[Mbodell]

Scoring: MP

1NT-2♦
2♥-3♣
3♥-??

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Assume that you are playing standard American with a strong 15-17 NT and that the sequence of transferring and bidding clubs is undiscussed as to exact strength and shape.

[whereagles]

Cool problem. If opener has a good AK-based hand, 6 can make. But it's very hard to gauge that, so I think I'll settle for 4♥. Would try 4♣ opposite a sane pard.

[matmat]

3h agrees hearts.
I bid 3s. if p can give me a club cue, i'll ponder slam, maybe... wish my hearts were better... maybe 4h is enough. meh...

[655321]

4♥

Partner has only 3 card heart support opposite your Jxxxx. You need partner to have exactly the right cards for slam, and I would not consider any bid now except 4♥.
Having decided to show the hearts before the clubs, it is too late now to try and play in clubs.
Anyway, 4♥ should be a decent spot.

PS 3♣ is natural and forcing.

[Free]

3♠, cuebid.

[Mbodell]

The follow up question. If partner tanked before bidding 3♥ what are the LA that are suggested by the tank that should now not be taken?

[Fluffy]

winning 6 is science fiction, we are off 6 key cards, we would need partner to have a very good maximum hand to play it, but he has already denied it with 2♥.

[neilkaz]

4♥ for me not probing for a 5-3 fit slam with weak trumps and needing PD to have just the right cards.

[Codo]

Mbodell, on Apr 11 2008, 03:50 AM, said:

The follow up question. If partner tanked before bidding 3♥ what are the LA that are suggested by the tank that should now not be taken?

I can think about the following scenarios:

1. He plays criss-cross with other partners here, so he was not sure whether 3♥ or 4 ♣ shows the heart fit.
2. He is on the border between 3 ♥ (max.) and 4♥ (min.)
3. He has a holding like AQ of hearts and was not sure whether 3 Heart or 3 NT is the better idea.
4. He was not sure whether he had closed the door of the fridge.

So any forward going bid is allowed.

I had choosen 3 Spade like matmat.

[Al_U_Card]

You have a 6 loser hand. Pard did not super-accept, so you may not have great hearts. Pard did not raise ♣ or cue-bid ♦. You made your reasonable game raise and pard declined. You have accurately described your hand. Respect his choice.

[helene_t]

Fluffy, on Apr 10 2008, 09:51 PM, said:

winning 6 is science fiction, we are off 6 key cards, we would need partner to have a very good maximum hand to play it, but he has already denied it with 2♥.

Yes. Partner has only half of the 32 HCPs I don't have. So he rates to have appr. half of the 6 keycards I'm missing. Now if he had superaccepted, or if LHO had doubled 2♦, or if either opp had bid spades, the expected number of keycards would be somewhat higher. None of this happened. So 4♥ is plenty.

Btw pass is not an option in standard methods since 3♣ was a GF.