[kenberg]

Scoring: MP

---

The bidding begins with E:
1H-P-P-2C
2D-2H-P-3C

I held the South hand and could think of nothing better than to pass over 1H and bid 2H over the 2D bid. However 2N makes from either the N or S hand, 3C does not. Suggestions?

Ken

[han]

I don't mind 2H, I agree with 2NT followed by 3NT.

[inquiry]

Gosh,

I don't like the 2♣ bid, I think double is better

I don't like the 2♥ bid, I think double is better

I don't like the 3♣ bid, I think 2NT is better but the unmentioned 3NT is better given the mistakn 2♣ bid at first.

And if partner bids 2NT over my 2♥ (which I wouldn't have bid), I like pass with south's hand, as north can not have this hand and his 2♣ bid was already bidding a lot of my hcp and if he can't jump to 3NT, we can't make it as I wouldn't think he would have this much and rebid only 2NT.

[Al_U_Card]

how 'bout, (pronounced "boot" here in Canada, eh?) overcalling 1S, then when pard q's 2H you bid 3NT and play it there.....they'll even lead a H for you

[barmar]

Al_U_Card, on Oct 26 2005, 01:52 PM, said:

how 'bout, (pronounced "boot" here in Canada, eh?) overcalling 1S, then when pard q's 2H you bid 3NT and play it there.....they'll even lead a H for you

I guess it could work, but partner is going to be pretty confused by that sequence -- what kind of hand can bid that way yet not overcall 1NT?

[Al_U_Card]

one that wants a S lead on defense?

[kenberg]

Thanks, and I hope for further thoughts. I was pretty much aware that 2H wasn't a great bid but I couldn't think of anything better. I will bring up with my partner Justin's (not Jason'e, my error) response that the double of 2D would show a trap pass of hearts together with a tolerance for defending diamonds. This relates to another thread where I took a double of two diamonds to show (gasp) diamonds. What was I thinking of??

Technically 2D can be made, or so they tell me at the hand records, see the oct 13 hand records (board 20, rotated) at

http://www.districtsix.org/WBL/Results/200.../1013/Hands.pdf

but of course that's double dummy. I assume the dd play goes: win the opening diamond, lead a small heart, win the next diamond and lead the ten of hearts ruffing and promoting the 8 if the ten is covered, or else letting it ride if it is not and then setting up for an endplay (draw the last trump, lead a club, lose two spades, ruff the next club, lead a small heart, or something similar depending on the defense). I think this works. My right hand opponent is an excellent player (Bill Cole) and he might have found that, particularly since I would probably cover the ten of hearts. Still, can make doesn't always mean will make, and I would be willing to try 2D doubled if we could get there. Definitely something to discuss with partner.

Staying out of 3NT seems right if we can do it since an opening diamond lead brings five tricks to the defense. If we get to 3NT while advertising strong hearts, I imagine the diamond (Q or 6, depending on who declares) will be led. If pard bid 2N over my 2H I would have a great deal of trouble passing. Maybe I would do it, but a sixth club or even Jxx in spades should give partner a play for the contract.

Anyway, thanks for the thoughts,

Ken

[kenberg]

Jlall, on Oct 26 2005, 03:21 PM, said:

True 2D X would make on that play. I'll take my chances

btw my name is Justin not Jason

Oops. Thanks for the correction. And for the suggestion. That the double here should show a heart stack seems to follow from bridge logic but I had not thought that way and I think I need to see if the logic sounds right to partner.

[Kalvan14]

inquiry, on Oct 26 2005, 11:17 AM, said:

Gosh,

I don't like the 2♣ bid, I think double is better

I don't like the 2♥ bid, I think double is better

I don't like the 3♣ bid, I think 2NT is better but the unmentioned 3NT is better given the mistakn 2♣ bid at first.

And if partner bids 2NT over my 2♥ (which I wouldn't have bid), I like pass with south's hand, as north can not have this hand and his 2♣ bid was already bidding a lot of my hcp and if he can't jump to 3NT, we can't make it as I wouldn't think he would have this much and rebid only 2NT.

This is the right analysis: matter of fact, pard has already extra values for his 2♣ bid, and with the ♦T he might jump to 3N. Certainly S should pass whatever N bids

[Double !]

Just curious

How awful is a balance of 1NT by the north hand? You are playing P for a reasonable hand that couldn't move over the 1H opener. It's more than likely, i suspect, that P has some heart cards, 1NT shows my range, give or take a hcp, and it keeps the bidding at the 1-level, at least for the moment. I'm not crazy about bidding 2C on 5332 distro, and i would like to have at least Hxx in spades to double, especially since P was unable to overcall in spades.
Anyway, just a thought, psychotic as it might be.

DHL

[Kalvan14]

Double !, on Oct 26 2005, 06:31 PM, said:

Just curious

How awful is a balance of 1NT by the north hand? You are playing P for a reasonable hand that couldn't move over the 1H opener. It's more than likely, i suspect, that P has some heart cards, 1NT shows my range, give or take a hcp, and it keeps the bidding at the 1-level, at least for the moment. I'm not crazy about bidding 2C on 5332 distro, and i would like to have at least Hxx in spades to double, especially since P was unable to overcall in spades.
Anyway, just a thought, psychotic as it might be.

DHL

1N is not a terrible bid (it's the only alternative to pass, IMHO).
It just is not very useful, that's it. I would anticipate that our line cannot play more than a partial contract in this hand; as such, i prefer to play in spades. At the lowest possible level.
Pass has the added value that LHO might be lured into bidding.

[Double !]

Kalvan14, on Oct 26 2005, 08:35 PM, said:

Double !, on Oct 26 2005, 06:31 PM, said:

Just curious

How awful is a balance of 1NT by the north hand? 
DHL

1N is not a terrible bid (it's the only alternative to pass, IMHO).
It just is not very useful, that's it. I would anticipate that our line cannot play more than a partial contract in this hand; as such, i prefer to play in spades. At the lowest possible level.
Pass has the added value that LHO might be lured into bidding.

i hope i didn't write my question in an unclear manner.

i was asking about north balancing with a 1NT bid. No chance of playing spades at a low level. I might double with 3145, but i consider 5332 to be relatively balanced. We then have methods (such as range stayman) to clarify north's strength should south wish to take further action.

BTW, if North passes as suggested as another action, that is the end of the bidding: east plays in 1H. If south then takes further action, at lea

[Kalvan14]

My bad. I missed the point.
Ok. Going back to the original question, I would consider balancing with 1N with worse clubs and a honor in ♥ or ♠ (♥ by preference).
The actual hand has its strength in the ♣ suit: no reason, IMO, to make a bid other than 2♣

[beatrix45]

This is a real woulda, coulda, shoulda hand. I might have overcalled 1♠, you could have balanced with a double, and I should have bid 2NT at my second turn, IMO.

Fact is, nothing works for our side. I probably would have ended up down one or two in 3NT. Since they have a likely +90 in two diamonds, this isn't too bad.

[Fluffy]

the auction is inconsequent IMO.

If you think 14 is enouh for a game raise then after partner didn't bid 2♠ you should bid 3NT.

If you think 14 is worht just a invitational, then bid 2NT, not 2♥.