[jillybean]

MP, both vulnerable

A4, AK832, T964, 64

(1♦) P (3♦*) P
(P)   X (P)  ?

*3♦ is preemptive

[mikestar13]

I try 4♥--partner should not have a minimum to reopen at this level but he need not have a powerhouse. This is a clear "bid what you think you can make" situation.

[Siegmund]

We know from the bidding partner has a singleton or void in diamonds, but he didn't double the first time. Seems like he's in a 7-9ish range.

That said, we have only four possible non-diamond losers, and it seems nearly impossible for partner to not have two working face cards... so I am bidding game. I hope they don't lead trumps.

[the hog]

Try 4H. Would not be surprised if 3 was the limit.

[Fluffy]

I cannot think of otehr bid than 4♥ won't redouble it but it is close

[hrothgar]

I think 4 is clear...

Partner has at most a stiff Heart.
We're playing with a 30 HCP deck. We have at least 2/3rds of those points and rate to have a 9 card trump fit.

Moreover, this rates to be a great hand for a dummy reversal. I should be able to cash 4 long trump in partner's hand and score a fair number of Diamond ruffs in my own.

[pooltuna]

jillybean, on 2010-November-05, 17:23, said:

MP, both vulnerable

A4, AK832, T964, 64

(1♦) P (3♦*) P
(P)   X (P)  ?

*3♦ is preemptive

Well I think 4♥ is clear at IMPS not sure that a plus score is enough at MP

[Gerben42]

Partner probably has a hand very suitable for a TO yet he didn't bid before. Must be because he's rather weak, maybe:

---

Opposite this hand 4♥ has a decent chance so I bid that.

[bucky]

mikestar13, on 2010-November-05, 18:09, said:

I try 4♥--partner should not have a minimum to reopen at this level but he need not have a powerhouse. This is a clear "bid what you think you can make" situation.

Partner not only "need not have a powerhouse", he certain does not, and actually he should have less than minimum takeout at 1-level. Still, with 5 hearts, good controls, no wasted value in diamonds, I bid what's in front of me: 4♥

[nige1]

jillybean, on 2010-November-05, 17:23, said:

MP, both vulnerable A4, AK832, T964, 64
(1♦) _P (3♦) _P
(_P) _X (_P) ??
3♦ is preemptive

IMO 4♥ = 10, _P = 7, 3♥ = 5.
Pass is brave (or foolhardy) but at MP, partner won't have a pair of team-mates to help him garrotte you when it goes wrong

[mikeh]

This is a good example hand for the concept of 'working points'. We have, between us, far fewer than the 'points' normally 'needed' or suggested for game, but everything we have is working! We rate to catch a dummy in which every single hcp is pulling its weight, as are ours. When you have everything working, then it is important to be aggressive...to upgrade.

4♥ rates to be easy to make.

One minor concern....if partner has a stiff diamond, west will probably have 4 trump....he rates to hold only 3 diamonds, and therefore will usually be 4=4=3=2, which rates to be problematic for us. However, we are not down yet (although his normal trump lead will likely spell disaster for us).

But bridge is not a game for pessimists, even at mps...where it pays to be less aggressive than at imps.

[nigel_k]

There aren't too many hands that can double 3♦ vulnerable after passing 1♦, even in a balancing situation. With Gerben's example I would definitely double 1♦. I wonder if partner has an offshape hand, e.g. KQxx xx x KJxxxx. In that case 3♥ is definitely enough.

[mikeh]

nigel_k, on 2010-November-07, 12:57, said:

There aren't too many hands that can double 3♦ vulnerable after passing 1♦, even in a balancing situation. With Gerben's example I would definitely double 1♦. I wonder if partner has an offshape hand, e.g. KQxx xx x KJxxxx. In that case 3♥ is definitely enough.

I would love to be present at your post-mortem after you bid 3♥ and he lays down Kxxx Qxxx void Kxxxx....plus 200 or so, and you defend your action by suggesting it made sense to play him for KQxx xx x KJxxxx. Sorry, but this has to be an lol.

When partner makes a call that according to basic bridge principles suggests a certain hand type, we have to be completely batshit crazy to start picturing and acting on hands that don't come within a country mile of that hand-type.

And, imagine holding that hand....isn't partner's most probable shape 3=5=3=2? And you want to force him to bid (only) 3♥ and then you do what?

[luke warm]

probably wrong here, but i bid only 3♥, expecting offside 4/1 break and a trump lead... it is MPs

[FrancesHinden]

A good general rule is not to bid game on this auction, but here we have such an exceptional hand that it's worth 4H.
Last time I had this auction, partner had Axxxx Q109x - xxxx. That seems to be making game fairly comfortably.

[han]

I hope my partner will overcall 1S on the hand that Frances just presented. And I don't have any love for her general rule.

I do agree with 4H and her general expectations of what partner will table.