[mck4711]

all vul, IMP, LHO dealer, 5-card-major with p

xxxx
K
KQ9x
Jxxx

p - 1S - X - 2D
p - 2S - 3C - 3S
ppp

After the game p said that I should have bid 4S. IMO 2D and 3S describe my hand quite ok, considering that RHO is interfering. 4S would be gamble.
What is your opinion?

P had AKQ9x, xxx, A8x, xx

[Zelandakh]

I would have responded 2NT since it is usually best to show 4 card support as early as possible in such auctions. The actual opening hand has a clear acceptance of any invite in spades.

[whereagles]

The auction seems ok. Pard is resulting.

[billw55]

 mck4711, on 2011-July-26, 02:48, said:

IMO 2D and 3S describe my hand quite ok, considering that RHO is interfering.

 whereagles, on 2011-July-26, 05:10, said:

The auction seems ok.

Disagree with both. 2♦ followed by 3♠ suggests a holding of only two spades, or sometimes three. With four trumps and a singleton I think it is top priority to raise spades immediately, by whatever method you have agreed on. Knowing immediately that there is good trump support, partner is more able to accurately evaluate his hand, and make good decisions in this competitive auction. What if LHO bid 4♥ or 5♣ over 2♦? Partner will be much better off if he already knows about the spade fit.

Of course this does not guarantee that you will reach game on these cards. But it helps.

[Hanoi5]

It depends on agreements as like the others have mentioned you should support spades and show your strength very soon, specially after a double. If you don't have a structure to support after the double and were actually showing a delayed support for the Major (opening+ values and support) then your partner should have gotten to game. Actually if you were showing diamonds and support for spades with a 11-12 hand your partner should have gotten to game himself (he has the ♦A a great card given your sequence!).

[daveharty]

I think this hand is right on the border between a mixed raise and a limit raise. Vulnerable at IMPs I would probably stretch and call it a limit raise; therefore I agree with Zelandakh's choice of 2NT (assuming you play that this shows a limit raise in spades). Also, strongly disagree with your partner's contention that you should have bid 4S immediately; that should show another spade and fewer high cards.

[whereagles]

 billw55, on 2011-July-26, 06:11, said:

1. 2♦ followed by 3♠ suggests a holding of only two spades, or sometimes three.

2. With four trumps and a singleton I think it is top priority to raise spades immediately, by whatever method you have agreed on.

1. Care to explain why you're voluntarily raising pard's possible 5-card suit on 2 cards? Yes, 2♠ doesn't show 6 cards all of the time.

2. Agree. However, the opening poster didn't say whether he as playing 3♦ as fit bid. So the actual auction seems an ok alternative to me.

[billw55]

 whereagles, on 2011-July-26, 10:07, said:

1. Care to explain why you're voluntarily raising pard's possible 5-card suit on 2 cards? Yes, 2♠ doesn't show 6 cards all of the time.

2. Agree. However, the opening poster didn't say whether he as playing 3♦ as fit bid. So the actual auction seems an ok alternative to me.

I suppose so. Without agreements I guess you have to make do.

Another note, with opener's actual hand, I think his rebid over 2♦ should be 3♦, not 2♠.

[dake50]

Partner has solid spades
AND A-3rd in my suit and not bidding 4S??
I could not have described this hand to invite
4S any which-way that he would accept.