[eagles123]

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dealer is west (opps are silent)

what is your auction?

Cheers,

Eagles

[wyman]

Prob something like

1D 1S
1N 2D(*artGF)
2H 2S
3D 3H
3S 4S
P

Or N could bid 4H over 3H. But basically it looks like we're going to be down 1 in 4M unless something breaks 3-3.

[helene_t]

I would bid
1♦-1♠
1NT-4♠

A bit primitive. I don't think it's the best contract. Probably best to stay out of game but that's imposible.

[Cyberyeti]

I'm not even sure 4♠ is the best game if you're going to be in game, it can go off with spades 3-3 if they start with 4 rounds of clubs.

[StevenG]

Assuming Eagles is playing weak NT, the 1N rebid isn't available.

[Wackojack]

Playing weak no trump it looks horrible for North. However, it could be a blessing in disguise. Suppose South makes a crafty (exploratory) 2nd response of 3♣. So the bidding goes: 1♦-1♠-2♦-3♣-3NT-pass. This gives you the best chamce of making a game.

Is South being silly or clever?

[wyman]

Eh, playing weak NT:

1N-4H; 4S-P.

[hrothgar]

I suspect that 4♥ has better play than 4♠

[mycroft]

Assuming Eagles is playing Weak NT, this is the hand-with-a-singleton for it, and I expect the auction to go:

1NT-4♠ (or 1NT-whatever Texas they're playing-4♠).

Oh well.

Strong NT, or if you can't convince yourself to open 1NT with this, or your partner won't let you:

1♦-1♠
2♦-2♥ ("third suit forcing")
3♥-3♠
something leading to 4M (either M). Again, oh well. I don't know how many people with 26 high can avoid game - maybe some will survive 3NT because the clubs break and something nice happens on the run of the cards.

[Zelandakh]

Perhaps
1♦ = ~10-17, 4+ diamonds, unbal
... - 1♥ = INV+ relay
1♠ = min, <4 spades unless 4441/4450
... - 1NT = GF erlay
2♥ = 4 hearts, 5+ diamonds
... - 2♠ = relay
2NT = 5 diamonds
... - 3♣ = relay
3♦ = 1453
... - 3♠ = club stop?
4♣ = no
... - 4♥

I guess where I want to be is 1NT but getting there might be a little tough.

[fromageGB]

Zelandakh, on 2013-July-10, 06:05, said:

Perhaps
1♦ = ~10-17, 4+ diamonds, unbal
... - 1♥ = INV+ relay

but maybe not in this forum.

[nige1]

Possible 2/1 auction

IMO, in practice, you are likely to reach 4♠ whatever system you play; but,

In theory: notrump partscores = 10, ♠ partscores = 9, ♥ partscores = 8, 3N = 5, 4♥ = 4, 4♠ = 3.

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[Zelandakh]

fromageGB, on 2013-July-10, 06:37, said:

but maybe not in this forum.

True, but most of the N/B possibilities have already been posted, specifically
1♦ - 1♠; 1NT - 4♠

If you use some form of Checkback then you might have tools available to distinguish between one and two spades with North and stop in 3NT, say:
1♦ - 1♠; 1NT - 2♣!; 2♥ - 3♠; 3NT
1♦ - 1♠; 1NT - 2♦!; 2♥ - 2♠; 3NT
1♦ - 1♠; 1NT - 2♦!; 2♥ - 2♠; 2NT - 3♠; 3NT

but it is just not practical to stop in a part-score here. That was really the point I was making, that it really makes little difference if you are playing "fancy relays" or beginners basic.

[eagles123]

thanks guys,

we ended in 4S through 1D 1s 2d 4s...

the good news was it made! the bad news was loads of others were in 3N making + 1 as the clubs split AKQ/xxxx

One of those things I guess!!

[Winstonm]

The best contract is a major suit partscore but I doubt it possible to stop short of game. Being matchpoints, the best contract is the one the field is in, which I would guess to be 4S. So 4S down 1 is most likely result.

[StevenG]

Winstonm, on 2013-July-11, 11:38, said:

The best contract is a major suit partscore but I doubt it possible to stop short of game. Being matchpoints, the best contract is the one the field is in, which I would guess to be 4S. So 4S down 1 is most likely result.

I'm not sure about that in an English club mainly playing Acol.

I think, with a random partner, I'd bid this 1♦-1♠,2♦-3♠, (shut eyes and pray) 3NT.

I really don't like this sequence, but I would think it, or something similar, would be much the most common at club level, at least in the bit of England in which I play.