[ahydra]

IMPs, weak opps, nobody vul

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Honestly, bidding over pre-empts is one of the weakest areas of my game right now. Do I have enough to move here?

ahydra

[mgoetze]

Well, the good news is partner is almost certainly short enough in spades to be able to balance if he has 10+ points, so I think this is, just barely, a pass. Switch the spades and diamonds and it becomes an automatic double.

[Jinksy]

I would normally pass when in doubt with three cards in their suit. Here I think my hearts are just good enough along with my two bullets to stir me to overcall, but I'll be ready to take the blame if it goes horribly wrong.

[wank]

4h. this is plenty to bid. you could pass 3s out and be cold for 6 hearts.

as for this stuff about 3 cards in opps' suit, a little context is in order. yes 3 cards in rho's suit is bad normally but not here. atx is a good holding. if lho has one to lead, it means partner is almost certainly ruffing at least 1 of your losers and you've got the 10 which can easily be a trick.

[cherdano]

wank, on 2015-September-03, 13:07, said:

as for this stuff about 3 cards in opps' suit, a little context is in order. yes 3 cards in rho's suit is bad normally but not here. atx is a good holding. if lho has one to lead, it means partner is almost certainly ruffing at least 1 of your losers and you've got the 10 which can easily be a trick.

Also, it is a useful holding to reduce the dangers of a force if they lead a spade and we are in a 5-2 fit.

[neilkaz]

Wish this was a poll. Anyhow, I'll chance 4♥.

[ggwhiz]

Glass 1/2 full, 4♥ (I would), glass 1/2 empty, pass.

Pre-empts work so don't sweat it but stay consistent so your partner has a clue.

[gszes]

while we do not have many hearts the quality is pretty good. On average we will probably make 4h or be very close and the good hearts make it tough for lho to find a penalty x (which is our main concern). That means most of the risk is minimized and there is still a decent amount of reward available for bidding.

[BillPatch]

With our 3 quick tricks and a potential ruffing trick we have defender's book in our hand, and if partner has a trick it will set the contract. So, passing is likely to lead to our surest plus, usually defending, but if partner can act, game is likely our way. If partner does not have a trick, it would have been a good idea to have stayed out of the auction.

[rmnka447]

4 ♥ for me, also.

The preempt has made it difficult. Anything action could be right or wrong. Although there aren't lots of points, there are some good ones. The ♥ suit is reasonably good. ♠ A looks like you'll be able to get in and play trumps to limit ruffs. The hand is a 6 loser hand by LTC.

If partner has one useful card, it looks like maybe -300 at worst for 4 ♥x vs. -140 for 3 ♠. In the extreme, it might be worse, but 4 ♥ looks like a reasonable risk.

[BillPatch]

If it might be worse, then -300 by definition is not the worst. I admit 4♥ is tempting, even if the best possible reward appears to be an NV game.

[WesleyC]

If I ever got to make a BOLS bridge tip (maybe BOLS for idiots) it would be: "When considering a marginal high level action, stretch to act with shortness and/or lots of aces". So with 2 Aces and a chunky suit i'd happily bid 4H here.

But make the hand [Kxx KQJxx x KQxx] and pass would be auto.