[MickyB]

Scoring: IMP

Well, okay, it's the worst ten-count with support that you'll ever see.
I think I know what I should have done, but just to check...
P-[1♠]-2♥-[p]
??

---

[Free]

2♠, if partner has a bit of distribution he'll move. That 3 card ♥ frightens me

[Fluffy]

2♠

[awm]

For better or worse, I'm pretty sure I'd bid 2NT.

[cherdano]

awm, on Jan 13 2008, 11:22 AM, said:

For better or worse, I'm pretty sure I'd bid 2NT.

Me too.

[pgeerkens]

I bid 2NT. Nine tricks in NT with opener on lead seems more likely than 10 in hearts with (non-) responder on lead.

PG

[Winstonm]

This hand is so bad I'd probably pass at matchpoints - yeah, taking a position, I know, I know. Still...what a piece of crap.

At imps, especially vul, I have more faith in partner's overcall, but still do not want to get overly excited. I do what I would do if partner had opened 1H - give him a boost in hearts.

3H is my bid.

[pclayton]

2N.

If I felt RHO had any strength, I would devalue my spade holding and just raise to 3♥.

In NT, I think there's a good chance I can keep RHO off lead, at least early in the play. Furthermore, it's not like this hand has a ruffing value.

[neilkaz]

2N as this hand has no ruffing value and if PD continues 9 tricks seem easier than 10.

[P_Marlowe]

2S.

Ok, I have to show the support
somehow, and if partner for
whatever reason is not dead, we
have game, e.g. 3NT.

But in case he is dead, I want to
play his suit.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[655321]

2♠

[whereagles]

2NT if natural. Else a simple 3♥.

[Winstonm]

pclayton, on Jan 13 2008, 12:50 PM, said:

2N.

If I felt RHO had any strength, I would devalue my spade holding and just raise to 3♥.

In NT, I think there's a good chance I can keep RHO off lead, at least early in the play. Furthermore, it's not like this hand has a ruffing value.

I would want the added security of the 10-spot to bid 2N: KQ10 of spades.
As it is, partner could have a very good and reasonable overcall, xx, AK9xx, AJx, Axx and I have no play for 3N if RHO holds as little as Qxx of hearts.

Even if RHO holds as little as Jxx or Jx in hearts, in order to make I'd better have my "guesser" fully charged after the J of spades lead.

[han]

Is 4H better if partner has that hand?

[Winstonm]

Hannie, on Jan 13 2008, 03:21 PM, said:

Is 4H better if partner has that hand?

If your question is to me, the answer is no - but 3H is better than a no-play 3N if partner has a lesser hand.

It may be a matter of style and bias on my part, though - I use 2N in this sequence as a value bid that shows a decent hand, and I don't raise to 3H unless I have a reason to do so - it is not a required raise simply because I have a 6-count and 3 pieces of trump, in other words.

Let him hold: xx, AK9xx, AJx, Qxx and my 2N will still get a 3N raise, but 3H may get a pass with such lousy shape - and if he does hold that hand I would rather be in 2H anyway.

And, BTW, bidding 3H does no preclude playing 3N - partner can still bid 3S on the way with a good hand.

[jdonn]

1st question: Why is this hand so bad? It has no jacks, it has a KQ combination etc. Maybe its slightly subpar for a 10 but it's not the worst 10 ever, or a pass.

I would just make a normal 3H bid even though 2N could work well.

[MFA]

2NT, and if not then 2♠. I feel quite strongly about 2NT though.

[Winstonm]

jdonn, on Jan 13 2008, 04:40 PM, said:

1st question: Why is this hand so bad? It has no jacks, it has a KQ combination etc. Maybe its slightly subpar for a 10 but it's not the worst 10 ever, or a pass.

I would just make a normal 3H bid even though 2N could work well.

Just my views on your question about the hand - so take it for what it's worth which is not much.

Concerning the KQ values - in a vacuum, we tend to count this a 5 HCP - however, here, with LHO overcalling spades, the value of the Queen is only that it supports the King - or makes it a 1-loser holding opposite partner's xx. If partner holds x or xxx, the value of the Queen is even less.

In a vacuum, this KQx may find partner with Axxxx, or Ax or even Jxx and thus the holding is of more value.

The shape of the hand is awful.
It has no spots.
The high cards are scattered - other than the previously mentioned KQx - which is not as valuable as it would be if in hearts of a side long suit.

I mentally compare this hand to something like: xx, Kxx, KQxxx, Qxx which would be a much better hand in this auction.

Although I agree the posted hand is not as bad as say: KJx, Jxx, Qxx, Kxxx, it is still pretty bad.

[kenrexford]

One more for 2NT.

[Halo]

2NT (natural).

2S may be unassuming, but I'd rather not be holding KQx and small hearts.