[Wackojack]

Scoring: MP

South opens 3♣

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I assume west has to double. So
S W N E
3♣ x p ?

Is their any alternative to 3♠? Would you be afraid of pd passing and missing game? Of course west would then bid 3NT with the hand shown.
Would 4♣ be an OK bid, intending to bid 4♠ after pd bids 4♥?
So
S W N E
3♣ x p 4♣
p 4♥ p 4♠
p ?

Does this convey the message to west that partner has diamonds and spades?
Is east making a slam try at MP? At imps? Should west now bid 6♦ with any scoring? Would you expect to make 6♦ after seeing dummy?

In practice 6♦ makes, provided you make the reasonable play of the ace♦ from hand first and seeing South drop the J♦ you play North for the remaing ♦Q8. You will also make 12 tricks in no trumps for a good score in MP.


Another hand:

Scoring: MP

RHO opens 3♦

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Is there any alternative to bidding 3♠? What message would a bid of 4♦ convey?

Your views would be much appreciated.

[helene_t]

First hand: West could pass, bid 3NT or maybe double but that would be my last choice. If he doubles, East bids 4♠. If he bids only 3♠, West should pass.

Second hand: 4♣ shows clubs and a major. 4♦ would show both majors. The hand may be too weak for 4♣ but 3♠ is not good either with this bad suit so I would bid 4♣.

[pclayton]

I bid 3N on the 1st. Like Helene, double is far down the list behind pass and even 3♥.

East transfers to 4♠. Its conceivable that East continues with 5♦ which West happily raises. I might end up in just 4♠ though, which looks like a better MP spot than 5♦.

On the 2nd, a 4♣ overcall is just....., well clubs, the way I play. Its ♣ + a major over a weak 2♦ opener only. Hopefully pard cooperates with a 4♥ call and I can try 4♠. Maybe LHO raises and pard can make a responsive double. Lots of possibilities.

[hotShot]

First hand i would bid 3N, stopping 3 of 4 suits including solid hold in the pre-empted suit.

The second hand is indeed a problem, but i'd bid the ♣ the suit quality is better and passing 3N shows a very unbalanced hand and deneys stopper in ♦. If partner bids ♥, i still have that ♠ rebid.

[inquiry]

helene_t is 100% right on....

Hand 1 = 3NT, normal NT opening bid, their suit well stopped

Hand 2 = 4C, leaping michaels without the leap, shows clubs and in this case an unknown major.

Ben