The Hearts problem

[marcindz]

[hv=pc=n&s=sj853hq9dt96cqt94&w=s2hkj7532daj853c3&n=sq97hat8dkq742cj5&e=sakt64h64dcak8762&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=2h3d]399|300[/hv]

 

I had a very interesting hand today and am wondering what bid is the best in this situation?

 

2!H is 6-10 6+!H

3!D is natural

[wank]

4h. aiming for anything grander is too optimistic considering they can tap you at t1.

[Stephen Tu]

If you knew all the hands you would double, but I think the normal bid is simply 4♥. You are hoping to take the AKs, a diamond ruff or two, and 4-5 heart tricks.

[aguahombre]

4H, then make note never to play with North.

[WesleyC]

I think starting with 4♣ is a much better choice than just jumping to 4♥. (Although admittedly you will usually stop in 4♥).

 

I want to make sure I get the right lead if the opponents end up in diamonds, and if partner has a decent club fit, slam in clubs isn't out of the picture. In the real world, I expect North to have long strong diamonds, not the hand he actually holds.

[the hog]

Are there really players in the world so bad that they would bid 3Ds?

[gszes]

Assuming opener cannot hold AKQxxx (this may be an invalid assumption depending

on partnership) it is almost impossible for opener to have the type of hand we

need to make 6. That means any bid but

 

4h

 

creates extra risk for decidedly little reward.

[WesleyC]

Assuming opener cannot hold AKQxxx (this may be an invalid assumption depending

on partnership) it is almost impossible for opener to have the type of hand we

need to make 6.

 

I agree that slam in hearts is very unlikely, but by not bidding 4C you're giving up on all the hands where partner has a club fit. Opposite [x AKxxxx xx Qxxx] or [Qx AT9xxx xx Qxx] a club slam is excellent and it will have chances opposite much less.

[Fluffy]

4H, then make note never to play with North.

 

I'd pick north over west.

[aguahombre]

I'd pick north over west.

You are kidding? You think West's opening is worse than North's overcall?

[Fluffy]

sorry is the 2♥ opening strong 2?, then I would keep west.

 

Enough jokes, I will phrase it this way:

 

If you move one card from north into diamonds it becomes a real 3♦ overcall for me. Although a bit light, and not one I would make opposite a passed hand partner, but parter didn't pass yet.

You need to rearrange at least 2 cards from west to make it a 2♥ opening non vul on first for me.

 

So it is twice as bad to open 2♥ than to overcall 3♦ IMO.

[MrAce]

You are kidding? You think West's opening is worse than North's overcall?

 

I was about to post what Gonzalo wrote. Yes, I also think W is worse.

[billw55]

I was about to post what Gonzalo wrote. Yes, I also think W is worse.

Close, but if forced to choose I would agree.

[whereagles]

I would bid a straight 4♥ and double 5♦.

 

Reasoning is I don't think we can make 5 and opps are quite likely to go a few down if they save.

[mikeh]

I think starting with 4♣ is a much better choice than just jumping to 4♥. (Although admittedly you will usually stop in 4♥).

 

I want to make sure I get the right lead if the opponents end up in diamonds, and if partner has a decent club fit, slam in clubs isn't out of the picture. In the real world, I expect North to have long strong diamonds, not the hand he actually holds.

Yet another in the never-ending list of players who feel the need to make a lead-directing call even when they will be on opening lead.