[jillybean]

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MP. 2nt=Ogust
We scored a top board in a weak field (Whooppee)
Would we fare so well in a strong field?

[mw64ahw]

2N over 3♦ - insufficient bid?

[jillybean]

Ha, yes, you could try it and see if the opps notice. I was obviously thinking weak 2s when I added that.
Okay, no insufficient bids. Your call

[Cyberyeti]

You are on a guess, does partner have:

x, xxx, KQJ10xxx, xx where 3♦ could be the limit, or does he have xxx, xx, AJ10xxx, Kx where 4♠ is trivial or x, x, AJ10xxxx, Jxxx where 5♣ is fine and bidding removes an easy 3♥ entry for the opps or does he have Jx, Axx, K1098xx, Jx where 3N is on a finesse and 4♠ is good.

If QJ109xxx and out is more likely than the 9 counts first in with the style I'm playing, I will pass like a shot. Knowing whether I had a weak 2♦ available is also important.

[P_Marlowe]

Pass.

The alternative is 3S, forcing, partner will raise to 4S with 3 cards,
he should always raise with Hx, but he can only have Jx, otherwise he
will rebid 4D.

Having bid 3S, you will never get a spade lead in 4D, dont know, if this
is good / bad.

[jillybean]

2D was available

[Cyberyeti]

 P_Marlowe, on 2024-September-16, 03:23, said:

Pass.

The alternative is 3S, forcing, partner will raise to 4S with 3 cards,
he should always raise with Hx, but he can only have Jx, otherwise he
will rebid 4D.

Having bid 3S, you will never get a spade lead in 4D, dont know, if this
is good / bad.

I think he rebids 3N with card(s) outside diamonds and spades and 4♣ with 74, but yes 3♠ is the alternative. I don't play new suits below 4 of my suit as cues, although there are hands where it's useful to do so.

[pescetom]

As others have said, it depends a lot upon style. If it's likely to have decent honours then 4C forcing followed by 4S over 4D leaves no stone unturned. Otherwise Pass.

[TMorris]

Pass for me. Partner never has what I need.

[mikeh]

At mps, first seat vulnerable, 3D should be a serious diamond suit. We rate to make 3D, so we ought to pass unless we think we are favourites to score better elsewhere or that we can make 4D….the only plausible alternative to passing is 3S, but we need not only to find some spades opposite but the odds appear against us. My guess is that 3D will be our last plus on most hands, although I’d say 4D will often make as well. Plus we’re often going set in 4S even if he raises (although we’ll usually have some play).

Plus scores are king at mps, so I pass. At imps, the prospect of missing 4S is too much to bear, so I’d risk turning a small plus into a small minus in favour of searching for the vulnerable game bonus.


As for 5C…gimme a break. Of course it could be cold but who in their right mind would even try for it?

[mw64ahw]

At this vulnerability opener should have 6+ playing tricks in ♦. With responder in a position to add to this total I'll bid 3♠ and Pass if ♦ are rebid with little doubt that 4 will make.

[jillybean]

Here's the full hand. After the hand, my partner commented that his 3D bid was a little off.

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A magic hand with KD onside and **if you are in clubs, once you discover the split, you can pick them all one honour off?

[Cyberyeti]

An obvious 1♦ opener is opened 3♦ and you miss game

[mw64ahw]

A 1♦ opener for me and for some 12hcpers maybe 2♦, but not 3♦
I'm surprised you had a top and no-one managed to find the ♣ game which looks reasonably straightforward without competition (a NT takeout over 1♦ if playing The OS).
My own auction is:
1♦ - 1♠ GI
3♣ (21)64 min. - 4♣ SI worth a try with 5 modified losers
ending up in 5♣ with 2 missing keycards, but making 6 if I make the right calls.

If opening a Weak 2
2♦ - 2♥ Strength/Shape? OK with 55 and 15hcp
3♦ 6♦4♣ max. - 5♣

[thepossum]

I'm considering 3S but was waiting until people cleared up 2NT.

Oh I see the hand has been posted. Still not too bad

[P_Marlowe]

After 1D opening 5C is down after the more or less ob. heart lead, since clubs gets played by South.
I guess you could bid the 4 carder instead of rebidding your strong suit, I would not.

[mw64ahw]

 P_Marlowe, on 2024-September-17, 03:17, said:

After 1D opening 5C is down after the more or less ob. heart lead, since clubs gets played by South.
I guess you could bid the 4 carder instead of rebidding your strong suit, I would not.

Yep - tricky play if West on lead, not sure I'd make the 11 tricks available unless East doubles

[Cyberyeti]

 P_Marlowe, on 2024-September-17, 03:17, said:

After 1D opening 5C is down after the more or less ob. heart lead, since clubs gets played by South.
I guess you could bid the 4 carder instead of rebidding your strong suit, I would not.

1♦-1♠-2♣ OR 1♦-1♠-2♦-2♥(art enq)-3♣ is how we start so N plays it. I fancy my chances in 3N(N) if we get there, and also in 5♣(N).

[P_Marlowe]

 Cyberyeti, on 2024-September-17, 04:50, said:

1♦-1♠-2♣ OR 1♦-1♠-2♦-2♥(art enq)-3♣ is how we start so N plays it. I fancy my chances in 3N(N) if we get there, and also in 5♣(N).

Yes, right. You will play clubs from North using something like 3rd suit forcing.

[Cyberyeti]

 P_Marlowe, on 2024-September-17, 05:01, said:

Yes, right. You will play clubs from North using something like 3rd suit forcing.

Correct, home hashed system that started with looking at Bourke relays, 3♣ over 2♦ is what we'd bid with Qxxx, xx, void, QJxxxxx so unavailable