Bidding with mistfits in the majors

[Liversidge]

♥[hv=pc=n&s=sakq953hqd95ck975&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=pp1sp2hp3sp4hppp]133|200[/hv]

 

We went down in 4 Hearts. Everyone else bid and made 4 spades. Partner had two small spades.

My rationale was that by a jump rebid I was showing six spades, and partner's first bid showed 5+ hearts and his second bid showed 6 hearts. I assumed he could not have two spades or he would have put me into game in spades with an 8 card fit, and he might have a void in spades, so I might struggle to get to his hand to establish his Hearts with only a singleton ♥Q in my hand. On the other hand, in 4 Hearts, if partner was very short in spades he would be relying on a successful Club King finesse to run my spades.

Should partner have put me into game in Spades with an 8 card fit, or were my spades solid enough for me to bid over his 4 Hearts?

[Cthulhu D]

I think he should raise on 2 there, yeah. That's fine support.

[Phil]

I'm having a tough time constructing a hand that doesn't open a weak two, but can make a passed hand 2♥ bid. If your partner is old-school they might hold a good hand and a marginal suit like x ATxxxx and a 9 count. Opposite this, we aren't making much of anything, but the ♥J would be a nice card and maybe we can hold down the damage in 4♥.

 

Yes your partner should raise to 4♠.

 

Its also important to note that unlike other jumps to 3 of a major this one is forcing. Partner is guaranteeing about 9-10 points and we are showing about 16 so we can't stop in a part score.

[Liversidge]

Thanks Phil,

 

I am still getting used to the hand construction tool on the BBO site. Partner did not pass to start with - I opened the bidding. I presume this doesn't make a difference to your response?

[rmnka447]

Partner should raise to 4 ♠.

 

Partner can't know how many ♥s you have. The only clue is that you didn't raise ♥ immediately which would tend to deny 3+ ♥. If you hold 2 ♥, it may not matter which suit you play in. But anytime you hold less, ♠ will probably play better.

 

So it's normally better to bid game in the known 8+ card fit, then speculate on the possible other fit.

[Phil]

Thanks Phil,

 

I am still getting used to the hand construction tool on the BBO site. Partner did not pass to start with - I opened the bidding. I presume this doesn't make a difference to your response?

 

No it doesn't change things. But it's a useful exercise to try to build hands that support partners bidding. It can help you place the contract.

[fourdad]

Partner should raise to 4 ♠.

 

Partner can't know how many ♥s you have. The only clue is that you didn't raise ♥ immediately which would tend to deny 3+ ♥. If you hold 2 ♥, it may not matter which suit you play in. But anytime you hold less, ♠ will probably play better.

 

So it's normally better to bid game in the known 8+ card fit, then speculate on the possible other fit.

 

BINGO!!

[ayebee]

You don't mention what system you're playing but as you're based in England and from the auction I'm guessing Acol with 4 card majors.

On that basis 3♠ shows a solid spade suit and not that much outside. As partner's 2♥ normally shows 5 the it also denies 3 hearts. If partner bids 4H knowing what you have then you need to trust that bid and not correct to 4♠

 

To bid that your partner needs solid hearts and no more than one spade. I trust he will learn form the experience

[1eyedjack]

You don't mention what system you're playing but as you're based in England and from the auction I'm guessing Acol with 4 card majors.

On that basis 3♠ shows a solid spade suit and not that much outside.

Double.

 

Continuing on the Acol-style assumption, a 2S rebid would have been non-forcing. A 3S rebid shows a strong opener with a self-supporting (not necessarily solid) Spade suit, sufficient to GF opposite partner's response. Not much outside? Where does that come from? Sure, with a biddable 4 card minor that would normally be preferred.

 

Personally I am a bit surprised that the chosen 3S rebid has encountered no criticism. I may be a bit out of the mainstream but I would have rebid 2S.