[billw55]

Straightforward choice. IMP pairs, white on red, you hold

♠ x
♥ AKTxxxxx
♦ Ax
♣ Ax

Fourth seat after three passes, you choose ... ?

Does this belong in N/B forum?

[ahydra]

I voted for 1H and "no". I guess you worry the opps will find their spade fit, but they likely don't have game so you can always outbid them.

The problem with opening 4H is if partner has a flat 10-count with three tricks (eg ♣KQJ10x) he will not bid 6, where he might if we start with 1H and go to 3NT or 4H next.

ahydra

[wyman]

Voted 4H and no. I don't want to be guessing after 1H (1S) P (4S).

[Phil]

wyman, on 2012-November-13, 08:32, said:

Voted 4H and no. I don't want to be guessing after 1H (1S) P (4S).

You noticed the vulnerability, right?

[wyman]

Phil, on 2012-November-13, 09:47, said:

You noticed the vulnerability, right?

I did, and while I concede that this is be the worst vulnerability for this choice (in fact I almost commented to that effect), I *still* am not happy on the auction I gave. I guess it's obvious to rip it, but I'm not at all confident that we're not ringing up a -990 (or at least -790) here.

[Cyberyeti]

Question:

If you play a 4th seat 2♥ as say 10-13 with 6 hearts, what is a 4th seat 3♥ ? I'd quite like to use it as this type of hand, but have never discussed it with any of my partners.

As an alternative, you could consider opening 3♣ in 4th seat with a hand you'd open 4♣ normally, and use 4♣ as this sort of hand.

[lalldonn]

The opponents have both passed and we have a good hand. Why are we already assuming they will bid 4♠? Partner can have spades too. I vote 1♥ and yes.

[billw55]

lalldonn, on 2012-November-13, 12:59, said:

The opponents have both passed and we have a good hand. Why are we already assuming they will bid 4♠? Partner can have spades too. I vote 1♥ and yes.

Indeed he might. Let's imagine the auction goes:

p - p - p - 1♥
p - 1♠ - p - ?

Now I assume you rebid 4♥? - and that it shows a strong hand like this one. Whereas an opening 4♥ would be a more intermediate hand?

[quiddity]

I think it's too strong for 1♥; I would try 2♣.

[lalldonn]

billw55, on 2012-November-13, 13:21, said:

Indeed he might. Let's imagine the auction goes:

p - p - p - 1♥
p - 1♠ - p - ?

Now I assume you rebid 4♥? - and that it shows a strong hand like this one. Whereas an opening 4♥ would be a more intermediate hand?

You could and that's a lot better than opening 4♥ but I think it's still too easy to miss slam. Usually rebidding 4♥ is taking more of a chance, not a really strong hand with hopes of slam. KQx of a minor and a doubleton heart is slam. I would rebid 3♣, sorry to offend so many of you, then bid hearts forever.

[PhilKing]

Game in our hand. Check.

Good suit. Check.

Great controls. Check.

Slam opposite very little. Check.

No sensible rebid after 1♥. Check.

Two Clubs!

[Phil]

2♣ for me too. Slam isn't likely but you can kiss it goodbye after 4♥.

2♣ also preempts their spades much better than 1♥ anyway.

[Thiros]

wyman, on 2012-November-13, 08:32, said:

Voted 4H and no. I don't want to be guessing after 1H (1S) P (4S).

What guessing? Hearts are going to be trumps, unless partner doubles in front of me.

[Cyberyeti]

Thiros, on 2012-November-13, 23:15, said:

What guessing? Hearts are going to be trumps, unless partner doubles in front of me.

You really think partner is doubling with xxx, void, Q10xxxx, QJxx where you could easily have 4 or 5 tricks in spades but only 8 or 9 in hearts ? and anyway, you have to bid 5♥ before you know whether partner is doubling in the 1♥-1♠-P-4♠ scenario.

[RunemPard]

Opening this hand 2♣ is a very interesting idea...but I only really consider this if we are playing control replies.

Maybe partner will get a chance to bid higher than 2NT with 4 controls.

[lycier]

I open 2♣ without doubt.
My philosophy is holding game values going down rather than resting comfortably in part score with overtricks.

[mr1303]

2C is revolting. 4H is revolting. 1H is automatic.

(I could JUST about live with 2H strong and forcing).

[billw55]

When I left yesterday, there were no votes or comments for 2♣, which surprised me a little. When dummy can lay down a yarboro with two hearts, and game is a big favorite, or when a single king makes it near cold, I expected 2♣ to get some love.

When I played this, I chose 4♥, passed out of course. My partner laid down what I consider an opening hand, I claimed 12 tricks, and partner booted me for preempting. I didn't think it was *that* bad.

[Codo]

Partner does never hold a yarb. That would leave opps with 25 HCPS, at least one had opened.

And if you bid 4 ♥ in fourth seat, it is no preempt, it is describtive, so partner with his 3 tricks may well make a slam try....

[gwnn]

Codo, on 2012-November-14, 07:49, said:

And if you bid 4 ♥ in fourth seat, it is no preempt, it is describtive, so partner with his 3 tricks may well make a slam try....

I hope he doesn't!