[FrancesHinden]

Scoring: IMP

1♥ x P ?

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You play very standard methods.
NT bids are natual and show stop(s)
A cue bid is forcing to suit agreement.

[luke warm]

2nt if it shows 10-12 flat

[Gerben42]

11 HCP, two tens, stopper in ♥ which might prove to be a double one if partner brings Jx or similar.
Looks like a clear 2NT!

[mr1303]

2NT. Am I missing something here?

[Al_U_Card]

I agree that 1NT is a nice option here but would have thot that it tends to show more in H. Would a q-bid of 3H ask for a H stopper in pard's hand and if he has it (why didn't RHO bump H?) is 3NT sensible?

[hatchett]

The unsupported queens should gel with honors in partner's hand and the major suit tens are nice. Worth 2NT

[ArcLight]

I down graded the ♣Q and 4333 and bid 1NT. Your ♦K is also under the opening bidder. You dont have a long suit to run for 3NT, 1NT is enough.

I dont think ATx is so great under teh heart opener. If he has KQxxx you get 1 trick in Hearts

[FrancesHinden]

For everyone who thinks it's obvious to bid 1NT or 2NT, suppose partner has a typical, down the middle, take-out double. Something like

Kxxx
x
AQxx
KJxx

Where do you want to play?

Or, let's be generous and say he's got something good in hearts

KJ9x
Qx
Axx
KJ10x

That's a fairly solid hand that will probably raise 2NT to 3NT. I don't think we're going to enjoy the play.

(I thought this was a really tough problem at the table, and I'm surprised how many people think it's obvious)

[FrancesHinden]

Never mind that only a BW bidding challenge would give you

AKJx
xx
Axx
KJ10x

and challenge you to reach 4S

[Al_U_Card]

I would expect 2NT to be more like xx, AQx(x) KJx(x) Qxxx so my 1NT is great 9 to a bad 11. Despite the 9's and T's, the flatness of the hand and honor placement needs pard to bid something interesting to get to game.

[Flame]

FrancesHinden, on Nov 2 2005, 11:02 AM, said:

For everyone who thinks it's obvious to bid 1NT or 2NT, suppose partner has a typical, down the middle, take-out double. Something like

Kxxx
x
AQxx
KJxx

Where do you want to play?

Or, let's be generous and say he's got something good in hearts

KJ9x
Qx
Axx
KJ10x

That's a fairly solid hand that will probably raise 2NT to 3NT. I don't think we're going to enjoy the play.

(I thought this was a really tough problem at the table, and I'm surprised how many people think it's obvious)

I dont understand what you want to do opposite those hands ? I dont see even a close alternative, what can you do ? bid 2S with 3 card suit ?
If you think 2nt might be too high then you obviously wont bid 2H which is stronger then 2NT. so what can you bid ? go for 1nt if 2nt is too much.
Anyway not so likely that my partner is so weak in the heart suit, since my RHO passed.

[han]

I considered 1NT and 2NT, but chose 3D. This shows my stength and best suit, and if we are stopping in a partscore then this is the place I'd most likely would want to play (given that 2D is not available). This does not show my A10x of hearts, but how good is my 10 when partner has heart shortness?

2NT is perhaps better for reaching 3NT, but partner will pass this with a many minimal take-out hands. In those cases I will usually go down.

[luke warm]

but it's imps and you're vulnerable, han... might be worth a shot at 3nt if pard can bid it.. course i guess he could over 3d also

[Chamaco]

I bid 2NT, and the only alternative I can think of is 1NT.

====

I'd rather be interested in what should we bid if RHO raises opener to 2H, assuming it can show a bust up to a bad constructive raise.

[Impact]

if partner tends to double light with shortage, a bid of 1NT (8/9-11) with stops is sensible - and then if as more than half expected LHO bids some number of H your bid of D will show 4 cards with a suit type stopper eg A...and top of range....

Over RHO's 2/3H an old-fashioned responsive double tells the tale.


Part of the decision depends on doubler's tendencies both as to strength and degre of off-shape.
When I started playing I would bid 3D here as a WTP type, given relatively little wastage notwithstanding the 4 card suit, and holding the extra values.
Note that with preferred partners I use bids from the cue-bid up as transfers....

Today - 1NT with a plan.....but opposite old-fahsioned players I still would be more inclined to bid 3D.

[Chamaco]

Impact, on Nov 3 2005, 04:12 AM, said:

Over RHO's 2/3H an old-fashioned responsive double tells the tale.

I agree that - if available - double is best.

However, "old-fashioned" responsive double promises at least 44 in the minors (and not 43) given opps bid and raise the major.

Yet, I am coming to the conclusion that it's probably the best stretch here...

[adhoc3]

The difference between 1NT and 2NT is about dummy play, or opps' defence ability.

[Free]

Depends on partner's style of takeout doubles. Choice between 1NT and 2NT might be very close, if he doubles light, just bid 1NT, but if he always doubles solid a 2NT will probably be better.