[Timbitt]

Hi

Playing 2/1

Pard opens 1H - Pass - ?

My hand is ---xx KT9 QTx T9xxx

With 5 HCP I can Pass.

I chose 1NT (forcing), hoping to slow Pard down.

Is this the right approach, or is it better to play 2H as the clearest description of the hand?

Thanks

[mishovnbg]

1NT with weak hand and fit is right way.
Misho

[Free]

Bidding 2♥ is not an option, since it's a constructive raise. You have to either pass or bid 1NT. You have a fit, and you bypass the ♠s so your opps can't bid them on 1-level anymore, so I'd choose for a forcing 1NT, and rebid ♥ at lowest level when possible.

[bearmum]

you COULD pass BUT I would try 1NT (to stop opps overcalling 1S) and then bid H at the LOWEST level over whatever P bids

[whereagles]

While I understand the point of separating weak from constructive raises, I don't like it too much. That strategy is vulnerable to an overcall from 4th seat.

[inquiry]

Welcome Tim to the BridgeBase Online Forum.

Playing 2/1 the correct response with your hand is 1NT forcing followed by minimum preference back to hearts at the cheapest level.

Ben

PS = not everyone plays that way. I myself prefer to raise immediatlel with support like this, and I use "drury" 2♣ even after a first seat major opening with constructive raise like Free was talking about. Of course, this is no longer classical 2/1.

[hrothgar]

Tough hand

As I learned 2/1, the immediate 1H - 2H raise is a constructive raise, promising 3 card trump support and 9 losers.

The auction 1H - 1N - 2x - 2H shows one of two hand types:

1. A three card raise that is too weak for 1H - 2H
2. A balanced hand with two hearts and decent values (~ 6-9 is about right)

From my perspective, your hand is right at the cusp between 1NT and 2H.
The Tens and 9s are nice, however, the lack of Aces is nasty.

BUM-RAP treats this as 5.25
Kaplan-Rubens as 5.45

I'd probably bid 1NT, and follow with a 2H rebid. We might be able to jam the auction.

I have no problems if partner prefers to an immediate 2H

(In case anyone is wondering why I edited, this I originally thought that responder had xx in Hearts and KT9 in spades. Had a real hard time understanding what Luis was talking about...)

[luis]

2H I think this is enough for a direct 2H raise.
Good 3 cards in hearts with an honor, a ruffing value, and something on the side.
Pd will know he can lead hearts if they win the hand and can compete to 3h if he has a 6 card suit. If I bid 1NT and they win the hand I have passed no valuable information to pd.

[Free]

Luis,

interesting how you call a small doubleton 'ruffing value'. I disagree on that. You even hardly have a quick entry to create partner's Kxx.

[luke warm]

i'm not crazy about using the 'constructive raise' either, but unless you play something like ben's 2C, there has to be some way to differentiate between a weak raise and better raise.. i presonally prefer 2H here, but can understand completely the need to bid 1nt first

[the hog]

Playing a forcing NT, this is completely standard
1H 1N bid 2H

Clearly not good enough for an immediate 2H.

[Gerben47]

I bid 1NT followed by hearts at the cheapest level showing a bad raise to 2H.

Gerben

[EarlPurple]

My own preferred method is use the sequence 1H-1NT-2m-2H to show 3 card support and near invitational values. That's not the standard, though.

[1eyedjack]

EarlPurple, on Jun 28 2004, 11:36 AM, said:

My own preferred method is use the sequence 1H-1NT-2m-2H to show 3 card support and near invitational values. That's not the standard, though.

Out of interest, what do you do with a minimum 1N response, doubleton support for opener and preference for opener's first suit over his second? Immediate raise on doubleton? (could work)

[Trpltrbl]

Most will bid forcing NT followed by 2♥, that is in perfect world. Maybe next time you get to bid again is at 3 level or higher.
Support with support, and that's what I have.

Mike