3 HEARTS?

[kenberg]

[hv=pc=n&w=s54hjdq62cakqj532&e=skqt9863hadkj7ct4]266|100[/hv]

 

 

These were the East /West hands

 

I think that over 2H a 3C call makes sense. On those hands where 3NT is right there will be a good chance that East can decide that for himself. Assuming that the 3H was a request to bid 3NT with a heart stop, the problem is that W does not really know rgat there are 9 tricks. he needs something from E, and if he bids 3C showing a good suit and some values, his partner is apt to get it right when he holds the needed cards. Not always, but often.

 

After 3C they will find either 4S or 5C.

 

With agreements as I suggested earlier, that after 3H E can bid 3S forcing or 3NT, here he can choose 3S and then 4S. My thought was that 3S shows a good heart suit, 3NT shows a heart stop, and when he has both he has to choose. With a pretty decent seven card suit I am pretty sure that I would go with the spades.

 

But back to the beginning. I far prefer 3C to 3H.

 

 

As you can see, I am not fond of the idea that 3H is an absolute command to bid 3NT with a stop, regardless of what else you have. But if that is the agreement then W should certainly not bid 3H.

[kenberg]

Well, twelve tricks doesn't depend on the spade position only, since the squeeze is of the triple variety.

 

I don't really see the connection with the OP topic or hand, but I guess it is there somewhere.

 

The reason that I liked the hand was, as I said, it is not obvious to me, just looking at NS, what the optimal line is. Double dummy, it's easy. But imagining myself playing it? We can hope.

 

The connection with the OP is the interpretation of the cue. Not exactly equivalent, but in the same ballpark.

 

Anyway, I just liked the hand a lot.