[rogerclee]

Matchpoints, White vs Red, Third Seat

♠QJT
♥Kxx
♦98xxx
♣Jx

3♦ - (P) - ?

If you make a non-diamond bid, LHO will double and it will be passed back to you.

[TylerE]

3NT has it's appeal... 3NT on a major suit lead may even be a decent spot.

[jdonn]

I'll just bid a simple 5♦. Hopefully LHO wants to bid a suit rather than double, in which case they will really have a hard time figuring out what level to play.

[fachiru]

Even against novices, a 3nt bid won't fool anyone.
It will just give opps. more room to describe.
IMO: 5♦=10, 3nt=2, P=1

[kenrexford]

I kind of like 4♣ as an asking bid, depending on what it asks.

[jdonn]

kenrexford, on Feb 10 2009, 04:07 PM, said:

I kind of like 4♣ as an asking bid, depending on what it asks.

Keycard for most of us I think. I don't expect LHO to be fooled, since RHO is short in diamonds but didn't act we know that LHO has a very good hand.

Personally other than 5♦ I think 4♦ is the only bid with much to recommend it. Why give them a cuebid, or a double then cuebid, or a double then bid then cuebid?

[mikeh]

I prefer 4Major if fooling around.

I would go for 4♠ since over 4♥ because it consumes maximal bidding space.

3N might work.. I have played 3N -8 on a similar auction against a weakish team, but most of the time it is the type of psyche that is very, very easy to expose and it doesn't consume bidding space.

4Major is an uncommon psyche.. I have made a lot of psychic responses (my favourite was a leap to 6♥ at favourable on 4=2=5=2 4 count (2 Queens) after partner's 3♠ opening in 1st chair... but I haven't made or seen this one... in real life or in writeups, so it may be the more effective because unfamiliar.

Frankly, I suspect that this hand is too defensive to take this kind of action... I would just bid 5♦. I think they rate to make a 5 level contract, but that there is a decent chance that slam will fail... and the psyche, if it isn't immediately effective, will give them an extra round of bidding in which to assess their potential.

[kenrexford]

jdonn, on Feb 10 2009, 04:31 PM, said:

kenrexford, on Feb 10 2009, 04:07 PM, said:

I kind of like 4♣ as an asking bid, depending on what it asks.

Keycard for most of us I think. I don't expect LHO to be fooled, since RHO is short in diamonds but didn't act we know that LHO has a very good hand.

Personally other than 5♦ I think 4♦ is the only bid with much to recommend it. Why give them a cuebid, or a double then cuebid, or a double then bid then cuebid?

That's why I said "depending." If 4♣ asks for a control or asks for the better major, I think it will create a greater problem. True that 4♦ is now available for both minors, though.

I'm sold now. 5♦ makes the most sense. Just get where I want to be.

[Fluffy]

I was thinking of 3NT, but jdonn`s argument that RHO must be weak convinced me that full pressure is best. so 5♦.

We have decent defence, if both opponents are 3 suited they might have a lot of work to do. I hope we don't go 800 against nothing.


The best psyche bid is a pass of 3♦ concealing the fit.

[JLOL]

I thought the point of this hand was that 5D might be down 800 against no slam so maybe we ought to bid 4, but I think that the chances of going only 500 down are too great not to bid it. Would never consider anything other than 4D or 5D with this hand.

[dicklont]

Would 4NT fool anyone?

[andy_h]

Agree with 5D. Takes up the maximum space.

[Phil]

Usually 5♦, but I'll throw in a 3M. 3N or 4M sometimes.

[matmat]

I think I bid 3nt, then when doubled 4♠, and when doubled there 5♦ and finally sit for the double...

oh wait. no i don't... 5♦ please.