[ron]

Scoring: MP

---

Matchpoints, opponents are silent. The auction proceeds:

1N 2C
2D 3D
3S ?

What would you do now? Would it make a difference if you had a few more HCP (different diamonds, say)?

[aguahombre]

Yes, it would make a difference. If I had more HCP and another diamond, I would have my previous bids. Now, I have no idea what to do, since I am really worried about 3NT, and partner thinks we are enroute to a diamond slam. I guess I should hope for the hand that makes 5D while they would run their hearts vs 3NT, and hope partner doesn't bid six.

[gnasher]

I assume that 3♦ was game-forcing but didn't promise a slam try, and 3♠ showed concentration with some suitability for diamonds. (It might have been better to tell us more about what the sequence means, if only to avoid being told that in someone else's methods the sequence shows something different.)

Obviously I'm not going to bid 3NT, so it's a question of whether to pay 4♠ or 5♦. Presumably I can't offer a choice - 4♦ or a new suit sounds like a slam try - so I have to make a decision by myself.

4♠ would probably be best opposite AQx xx Axxx KQxx, but there are many hands where it's wrong - AQx xxx Axxx KQx, for example. We may have done enough by avoiding 3NT, as other players may just bid 3NT over 2♦. Hence I bid 5♦.

[Fluffy]

I go for the spade game, Dummy reversal, its MPs.

[aguahombre]

Am not sure we could get to the spade game even if it were right, and am not even sure opener has 3 of them (AX JXX AJXX AQXX) . Certainly, Gnasher is right that we have to gut out 5D now, and might have avoided 3NT fortuitously. But are you sure we can find a way to stop there?

Actually it might be easier to take over by whatever reasonable method asks for keys and then sign off, than to try a direct 5D which might be raised.

[gnasher]

aguahombre, on Dec 14 2009, 04:05 PM, said:

Am not sure we could get to the spade game even if it were right, and am not even sure opener has 3 of them (AX JXX AJXX AQXX) . Certainly, Gnasher is right that we have to gut out 5D now, and might have avoided 3NT fortuitously. But are you sure we can find a way to stop there?

Actually it might be easier to take over by whatever reasonable method asks for keys and then sign off, than to try a direct 5D which might be raised.

Why are you worried about partner raising 5♦? It's quite obvious that in the original poster's methods 3♦ didn't show a slam try.

[jdonn]

I bid 4♠, I don't expect this to play badly in spades. I may be able to accept two heart ruffs in hand while setting up a minor suit, or spades may break 3-3, or maybe he has a doubleton heart and I can just pitch on the second one to keep control.

I'm also influenced that I don't think partner promises suitability for diamonds, although he is likely to have it. He could have something like AQx xxx Ax AQxxx. Actually looking at that hand, maybe 4♦ is right. It doesn't sound like a slam try to me, and gives partner a chance to re-offer 4♠ with bad diamond support and really good spades on a hand like this example.

[mike777]

Fluffy, on Dec 14 2009, 05:27 AM, said:

I go for the spade game, Dummy reversal, its MPs.

the good news is dummy is already reversed, declarer only starts with 2 or 3 spades.


I would try with 4s at MP since partner is playing it.

I do think partner is allowed to pull to 5d over 4s if he is on the same wavelength but......



As for 3d....it is unlimited g/f but if you simply jump to 5d over 3s...pard must pass. I do think 3s is a cue and promises D support and denies a heart cue.

[pooltuna]

ron, on Dec 13 2009, 08:43 PM, said:

Scoring: MP

---

Matchpoints, opponents are silent. The auction proceeds:

1N 2C
2D 3D
3S ?

What would you do now? Would it make a difference if you had a few more HCP (different diamonds, say)?

Well skipping 3♥ should deny a control so I know we don't want to play 3NT. As far as slam goes even if you were in a 30 point slam zone your combined assets are still 26 HCP at most, which rates to make slam anti%age so I would settle for 5♦

[nigel_k]

5♦.

4♠ is tempting as we may be able to keep control even if they are 4-2 and our hand has to ruff. But in that case I think 5♦ will make as well, and the reverse may not be true. I just want the most likely plus score as other tables may well just bid 3NT over 2♦.

[Phil]

4♠.

Its MPs and pard plays the hands well. 5♦ might be safer, but 4♠ should be OK with reasonable breaks.

[gwnn]

I'd bid 4♠ but I promised Justin not to try fancy bids so 5♦ it is. It's always nice to get a top in MP from 5m. It happens less infrequently than people imply.

[Apollo81]

jdonn, on Dec 14 2009, 11:58 AM, said:

Actually looking at that hand, maybe 4♦ is right. It doesn't sound like a slam try to me, and gives partner a chance to re-offer 4♠ with bad diamond support and really good spades on a hand like this example.

I think 4♠ will make reasonably often when he would choose diamonds.