[xx1943]

Scoring: MP

South West North East
  1♦    pass   1♠   pass
  ???

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I would like to hear the opinion of the panel, if you prefer with 2452, 18HCP, honors in the short suits to reverse or to show semibalanced 18-19 HCP.
Should the reverse show a really unbalanced hand 1453 or more unbalanced?

What is your strategy?

[Phil]

Definitely 2N.

[Cascade]

2♥ for me but I can live with 2NT.

I feel showing your shape - long suits - will be beneficial in slam auctions with this hand.

[mike777]

first off I open a bid showing 18-19 bal but baring that:)


1d and then 2h..easy.....I dont play junky reverses..i[]but many on the forum do....

5+D....4+H.....17+ EASY....
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[awm]

2NT for me.

With this shape in general, I think either 2♥ or 2NT is okay. This particular hand has half its high card strength in short suits; a pure hand like xx AKTx AQJxx Ax would be a reverse.

[aguahombre]

The problem with the reverse might be Lebensohl. I think you need to protect the KX of clubs.

[655321]

Definitely 2NT for me.

Usually you will probably be OK whichever rebid you choose. But often 3NT by South is the right contract, and rebidding 2NT is the safest way to get there. In addition you describe the approximate strength and character of your hand to partner, enabling him to make good decisions. It is true that occasionally you will miss a good 6♦, but you also avoid those adventures where partner, after hearing a reverse, gets too high. And game before slam is a good general principle to keep in mind.

[peachy]

With that shape I reverse if the suits are good. Both of the suits are just average and have a total of only 9HCP within the two suits, admidttedly a nine or ten to bolster the quality. This one, 2NT is obvious for me, it just seems to scream NT. Also, if we reverse and have Lebensohl on the card, NT will be wrongsided.

PS. Edited out typos.

[CSGibson]

2N. It's the rare hand where I am lead directional in every single suit, I must do what I can to play the hand, and NT is my best bet - we can get to hearts later if that's right, though diamonds might be tougher

[P_Marlowe]

2H.

I show the shape.

It also keeps the bidding lower, and so on and so forth.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Siegmund]

I have no strong feelings either way.

I wish I could trade a few of these hands that have two good rebids for a few others that have no good rebid!

[Double !]

definitely advocate for 2NT rebid.
Reasons:
1) I've described my range and approximate shape
2) it's often easier and people often feel more comfortable/ confident developing the bidding after someone has rebid NT. We have more agreed-upon responder rebids available (nmf, dbl-barrelled checked-back, xyz) to use after the NT rebid.
3) you have probably right-sided the final contract, whatever it might become.

DHL

[bucky]

Half of my high cards are in short suits, which argues for 2NT. If your hand were xx, AKQx, AKQxx, xx, same shape and high cards, but now 2H is more descriptive.

[aguahombre]

bucky, on Oct 18 2010, 01:46 PM, said:

Half of my high cards are in short suits, which argues for 2NT. If your hand were xx, AKQx, AKQxx, xx, same shape and high cards, but now 2H is more descriptive.

yep, and you are less likely to care if Pard Lebens.

[the hog]

2H. More important to show the shape here.

[campboy]

I don't understand the comments about wrongsiding a notrump contract. If you reverse and partner bids lebensohl, how are you going to play in 3NT from either side? The main difference between the two options is between playing in 2NT and 3 of a red suit if partner has a minimum response. If he is going to game the danger is more likely in wrongsiding a heart contract after 1♦-1♠-2NT-3♥.

[billw55]

If I bid 2H and later reach 3NT, ops are obviously leading a club. If I bid 2NT immediately, they well might lead a heart.

[ONEferBRID]

campboy, on 2010-October-21, 03:35, said:

I don't understand the comments about wrongsiding a notrump contract. If you reverse and partner bids lebensohl, how are you going to play in 3NT from either side? The main difference between the two options is between playing in 2NT and 3 of a red suit if partner has a minimum response. If he is going to game the danger is more likely in wrongsiding a heart contract after 1♦-1♠-2NT-3♥.

When you use your favorite game-going "checkback" ( Wolff or new minor ) Opener will bid Hts first.

[mtvesuvius]

Definitely 2N. Not only is it a bad heart suit, but I have values in both my doubletons. For me, this is a very clear 2N.

[FrancesHinden]

I would reverse, assuming I trust my partner to be able to bid sensibly. I can live with 2NT, but I think the revers is better.
One of your 'short suits' is partner's first bid suit: I think it's somewhat wishful thinking that you continue 2NT - 3NT and the opponents lead a heart when a club is better.

I'm surprised at all the comments about "right-siding" it. It is unlikely that 3NT is the right contract if the Kx of clubs is our only stop in the suit. If partner also has something in clubs then it's not clear which way up you should play it - Q10x is better played by him (but then a spade lead through our AQ might not be so good).

Also, if partner lebensohls with 2NT it's not obvious we are going to play in game - if he wants to play in 3C, 3D, or 3H then that is probably a better spot than 2NT.

Quote

2) it's often easier and people often feel more comfortable/ confident developing the bidding after someone has rebid NT. We have more agreed-upon responder rebids available (nmf, dbl-barrelled checked-back, xyz) to use after the NT rebid.

This might be a reason to rebid 2NT at the table on this hand with some partners, but it should not apply in a well-oiled partnership.