Pulling 3NT

[fuburules3]

http://tinyurl.com/7a9wwj9

 

This sort of thing has been discussed, but it seems that with nothing unexpected, GIB should not pull 3NT to play the 5-2 fit. Are simulations suggesting 4S is better?

[Bbradley62]

I still think that, as a passed hand, 10 total points is enough for North to bid 2♥ instead of making a negative double.

[Stephen Tu]

Yeah it should free bid a little more freely. Its free bid requirements are a bit too high. Also I don't think it should require "rebiddable" suit; weak 5 cd suit is enough if you are planning on bidding NT next or supporting partner.

 

Also in general I think on a lot of sequences the 3nt falls back to some default meaning that isn't tightly defined, thinks major suit fit still reasonably likely. One I've seen a lot is something like 1d-1h-2d-3nt; 3nt doesn't preclude extra major length and only promises "partial stoppers" in the other suits so GIB likes to bid 4h quite often on 3. For bidding purposes GIB should assume 3nt limited to 4 cd heart and full stoppers; partner should have investigated if a 5-3 plays better. On the posted one 3nt says "5-6 spades; 5-H", where it should be more like "5 spade, 3-H". I guess the simulation can figure out that it won't have hearts since it didn't try 4h, but it shouldn't assume 6 spades are possible either. It's a bit tricky because we want GIB South to be allowed to bid 3nt with a sixth spade (if south sims that 3nt likely plays better, has a nice diamond stopper and wants the fewer trick game), but North to assume only 5 and not try to second-guess South's judgment.