[ArtK78]

OK - I missed those comments.

Still, it took a long time before anyone mentioned the fact that (1♣) - 3♣ is not universally played as a stopper ask. The first 8 responses didn't question the fact that the 3♣ bid might mean something other than bid 3NT with clubs stopped. Most of them bid 3♦ anyway, presumably believing that a 3♣ bid asking for 3NT should be more than just a solid suit.

[Vilgan]

Funny that this story is here, as I too got passed in what I felt was a western cue for the first time yesterday

1♥ - p - 1♠ - 3♠
all pass

Only went down 1 in my 4-1 fit! The opponents were held to their 5 spade tricks (5-3 break and partners 6432 of spades weren't winning any tricks).

I would have taken your 3♣ there as natural though especially when not discussed.

[the hog]

hanp, on Mar 23 2009, 11:47 PM, said:

Agree wiith the suckage. 3C just showing a solid diamond suit is not playable.

We haven't found it to be so. Quite the contrary as partner knows exactly what to expect. Mind you, none of these have a huge frequency of coming up.
If you bid 3C on a variety of hands with a solid suit and cards outside, partner won't know what to do over many of your 3C bids.

[mike777]

Little Kid, on Mar 20 2009, 06:12 PM, said:

Scoring: IMP

---

N E S W
P 1♣ ?

1d

[hanp]

The_Hog, on Mar 23 2009, 07:59 PM, said:

hanp, on Mar 23 2009, 11:47 PM, said:

Agree wiith the suckage. 3C just showing a solid diamond suit is not playable.

We haven't found it to be so. Quite the contrary as partner knows exactly what to expect. Mind you, none of these have a huge frequency of coming up.
If you bid 3C on a variety of hands with a solid suit and cards outside, partner won't know what to do over many of your 3C bids.

OK if you play that 3C shows a solid diamond suit and denies any other cards then that does indeed seem playable (partner will have a very good idea of what to do). In my earlier comment I was referring to 3C only showing the solid diamond suit and nothing about the other two suits then I think it is unplayable because partner would have to guess too much (especially when he has a good hand).

But even though I can see the use for this gambling kind of 3C bid, it does seem like a very small target when partner is a passed hand.

[the hog]

hanp, on Mar 24 2009, 10:44 AM, said:

OK if you play that 3C shows a solid diamond suit and denies any other cards then that does indeed seem playable (partner will have a very good idea of what to do). In my earlier comment I was referring to 3C only showing the solid diamond suit and nothing about the other two suits then I think it is unplayable because partner would have to guess too much (especially when he has a good hand).

But even though I can see the use for this gambling kind of 3C bid, it does seem like a very small target when partner is a passed hand.

We play it as no better than a Q outside.
Yes, I agree, it is a small target opposite a passed hand. However you might as well use the bid when it comes up - doesn't come up all that often.