[apollo1201]

Playing 2/1 with forcing NT, RED, at MPs.

x
ATxx
J9xxx
ATx

And of course the bidding goes 1S 1NT 2C.

I couldnt bring myself to introduce so weak Ds (some even play it as a noncompulsory texas for H) and show preference with a small x (turn it into a Q or K and I might). Passing with 9 HCP in a potential 3-3 fit was also not great so I reluctantly went for 2NT although a whole HCP light for the call (lucky I had 2 ACES ans 2 TENS).

I ended up in 3NT making with a friendly defense, a 3-3 break and a good 14 hand from partner. But what was I supposed to do?

[MrAce]

apollo1201, on 2015-June-29, 14:29, said:

Playing 2/1 with forcing NT, RED, at MPs.

x
ATxx
J9xxx
ATx

And of course the bidding goes 1S 1NT 2C.

I couldnt bring myself to introduce so weak Ds (some even play it as a noncompulsory texas for H) and show preference with a small x (turn it into a Q or K and I might). Passing with 9 HCP in a potential 3-3 fit was also not great so I reluctantly went for 2NT although a whole HCP light for the call (lucky I had 2 ACES ans 2 TENS).

I ended up in 3NT making with a friendly defense, a 3-3 break and a good 14 hand from partner. But what was I supposed to do?

2 NT is not that bad at all with all these good spot cards, Aces and considering your other options. You did what I probably would have.

[gszes]

You are right near the balancing point btn go and no go. At IMPS I would go (bid 2n like you did) and MP (where stretching to bid thin games is of minor importance) I would pass. I realize clubs (ugh) is not a MP haven but we might get lucky enough to score a couple of spade ruffs to help us get some MP out of this hand. The misfit in spades and lack of a suit of our own are the main problems with any NT venture (at IMPS we can celebrate even sub 40% games that we would hate at MP).

[SteveMoe]

2N isn't much of an overbid - shows 9+ to 11 or so w/1NF.
This hand is a minimum 2N.
You might land in a 23 HCP 3N, but that's not the first nor last time that will happen.
Sounds like you had fun playing it!

[PhilKing]

.

[rmnka447]

I'd bid 2 NT with the hand. Typically, with 5-8 points, you try to sign off somewhere at the 2 level. With more, you'll make a forward going call.

Even though you have only 9 points, you have 2 QTs in the form of 2 As. You have accompanying intermediate 10s for the As. Even your J has an accompanying intermediate 9 in a 5 card suit. So there's lots of positives beyond the negative of holding a stiff in partner's suit. So the hand is definitely worth more than 9, call it 9+, and worth a forward going bid.

Since you could bid either red suit at the 2 level to signoff, bidding 3 of a red suit would be forward going. But you recognized that J9xxx is not something that you should bid at the 3 level. So, 2 NT is exactly right.

Since partner has bid 1 ♠ to start, partner can hold up to just under jump shifting values or enough to bid 2 NT directly over 1 NT. With those hands, partner will still make a minimum rebid and hope you can find more than a signoff rebid. So, by making a forward going bid, you give partner the chance to carry on when holding those hands.

[P_Marlowe]

Take your pick, either pass or bid 2NT.

You dont bid out of fear playing in a 33, if this is the case drop the agreement,
that opener can bid a 3 carder.
You bid on, because game may be on.

Playing MPs, you need to get it right, meaning you need to find the option, that
leads to a plus score.

For what's it worth: I would pass, playing IMPs, ebing red would be a lot harder,
and most likely you should try to go for gold.

With kind regards
Marlowe