[han]

Qx
xxx
AKQxx
AKx

1D - (1H) - 1S - (p)
??

How will you bid this hand from now on?

[MarkDean]

I would just bid 2NT and hope for the best.

[matmat]

I liked your call at the table.

[h2osmom]

What about 2h? Is that terrible?

[mike777]

h2osmom, on Oct 1 2008, 11:55 PM, said:

What about 2h? Is that terrible?

ditto

[655321]

mike777, on Oct 2 2008, 12:00 AM, said:

h2osmom, on Oct 1 2008, 11:55 PM, said:

What about 2h?  Is that terrible?

ditto

I would describe 2♥ as a bid, not a plan - i.e. what would you bid next?.

Actually, even though 2♥ is sort of obvious, I don't really like it because of just that problem. Any of 2NT, 3♦ or 2♣ will often get you to a sensible contract, although I don't much like any of these bids either. I think I like 3♦ the most, not sure why - I don't remember ever making a jump rebid in a 5 card suit before.


Changed my mind - Roland's (Walddk) plan below looks much better.

This post has been edited by 655321: 2008-October-02, 02:03

[dicklont]

3♣.
Partner will bid 3NT when he can.
If he can't he will play 4♠.
BTW: my partners 1♠ shows five.

I won't bid 2♥, when I must bid 3/4♠ later partner might think I have four of them:
1D - (1H) - 1S - (p)
2H - (p) - 2S - (p)
3C - (p) - ??
now partner is in trouble.

[mike777]

dicklont, on Oct 2 2008, 12:33 AM, said:

3♣.
Partner will bid 3NT when he can.
If he can't he will play 4♠.
BTW: my partners 1♠ shows five.

I won't bid 2♥, when I must bid 3/4♠ later partner might think I have four of them:
1D - (1H) - 1S - (p)
2H - (p) - 2S - (p)
3C - (p) - ??
now partner is in trouble.

over 2s I bid 4s.

[Codo]

3 ♦ I have to lie, maybe this lie can lead to the best score.
Second choice would be 2 ♥ followed by 3 ♠ over a non NT bid from pd.

[Walddk]

I would bid 2♣, the most flexible bid in my opinion. It's not quite good enough to force to game (3♣) because xxx in hearts the worst possible. If partner rebids 2♠, I will raise to 3, if I get 2NT it's an easy raise to game, and if he gives preference to diamonds, my plan is to follow up with 2♥. If he can produce a jump preference, I will bid 3♥ next.

Then he knows that I was close to a game forcing bid on my 2nd turn, without three spades and not a heart stopper.

Finally, if he supports clubs, I still have 3♥ available.

Roland

[gnasher]

2♥. Then:
- Raise 2♠ to game
- Over 2NT, bid 3♥, suggesting a choice of strains (because 3♠ might imply 3-card support).
- Over 3 of a minor, bid 3♥
- Over 3♥ (which I think says he has a single stop but wants me to play 3NT), bid 3♠, suggesting that perhaps we don't belong in 3NT after all.
- Pass 3NT

I'm surprised that some people play 2♥ as promising support. The opponents have declined the opportunity to investigate game, so there's no need for our side to preempt. If we have no need for a preemptive raise, we don't need a cue bid to show a high card raise.

This is almost a prototype for a 2♥ bid. 30 years ago people would have looked at you in astonishment if you suggested bidding anything else. It doesn't seem much of an advance to find ourselves considering actions like 3♦ and 2NT.

[dicklont]

Walddk, on Oct 2 2008, 02:44 AM, said:

I would bid 2♣, the most flexible bid in my opinion. It's not quite good enough to force to game (3♣) because xxx in hearts the worst possible.

I like this cautious bidding, but is there no danger that partner passes holding:
AKxxx
xx
xx
Qxxx

[Walddk]

dicklont, on Oct 2 2008, 10:07 AM, said:

Walddk, on Oct 2 2008, 02:44 AM, said:

I would bid 2♣, the most flexible bid in my opinion. It's not quite good enough to force to game (3♣) because xxx in hearts the worst possible.

I like this cautious bidding, but is there no danger that partner passes holding:
AKxxx
xx
xx
Qxxx

Surely not; that is an obvious 3♣ (10-12, distributional points included). Then he will get 3♥, and 3♠ will be his next call. So 4♠ it will be on 5-2. Excellent contract.

Roland

[han]

I bid 2C, but I don't like it at all in hindsight. I think 2H is better.

Anyway, if you bid 2C then the auction continues maybe

1D - (1H) - 1S
2C - 2D

Now what?

OVer 2H partner perhaps bids 2S. It seems to me that partner will often bid this on hands that don't have a suitable bid. What's your call now?

[Walddk]

han, on Oct 2 2008, 02:44 PM, said:

OVer 2H partner perhaps bids 2S. It seems to me that partner will often bid this on hands that don't have a suitable bid. What's your call now?

3♠. Must be 2-2-5-4 or 2-3-5-3 like here with Hx in spades and no heart stopper. Strong hand of course. With a 3-1-5-4 or 3-2-5-3 shape I would have bid 2♠ over his 2♦ preference.

I still claim that 2♣ first is more flexible than 2♥.

There is one more instance where a three-card 2♣ suit is the best alternative on a hand that has no ideal rebid:

♠ AQxx
♥ x
♦ Axxxx
♣ KQx

1♦ - 1NT
2♣

You can't rule out that 1NT is the best spot, but more often than not you belong in one of the minors, especially at IMPs. Sometimes you even make game in diamonds or clubs.

Roland

[mcphee]

I also prefer 2C, if we survive this we are in fine shape. If partner passes, oh well. I am not in love with 2H, one thing is it could be a bid that may create a problem, like partner thinking we have some better S support comes to mind. 3D is sort of not bad but lacks the 6th card, although the same can be said for 2C it lets us have more wiggle room.

[P_Marlowe]

2H, asking for further
description.

I will pass 2S, raise 2NT to 3NT,
3S to 4S.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[P_Marlowe]

han, on Oct 2 2008, 07:44 AM, said:

I bid 2C, but I don't like it at all in hindsight. I think 2H is better.

Anyway, if you bid 2C then the auction continues maybe

1D - (1H) - 1S
2C - 2D

Now what?

OVer 2H partner perhaps bids 2S. It seems to me that partner will often bid this on hands that don't have a suitable bid. What's your call now?

If I have bid 2C, I will raise 2D to 3D.
If I have bid 2H, I will pass 2S.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[benlessard]

3C followed by 3S WTP. With nothing wasted in H my hand is too good for 2C. I also prefer 2H to 2C.

[Walddk]

benlessard, on Oct 2 2008, 08:44 PM, said:

3C followed by 3S WTP. With nothing wasted in H my hand is too good for 2C.

6-loser hand and good enough to force to game (jump shift)? Sorry, but we play a different game.

Roland