[gwnn]

AQJx
KQTxx
x
KJx

xx
AJ
Kxx
QTxxxx

N opened 1♥ in 4th seat.

p-p-p-1♥
2♦-3♣-p-3♦
p-3NT-end

imps

[ArtK78]

100% to North.

His passed-hand partner bid 3♣ into a live auction. The club suit could hardly be any worse than it was, so clubs has to be a playable contract. There is no guarantee that South has 2 diamond stoppers or, if he has only one diamond stopper, that there are 9 running tricks. Furthermore, if South did have 2 diamond stoppers he might bid no trump on his own.

This last point argues for a 3♠ bid by North rather than 3♦. If 3NT is the right contract, then South will bid it on his own. What South will do over 3♠ is not clear, but he may decide that Kxx is not a sufficient diamond stop and bid 4♥ on his AJ doubleton. 4♥ is a very reasonable contract.

Quite frankly, even if South bids 3NT over 3♠, there is much to be said for North continuing on by bidding 4♣. From North's perspective, it is not very likely that 3NT is the right contract opposite a passed hand with a long club suit.

[jdonn]

I blame north for passing 3NT. Even if it's making, 5♣ or 4♥ will usually be making as well, but I don't think the opposite (that if another game makes 3NT will also make [only considering hands where south has a diamond stopper]) is even close to being true.

I agree it's probably a better idea to bid 3♠ than 3♦, then pull 3NT to 4♣.

[rogerclee]

jdonn, on Oct 23 2008, 12:13 PM, said:

I blame north for passing 3NT. Even if it's making, 5♣ or 4♥ will usually be making as well, but I don't think the opposite (that if another game makes 3NT will also make [only considering hands where south has a diamond stopper]) is even close to being true.

I agree it's probably a better idea to bid 3♠ than 3♦, then pull 3NT to 4♣.

I agree with this, I also would have bid 3♠ then pulled 3NT to 4♣.

This seems like a very descriptive sequence, and we can't accurately diagnose whether 3NT or 5♣ is the better contract. In my experience, hands like north's (strongish 5431 with 3-card support for partner's minor and a singleton in the opponents' bid and raised suit) very frequently play better in 5m than 3N.

[cherdano]

Uhm, South misbid as well. Over 3♦, it seems absolutely clear to bid 3♥. You know that your non-running club suit will be a disappointment in 3NT. You have much better support than partner can expect.
How can we belong in 3N if partner doesn't bid 3♠ or 3N over 3♥?

[han]

Agree that both players misbid. 3D is just bad bidding technique, 3NT is bad judgement.

[effervesce]

North bisbid. I don't blame south-he just answered north's question about a diamond stopper. For all south knows, north may hold the AK of clubs.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

***** happens, in other words no blame.

North thought 6 club tricks, give South the A of clubs,
a diamond stopper, the Ace of spade, and most likely
we will find another trick, ... makes 9 tricks.

Hopefully you were green.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[awm]

I blame the ♠K for not being onside. If it were, N/S could take nine tricks (♦K on the likely lead and continuation, three spades and five hearts).

It may be worth noting that 5♣ is not much better (easy to take that pesky spade king plus the minor suit aces).

4♥ is the best game, but I wouldn't say it's exactly cold (could lose two club ruffs, and two aces for example). 3♥ over 3♦ would've been a better bid with the south hand (and the only likely way to reach the heart game).

[Codo]

At first I wanted to give south 100%. But he is a passed hand, so his suit could be so weak. So it is 50/50. North for 3 Diamond and South for 3 NT and not 3 Heart.

[Mosene]

I think a 3 heart bid, instead of 3nt is better (as Cherdano said) by south. After that, I think they avoid the 3nt.

[rogerclee]

awm, on Oct 24 2008, 01:34 AM, said:

It may be worth noting that 5♣ is not much better (easy to take that pesky spade king plus the minor suit aces).

This is just not true, if they lead a diamond (the suit their partner overcalled) then you are almost cold no matter where the SK is. This is much better than 3N.

[Tcyk]

North has a real problem when 3♣ gets back around to him. Partner should have 10 or 11 points for his bid as a passed hand. Game is certainly possible in NT, ♥s, or ♣s. I think 3♠ would be a gross overbid. It is a reverse anyway you look at it. 3♦ must be saying "do something smart, partner." It shows just about what you would expect; support for ♣s, nice ♥s, and a willingness to play 3NT if partner has ♦ stopper(s).

Now poor South is under the gun. The ♣s aren't very good. He only has two ♥s, all be it good ones. He does have a ♦ stopper. It looks like a tossup between 3♥s, 3NT, and 4♣. I don't what to blame either player for the contract.