[twcho]

Scoring: IMP

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North opens with 2♦, showing weak 2 in either major or strong bal. How should EW proceed to reach the best contract 6♥?

It is interesting to note that although ♥ is weaker than ♣, it is almost always better to play in ♥ rather than ♣. And as in this case, 6♥ will make while 6♣, which was the final contract at the table, went down.

[Fluffy]

I would have a hard time to reach any slam, I would start with 2♠ (showing a take out double of 2♠), and partner is likelly bidding 3NT, not very encouraging and probably ends the auction (and if it doesn't I woudl reopen with 4♣, not ♥ wich is even worse as the cards lie).

[benlessard]

If the 2D bid is forcing i would pass a make a delayed leaping M. Otherwise i would make a direct LeapM

(2D)-------4C C+M very good hand
4D (good raise)-----5H
Pass or

5Nt (PAS)------------6C

I dont really buy the argument that H always play better then clubs. I admit that knowing partner is probably 33 in the round make 6H more attractive but it also depend on the number of D W has, give W the J of D instead of a S spades and the possibility of pitching 2H (A of S and on the 4th diamonds). Give him 2D and discarding a H is possible.

I would have missed it at the table but it not the first time ive noticed that missing QJ is better than missing JT.

[rogerclee]

I would not get to slam.

[H_KARLUK]

4♣
Sorry, is not this bid strong and shows Clubs and Hearts - Leaping Michaels ?

2♦ 4♣ p 4♦(!); p 4N and slam ♥

[skjaeran]

H_KARLUK, on Dec 29 2008, 02:00 PM, said:

4♣
Sorry, is not this bid strong and shows Clubs and Hearts - Leaping Michaels ?

Openers suit is yet not known. 4♣ shows clubs and the "other" major.

[Fluffy]

yeah, hopefully it is the other .

[H_KARLUK]

4♦: strong and shows Diamonds and Spades - Leaping Michaels.

We also apply >
Double: t/o
2♥ : hearts and diamonds.
2♠ : spades and clubs.
2 NT: Strong balanced
3♣/♦: Natural
3♥ : natural, strong. sufficient in length and strength. It can not be the suit of the opener.
3 ♠: ditto
3 NT: natural. based on a running ms.

[twcho]

The crux of the problem is that how can we determine that 6♥ being better than 6♣? Which side can make the final decision? I doubt even with the ♥ and ♣ switched, the auction will be prettily the same.

[mike777]

Not sure how the bidding should go but one start may be?

(2d)=p=(3h, p/c)=p
(3s)=4s(h and minor, 4nt would be both minors?)=p=?

[FrancesHinden]

mike777, on Dec 30 2008, 03:54 AM, said:

Not sure how the bidding should go but one start may be?

(2d)=p=(3h, p/c)=p
(3s)=4s(h and minor, 4nt would be both minors?)=p=?

After starting (2D) = p = , I'm afraid you are on lead against 2D on the East cards.

[paulg]

I'm not a fan of the (typically Italian) defence to multi that treats 2♦ as weak two in spades initially, but it works well here as you can jump to 4♣ showing hearts and clubs.

Paul

[helene_t]

We don't play LM over multi so
2♦-x-3♥-x
3♠-6♣

since partner's double is responsive (on hearts) I would go for clubs. So we go down in 6♣. On this board, we might have more luck against a natural 2♠ opening.

[Hanoi5]

Quote

It is interesting to note that although ♥ is weaker than ♣, it is almost always better to play in ♥ rather than ♣. And as in this case, 6♥ will make while 6♣, which was the final contract at the table, went down.

This usually happens. If you have two trump suits to choose from, it is usually better to play on the bad suit fit.

[Phil]

FrancesHinden, on Jan 15 2009, 09:34 AM, said:

mike777, on Dec 30 2008, 03:54 AM, said:

Not sure how the bidding should go but one start may be?

(2d)=p=(3h, p/c)=p
(3s)=4s(h and minor, 4nt would be both minors?)=p=?

After starting (2D) = p = , I'm afraid you are on lead against 2D on the East cards.

Isn't a pass out of 2♦ always a risk when we decide to take any delayed action, such as a classic takeout double of 2H or 2S?

[Apollo81]

My bid of choice with the East hand would be 4♣, forcing leaping Michaels. I don't think slam can be reached after that; it's likely that West will bid 4♥ p/c and that East will pass.