[karlson]

You have ♠KQJx ♥AKJTxx ♦Q ♣Qx

You play some mildly unusual methods, so bear with me.

1d-1h
1n-2s
2n-

1d was unbalanced, 5+♦ or (4441).
1N showed a 2c rebid (5+♦ 4+♣) (without 3♥ unless very strong).
2s was FSF (GF) and 2n was natural (surely 2h on a doubleton would be common).

Basically in standard you would have had the auction 1d-1h-2c-2s except you have a few extra inferences.

How optimistic are you about slam? What's your preference now?

[Codo]

Am I sure that partner has 3154 or 3064? (Because he did not bid 1 or 3 Spade to show 4 of them?)

And how strong is 2 NT from partner?

[Fluffy]

I don't feel very optimistic, but I bid 3♥ and let partner int the game

[mtvesuvius]

I put the Q♦ in with my ♥ just for good looks

Seriously though... This is a miserable hand opposite xxx x AKxxx AJxx or something. Give partner 3 aces and 6♠ looks like to might have a play: Axx x Axxxx Axxx... now 6♠ is a pretty good contract. We have at best a 4-3♠ fit. We have at best a 6-1♥ fit. We have at best a 6-1♦ fit. This is close, but knowing how my partners open, and partner looks to be trying to show a Minimum... But I'll bid 3♥ as a final stab.

[Phil]

I might have posted this auction as:

1♦ - 1♥
2♣ - 2♠
2N

but remarked on the 1♦ opening. Otherwise I think its a natural auction.

6♠ is starting to look tempting on the Moysian or Mini Moysian, but I'll just mark time with 3♥.

[karlson]

Over 3h partner bids 4c

[mtvesuvius]

karlson, on Feb 23 2009, 01:35 PM, said:

Over 3h partner bids 4c

4NT, signoff. Partner shouldn't be cuebidding in support of ♥ here, IMO.

[Echognome]

mtvesuvius, on Feb 23 2009, 06:25 AM, said:

I put the Q♦ in with my ♥ just for good looks

Seriously though... This is a miserable hand opposite xxx x AKxxx AJxx or something. Give partner 3 aces and 6♠ looks like to might have a play: Axx x Axxxx Axxx... now 6♠ is a pretty good contract. We have at best a 4-3♠ fit. We have at best a 6-1♥ fit. We have at best a 6-1♦ fit. This is close, but knowing how my partners open, and partner looks to be trying to show a Minimum... But I'll bid 3♥ as a final stab.

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't care much for bidding 2NT with xxx in spades on the auction. I don't have a great bid over 2♠, but I would likely bid 3♠ if that was available as a punt.

I think the inference that partner has the ♠A is quite strong and even the ♠T is likely. So I would bid 3♠ now. I don't see what 3♥ buys us, unless we really are searching for the singleton ♥Q as partner is not rebidding his spade now with even ATx.

[Apollo81]

I am sure partner's majors are either ♠AT9 ♥Q, ♠Axx ♥x, or anywhere in between. I'm still fairly optimistic about slam in spades or hearts. I would rebid 3♥ and see how partner reacts.

edit: just saw what partner does over 3♥. I did not expect a 4♣ bid, so I have to ask if I really trust partner. Honestly I think this should be an advance cue for hearts. However I am skeptical about what is going on, so I will just bid 4♥.

This post has been edited by Apollo81: 2009-February-23, 12:54

[Fluffy]

What is playing in spades going to offer us?. We need 2 ruffs in dummy to develop hearts, and then worry about trumps behaving. we are not very rich in entries, did you see?.

over 4♣ I smell partner has ♥Q, I am bidding 4♠.

[Echognome]

Fluffy, on Feb 23 2009, 11:29 AM, said:

What is playing in spades going to offer us?. We need 2 ruffs in dummy to develop hearts, and then worry about trumps behaving. we are not very rich in entries, did you see?.

over 4♣ I smell partner has ♥Q, I am bidding 4♠.

Yeah. I see your point about entries, but the thought that partner can have ♠ATx or even AT9 should leave us salivating with ruffs in the short trump hand. I guess hoping for the newspaper contract isn't so great when you don't judge well the additional requirements needed for making that an ideal spot. I'll chalk it up to a blind spot.