Dammit, I'm in! 2N!

Not quite sure I follow this. If I were going to bid notrump, I would bid three. If I were going to bid hearts, I would bid four (since I would bid three without both the queen of hearts and the ace of diamonds - I am in balancing position, am I not?)

 

But maybe I can double, and bid 3♥ over partner's next action. That is what I would do in direct seat if my queen of clubs were the ace, so in balancing seat maybe I can do it with my actual hand.

 

I could also bid 3♠, if that asked partner to bid 3NT with a spade guard. True, on the actual hand I will need him to have something else also, but he can't always have a Yarborough (or even if he can, I should not necessarily bid as though he does).

 

Put me down for double. After all, if spades are the opponents' 6-0 fit, that might be an easier way to make a living than guessing to bid something now.

I'm sold put me down for X 2 b ->3♥

[awm]

It's true that there are very maximum passes of 3♥ (like the given xx Jxx Kxxx Kxxx) where game is virtually cold. Of course, the other side of the equation, is anyone passing double and then 3♥ with a hand like xx Jxx xxxx Axxx? Here game has no play at all...

 

I'm not convinced that a 3♥ balance should be substantially lighter than a 3♥ overcall. What's a minimum 3♥ balance? I think xx KQTxxx Ax Qxx is about a minimum balance, and I would pass the same hand if I had a third small spade instead of a club. The given hand is about an ace better than minimum, which I think should be within the range of 3♥. I would expect double-then-3♥ to be better than this.

[zenko]

Also I think you are underestimating the frequency of partner having a 3NT call (after X+3♥). It is just about as likely that partner has three spades as he has two, and without any ruffing values for hearts and a somewhat balanced hand he will not be very hesitant about offering 3NT as a final contract.

I don't know about you but I am definitely not offering 3NT with the seven, four and three of spades.

Well with Jxx vs 753 and enough overall firepower I would put your chance of making 3N at about 50%, the chance of RHO having singleton top honor in spades is about 43%, but really is much more since in the other 57% of hands LHO is very close to have enough to open one spade, but on the other hand it is possible that he opened with 5 card suit so overall 50% chance of suit being blocked seems like a fair guess.