[bftboy]

Scoring: IMP

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1. How do you reach the good 7♥ after 2♣ by S and 2NT by N, which shows a ♥ suit with 2 of top 3 honors? Related, what do you think generally of using a 2♥ response to 2♣ to show a complete bust?

2. If you wind up in 6 ♠, what is your plan on the lead the ♣ J? When you cash a top ♠, RHO plays the J.

[Jlall]

If the auction really started 2C by south, 2N showing 2 of the top 3 heart honors by north, it should be easy to get to 7 if south bids keycard and finds out about the DA as well. If north happens to take control with keycard and then bids 5N himself, south knows the same info (partner has the DA and KQ of hearts), and can bid 7 again. That auction would be the best possible start on this hand.

[kenrexford]

1A: Ditto Justin. Easy to get to 7♥ with that specific start.

1B: I like 2♥ as an immediate negative. But, I mean at most one Queen, which is not exactly a "complete bust."

2: The question is a one-suit question, for the most part. I mean, technically, crossing to the diamond Ace to lead a spade, if that is your approach, risks a diamond void and ruff or, if you stick in the 10 of spades on a small card, a second diamond and trump promo. Thus, if either one has a diamond void, playing a diamond risks a ruff by a person who might also have the doubleton spade, or there might be two voids. A greater risk seems to be maybe RHO with a stiff diamond and 9x in spades, LHO with QJx. Something like that.

But, if we look at this first from a one-suit problem, our risk at 6♠ at IMP scoring is losing two spade tricks. That only happens on the play of Ace-King when spades split 4-1, and a 5-0 is hopeless anyway.

If LHO has the length, there is nothing to do here. So, we assume RHO has the length. If he has QJxx (LHO has x), then hooking the 10 works. If LHO has a stiff honor, then no spade play works. But, if RHO has QJ9x, he splits. So, small toward the 10 only works if LHO has specifically stiff 9, if seems.

So, the question seems to be whether stiff 9 to the left is more likely than specifically 9x to the left and a stiff diamond to the left. Stiff 9 seems more likely. Also in the mix, though, is anyone with two spades having a void, where plunking works better.

Stiff 9 to left, versus 9x to right with a stiff diamond OR anyone with a doubleton spade and a void in diamonds. Not sure what the percentages are there.

[jdonn]

I think the point of difficulty in getting to 7♥ is in agreeing hearts in time to bid keycard. Supposing it starts 2♣ 2NT, 3♠ 4♦, ? 4♥ now by south is just a simple preference and he is really too good, north won't even know there is a fit. But at the same time I think south is right to investigate spades, why play an 8 card fit when there might be a 10 or 11 card fit in the other major.

[gordontd]

jdonn, on Nov 18 2009, 10:03 PM, said:

I think the point of difficulty in getting to 7♥ is in agreeing hearts in time to bid keycard. Supposing it starts 2♣ 2NT, 3♠ 4♦, ?

4♥? If that's not going to show this good heart support, perhaps you should have bid 3♥ on the previous round.

[gnasher]

kenrexford, on Nov 18 2009, 09:19 PM, said:

If LHO has the length, there is nothing to do here.

That's not quite true. If LHO is 4342 with ♠H932 or ♠QJ32, we can make like this: ♠A; ♦A; ♦ ruff; ♥J; ♦ ruff; ♥Q; ♦ ruff; ♥A; ♣AK; spade exit. I don't think I'd play for that, though.

[gnasher]

gordontd, on Nov 18 2009, 10:13 PM, said:

jdonn, on Nov 18 2009, 10:03 PM, said:

I think the point of difficulty in getting to 7♥ is in agreeing hearts in time to bid keycard. Supposing it starts 2♣ 2NT, 3♠ 4♦, ?

4♥? If that's not going to show this good heart support, perhaps you should have bid 3♥ on the previous round.

Not everyone would play 4♥ as forcing. No, I don't know why either.