[popovitsj]

You are West and hold:

♠A9 ♥AKJ9 ♦Axxxx ♣ xx

South opens a weak 2♦ (6-10 HP with a solid 6 card suit)

What do you bid?

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

Depends partially on methods, but 5D is certainly a practical bid, at least
playing IMPs.

I usually dont play methods, to find out, if he has a club stopper , and
the method needs also makes sure, that p plays 3NT.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[gwnn]

5♦ for me.

pass

This post has been edited by gwnn: 2011-June-30, 05:39

[gordontd]

Seems like no-one's reading the original post: RHO opened 2♦.

I guess the choice is between bidding 2NT, or passing (in tempo).

[gwnn]

Oops.

Then I pass sorry OP.

[semeai]

I'm a 2NT bidder, but I can understand those who pass.

[pooltuna]

As often is the case OP did not provide the game or the colors. Nevertheless partner holds at a minimum 11 non ♦ cards so he may have 6♠ or 4♥ and 2NT is the best way to possibly get to game. While passing looks for a maximum 3 trick set assuming the xes with the ♦A represent the 2,3,4,$,5. The 9♦ is not just a spot card with this holding. The 8 becomes relevant if partner's singleton is higher than the 9.

[han]

I humbly think that 2NT is terrible. If I wasn't allowed to pass I'd bid 2H.

[semeai]

han, on 2011-June-30, 08:50, said:

I humbly think that 2NT is terrible. If I wasn't allowed to pass I'd bid 2H.

2H is a nice idea.

My thinking with 2NT is that (6)7-9 point hands (with short diamonds) are most likely for partner, and that these won't tend to reopen. They'll do well after 2NT usually, getting to a good game often I'd think. Of course they would do well in 2D doubled (how well would depend on our diamond spots), but I'm not sure we'll get to play that often enough, especially given that when partner reopens it will often enough be with 2S.

Possibly my calibration on when to reopen after 2D-P-P is off. To get at this:

A) KJxx Qxxx x Hxxx
B) KJxx Qxx x Hxxxx
C) KJxxx Qxx x Hxxx
D) KJxxxx Qxx x Hxx

2D-P-P-?

What's the lowest value of H for which you would act with A,B,C,D? If I get to choose the conditions, how about both vul at imps?

If this would be better in a new thread, tell me.

[ggwhiz]

han, on 2011-June-30, 08:50, said:

I humbly think that 2NT is terrible. If I wasn't allowed to pass I'd bid 2H.

I agree and Mike Lawrence wrote some really good stuff on when to make such a bid. Along the lines of "partner has a lot of cards that are not ♦". Not without risk but the advice has served me well.

[han]

semeai, on 2011-June-30, 11:45, said:

2H is a nice idea.

My thinking with 2NT is that (6)7-9 point hands (with short diamonds) are most likely for partner, and that these won't tend to reopen. They'll do well after 2NT usually, getting to a good game often I'd think.

Only if you find a major suit fit, 3NT is very unlikely to be a good contract.

[cherdano]

The only thing I find stranger than bidding 2NT is bidding 2NT without asking about the diamond stops. I mean, even the ♦7 could be a second stopper, and ♦8 would likely be one.

[helene_t]

Pass, while 16 is enough for 2NT, we have very little trick taking potential.

[semeai]

cherdano, on 2011-July-01, 07:17, said:

The only thing I find stranger than bidding 2NT is bidding 2NT without asking about the diamond stops. I mean, even the ♦7 could be a second stopper, and ♦8 would likely be one.

I decided I'd do it without one, so I didn't ask.

NT can play reasonably when RHO has no outside entries, which will happen some percentage of the time.

I didn't think of 2H, though, which is probably a better bid. My reasoning on bidding instead of passing as above is still the same if my reopening calibration is right, but perhaps it isn't.

[mgoetze]

popovitsj, on 2011-June-30, 04:46, said:

You are West and hold:

♠A9 ♥AKJ9 ♦Axxxx ♣ xx

South opens a weak 2♦ (6-10 HP with a solid 6 card suit)

So presumably South has clubs? But how can you have a solid suit with only 6 HCP?

[pooltuna]

mgoetze, on 2011-July-02, 20:04, said:

So presumably South has clubs? But how can you have a solid suit with only 6 HCP?

♦KQJT98 looks pretty solid to me

[Gerben42]

I think it is clear to bid 2NT. Partner will pass with many hands that might make a game, for example 8-9 HCP and 4414.

[chasetb]

Gerben42, on 2011-July-03, 07:53, said:

I think it is clear to bid 2NT. Partner will pass with many hands that might make a game, for example 8-9 HCP and 4414.

My partners will balance with that example. If we have any chance of game, I would expect partner to balance, so I pass without hesitation.