[Fluffy]

IMPs, All vulnerable

W - N - E - S
4♥-X-ps-ps

♠AK106
♥754
♦K63
♣K93

[helene_t]

Pass. If p is 4144 there should be 17 total tricks so pass can never be wrong. Even if there are 18 tricks, pass wins on average. And we may not even be able to find the best strain.

[hrothgar]

Comment 1: I have a nice strong hand with Aces and Kings

Comment 2: None of my strength is wasted in Hearts. If partner has a classic takeout double we're playing with a 30 point deck.

I recognize that partner is under some pressure and might not have a classic takeout double. Even so, I'm leaning towards slam.

I like an immediate 5♠ (asking about a Heart control)

[hrothgar]

helene_t, on Dec 24 2007, 05:47 PM, said:

Pass. If p is 4144 there should be 17 total tricks so pass can never be wrong. Even if there are 18 tricks, pass wins on average. And we may not even be able to find the best strain.

I'm not sure whether the total trick argument is valid here.

Lets assume that LHO has 8 Hearts tricks and nothing else. We're going to collect +500 for setting them by two, which hardly compensates for a vulnerable slam.

We need a five trick set to score +1400. This hardly seems likely if the 4♥ opener is remotely sane.

[jdonn]

5♠. Sorry if pass was right partner...

BTW I play 5♠ on auctions like this denies heart control, but does NOT demand partner bid slam if he has heart control. He needs hearts controlled and a hand that would accept a slam invitation. It is in that context I find bidding 5♠ a lot more bearable.

[benlessard]

The best hand partner could have without a void and without point in H is

QJxx
x
AQJx
AQJx

I think everything under is at best a borderline X. So I think its likely partner got some HCP in H. If partner got Kx we going to suffer a ruff.

My experience tell me that opener is more likely to have a side A then AKQJT 8th or 9th. So i think the majority of hand wont have slams so i pass.

[Fluffy]

today partner had

♠QJ9xx
♥
♦AQx
♣AQJ10x

if you bid 5♠ you get directly to 7, if you bid 4♠ I don't really know, the other table stayed in 4♠, but maybe reaching 7 is still possible.

Passing leads to only +500, opponent did really have AKQJ10xx, and you can't avoid another trick from a club ruff in dummy.

[whereagles]

I'd try 4♠ only.

[benlessard]

I hate doubling with a void. I would have bid 4S with your partner hand but its a matter of style as both X and 4S could easily lead to disaster.

Instead of pass i might have bid 5S but im not sure. But after a possible 4S I wouldnt have passed with your partner hand since the 4S is surely bid on pts not on H shortness.