3 or 4

[Hanoi5]

♠87xxx

♥xx

♦

♣KJxxxx

 

(1♦)-Pa-(3♦)*-X

(Pa)-???

 

*Weak raise

[Codo]

They do NOT hold 12 diamonds and bid this way. So, partner does not hold the "typical" 4414. He made an (at least slightly) offshape double with extra strength. Maybe- if we do not play NLM here- and most do not, he may even hold a strong two suiter with hearts and clubs?!

 

Anyway, I expect more bidding ,so I would not jump to 4 ♠. I think I try 4 ♣ expecting partner to bid 4 ♥ after which I try 4 ♠....

[rhm]

They do NOT hold 12 diamonds and bid this way. So, partner does not hold the "typical" 4414. He made an (at least slightly) offshape double with extra strength. Maybe- if we do not play NLM here- and most do not, he may even hold a strong two suiter with hearts and clubs?!

 

Anyway, I expect more bidding ,so I would not jump to 4 ♠. I think I try 4 ♣ expecting partner to bid 4 ♥ after which I try 4 ♠....

But partner may well have a balanced hand with both majors, roughly a strong notrump type hand.

He will have no choice but pass 4♣ and opponents, being short in spades, have little reason to save you.

Partner would not bid that way with only hearts.

Chances that he has both majors must be good.

If you want to bring clubs into consideration, bid 4♦ and correct 4♥ to 4♠.

This should show a black two-suiter, not a hand too strong to bid 4♠.

Besides you passed over 1♦.

 

Rainer Herrmann

[Siegmund]

If you're choosing between 3S and 4S, 4 is the standout, I think.

 

The alternative is rhm's sequence, 4D then 4S.

[ggwhiz]

Somebody has a good hand and it may well be sitting behind partner.

 

I can't think of anything good happening after 3♠ by me but after 4♦ pard may declare whatever black suit contract works and gain a tempo with the opener stuck on lead. If pards hand is good enough they don't always have 3+ spades.

[gnasher]

Partner knows that I didn't overcall. If I bid 4♠ and he has only two spades, he shouldn't leave me in it.

[PhilKing]

Four Spades.

 

If I bid 4♦ followed by 4♠, partner should play me for long clubs and a FOUR-card spade suit.

[gszes]

Four Spades.

 

If I bid 4♦ followed by 4♠, partner should play me for long clubs and a FOUR-card spade suit.

 

 

 

I agree that this sequence should show 4 spades and I have no worries about pretending I have a 4 card spade

suit here with my vastly superior clubs and just dirt awful spades. MY 6/5 come alive hand is way too good to

consider playing in a 5/3 fit when any trump finesses seemed doomed to failure. I think starting with

 

4d

 

is the best way to start. The other downside of bidding 4s is what is p supposed to do if they are "short" in spades?

They will have no clue we have clubs. Bidding 4s directly is taking our 2 suited hand and converting it to a one

suited hand and choosing the bad suit.

[bigbenvic]

How do you feel after bidding 4♦ they bid 5♦ and partner whacks it VS bidding 4♠ they bid 5♦ and partner whacks it?

 

I'm happier with the second auction as I don't feel I've promised anything with 4♠ (other than I want to play there!) whereas partner might draw implications from a 4♦ bid that I have some defensive side to my hand.