[dickiegera]

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What is east's bid?

[Mbodell]

X. If partner bids 2♦ I'll bid nt to show about 15-18 balanced. Second choice immediate 2nt to show 18-20 balanced.

[WesleyC]

Starting with a double seems perfect.

[apollo1201]

If I X and partenr doesn't bid ♠, I will have to lie about my stength when I rebid, and we could miss a (potentially challenging) 3NT, whereas if I bid 2NT and we belong in 4♠, then partenr will be strong enough to Stayman and find out about the fit.

So I'll put the ♦7 in my ♥ and bid a 18-19 2NT with this 4324 hand.

On the deal, partner will probably raise to 3, which I will make on a ♥ lead. On a ♦ lead and continuations, it is not over yet (I just lack the ten), but I will probably fail on ♦ lead and ♥ switch by RHO. But we've been in worse games before.

[WesleyC]

apollo1201, on 2015-June-28, 03:07, said:

If I X and partenr doesn't bid ♠, I will have to lie about my stength when I rebid, and we could miss a (potentially challenging) 3NT, whereas if I bid 2NT and we belong in 4♠, then partenr will be strong enough to Stayman and find out about the fit.

It depends on what your NT ranges are in the balancing seat. Over 1H I think it's normal to keep the balance fairly wide ranging, something like 12-15 HCP, while it might be a point lower at the top end over 1C (because you have more space).

Another consideration is that the only time I plan is rebid 2NT is when partner responders 2D, in which case I don't mind downgrading this hand slightly with a singleton in partner's long suit and no trick source.

[apollo1201]

Wesley, you convinced me. But partner will bid S and the lead is now through my AQ