[jdonn]

cherdano, on Apr 12 2008, 03:31 PM, said:

Yes. Yes.

In that case I agree with the auction. 2NT says "I have a weak notrump (nothing about diamond stoppers)", then 3♥ says "I have a problem for notrump, so hearts might be right on my doubleton" then 3NT says "I have already suggested against notrump, but diamonds are stopped if you're interested." So it's east's judgment to make, and with lousy hearts and extra strength I have no problem with the final pass. It's all just one of those things about how the auction times out.

[Cascade]

We don't actually play strong no trumps in first seat. But adapting our methods to a Standard American approach ...

Over 1NT rebids we play transfers and checkback 2♣.

I think we would have a decent chance of avoiding 3NT.

1♦ 1♥

1NT 2♥* 4=5 in majors

2♠* 3♦** * automatic even with heart fit ** Diamond shortage

3♥ 4♥

[whereagles]

In my old days I would skillfully manage to stay out of 3NT and play something like 4 or 5♣.

Nowadays I'll just bid 3NT. This is where the world starts and ends.

[FrancesHinden]

kenrexford, on Apr 12 2008, 05:15 PM, said:

I still don't get the fear of 3NT.

The question was how you would bid the hands, not what you think the best contract is looking at both hands.

[kenrexford]

FrancesHinden, on Apr 13 2008, 02:51 PM, said:

kenrexford, on Apr 12 2008, 05:15 PM, said:

I still don't get the fear of 3NT.

The question was how you would bid the hands, not what you think the best contract is looking at both hands.

I know.

So, why would either hand fear 3NT in the auction?

I agree that there is a greater problem for Responder after a 1♣ opening. But, so what?

[jdonn]

kenrexford, on Apr 13 2008, 04:45 PM, said:

So, why would either hand fear 3NT in the auction?

I agree that there is a greater problem for Responder after a 1♣ opening.  But, so what?

You answered your own question, then for some reason decided the answer wasn't important

[kenrexford]

All I know is that bidding and making a club partial or a club game for a great score because 3NT fails, on a seven-card fit mind you, is much less common in my memory than bidding 4♣ or 5♣ with an eight-card or even nine-card fit because of a stiff and getting a terrible score because 3NT would have made anyway.

[Winstonm]

P-P-1H-P
2N-P-3N

[skjaeran]

kenrexford, on Apr 14 2008, 03:35 AM, said:

All I know is that bidding and making a club partial or a club game for a great score because 3NT fails, on a seven-card fit mind you, is much less common in my memory than bidding 4♣ or 5♣ with an eight-card or even nine-card fit because of a stiff and getting a terrible score because 3NT would have made anyway.

Well, nobody here gave a sequence ending in anything but 3NT or 4♥ as far as I can tell... Where did the 4or 5♣ enter? I agree that those opening 1♦ won't as easily get the feard diamond lead. Those of us opening this 1♣ will almost certainly receive that lead though.