[hanp]

Qxx
Qxx
AKQJx
Kx

(3C) - p - p - ??

All vulnerable, IMPs.

[pooltuna]

hanp, on Feb 21 2010, 07:42 AM, said:

Qxx
Qxx
AKQJx
Kx

(3C) - p - p - ??

All vulnerable, IMPs.

While technically correct (based on HCP), 3NT does not have a feel that it will play very well at all. It feels like RHO will get into the lead fairly easily in one of the majors and fire a ♣ thru and we end up making our too regular handbasket trip. I just see too many bad possibilities and not enough tricks so I will settle for either 3♦ or X with a preference for X.

[mcphee]

3N, they made me choose, now they choose a lead.I have gone down before and they have not always found the best lead before. What will you bid when partner bids 3 of a major if you double? After all you have a lot in this position for a balancing dble which could be made on 10 or so.

[Hanoi5]

3NT though I'm asking for a lot from my partner.

[Fluffy]

they dont need to find a killing lead to beat 3NT, ♣Q might be worth down 1 with partner producing 2 aces!

However it is hard to see many hands that will make 4M and not 3NT on a club lead (given that 3NT rightsides and 4M doesnt), so althou double was my initial reaction, I am dropping it now.

pass is just too pessimistic, and 3♦ doesn't make the hand justice.

After picturing partner with a possible ♣Qxx or ♣A 3NT must be the best IMO, I'll bid it preparing to apologice and cash down 2 after the lead.

[pooltuna]

Fluffy, on Feb 21 2010, 09:34 AM, said:

they dont need to find a killing lead to beat 3NT, ♣Q might be worth down 1 with partner producing 2 aces!

However it is hard to see many hands that will make 4M and not 3NT on a club lead (given that 3NT rightsides and 4M doesnt), so althou double was my initial reaction, I am dropping it now.

pass is just too pessimistic, and 3♦ doesn't make the hand justice.

After picturing partner with a possible ♣Qxx or ♣A 3NT must be the best IMO, I'll bid it preparing to apologice and cash down 2 after the lead.

This hand strikes me as a good one for a simul

[MarkDean]

Nasty problem.

I admit I sort of want to pass, but I will double. A decent portion of the time 3NT is making (which I do not think is too often), partner will bid it over double.

[rogerclee]

I don't like pass because we don't have a lot of defense against 3C, so I would expect them to make it pretty often, so we have more incentive to bid than usual.

I don't like 3N because it would not be that uncommon to just go down a few hundred.

So I would double.

[gnasher]

Double, planning to bid 3NT if he bids 3♥ or 3♠. I think that shows the same strength as an immediate 3NT, but with willingness to play in a major.

[nigel_k]

3NT.

Game might not make but I think with this much we have to bid it and hope. The main issue for me is whether to bid 3NT directly or double first then bid 3NT, giving partner a chance to bid four of a major with a suitable hand.

Doubling will usually be right if partner has a stiff club, plus a five card major and enough cards to make four of a major, but not enough to double for takeout initially. If partner has two or three clubs, it takes quite a precise hand for four of a major to beat 3NT, e.g. AKx KJxxx xxx xx and even then we make 3NT if they lead a club or the ace is onside.

It seems to me there are more ways to lose by doubling first. Partner might bid 4♣ over the double with 4-4 in the majors which isn't likely to be good for us. We could also easily be better in 3NT when he has a five card major and they can ruff clubs or there is a bad trump break.

[Jlall]

X but I'm planning to pass 3M, but I agree with gnasher that X then 3N shows a hand willing to play 4M, and I would also add that I think people bid 3N wayyyy too much over 3C when they should be Xing and bidding 3N most of the time.

[hanp]

I doubled, partner bid 3S and I pulled to 3NT. This ran around to RHO who doubled. Should I do something?

[rogerclee]

hanp, on Feb 21 2010, 02:00 PM, said:

I doubled, partner bid 3S and I pulled to 3NT. This ran around to RHO who doubled. Should I do something?

Disagree with 3N, now I guess I would try 4D and hope to pay 100 a trick.

[Ronald_21]

At our table -against a very agressive youth pair- the bidding went 3♣ pass and now the partner of the 3♣-bidder thought for about 20 seconds before passing. Does it make a difference?

(edit: didn't see Han's latest comment before posting)

[rogerclee]

Ronald_21, on Feb 21 2010, 02:07 PM, said:

At our table -against a very agressive youth pair- the bidding went 3♣ pass and now the partner of the 3♣-bidder thought for about 20 seconds before passing. Does it make a difference?

Yes now I would pass out 3C for sure.

[gnasher]

hanp, on Feb 21 2010, 10:00 PM, said:

I doubled, partner bid 3S and I pulled to 3NT. This ran around to RHO who doubled. Should I do something?

Actually, I passed out 3♣. The earlier posting was by somebody else pretending to be me.

[Fluffy]

come on, partner could even have a big hand with 4 clubs still, passing could be right at MPs, but I can't imagine it being right on IMPs on the long run.

At least 3♦ must be better than pass.


Am I running from 3NT?, no, I have "squared balls" (spannish term).

[MarkDean]

hanp, on Feb 21 2010, 02:00 PM, said:

I doubled, partner bid 3S and I pulled to 3NT. This ran around to RHO who doubled. Should I do something?

I cannot fathom anything other than pass once you get here - you have described your hand to partner much more definitely than she has to you - why would you act in front of her now?

[Jlall]

MarkDean, on Feb 21 2010, 11:46 PM, said:

hanp, on Feb 21 2010, 02:00 PM, said:

I doubled, partner bid 3S and I pulled to 3NT. This ran around to RHO who doubled. Should I do something?

I cannot fathom anything other than pass once you get here - you have described your hand to partner much more definitely than she has to you - why would you act in front of her now?

Huh? Because you don't rate to make pretty much ever given that your hand is this weak combined with RHO telling you that he does not think you will make, and you already stretched to make this bid. You haven't "described your hand" you could still have a 24 count, and you could still be 3442 or 3433 etc, so partner has no idea that you have a home, whereas you know you have a 5 solid suit.

Also it is very hard to double 4D without trump tricks imo, they're doubling you into game, so there's a reasonable chance that you will survive, especially if RHO is good and he won't spite double you. It's not like his hand is massive, he couldn't bid over 3C, so it's unlikely he has so much in top tricks that he can light you up.

Partner is never going to run, it's up to you.

[MarkDean]

Jlall, on Feb 22 2010, 01:49 AM, said:

MarkDean, on Feb 21 2010, 11:46 PM, said:

hanp, on Feb 21 2010, 02:00 PM, said:

I doubled, partner bid 3S and I pulled to 3NT. This ran around to RHO who doubled. Should I do something?

I cannot fathom anything other than pass once you get here - you have described your hand to partner much more definitely than she has to you - why would you act in front of her now?

Huh? Because you don't rate to make pretty much ever given that your hand is this weak combined with RHO telling you that he does not think you will make, and you already stretched to make this bid. You haven't "described your hand" you could still have a 24 count, and you could still be 3442 or 3433 etc, so partner has no idea that you have a home, whereas you know you have a 5 solid suit.

Also it is very hard to double 4D without trump tricks imo, they're doubling you into game, so there's a reasonable chance that you will survive, especially if RHO is good and he won't spite double you. It's not like his hand is massive, he couldn't bid over 3C, so it's unlikely he has so much in top tricks that he can light you up.

Partner is never going to run, it's up to you.

yeah, you are right. I was not thinking too clearly when I posted that - I think running is reasonable.