[bestguru]

Scoring: IMP

partner dealt and opened 3♣ passed to me

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My gut reaction was that they had a spade game and I quickly bid 4♦. Was this nuts?

[mikeh]

For me, 4♦ is keycard in ♣ (and for you, Justin, as well, I bet)

So the choices are pass, 3♦, 3♥, or (wait for it) 4♣

3♦ is forcing but not guaranteed to prevent 3♠ on your left.

What might be worse is that partner is entitled to play you for values and therefore make calls that you don't want to hear... including double of 4♠. I would not worry much on that topic, but it is wrong to think that partner is barred after preempting.

3♦ is also unlikely to get a useful response, so that the opps may get a fielder's choice: imagine RHO doubling partner's 4♣ bid, for example.

3♥ is slightly better, in terms of partner's response, since he may raise you to game. If undoubled, this might be a good score.

Pass seems the most logical call, since it comes closest to describing your values

I would run to 3♦ if LHO doubled and RHO sat for it.

4♣ might be the best psyche But I would not do it: I am at least 25 years too old for it.

BTW, I see no reason to assume that the opps are cold for anything at the game level, other than (perhaps) 3N.

[mike777]

pass

[Blofeld]

Love 4♣. But I'd never think of it at the table.

[3SP] is a possibility, but I can see bad things happening after this, as partner keeps on putting you back into spades. I might try 3N, though ... nowhere near as good as 4♣, but ...

[bestguru]

Thanks for the responses.

pass - If I had thought for a quarter of second more, I would have

I don't think I like 4♦ as natural and non forcing either but it was handy here.

3♦ seemed pointless and dangerous to me, so I agree with mikeh on that.

3♥ did cross my mind but I figured partner to be strict about having nothing worthwhile outside clubs for his 3♣ call

3♠ scares the willies out of me. I would admire your daring if you were to make the call though

3NT didn't occur to me, but I do like it.

4♣ I considered this and immediately discarded it as it seemed like the kind of wacky thing that I'm prone to do and have come out badly . I am reconsidering though.

I think I'll pass next time, but if that psych itch just had to be scratched I'd go with 4♣

[pigpenz]

yes stir the pot alittle with that awesome lead director of 4♣

[Fluffy]

It seems obvious we don't wanna play ♥ at all, so I guess it all comes down to if we wanna suggest to play 5♦, bid 5♦ or help ourselves against 4♠.I also like the 4♣ idea.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

pass.

4D wont stop them bidding game,
if they have it on and are able to bid
it.

One of them already passed, i.e. you
have a lot of strength in hearts and
diamonds => the chances are greater
that your partner will be able to play 3C.

The argument: "But they were cold for 4S"
after one went for a number is silly most of
the time, sometimes the cards lay so, that
each opponent has a hard time to enter the
bidding.

With kind regards
Marlowe