[MFA]

Pls start bidding

2♣ over 1NT
X of 2♣ then 3♦ to show a good diamond overcall, 2♦ is acceptable but conservative
2♥ over 2♦
4♥ in the third (unlikely) scenario

[quiddity]

gnasher, on Jan 20 2010, 05:10 AM, said:

The worry about being raised to game puzzles me. When one of the opponents has an opening bid and a balanced hand, game for our side isn't very common. In my experience, when they open a 12-14 notrump, it'll be a partscore deal at least 10 times as often as we have a game. Your main objective when you come in should be to compete the partscore, and your style should be geared to that objective.

Does advancer make a similar adjustment? Say advancer has a balanced 12-count - he bids 2D and finds an 8-card major suit fit. Does he tend to pass out 2x or invite?

And what is the maximum for this Landy bid? Do you tend to double with a 15-count (54)(13)?

[gnasher]

quiddity, on Jan 20 2010, 08:44 PM, said:

Say advancer has a balanced 12-count - he bids 2D and finds an 8-card major suit fit.  Does he tend to pass out 2x or invite?

You might have to give me a specific hand, but a 12-count with 3-3 in the majors probably isn't enough to invite. With four-card support it probably would be.

One advantage of a Landy-style 2♣ is that with four spades advancer can show an invitational hand at the two level: he bids 2♦, then converts 2♥ to 2♠. If opener bids 2♠ in reply to 2♦, there's a known 9-card fit, so advancer will be happier about raising to the three-level.

Quote

And what is the maximum for this Landy bid?  Do you tend to double with a 15-count (54)(13)?

No, I'd tend to show the majors, but with any more I'd usually double.

[xcurt]

Jlall, on Jan 19 2010, 10:52 PM, said:

That being said, at MP and especially w/w, it is very important to me to compete for the partial, especially with the majors. It is to me a NECESSARY evil to lose accuracy on game bidding in order to be able to fight for the partscore more often at this vulnerability/form of scoring. Missing a game/overbidding to a game is no worse than missing your +110 or -50 save is.

Agree with all of this. Partner knows it's matchpoints also and the value of protecting the plus.

Even thinking about defending 2♠x is crazy. This is a simple hand evaluation problem and has nothing to do with the form of scoring. Curt's law of partial tricks says they have about 4 more spade tricks on play than on defense to hearts. You can't gain by defending, least of all at these colors, bid out.