Weekend Teams (2)

[ahydra]

IMPs

 

[hv=pc=n&s=s3ht5dqjt7cakqjt4&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=1n(12-14)pp2c(5%2B-4%2B%20majors)p3nppp]133|200[/hv]

 

I passed 1NT hoping to run a ton of club tricks off the top. When partner balanced with the majors I took a gamble on 3NT. I'd like to blame it on FelicityR's "youthful enthusiasm" but I'm 33 now :) What do you make of the 3NT bid?

 

ahydra

[pescetom]

I passed 1NT hoping to run a ton of club tricks off the top. When partner balanced with the majors I took a gamble on 3NT. I'd like to blame it on FelicityR's "youthful enthusiasm" but I'm 33 now :) What do you make of the 3NT bid?

I suspect 33 is about half the average age on this forum B-)

But you don't have to be youthful to take the 3NT plunge here, who would not?

I'm more doubtful about your initial pass, but then I have little experience against weak NT.

[FelicityR]

IMPs

 

[hv=pc=n&s=s3ht5dqjt7cakqjt4&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=1n(12-14)pp2c(5%2B-4%2B%20majors)p3nppp]133|200[/hv]

 

I passed 1NT hoping to run a ton of club tricks off the top. When partner balanced with the majors I took a gamble on 3NT. I'd like to blame it on FelicityR's "youthful enthusiasm" but I'm 33 now :) What do you make of the 3NT bid?

 

ahydra

 

Nothing wrong with "youthful enthusiasm" if it gets you the right result :) Is there a sensible bid you can make on the first round of bidding? I assume 2♣ again shows majors, and 3♣ would be pre-emptive. You're the wrong shape for a double, and how would you proceed if partner bid a major in response? You wouldn't know his/her point range. Then what?

 

Given that you are 6421 shape with 10 cards in the minors, I think you are completely safe passing on the first round as there is a high probability that either the opponents or your partner will mention a major.

[perko90]

Is opener's bid a weak NT? It makes a difference.

[ahydra]

Yep, opps are playing weak NT. We play Landy, 3C would be constructive (10-14, 6c) rather than pre-emptive.

 

ahydra

[cherdano]

Yep, opps are playing weak NT. We play Landy, 3C would be constructive (10-14, 6c) rather than pre-emptive.

You have three cards in the majors. Either LHO or partner will take out 1N - there is no point in waiting to cash 6 clubs vs 1NT. I would bid 3C, or, if you think it's too heavy for that, double with the plan of pulling partner's penalty double to 3C.

[ahydra]

Interesting views, thanks all. Perhaps I should start with 3C - not sure about double, partner would expect more defence than this against a major-suit runout.

 

Anyway, I bought a measly KJ8xx KQ8x xx xx, and got a spade lead. I proceeded to play the hand really badly to go two down - if I'd guessed to put the J in at trick one, and the opps had been kind enough to also duck the first diamond after that start, then I would have made it for a huge swing in.

 

ahydra

[Tramticket]

I think that 3C first time round is probably wiser, mainly because 1NT will not be the final contract and the opps might have exchanged information before you get a chance to bid 3C next time. Or worse, you might have to guess what to do over opps' 3H or 3S. But I don't think that either of your calls were silly. Vulnerable games at IMPs do attract a bonus.

[rmnka447]

If you're 33, I've got you doubled and then some!!!

 

I'm bidding 3 NT with you're hand, too.

 

Partner should have decent values. After a weak 1 NT - P - P, coming into the auction is quite a bit more risky that over a similar strong NT auction. Responder to opener can have as much as a 10 count and pass. If your partner intervenes without muc, he could run into a buzz saw.

 

So given that partner has decent values and the majors and you have what looks like 6 tricks in ♣, 3 NT looks like a good gamble at IMPS as the likeliest game.

 

Back to the old post mortem argument. Which would you rather defend bidding an aggressive 3 NT and going down, or, explaining why you didn't bid a lay down VUL game?