[awm]

xcurt, on Feb 26 2009, 07:29 PM, said:

I hate to be boring, but this hand is a screaming advertisement for mini-NTs. South will relay out north's shape and put it in 3NT.

So after relaying north's shape, how does south know that north does not hold:

♠QT
♥6542
♦KQ9
♣AJ97

This also looks like a mini notrump (okay it's twelve, I was assuming some range like 10-12 or 11-13; if your range is 9-11 then change the ♠Q to jack).

The thing is, opposite this hand 3NT can be defeated any time hearts break 5-3, whereas 6♦ is excellent (and of course 5♦ is ice cold).

I think the key to the hand is south showing the heart shortness. However, with king-fourth I think north should bid 3NT anyway (reaching the superior game). I would bid something like:

(standard methods)
Pass - 1♦
1♥ - 1♠
2NT - 3♣ (natural, pattern)
3NT - Pass

(mini notrump)
1NT (10-12) - 3♠! (4♠, 0-1♥, roughly equal length in the minors)
3NT - Pass

(precision)
1♦! - 1♠
1NT (11-13) - 3♦ (0-1♥, usually 4♠ only and a three-suited pattern)
3NT - Pass

[pirate22]

p- p-1d p
1h-p-1s-p
2n/t-p-3n/t 9 tricks wanted as oppsed to 11 tricks in 5 diamonds regards