[han]

Scoring: IMP

(p) - p - (p) - 1C
(Dbl) - 1S - (p) - 2D
(p) - 3C - (p) - 3NT
(p) - ??

---

You may not like the 1S bid but you made it and there is no way back. 2D was a reverse and 3C showed extra values (you could have bid an artificial 2NT to show a minimal hand).

What now, do you pass 3NT or do you bid on to 5C or 6C?

[kenrexford]

Spoiler

Wow is that some dummy for partner!!!

[blackshoe]

Pass.

[mike777]

Pass

3clubs showed around 9-10 hcp as a passed hand. Just what i got.

[kenrexford]

Passing?

Wow. I would never imagine that.

Spoiler

Opener has reversed, and we have shown values. However, Opener expects that we probably have some values in spades, which seem to be wasted, in his opinion, across from his likely stiff. He has bid 3NT, which seems to scream of one or more heart cards.

I expect something like ♠x ♥KQx ♦AKxx ♣KQxxx, at a minimum. That seems to make 6♣ a fairly strong bet.

How much weaker do you want him? ♠x ♥Kxx ♦AKxx ♣KQxxx? We have a ditch for the heart loser.

How about ♠x ♥KJx ♦AJ10x ♣KQxxx? That's horrible, and not remotely a reverse, but even across from that garbage the slam is on a diamond hook and either 2-2 clubs or one of our high diamond "x" spots coming in or, last resort, a heart hook, or even a squeeze.

Maybe cruddier clubs? We have nine of them. How bad could his hand be?

There is a wild difference between a positive club acceptance and a primed out, three-cover, four-card support for the longer suit, Qx for the second suit, bust spade surprise (an empathetic splinter analysis???).

Compare with a "9-10 count" like ♠AQxx ♥xxxx ♣Axx ♦xx or ♠KQxx ♥xxx ♦xxx ♣AJx.

[mike777]

kenrexford, on Jan 1 2008, 09:48 PM, said:

Passing?

Wow.  I would never imagine that.

Spoiler

Opener has reversed, and we have shown values.  However, Opener expects that we probably have some values in spades, which seem to be wasted, in his opinion, across from his likely stiff.  He has bid 3NT, which seems to scream of one or more heart cards.

I expect something like ♠x ♥KQx ♦AKxx ♣KQxxx, at a minimum.  That seems to make 6♣ a fairly strong bet. 

How much weaker do you want him?  ♠x ♥Kxx ♦AKxx ♣KQxxx?  We have a ditch for the heart loser.

How about ♠x ♥KJx ♦AJ10x ♣KQxxx?  That's horrible, and not remotely a reverse, but even across from that garbage the slam is on a diamond hook and either 2-2 clubs or one of our high diamond "x" spots coming in or, last resort, a heart hook, or even a squeeze.

Maybe cruddier clubs?  We have nine of them.  How bad could his hand be?

There is a wild difference between a positive club acceptance and a primed out, three-cover, four-card support for the longer suit, Qx for the second suit, bust spade surprise (an empathetic splinter analysis???).

Compare with a "9-10 count" like ♠AQxx ♥xxxx ♣Axx ♦xx or ♠KQxx ♥xxx ♦xxx ♣AJx.

it seems if partner has a true reverse he should bid something other than 3nt with those 4 loser hands. We did bid 3clubs. This is imps.

[blackshoe]

I find hidden text very hard to read (not enough contrast) and afaics there's no way to make it come up clearer when I highlight it, so I just don't bother. <shrug>

[kenrexford]

mike777, on Jan 1 2008, 10:03 PM, said:

kenrexford, on Jan 1 2008, 09:48 PM, said:

Passing?

Wow.  I would never imagine that.

(Brilliant analysis hidden.)

it seems if partner has a true reverse he should bid something other than 3nt with those 4 loser hands. We did bid 3clubs. This is imps.

Why would partner mastermind this hand? He has shown a reverse-strength hand. He can now bid 3NT to imply very strongly that his reverse is minimal, that he has heart cards, and that he has a troubling stiff spade. Why not describe his hand to Responder and allow Responder to make the right decision?

Further, what hand can you construct for his pass, IMP's or MP's or Rubber Bridge or anything? ♠x ♥Kxx ♦AKxx ♣KQJxx is a five-loser hand where 6♣ is laydown. Do you want a sick QJx in hearts? ♠x ♥QJx ♦AKxx ♣KQJxx? If that is his hand, which is really ugly, then 5♣ may make six anyway (heart finesse), whereas 3NT might go set (five spade cashers).

OH!!! You want partner to have a stiff spade honor like the Jack? Nope -- that still makes 6♣ on a finesse, and we still might lose the first five spades.

I cannot figure this one out.

What could partner possibly have?

♠Qx ♥Kx ♦KJxx ♣KQJxx? Open 1NT

♠K ♥Q10x ♦A10xx ♣KQJxx? Not possible.

I give. What hand could partner have where passing 3NT is right?

[jdonn]

Spoiler

The hand is worth 6♣ now. I'm not saying bid 6♣, I'm saying that's the value of the hand.

[han]

My partner passed, I had x Kx AKxx KQ109xx so 6C is laydown and the opponents can take the first five spade tricks against 3NT. My LHO was Uday who found the nice spade lead from AQx. He then took of his shirt in a little victory dance.

I think beginners should be able to figure out that passing is wrong on this hand. Just write down some hands that partner could have, Ken explained it well. Those who passed don't have to despair, this partner won a national championship in SF last fall.

[inquiry]

blackshoe, on Jan 1 2008, 10:05 PM, said:

I find hidden text very hard to read (not enough contrast) and afaics there's no way to make it come up clearer when I highlight it, so I just don't bother. <shrug>

If you don't like highlighting it and reading it, just hit the "quote" button, read it,then if you don't want to respond, hit the "back" button on your browser.

[the hog]

This is a great hand and the Q of D is a golden card. I am bidding 4C on this hand, looking for 6. Cannot possibly pass 3NT.

[y66]

"I think beginners should be able to figure out that passing is wrong on this hand."

Ha!

Agree that trying to work out what pard might have based on what he bid or didn't bid is fundamental. Not easy to do this all the time though, esp. at the table.

Good problem and comments. Will save this one and discuss with pard.

[cherdano]

I pass, I want to see Uday's victory dance.

[pclayton]

Agree with Mr. Rexford.

[vuroth]

Very nice, instructive hand. Thanks.