[q0987]

I have a ratty 5 card hearts and 15 to 17 HCP's. I open 1 NT and partner bids 2 clubs. Should I bid 2 hearts or 2 diamonds? If I bid 2 hearts is that undervaluing the hearts suit? If I bid 2 diamonds, after partner bids 2 NT should I then bid 3 hearts to show a 5 card suit?

[sasioc]

How do you play 2♣ over 1NT? What would these responses show?

I'm a simple soul and tend to just show my shape as accurately as I can, having opened 1NT. Partner is usually in a better position than me to decide what needs to happen.

[mgoetze]

You should bid 2♥. The description of the 2♦ response to Stayman as "no 4-card major" comes from a time when people didn't even think about opening 1NT with a 5-card major. What 2♦ really means is "less than 4 hearts and less than 4 spades". If you think about it like this, 2♦ is much more of a distortion than 2♥ is.

[sasioc]

I had not understood that 2♣ was Stayman... If that is the case, 2♦ then 3♥ does not show a five card suit - as mgoetze says, bidding 2♦ would say "I do not have *as many as four* hearts or spades" not "I do not have *exactly* four hearts or spades".

I too would bid 2♥ over 2♣.

[barmar]

q0987, on 2013-January-20, 03:47, said:

If I bid 2 hearts is that undervaluing the hearts suit?

The response to Stayman doesn't say anything about the quality of the suit, just that you have 4 or 5 of them. You bid 2♥ whether the suit is AKQJT or 5432.

With a maximum 1NT and 5 hearts you could respond 3♥.

Quote

If I bid 2 diamonds, after partner bids 2 NT should I then bid 3 hearts to show a 5 card suit?

What would you do if partner bids 3NT? You can't bid 4♥, as partner could have a singleton ♥ and you'll be in a horrible contract. But partner could also have 4 ♥, and you'll miss your 9 card fit.

In another thread you said you "rate [yourself] as an advanced player". This seems like a beginner question.

[aguahombre]

barmar, on 2013-January-20, 16:56, said:

The response to Stayman doesn't say anything about the quality of the suit, just that you have 4 or 5 of them. You bid 2♥ whether the suit is AKQJT or 5432.

With a maximum 1NT and 5 hearts you could respond 3♥.

That would be really irritating to partner, convoluting our continuations when she has some plan with four spades and a longer minor.

[barmar]

I think I've only made that response once or twice every 50 sessions of bridge. The chance that it will occur when partner had some other plan seems low. And if he has a hand worth looking for a minor slam, he can still bid 4 of the minor over 3♥. But with me holding a 5-card suit opposite his shortness, it seems unlikely.

[aguahombre]

I guess it is just a matter of preference. I prefer not to bounce around with responses to inquiries --Stayman or otherwise---which serve only to get in partner's way.

[q0987]

barmar, on 2013-January-20, 16:56, said:

The response to Stayman doesn't say anything about the quality of the suit, just that you have 4 or 5 of them. You bid 2♥ whether the suit is AKQJT or 5432.

With a maximum 1NT and 5 hearts you could respond 3♥.

What would you do if partner bids 3NT? You can't bid 4♥, as partner could have a singleton ♥ and you'll be in a horrible contract. But partner could also have 4 ♥, and you'll miss your 9 card fit.

In another thread you said you "rate [yourself] as an advanced player". This seems like a beginner question.

I may not be advanced in my bidding as I have never played with a regular player. I have mostly played with weak palyers in the past. but regardless of their strength I can play a decent defence and play of the hand. In that I am an advanced player.

[fromageGB]

barmar, on 2013-January-20, 16:56, said:

With a maximum 1NT and 5 hearts you could respond 3♥.

Solve all the problems and open 1♥ when you have 5 !

[mgoetze]

fromageGB, on 2013-January-21, 16:02, said:

Solve all the problems and open 1♥ when you have 5 !

... creating new problems in the process.

[steve2005]

If the suit wasnt good enough to open 1♥ why would you suddenly want to upgrade it and bid 3♥
bid standard response 2♥. if partner has 4 he will be pleasantly surprised

[lycier]

q0987, on 2013-January-20, 03:47, said:

I have a ratty 5 card hearts and 15 to 17 HCP's. I open 1 NT and partner bids 2 clubs. Should I bid 2 hearts or 2 diamonds? If I bid 2 hearts is that undervaluing the hearts suit? If I bid 2 diamonds, after partner bids 2 NT should I then bid 3 hearts to show a 5 card suit?

No, it is a unnecessary for you to think of ♥ suit with a ratty card ,even yarborough suit.Generally,a ratty suit can't be the source of the tricks.Without suit quality,without tricks !
My philosophy is to regard a ratty 5-card suit as 4 card suit !

[barmar]

steve2005, on 2013-January-21, 19:21, said:

If the suit wasnt good enough to open 1♥ why would you suddenly want to upgrade it and bid 3♥
bid standard response 2♥. if partner has 4 he will be pleasantly surprised

The suit quality has little influence on my choice of opening 1♥ vs 1NT. I open 1NT when I'm in the appropriate range, because otherwise all my rebids will distort my strength.

I respond 3♥ with maximum and 5 ♥ for the same reason that I superaccept a transfer with a max and 4: if partner knows we have a 9 card fit, he can bid more aggressively.