[rogerclee]

1) All White, Second Seat

♠J ♥AQx ♦J9 ♣Q987xxx

(1♥) - ?

2) All White, First Seat

♠x ♥KTxxxx ♦xxx ♣9xx

P - (P) - 1♣ - (1♠)
P - (2♠) - 3♣ - (3♠)
?

3) All White, Fourth Seat

♠x ♥KQx ♦KJxxx ♣AKJx

(P) - P - (4♣) - ?

[matmat]

1) 3♣
2) abstain.
3) 3NT. (pass. )

[han]

Agree with matmat on hands 1 & 3.

If you want to abstain on hand 2 at least tell us which of your calls you can't live with Mat. I think (2) is the most interesting problem and I think I would pass two times but it is tempting to act both times. And even now it is not clear, especially all white at MPs. I think I'm going to bid 4C, I expect two 9-card fits and this could easily be a hand where total tricks is dead on.

[whereagles]

3C
4C
pass

[the hog]

Pass, 4C and pass.

[jdonn]

2♣, abstain since I didn't double last round but 4♣ now, and pass (the easiest problem). Surprised at the votes for 3♣ on 1, this is not a preemptive hand by any means with honors in all the side suits and a bad suit. All white at mps with the hearts well placed there should be no qualms about overcalling on the 2 level IMO.

[whereagles]

jdonn, on May 10 2008, 03:48 PM, said:

Surprised at the votes for 3♣ on 1, this is not a preemptive hand by any means with honors in all the side suits and a bad suit.

True, it's not pure preemptive. But look at your heart holding. It points at opponent's fit not being in hearts. By preempting, you're going to make it quite harder for opps to find the right fit (especially if it's clubs.. LOL).

[pclayton]

1. Really agree with Josh here. Since we need about the ♣A (cashing) to beat 4♥, why are we encouraging pard to sac with such great defense if we preempt? 2♣ is fine.

2. 4♣ I guess. 4♥ could really steal the cheese, but I'll support partner for once.

3. Pass in tempo. I really doubt we have anything here and RHO made a bizarre preempt other tables won't face. We might have 3N but we might not either with suits breaking poorly.

[pclayton]

whereagles, on May 10 2008, 09:24 AM, said:

jdonn, on May 10 2008, 03:48 PM, said:

Surprised at the votes for 3♣ on 1, this is not a preemptive hand by any means with honors in all the side suits and a bad suit.

True, it's not pure preemptive. But look at your heart holding. It points at opponent's fit not being in hearts. By preempting, you're going to make it quite harder for opps to find the right fit (especially if it's clubs.. LOL).

Well, run this through your simulator Nuno. RHO has advertised 5+ hearts. The spade length around the table is a complete unknown. What is their most probable fit?

I'm not being argumentative, but I am curious.

[whereagles]

pclayton, on May 10 2008, 05:37 PM, said:

Well, run this through your simulator Nuno. RHO has advertised 5+ hearts. The spade length around the table is a complete unknown. What is their most probable fit?

I'm not being argumentative, but I am curious.

hum.. well, you'll have to wait until next week. The simulator is linux-based and I only have that at work (took next week off).

[skjaeran]

pass, 4♣ (would have doubled last time), pass

[matmat]

whereagles, on May 10 2008, 02:23 PM, said:

pclayton, on May 10 2008, 05:37 PM, said:

Well, run this through your simulator Nuno. RHO has advertised 5+ hearts. The spade length around the table is a complete unknown. What is their most probable fit?

I'm not being argumentative, but I am curious.

hum.. well, you'll have to wait until next week. The simulator is linux-based and I only have that at work (took next week off).

hehe
get yourself a copy of a knoppix cd

[mikegill]

1) 2♣ - if partner were a passed hand I think I would bid 3♣, even though the hand doesn't really feel preemptive to me.

2) Would have Xed first time, I would bid 4♣ now. All white MPs != bridge.

3) Easy pass.

[rogerclee]

1) 3♣ works way better. 2♣ will get partner to double them off with his 12-count when your hand is worth literally zero defensive tricks.

2) 4♣ is best; it is cold, with 3♠ down 1 or 2 depending on the play.

3) Pass doesn't work out so well; you guys are cold for 5♦. You also lose to everyone else in 3NT when RHO's 4♣ bid is a little untraditional. 4♣ goes down 5.

[jdonn]

rogerclee, on May 10 2008, 07:18 PM, said:

1) 3♣ works way better. 2♣ will get partner to double them off with his 12-count when your hand is worth literally zero defensive tricks.

2) 4♣ is best; it is cold, with 3♠ down 1 or 2 depending on the play.

3) Pass doesn't work out so well; you guys are cold for 5♦. You also lose to everyone else in 3NT when RHO's 4♣ bid is a little untraditional. 4♣ goes down 5.

We want hands, not summaries!

Sorry partner from now on I'll assume AQx over an opening bid in that major as well as some scraps on the side is 0 defensive tricks.

[effervesce]

1) 2♣, too many possible def tricks, and a crap suit to boot.
2) 4♣
3) Pass. X will likely get a spade bid from partner.

[the hog]

rogerclee, on May 11 2008, 07:18 AM, said:

1) 3♣ works way better. 2♣ will get partner to double them off with his 12-count when your hand is worth literally zero defensive tricks.

2) 4♣ is best; it is cold, with 3♠ down 1 or 2 depending on the play.

3) Pass doesn't work out so well; you guys are cold for 5♦. You also lose to everyone else in 3NT when RHO's 4♣ bid is a little untraditional. 4♣ goes down 5.

So Roger how do you suggest we get to 5D on the last board. I doubt you are recommending a 4D overcall with that suit, are you? Perhaps you are recommending a X. Pray tell me what we then do over a 4S bid?

Personally I think 3C is a youth players bid on board 1. You grow out of it on suits that bad with outside defensive tricks.

Josh is right, show me the hands!

[655321]

1) 3♣. Also reasonable is 2♣, no strong preference.
2) 4♣.
3) Pass. 4NT should be natural here, but this is not really the hand for it.

[ArtK78]

1) 3♣. The hand is a mixed bag. It is hard to make a convincing argument either for or against 2♣ vs. 3♣, but, when in doubt, I make the bid likely to put the most pressure on the opponents. (I guess I am the oldest "youth" player in the history of bridge - lol).

2) 4♣, but either 4♥ or pass could be right. I don't have any strong feelings about this call. I don't have any problems with the previous passes.

3) Pass. Sometimes preempts work.