[Cascade]

nigel_k, on Jul 29 2009, 03:57 PM, said:

The_Hog, on Jul 28 2009, 05:08 AM, said:

... I think 6H is absurd. The 4H bidder was prepared to play 4H and now, when partner decides she has a raise thinks his hand is worth 6. This is a real insult to partner.

I don't agree with this. Bidding over preempts is tough and normal principles don't always apply. Here, East has a good hand but is concerned about the strength of the heart suit. When West supports hearts that concern mostly disappears and the hand can now make slam opposite very little.

I would double initially though I understand 4♥. The other two decisions are very hard. Probably I would double instead of 5♥ with West but would continue to 6♥ over 5♥ with East.

We have a general agreement in competitive auctions that when we are making constructive noises - here 4♥ is constructive - then a free bid at the five-level is allowed to be raised.

[the hog]

Cascade, on Jul 29 2009, 11:17 AM, said:

nigel_k, on Jul 29 2009, 03:57 PM, said:

The_Hog, on Jul 28 2009, 05:08 AM, said:

... I think 6H is absurd. The 4H bidder was prepared to play 4H and now, when partner decides she has a raise thinks his hand is worth 6. This is a real insult to partner.

I don't agree with this. Bidding over preempts is tough and normal principles don't always apply. Here, East has a good hand but is concerned about the strength of the heart suit. When West supports hearts that concern mostly disappears and the hand can now make slam opposite very little.

I would double initially though I understand 4♥. The other two decisions are very hard. Probably I would double instead of 5♥ with West but would continue to 6♥ over 5♥ with East.

We have a general agreement in competitive auctions that when we are making constructive noises - here 4♥ is constructive - then a free bid at the five-level is allowed to be raised.

And thus end up in a slam missing two cashing bullets? Doesn't sound too good to me, Wayne.

[Cascade]

If partner is bidding five to make and we have extras that will often mean we have six. If we don't have Blackwood then we have to guess. Obviously sometimes that guess will mean we guess badly.

In just the same way on this hand west guessing to bid 5♥ with a soft hand will be often down one when partner does not produce extras. We simply can't have everything.

[MFA]

I would take-out double 3♠. 4♥ seems unacceptable to me with a thin suit and good minor alternatives. I can correct partner's response to 4♥ to show a flexible hand.

5♥ is ok, I like to support in such situations.

6♥ seems to be too wild a gamble. Partner had available 4NT T/O followed by 5♥ to show a good 5♥.

[P_Marlowe]

MFA, on Jul 29 2009, 03:25 AM, said:

<snip>
4NT T/O followed by 5♥ to show a good 5♥.

Yes, I think a possible solution is to use 4NT as a way
to differentiate between a serious 5H bid, i.e. a 5H with
add. values, and a "purely competitive" 5H bid.

And in this scenario the West hand would only qualify for
a "purely competitive" 5H bid.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[OleBerg]

MFA, on Jul 29 2009, 10:25 AM, said:

6♥ seems to be too wild a gamble. Partner had available 4NT T/O followed by 5♥ to show a good 5♥.

Actually, being a passed hand, wouldnt also 5♣ and 5♦ show heart support?

[benlessard]

I would bid 4C NLM or double with east hand but 4H is forced if partner frequently pass 3 level take-out X. After 4S i slighty prefer X to 5H. Partner is probably S void and will pull with super shape or they are in 7-2 FIT.

6H is terrible, partner could have bid 5m en passant to show a good 5H raise.

[MFA]

OleBerg, on Jul 29 2009, 12:23 PM, said:

MFA, on Jul 29 2009, 10:25 AM, said:

6♥ seems to be too wild a gamble. Partner had available 4NT T/O followed by 5♥ to show a good 5♥.

Actually, being a passed hand, wouldnt also 5♣ and 5♦ show heart support?

Yes I agree (although I'm generally cautious of that principle, since I often hold a suit worth showing later but not adequate for a preempt. Some of us do have standards, Ole ).

5m would not be a slam try as such, as I see it, more like a raise with a good suit on the side.

[billw55]

How about 4♠ directly over 3♠? To me that shows a strong hand with 5-5 in hearts and a minor, which sounds accurate for this hand.

[OleBerg]

MFA, on Jul 31 2009, 09:39 PM, said:

Some of us do have standards, Ole ).

But not much imagination.