[mike777]

Scoring: MP

(2H)=P=P=?

---

Your bid and plan?

You may assume you play Lebensohl if that matters.

[pclayton]

A true chamber of horrors hand. I've looked at this for 5 minutes now and I still don't know what to bid. I could revisit this tomorrow and I still wouldn't know what to bid.

As sick as it sounds, put me down for 2N. Yes I know its not minors, but ever single bid has serious drawbacks. At least 2N is somewhat descriptive (without the, er, stopper) in terms of honor strength, and if pard transfers to spades, that looks like a reasonable spot too.

[awm]

3♣ for me. I've usually had more success bidding a weak five-card suit than trying 2NT over a weak two with no stopper, or doubling with only doubleton in the only unbid major, or passing with 16 points and not many cards in the enemy suit. At least 3♣ is right on both values and shape (obviously it would be nice to have a better club suit).

[han]

2NT? Ok, I like it!

[bid_em_up]

pclayton, on Mar 22 2007, 05:23 AM, said:

Yes I know its not minors, but ever single bid has serious drawbacks.

It's not?

Maybe it should be or at least minor suit oriented anyway.

Seriously, if you were 3-2-4-4 you would have no problem doubling, right? And if you are 2-3-4-4 with 16-17 hcp and heart stops, you can double and bid 2N over 2S or 3N if partner gives a positive (non-leb) response in a minor or you can bid 3N when partner bids a positive 3S. He shouldn't be bidding 4S unless he has at least 6, so thats really not a concern when you're 2-3-4-4.

In most of my partnerships, big hands start with double (or it could be a standard takeout X). This frees up the 2N bid for minors. Of course, partner has to know that you do this. I have found that it works quite well.

[jdonn]

I would probably not have even considered 2NT, but after reading some of the answers I like it. Sign me up.

[whereagles]

If 2NT = 17-19 or thereabouts, I'll bid that albeit being a tad light.

Otherwise dbl + new suit or NT seems ok.

[mikeh]

I've been experimenting a little with these stopperless notrump bids: various tournament reports and comments in the BW MSC made them look like a good idea. So far, based on the limited database of my experiences (the opportunities don't arise very often) it looks good. So count me in for the natural 2N reopening here.

The upside is so much better than 3♣, and even the thought of doubling makes me feel ill, while passing is just giving up (altho it may be right) so 2N it is.

[Vilgan]

I've had a lot of success with just bidding a confident 2NT with these hands. Good chance partner rates to have something in the suit, or if not.. LHO might lead a different suit hoping to get a heart through.

Not exactly original thinking.. but hey.. I didn't see this thread till now

Eric

[Apollo81]

jdonn, on Mar 23 2007, 11:26 AM, said:

I would probably not have even considered 2NT, but after reading some of the answers I like it. Sign me up.

indeed

[whereagles]

mikeh, on Mar 23 2007, 04:27 PM, said:

I've been experimenting a little with these stopperless notrump bids: various tournament reports and comments in the BW MSC made them look like a good idea.

The reason why stopperless NTs work fine is that shape and strength comes before location of high cards (i.e. stoppers).

If a stopper is a worry for the NTer's pard, he can always cue to find out about one.

[Winstonm]

RHO didn't raise the preempt so I would guess partner has 3 or more hearts and this may be a terrible misfit. As tempting as it is to bid, I'm going to simply try to go plus on this hand and pass. We don't rate to have a game anywhere except 3N, and if partner has that much hand we surely will beat all the +150 and +180 scores.

[mike777]

Pass, would be a heck of alot better than my choices on this one, ty all for great feedback and wonderful comments from all.

[ochinko]

I would risk 3♥. Hopefully partner will bid 3NT with a heart stopper, or 4/5 m without one. I didn't double, so I can't be expected to have four spades.