[Fluffy]

♠Qxx
♥KJ6x
♦AQJx
♣Q10

1NT-2♥
2♠-3♣
??

3♣= 4+♣ GF at least

[jdonn]

This isn't the hand for it. You have a doubleton in partner's suit that may be good for a ruff or two, and your hearts are not particularly solid. Also the ace of diamonds will not hurt you in spades. I think the hand would have to be more special than this one, maybe Jxx KQTx AQJ KJx or something. It's not perfect but it's good enough I would say.

[Jlall]

Is it imps or MP? At imps I would def bid 3N, not sure about MP. BTW it is important to remember that the auction 3S-3N from here is possible, so it's not like you have to make the final decision all the time.

[jdonn]

Jlall, on Dec 9 2009, 06:22 PM, said:

Is it imps or MP? At imps I would def bid 3N, not sure about MP. BTW it is important to remember that the auction 3S-3N from here is possible, so it's not like you have to make the final decision all the time.

I'm surprised you would bid 3NT. Isn't the fact that you can still get to 3NT over 3♠ a good reason to bid 3♠?

[aguahombre]

jdonn, on Dec 9 2009, 05:39 PM, said:

Jlall, on Dec 9 2009, 06:22 PM, said:

Is it imps or MP? At imps I would def bid 3N, not sure about MP. BTW it is important to remember that the auction 3S-3N from here is possible, so it's not like you have to make the final decision all the time.

I'm surprised you would bid 3NT. Isn't the fact that you can still get to 3NT over 3♠ a good reason to bid 3♠?

yes, and I am not ashamed of this hand and it's black-suit fillers enough to screw up partner's possible slam sequence.

[Jlall]

jdonn, on Dec 9 2009, 07:39 PM, said:

Jlall, on Dec 9 2009, 06:22 PM, said:

Is it imps or MP? At imps I would def bid 3N, not sure about MP. BTW it is important to remember that the auction 3S-3N from here is possible, so it's not like you have to make the final decision all the time.

I'm surprised you would bid 3NT. Isn't the fact that you can still get to 3NT over 3♠ a good reason to bid 3♠?

Yes I meant it as a point that people bid 3N too often on this hand type and should bid 3S more. That being said, this hand looks really 3Ny to me at imps, it seems way more likely that we go down in 4S with 3N making than the other way around. Sure I would prefer KJTx of hearts to KJ6x, but can't have everything.

[jonottawa]

I'd do it at any form of scoring. Being minimum is also a necessary prerequisite, as missing a good slam is much less likely. I consider it very close, and very much wish my ♥6 were like the ♥8 instead, but oh well.

I'm also a fan of bidding stayman with 5 bad major. If I know partner has the same tendency, I'd be more inclined to show the fit.

[jdeegan]

3♠
I'm just a puppet on a string in this auction. Who knows what pard is up to? If he were a passed hand, it would be different. Bidding 3NT sounds like I might have clubs, and do not have spades.

[benlessard]

For me 3C by an unpassed hand is at least a bit slammish, i dont see why i would bid 3C with a GF minimum 55 in the black just for the unlikely case where 5C or 4S in 5-2 fit is better than 3Nt. So im not really afraid of going down in 4S, so i bid 3S, sure we have wasted values but its not catastrophic.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

3NT.

what is the difference between the last two points in the poll? I voted for the last.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Fluffy]

they were suposed to mean something like never, almost never, seldom and often.


Partner had today

♠K10xxx
♥Q10x
♦-
♣K8xxx

both 4♠ and 3NT were down with ♠J,♦K and ♣J all wrong, at 3NT guessing ♠J doubleton would bring you home maybe.

I played 4♠ and LHO led a heart from 4 small making partner to ruff quickly for 1 down.

♦A wasn't so useful at 4♠ josh

[Fluffy]

jdeegan, on Dec 10 2009, 05:34 AM, said:

Bidding 3NT sounds like I might have clubs, and do not have spades.

3NT sounds more like I don't have any of them, you have 3♦ and 3♥ to normally show club support.

[aguahombre]

Fluffy, where is the hand partner had on the auction? I see what he laid down as dummy. He still had one more chance to take another unilateral position and pass 3S.

[gwnn]

I agree with the way he bid it. If he transfers and bids 2NT, he is bidding the same way he'd do with KTxxx Qxx Kxx xx

I boisterously protest to the idea of passing 3♠!! Now partner could have AQx Axxx xxx AQx and we are getting 230! Surely if you didn't think this hand isn't worth a GF, at least now, when partner is known to hold 3 card support, you'd have better feelings about game?

[billw55]

"whenever you feel it right" is the answer to all polls

[mcphee]

3C is a search for the best game, or more. I have S support so I feel I should tell that. Why should I get involved to making some advanced decision? These H I have are not so awesome that 3N will have a better play than 4S on a H lead and S requiring development.

BTW I find Justins response that bidding 3N at imps and S and pairs a big position. I just think this is a bit against the grain as S is the likely spot at the other table. I'd have to take the charge if 4S made and 3NT failed. Not to say that it couldn't go the other way and you brought imps in.

I would certainly not rag on partner for forcing to game with this.

[Vilgan]

Being in game is fine. Partner bidding like that... not so much. Definitely one of those "okay that's nice partner, now please lay down the hand that you had in the bidding" moments

While bidding 3NT would have worked better in this instance, that is due to partner's bad bidding... not with our choice to answer partner's question.

Also very bad practice imo because if opener LOVES the club rebid he should be free to drive to slam. 6♣ down 1 sucks too.

[suokko]

Wat is the problem in CoG bids? In my option opener is never allowed to drive past game if responder shows side suit here. It is mean to be cooperative auction and responder having chance to look for 5m as better contract than alternatives.

[pooltuna]

mcphee, on Dec 10 2009, 08:45 AM, said:

3C is a search for the best game, or more. I have S support so I feel I should tell that. Why should I get involved to making some advanced decision? These H I have are not so awesome that 3N will have a better play than 4S on a H lead and S requiring development.

BTW I find Justins response that bidding 3N at imps and S and pairs a big position. I just think this is a bit against the grain as S is the likely spot at the other table. I'd have to take the charge if 4S made and 3NT failed. Not to say that it couldn't go the other way and you brought imps in.

I would certainly not rag on partner for forcing to game with this.

not answering feels like a violation of the captaincy principle as applied to 1NT

[jonottawa]

Partner's bidding is normal, anything else is gross. A lot of result merchants in here.

Let me play 3NT, thanks.