[mike777]

Scoring: IMP

P=1H=2S=?

---

I expect alot of neg x's here but I thought 3clubs has a lot going for it.
We have a game force hand and partner can always rebid 3D.

[pbleighton]

"I expect alot of neg x's here but I thought 3clubs has a lot going for it."

3C would have more going for it if the hand and suit were stronger. 5C figures to be pretty tough if pd has a minimum. Make the clubs AKJ54, then 3C and double are close.

Peter

[han]

I agree with Peter, it is almost certain that you will play in 3NT or 4H. Hey, even if partner responds 3C to the double I would try for 3NT or 4H. Double followed by 3S over a minor and 4H over 3H seems most flexible.

[civill]

The hand is strong enough to 3♣.

[awm]

Any time partner fits clubs, or has long hearts, or has some (semi)-balanced hand with a spade stopper, you are probably going to end up in the same spot regardless of whether you bid 3♣ or double. If partner fits diamonds and opponents pass, partner will bid 3♦ over 3♣ or some number of diamonds over double and again you're fine. The more difficult situation comes up if opponents raise to 4♠. Give partner a hand like:

x
KQxxx
AQxxx
xx

If you bid 3♣, partner will pass 4♠. You'll likely double with your semi-balanced shape and defend 4♠X. The likely result is down one, or maybe two, for a small positive.

On the other hand, if you start with double, partner will know you have diamonds, and pull your second double (of 4♠) to 5♦, which is a likely make.

[joker_gib]

Hi Mike,

In this typical auction, it is very important to know directly about the ♥ fit cause you have great chances to be preempted by the ♠

So, in that case, I play a special and simple treatment with transfers, here it is :

1♥ - (2♠) - ?

dbl = cards no ♥ fit, no m/5
2NT : transfer to ♣ with 5♣+ no ♥ fit
3♣ : transfer to ♦ with 5♦+, no ♥ fit
3♦ : ♥ fit, limit +
3♥ : competitive

Try it, simple and effective

Alain

[luke warm]

joker_gib, on Mar 31 2006, 02:57 AM, said:

Hi Mike,

In this typical auction, it is very important to know directly about the ♥ fit cause you have great chances to be preempted by the ♠

So, in that case, I play a special and simple treatment with transfers, here it is :

1♥ - (2♠) - ?

dbl = cards no ♥ fit, no m/5
2NT : transfer to ♣ with 5♣+ no ♥ fit
3♣ : transfer to ♦ with 5♦+, no ♥ fit
3♦ : ♥ fit, limit +
3♥ : competitive

Try it, simple and effective

Alain

alain, does that mean you'd bid 2nt then 3d on this hand?

[joker_gib]

Yes if the opps remain silent

[kgr]

If you double and ask partner what distribution he expects from you then I would think it is something like 1(2)=2(1)=4(5)=4(5).
Double seems perfect to me.
The more difficult part for me is: If you double and partner bids 3C or 3D, then do you ask spade stop with 3S or do you bid 3NT yourself?

[han]

awm, on Mar 31 2006, 12:19 AM, said:

Any time partner fits clubs, or has long hearts, or has some (semi)-balanced hand with a spade stopper, you are probably going to end up in the same spot regardless of whether you bid 3♣ or double. If partner fits diamonds and opponents pass, partner will bid 3♦ over 3♣ or some number of diamonds over double and again you're fine. The more difficult situation comes up if opponents raise to 4♠. Give partner a hand like:

x
KQxxx
AQxxx
xx

If you bid 3♣, partner will pass 4♠. You'll likely double with your semi-balanced shape and defend 4♠X. The likely result is down one, or maybe two, for a small positive.

On the other hand, if you start with double, partner will know you have diamonds, and pull your second double (of 4♠) to 5♦, which is a likely make.

I thought about this argument later and absolutely agree.