[kfay]

Scoring: IMP

---

How do you start the bidding?

[nick_s]

At this vulnerability, 3♣ is plenty. My 2nd choice is pass.

Preempts in a minor suit are often more effective than preempts in a major suit because the opponents have to choice between three common game contracts rather then just two. Reminding myself of this often helps keep me from getting too aggressive.

[han]

I choose 4C. I think this is most descriptive in terms of playing strength and I am not worried about missing 3NT.

[hrothgar]

Torn between 4♣ and 5♣

Would probably bid 5

[helene_t]

I like 4♣ to show something like this hand, unless we play it as artificial: very good O-D but too little top strength to be aiming at 3N.

With a p/o partner I would bid 3♣.

[P_Marlowe]

4C.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Fluffy]

4♣ if avaible, 3 otherwise (would bid 5 at other vulnerability)

[whereagles]

4♣ seems just about par for this context. With such length in the minors, it wouldn't be surprising to hear LHO bid 4M and pard axing it

[jdonn]

4 seems pretty aggressive at this vul but just about right, mostly because 5 makes me wet my pants at the number I'm likely about to go for and 3 makes my opponents want to send me a thank you card after the hand.

[gwnn]

4C if available, 5 otherwise, 3 is unbearable, is horrible horrible horrible

[mike777]

gwnn, on Dec 16 2007, 02:32 PM, said:

4C if available, 5 otherwise, 3 is unbearable, is horrible horrible horrible

3 Clubs

[finally17]

nick_s, on Dec 16 2007, 10:50 AM, said:

Preempts in a minor suit are often more effective than preempts in a major suit because the opponents have to choice between three common game contracts rather then just two. Reminding myself of this often helps keep me from getting too aggressive.

There are 25 major suit cards out...odds seem pretty darned likely to me that opps will choose a major if I give them the chance to do it so easily. And they have more chance to evaluate slam potential.

4♣ looks fine to me.

[kfay]

New problem:

Your partner opens 4♣

What do you bid with:

---

[han]

4D keycards, partner would show none, I'd sign off in 5C and partner would pass.

[mike777]

I so seldom get to open a 3 level bid at unfav promising 7 playing tricks that cannot open a light one level bid. Finally someone posts a rare hand I can. ty.

[jdonn]

I would not reach that slam probably.

[foo]

kfay, on Dec 16 2007, 06:36 PM, said:

New problem:

Your partner opens 4♣

What do you bid with:

AJT_Kxx_KJTx_AKx

GOP's 4C preempt should show one of
8C221, 8C311, or 8C320

It's a safe assumption you have no ♣ losers and that GOP has hard values outside of ♣'s. Pard also rates to have 2-3 Cover cards and at least one stiff or void. Especially having preempted 4C at Unfavorable opposite an unpassed hand.

Now let's see how the hands could fit together:
AJT_Kxx_KJTx is essentially Cxx_Cxx_Cxxx in the other 3 suits where "C" denotes a Cover card and "x" is a likely loser.

Cxx_Cxx_Cxxx : (xx_xx_x, xx_x_xx, x_xx_xx, etc) => only 2 losers
IOW, if GOP has =nothing= outside ♣'s We rate to make 5C
...and pard rates highly to have 2 cover cards.

Bid 6C.

[the hog]

I would open 5C. With the posted responding hand I would bid 6.

[neilkaz]

jdonn, on Dec 16 2007, 12:27 PM, said:

4 seems pretty aggressive at this vul but just about right, mostly because 5 makes me wet my pants at the number I'm likely about to go for and 3 makes my opponents want to send me a thank you card after the hand.

I couldn't say it any better. 3♣ doesn't do enough and 5♣ seems to risky at this vul. 4♣ is rather risky as well, but it is also my call.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

The vulnerability matters.

Red vs. Green, 4C should show a hand
which goes -2.
You have 3 sure tricks and 2 additional Kings,
i.e. slam will have chances, except you are
missing 2 Aces.

Bid 4NT, if partner shows zero Aces with 5C,
you pass, else you can bid 6C.

If your partner did open 5C at the given vulnerability
you have a clear raise to 6C, giving up on 7C.

With kind regards
Marlowe

PS: At any other vulnerability, I would just raise 4C
to 5C, and I may pass a 5C opener.