[Orla]

North is dealer
East is holding:
♠ 3
♥ 10 8 5
♦ A K Q 5 3
♣ K Q J 8

West has:
♠ 9 7 4
♥ A J 7 6
♦ J 9 7 6
♣ A 3

Bidding goes (North opens)
1♣ - 1♦ - P - 1♥
.P - 2♥ - P - 3♦
East now bids 4♥, all pass.

Do you agree with the bidding?

How would you bid the hands?

rla

[mikeh]

In the B/I context, I recommend that advancer choose between the conservative single raise, than almost certainly leads to a missed game, or the aggressive cue-bid that probably leads to game, hopefully 5♦ rather than 3N Altho, the opps better lead their spades to beat 3N.

Advanced/expert players may have an edge here, in that they can (if they choose) have an intermediate bid: the transfer advance: where 2♣ is not a generic force but a constructive diamond raise, which looks to be about right.

As you can probably tell, I do not advocate nor approve of the 1♥ advance.

I stand to be corrected, and there may be regional variations here, but my view of standard treatment is that 1♥ promises a 5+ suit.

While that approach will sometimes miss a 4-4 partial, and, once in a while when both hands are maximum for conservative action, the occasional game, I think that this style is a long-term winner.

When advancer chooses a single raise, overcaller can bid a 4 card major with game ambitions and safety in 3♦.

When advancer chooses a cue bid, overcaller can bid a 4 card major with a hand worth the equivalent of a K or more than a rock-bottom overcall.

In this manner, most hands that combine for game on a 4-4 fit can be reached. In the interim, by preserving the new major by advancer as 5+, it makes overcaller's raise decisions far easier. He will better evaluate his degree of fit.

I have seen several B/I players, in the local club, advance a 1-level overcal lon weak 4 card suits, sometimes profitably, but the fact that it works sometimes is not a reason for doing it. OTOH, I would be interested in hearing from other experts as to their views/experience on the topic.

BTW, one point I should have mentioned: if you play that the major may be 4 cards, then you had better play it as forcing for 1 round. Otherwise, playing a 4-2 fit or even a 4-1 is going to become a frequent, if disappointing, experience.

[firmit]

I have a feeling this has been discussed before. That some prefer
1♣-1♦-P-1♥ is 4+ and
1♣/♦-1♥-P-1♠ should be 5+.

I think W bid just fine. Not so sure about the E 4♥-bid.
However, as Mike said, I also like the 2♣ constructive diamond raise. Advancer got room to search for a potential 3NT, but I he knows you probably belong in a diamond contract.

[Fluffy]

I play 1♥ as 4+ forcing, wich leaves a problem to overcaller, who can raise to 2♥, rebid 2♦ or bid 1NT.

Anyway, loads of close decisions on the bidding and I can't say what I would actually do at the table as any of the players.

[cjames]

Agree with the others, 2♣ instead of 1♥.

I would reccomend you to download this excellent book: http://www.bridge.is/files/Partnership%20B..._2054397795.pdf

and make your partner read it as well!

[P_Marlowe]

#1 1H is ok, as along as you play it as forcing
Be aware, that playing 1H as forcing is not standard,
... I am not even sure, that it would be played by the majority
If you play 1H as forcing, bidding 1H on a 4 carder is ok as well,
but again be aware, this is certainly not mainstream, ... and the
raise on 3 cards shows this

#2 (1C) - 1D - (Pass) - 2C (1)
(Pass) - 3NT (2) - (Pass) - Pass

(1) inv.+ better raise
(2) enough for game, clupp stopper,
no 4 card heart / spade suit

With kind regards
Marlowe

[benlessard]

Advances after overcall are often undiscussed. The simpler way i suggest is same level forcing 2/1 not forcing.

(1C)---1H---(P)------???

1S is forcing but not 2D



(1C)---1D---(P)----1H (could be 4)
(P)---???

2H should be minimum overcall
2C should show a opening hands

(1C)---1D---(P)----1H (tend to show 5 cards)
(P)---2H---(P)-----3D (INV not forcing tend to show only 4H)
(P)---3Nt

[jtfanclub]

P_Marlowe, on Jan 31 2008, 04:16 AM, said:

#1 1H is ok, as along as you play it as  forcing
    Be aware, that playing 1H as forcing is not standard,

Huh. In my neck of the woods, not only does everybody I know play a 1 level response to an overcall as a 1 round force, but if the auction went:

1♣ 1♦ -P- 1♥
-P- -P-

the next call would probably be for the director.

I don't see any real advantage to playing 1♥ there as nonforcing. Partner should have some points for the 1♦ bid, and surely somebody belongs at the 2 level.

On the actual hand, I don't see what the big deal is, especially if it's match points. If South had AJ96 instead of AJ76 you'd have good odds for a top. 2♣ instead of 1♥ gets you to the right place this time, might get you to 2♦ instead of 2♥ next time.

I don't think there's anything wrong with bidding 2♣ here, mind you, but if you play 1♥ as frequently a 4 card suit there I don't think the auction was wrong.