[han]

mikeh, on Mar 1 2006, 11:35 AM, said:

The BW posed the problem (in the MasterSolvers Club) as to the meaning of a 2♠ call over this type of 1-level auction and it appeared that the expert panel was divided on the type of hand shown. Some of them, including some very impressive names, felt that 2♠ showed almost nothing other then a decent 6+ suit: ie KJ109xx Ax xxx xx would be more than enough for the bid, while others were (I think) more traditional in their approach and considered that the bid showed opening hand values as well as a decent suit.

I point this out because this hand is far more than partner will expect if you belong to the first school, and is a big hand even in the context of a traditional bid.

I have been seduced by the first approach, but since none of my partners yet agree with me, I am happy that on this hand I can bid 2♠. The other choice is a slightly heavy 1N (which is natural for me: I used to play takeout, but realized that I was getting pushed around way too much.... I would revert to sandwich only if playing against mike777 and his partners, who always have their values, and some of mine ) If my ♥ were A10x, I'd double the first time and them bid notrump, but Axx is a trifle too thin for my taste.

After 3♥ P P, I go quietly but reluctantly.

I remember reading a discussion about this several years ago. I believe that Cohen and Berkowitz were the editors (or however you call it) of that issue and pointed out that they would bid 2S nonvulnerable on KJxxxx and out. I don't think that anybody else on the panel said they would bid 2S with that, but clearly many people overcall 2S with less than an opening hand.

So if you overcall 2S then partner is not likely to act, and if you pass over any further bidding by the opponents then you basically give up on game. I think I would bid 1NT, and when 2H comes back to me I would bid 2S.

[luis]

I'm not trying to find a way to "not get stolen" but what I really want to know is the merit of a 2♠ call instead of 1NT. With 2♠ they will play 3♥ or you will play in 2♠ with a battle for trump control to get +110 is this any good?

And I wonder
If you bid 1NT (natural 16-18 in sandwich)
and it goes
2♥ pass pass
Can you now bid 2♠ and do both things that you wanted to do at once?

Luis

[han]

luis, on Mar 2 2006, 02:50 PM, said:

And I wonder
If you bid 1NT (natural 16-18 in sandwich)
and it goes
2♥ pass pass
Can you now bid 2♠ and do both things that you wanted to do at once?

Luis

I thought so. (see above)

Of course, when you bid 1NT you don't know that you get the chance to bid 2S, and when you do bid 2S you are still underbidding (so they might still steal from you). But I think that you have painted a much better picture.