[Hanoi5]

Red vs White:

♠xx
♥AKxx
♦AJxxx
♣xx

3♣ X Pa ???

[jillybean]

I'm going to start with 4♣

[mgoetze]

I think I will just bid a pragmatic 4♥. It's a slight underbid but I don't think we're likely to miss slam if partner can't make another move.

[mtvesuvius]

mgoetze, on 2010-December-21, 19:31, said:

I think I will just bid a pragmatic 4♥. It's a slight underbid but I don't think we're likely to miss slam if partner can't make another move.

My thoughts exactly... 4♥ for me too.

[nige1]

Hanoi5, on 2010-December-21, 18:28, said:

Red vs White: ♠ xx ♥ AKxx ♦ AJxxx ♣ xx
3♣ X Pa ???

IMO 4♣ = 10, 4♥ = 6.
Agree with jillybean, assuming imps scoring. Closer at matchpoints.
4♣ to offer a choice of games, in the first instance, is a popular modern treatment (rather than an old-fashioned clear-cut slam-try).

[jillybean]

I would bid 4♥ with a weak hand and long hearts, I'm happy to risk the 5 level here.

[mgoetze]

jillybean, on 2010-December-21, 20:26, said:

I would bid 4♥ with a weak hand and long hearts, I'm happy to risk the 5 level here.

When opponents preempt us at (for them) favourable vulnerability, we need to keep our bidding constructive. 4♥ should definitely show some points in this situation.

[campboy]

The advantage of 4♣ is that it keeps a diamond game (or slam) in the picture. 4♥ is likely to be the best MP contract even when 5♦ is the best IMPs contract, though.

[wank]

thinking about anything other than 4♥ is a gross overbid - if you had to play this hand at the 5 level you'd be feeling pretty sick. you are permitted to be above minimum for your call on occasion.

---

this hand's well above partner's minimum for a t/o X and you're going off in top tricks in 5♥. obviously it's a bit contrived, but partner can have less or 5♥/♦ may require finesses/breaks (bad breaks expected) and whatever.

RHO didn't raise clubs so partner's presumably not got a singleton which would make things much better

[ewleongusa]

Hanoi5, on 2010-December-21, 18:28, said:

Red vs White:

♠xx
♥AKxx
♦AJxxx
♣xx

3♣ X Pa ???

All roads start with 4C. You certainly want to be in game somewhere and you don't mind if partner is interested in a slam with a better hand.

Eric Leong

[jillybean]

What did partner have for her double?

[cherdano]

The primary message of 4♣ shouldn't slam interest, but a game force that doesn't yet know which strain we want to play in. In fact, the best explicit definition is probably a "game force with two places to play". This hand is a prototypical example for a 4♣ bid; this will avoid playing a 4-3 heart fit when a 5-4 or 5-5 diamond fit is available.

This probably isn't standard among B/I players, but it would be a good agreement to make with a regular partner.

[jillybean]

cherdano, on 2010-December-24, 09:57, said:

The primary message of 4♣ shouldn't slam interest, but a game force that doesn't yet know which strain we want to play in. In fact, the best explicit definition is probably a "game force with two places to play". This hand is a prototypical example for a 4♣ bid; this will avoid playing a 4-3 heart fit when a 5-4 or 5-5 diamond fit is available.

This probably isn't standard among B/I players, but it would be a good agreement to make with a regular partner.

I like 4♣ as 2 places to play. How then would you show slam interest in this auction?

[han]

Agree with cherdano, 4C is best if discussed with partner.

[Hanoi5]

Partner's hand was posted in another thread with another question. 'Tis probably an advertisement for not doubling with minimums in the direct position:

♠KQTx
♥QJx
♦KQxx
♣xx

The level of 4 (in a red suit) is our limit, so although it would be easy to pass over 4♥, it's a little bit tough to bid 4♦ over 4♣.