Do you open the bidding with this?

[biggerclub]

IMO 1♦ = 10, 3♦ = 6, Pass = 1.

Don't like pre-empting with 12 points, p will pass with a lot of balanced 13 counts where we have game.

 

Partner probably won't pass with Axxx, Qxx, Axxx, Ax, but I wouldn't bet on us finding our slam after a 3d start either.

[Codo]

I am not bidding NT with this hand. Ever. Choice is between 3s, 4d and 4c. I am still not shutting out 6-5 (either way) or even 6-6 in the majors and for that reason, I like 3s which cannot be passed. Partner should not assume any better than xx in spades here and K stiff is almost as good. How about QJT8x(x), Axxxx, x, A(x). This is really extremely minimum but 4s still has a reasonable shot. With only 5s, p should really have essentially a solid suit somewhere or significantly more values. The only real disaster is xx(x) in clubs with only 5-5 in the majors, but that hand is likely to feature AQxxx, AQxxx, making both K's superb. 3s also has the virtue of being very minimal so partner will know she has to carry the team to slam if she has that sort of hand. 3s>>4c>4d>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>3NT.

 

If P tries 3n over 3s I am reading that as 5-5 and taking it out to 4c. P now has a complete picture of my hand -- except that the 7th d could be two small in a major. So P is the captain and whatever he bids next is the contract. Including 4N . . . although I am re-evaluating whether "P is a good BB player" if that happens. Note that the stiff K's are by no means a liability even in this misfit condition.

 

btw -- I play 3c (by responder) as unconditionally forcing to game in this sequence and saying nothing about clubs -- so if I were to bid 3H I think you could count on 6-5 or even better dist. Again, the stiff K's are just fine in that case.

 

IF I bid 3 NT, partner is allowed to bid on with 6-6 or 65 in the majors. He surely will.

If you have no discussion what 3 ♥ shows, (as the OP wrote)- how can you expect 6/5 or even any kind of features. I expect 5/5 and with extra length, he will pull 3 NT.

That 3 ♥ shows 6/5 is a quite non standard agreement anyway and I see no reason why someone should use it.