[luke warm]

i'm sure you're a wonderful card player

but

bob hamman can play the spots off the cards

[the hog]

kenberg, on Apr 8 2005, 01:57 AM, said:

I see from the poll that the 3nt voters are sweeping the country. That was my first thought, but I have been convinced otherwise by the 4D voters.
Here are some thoughts, probably not going much beyond what has already been said.

Often, not always, 3NT and 4S will both end the auction. Either could be right, either could be wrong. Bidding 4D and then, over the expected 4H, bidding 4S will offer an alternative (I know, that alternative is no longer 3NT) providing partner understands. He should. Famous last words. From this I take 4D to be definitely superior to 4S.

It is possible partner has hopes of going beyond game. The 4D-4H-4S route should give a clearer picture than either 3NT (diamond stop(s) and some decent values somewhere) or 4S (shows the 4 spades but partner may talk himself into the idea they might be better or longer. They could be on such an auction.) After 4D-4H-4S partner can infer good values (for a passed hand I would say these are good values), a good club holding, and exactly 4 spades, probably of marginal quality. Further, since you are saying that neither 4S nor 3NT nor 5C is your clear choice, it would be reasonable, a small stretch perhaps, to think that some of your values are in hearts as well. This should help him decide what to do next. You have clearly indicated you are not sure about the best contract and this information itself can be of use.

I admit this seldom occurs to me at the table. I think it should.

Ken

The problem with 4D is that you have by passed 3NT and you cannot make your bids retorogressive. 4S MAY be a good spot, but not if pd has 3 and 5C MAY be playable. 3N is the most likely making spot.

[luke warm]

whereagles, on Apr 7 2005, 02:27 AM, said:

Well, if you're afraid of going down in 3NT maybe you can pass the double for 1 down!?? Who knows? Maybe it's even the right action, as ben would have it

i'm not afraid of going down, i just think 4s is better... and, at the risk of repeating myself , none of us posting plays the cards (whether 3nt or 4s) like hamman does (or did, or whatever)

[whereagles]

"luke warm" said:

none of us posting plays the cards (whether 3nt or 4s) like hamman does (or did, or whatever)

Well, speak for yourself