[Fluffy]

♠6
♥A1084
♦A76432
♣A5

1♦-1♥
??

IMPS nobody vulnerable

[Gerardo]

Good shape, bad spots. 2♥ for me. If partner can't make a move over that, game is unlikely.

[neilkaz]

2♥ but don't mind 3♥ here.

[andy_h]

3H. 3 bullets and 6-4 makes this a pretty good hand for me.

[655321]

3♥ for me too.

[neilkaz]

655321, on Feb 16 2009, 09:55 PM, said:

3♥ for me too.

Yeah..32 ZARs ..yeah OK..I can certainly be convinced.

I was on the fence between 2 and 3 anyhow and 3 is only an invite and one can constuct hands that pass 2♥ with game making.

[MarkDean]

3♥ for me, would bid 4 before I bid 2.

[shevek]

2♥

In answering these I always assume a weak notrump framework so 2♥ shows a good hand, say 14-17 TP. Under these conditions, 3♥+ are overbids.
2♥ is great if partner can make a shape enquiry via 2NT, onother weak nt bonus.

[mtvesuvius]

Are we assuming that we are playing a weak NT?

If we are, then 2♥ describes this hand perfectly.

If we are not, then this is sort of a problem hand, but when I rebid 3♥ in these auctions, my partner plays me for a distrubutional hand... Which is exactly what I have. The 3 aces, and 6-4 makes this a 3♥ bid imo.

[ewj]

3♥ for me too. 2♥ could be a 4333 12 count or this and I probably want to get to game opposite a flat 10 count..

[hotShot]

2♥ my partners would answer with less than 6 hcp to a 1m opening and he did not promise more than 4♥ yet. If he has invitational strength, he will make a move over 2♥.

[Codo]

Partner does not need invitational strength to make game.
Even xxxx,Kxxx,Kxx,xx can be enough.
So I invite him to the show. Given the possible methods, I try 3 ♥, but would prefer a better try like 2 Spade playing SSGT or 3 Diamond with LSGT.

[rogerclee]

3♥, I don't think this is close at all. Calling this a 12 point hand is basically a failure to play bridge.

[andy_h]

hotShot, on Feb 17 2009, 11:28 PM, said:

2♥ my partners would answer with less than 6 hcp to a 1m opening and he did not promise more than 4♥ yet. If he has invitational strength, he will make a move over 2♥.

You occasionally get into 3-3 fits?
I've once defended against a 3-3 fit on this type of 1m-1M-2M auctions. The opponents even had on their card that they would often respond with a 3cM.
-300 wasn't a good result for them

[kenrexford]

3♥ for me also. I am a little confused by the silence around the table, though, as to spades. Perhaps the reason is that partner just has a lot of points, such that my decision is immaterial.

Although, this does bring up a thought. My decision as to whether to bid 2♥ or 3♥ is not simply one of hand evaluation.

If partner would bid again over 2♥ anyway, then my decision is only relevant to whether I have provided sufficient guidance as to slam sequences. For, if he bids over 2♥, we are going to game. Thus, the only question in that event is whether my bid caters to slam sequences well.

If partner would pass 3♥, then obviously 2♥ might be beter, except for the competition issue. However, the competition issue is strong.

If we would be well-placed after a 2♥ call to handle a competitive sequence and to make game tries after a signoff, then an immediate 3♥ loses some urgency.

Looking at all of this, though, I think 3♥ now meets all needs. When partner is actually slammish, 3♥ is a fair bid. I have slightly overstated slam playing strength but that is OK because I have three Aces and four suits controlled.

When the auction is competitive only, I have jammed the opponents, with a backup plan of good defense if they actually step out.

[Tomi2]

since my partners usualy pass with nothing on 1D and I have told most of them not to raise my 4H bids in that situation I would bid 4H.
4D would be more constructive, same to 3S, on some days 3d would come into my mind. on 1st of april I would bid 2h and then think of some joke to tell my teammates that we scored 170 or 200

[Apollo81]

I am shocked to see MULTIPLE votes for 2♥. When I read the problem I thought the decision would be between 3, 4, and splinter. I think I would just bid 3♥, but that still feels like an underbid to me.

IMO a 2♥ bid has zero merit here and is just wrong hand evaluation.

[kgr]

2♥ for me.
(With my regular partner I play 1♠ is forcing and 2♠ is splinter with 12-14 or 18-19. Then 2♠ of course).

[Fluffy]

Codo, on Feb 17 2009, 01:56 PM, said:

Even xxxx,Kxxx,Kxx,xx can be enough.

♥Kxxxx can be enough actually.

[skjaeran]

This hand just has too much potential for 2♥. Write me down for 3♥.