[hammberry]

IMPs, favorable vulnerability
RHO opened 2H

I held AT9x, Ax, AJTxxx, A and chose to double.
LHO passed, partner bid 2NT (lebensohl) and RHO passed

(2H) - dbl - (Pass) - 2NT; (pass)

What's my best call? I chose 4D, which partner raised to 5D,
holding Kxx, 9x, 8xx, JTxxx

I jumped because 3D seemed too weak (Marty Bergen gives
AQxx, x, KQ8xxx, Qx as an example of a 3D bid) and 3H, then
4D as too strong.

My partner insisted that 4D shows 18-19 points.

What's a good approach to this situation?

[blackshoe]

Your hand isn't much stronger (if at all) in terms of playing strength than is Bergen's example. 3♦ is forcing; there's no need to jump.

Consider that you have 5 losers. You need partner to cover 3 of them for 5♦ to make. If he had that much, would he bid 2NT over your double? I'd say no, so....

[P_Marlowe]

3D.

3D has one adv. over 4D, you can still play 3NT.
Never thought about it, but I believe I would tread
4D as game forcing, and your hand is at least one
Ace too weak.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[jdonn]

The point here is that if you bid 3♦ it is strong, not weak. I bet you would find in whatever book you got that hand that Marty Bergen plays a convention called equal level conversion doubles, which would mean for him 3♦ does not show extras. But that is not standard.

[P_Marlowe]

jdonn, on Nov 10 2008, 02:56 AM, said:

The point here is that if you bid 3♦ it is strong, not weak. I bet you would find in whatever book you got that hand that Marty Bergen plays a convention called equal level conversion doubles, which would mean for him 3♦ does not show extras. But that is not standard.

But does ELC still apply in the given seq.?

3D breaks the relais, so I would assume
it is strong.
Of course bidding 3C risks playing clubs, so
you may well be right.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Edmunte1]

- Partner's 2NT shows a weak hand (0-7), you don't have great chances of game if partner doesn't move over 3♦;
- 3♦ in standard methods shows a strong hand, and if you're playing ELC it's not recomended to do it on minimum hands;

[pclayton]

3♦ shows a strong hand, but its not forcing. That's what you have.

[ArtK78]

pclayton, on Nov 10 2008, 09:46 AM, said:

3♦ shows a strong hand, but its not forcing. That's what you have.

Agree on all counts.