Posted 2006-November-17, 09:41
The first hand is a problem if you are not playing something like transfer advances (the version Hannie introduced me to --called switch -- is similiar to what Misho I played), but that is certainly not anything to discusses in this thread. None of your options here are very attractive. You are too good to pass, your heart suit is too anemic to bid, you club support while probably adequate (partner rates to have six) buries the heart suit and over=emphasis your club holding.
I would not object if my partner choose any of pass, 2H or 3C. I would probably be swayed by the fact that I am NOT VUL at imps and pass. Being not vul, partner is more likely to make a light overcall, being not vulnerable it is less horrible to miss game. OF course in real life, I would bid 2D showing hearts and from negative free bid values up. Then if partner made a weak sounding response, play 2H (if he bids it) or 3C. You have run into one of the major hand types for why methods like SWITCH was created.
On hand two, it depends a lot on your 2♠ preempting style. The first question is if your partner had something like S-KQJxxx H-Ax D-xxx C-xx would he open 2♠ or 1♠?My partners are encourage to open this 1♠ (other than in 2nd seat) and in fact, even change the heart ACE for a king, same thing (or diamond king or club ace) and I encourage them to do the same. And if your partner isn't that strong, what are you hoping for? A singleton heart? A singleton diamond? If partner is kqjxxx of spades and diamond king, you can make 4S and if he his KQxxxx and diamond king, can make if spades are 3-2 AND partner has doubleton heart as well (else they force dummy to ruff third round) But partner can easily be KJxxxxx with diamond King and you lose 1S, 2H and 1C, or some similar hand.
Your hand is strong enough to try for game if you have some way to ask if he has good suit and good hand (ougust), otherwise it is a guess. In general a raise of 2S to 3S is played as preemptive, so over 2S, you can a.) blast game, a huge overbid, b.) bid 2NT to invite game. If you play this as feature ask, a 3D, 3C, or 3H bid would be nice, but does not solve the quality issue of 2♠. But if your 2♠ bid promised two of the top 3 honors, and if your partner doesn't have a tendency to open 2♠ on five card suits when not vul (if he does PASSSSSS), and if he will show a feature over 2NT, by all means bid 2NT.
Then finally there is the issue of a second seat weak two versus a first seat or third seat weak two. I know most people sort of ignore this issue, but my second seat weak two's are more "book standard", so you can count on me having the KQ of spades or perhaps KJT9xx. And I will be closer to opening hand, so I rate to have a top card in hearts, diamonds, or clubs as well. So with me, you can expect a pretty good hand. If your partners play this way as well, bid 2NT feature ask and if he show one, bid the game.
--Ben--
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