Hannie, on Jul 11 2006, 12:56 PM, said:
First of all, I have no interest in 3NT at all. I am worried though about preempting partner, who may have a very strong hand. Since 4♦ and 5♦ are undiscussed I am a bit hesitant about using those bids. Partner will surely understand that I am weak with very long diamonds, but how long and how weak.
However, 2♦ and pass also won't describe our hand. I'd pick 5♦, it seems descriptive, and it is still possible that this is their hand and 5♦ is a geat preempt.
Han, forgive me but i humbly disagree with you.
whom are you pre-empting? the opps? or partner?
do you want to be playing this hand in 5D opposite a default balanced 16-18(19) hcp 1C opener? or when partner has a black 1 or 2-suiter?
You do not currently have a bid in the system to show this type of hand, and you don't know anything about the 1C opener's hand other that 16+ hcp (or 15+ if not balanced). Without agreement, I would prefer a 4D bid to 5D. At least this permits opener to convert to 4S with a very strong spade hand, or to pass 4D with a black 2-suiter or a balanced hand. Hopefully partner can cover 4 of your 7 losers, but I wouldn't guarantee it.
The only other option, as I see it, is to pass (0-4) and then start to bid diamonds. This might be a more prudent action even playing negative free bids because of your lack of controls. And it warns opener if the opps push more in hearts. You might still have the opportunity of backing in with a diamond bid. But give partner a chance, if possible, to clarify the 1C bid.
What would one have responded initially if rho had passed 1C? (Just another consideration). Should a simple overcall (not even in the master suit) so significantly alter one's response structure? Maybe one might wish to revisit the structure of responses.
DHL