[jillybean]

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Playing Open Pairs, with a partner who is playing their first Open Tournament.
We had a great first session, coming 4th in our section with 54%.

This rather nondescript board turned into a good board for us, what is your bid?

[eagles123]

3H

[nige1]

JillyBean 'Playing Open Pairs, with a partner who is playing their first Open Tournament. We had a great first session, coming 4th in our section with 54%. This rather nondescript board turned into a good board for us, what is your bid?'
+++++++++++++++++
I rank
1. 3♥ = NAT
2. Pass = NAT.

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[nullve]

The most likely shapes around the table seem to be

West: 4243 (the raise to 3♦ suggests 4+ D)
South: 2623 (didn't double 2♦ (support? takeout?), so presumably < 3 S)
East: 3352 (might have done something else (X? 1N? 2♣?) with only 4 D or as many as 4 Ss (X (if PEN)? 1N?)

If these are the true shapes, or close enough, then there are 17 total trumps and therefore 17 total tricks if LoTT holds. I see no compelling reason why it shouldn't, so assuming tricks are divided fairly evenly between the two sides (as suggested by the distribution of hcp), it seems that our side should compete to 3♥.

If partner really is 2623, then I don't see how our side can get to 3♥ unless I bid 3♥ now. So I'll bid 3♥.

[Cyberyeti]

nige1, on 2021-April-25, 04:42, said:

JillyBean 'Playing Open Pairs, with a partner who is playing their first Open Tournament. We had a great first session, coming 4th in our section with 54%. This rather nondescript board turned into a good board for us, what is your bid?'
+++++++++++++++++
I rank
1. 3♥ = NAT
2. Pass = NAT.

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What does X mean ?

To me it says not enough to redouble, a club holding and 2 hearts, prepared for anything partner may do including pass which seems to be what I have.

[Winstonm]

In this highly competitive auction partner doesn't have to hold much more than a bunch of hearts for the 2H bid so Kx is plenty of support; however, my outside soft values argue for pass. But this is a bidder's game so 3H.

[apollo1201]

My Kx H are good news, the rest of my hand probably not so (more defensive honors than offensive, even the doubleton might no be useful, facing partner’s doubleton).

HCPs are probably close to evenly split between us and them, I have 9, partner 11-13 or so (the 2H bid just said « I have a 6th H, in a decent suit » but didn’t show additional strength) and E´s first bid shower the upper part of the minimal range, 5-7 maybe.

3H is clearly our limit and would be an obvious call at green. I doubt opps will compete to 4D, but if I know it is in the pair’s style to save 50/100 against 140...on the contrary, agains a trigger happy pair, we could be conceding a magic 200.

I guess I’m bidding 3H just in case it makes or we go undoubled, but if you got a goood board it is probably because you let them play 3D for an unlikely 130 when every one else was -200/500.

[jillybean]

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3♦-1, while other N/S are playing in 3♥ -200/300

[LBengtsson]

jillybean, on 2021-April-25, 12:20, said:

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3♦-1, while other N/S are playing in 3♥ -200/300

I would open 2♥ here opposite a passed partner at red/green, not 1♥ that makes it easy for ops to compete

[jillybean]

LBengtsson, on 2021-April-25, 12:36, said:

I would open 2♥ here opposite a passed partner at red/green, not 1♥ that makes it easy for ops to compete

Agree

[AL78]

Bridge might be a bidders game, but there is such a thing as taking things too far. I can see why West doubled but why then raise to 3♦ on an eight loser weak NT hand with crappy shape? I think South should open a weak 2♥ in third seat.

[Winstonm]

I’m fine with my 3h bid, Sometimes things don’t work out, I think 2H opening is better

[Zelandakh]

Cyberyeti, on 2021-April-25, 06:08, said:

What does X mean ?

It is a DSIP Double, surely?

[Cyberyeti]

Zelandakh, on 2021-April-26, 11:35, said:

It is a DSIP Double, surely?

This was more or less what I thought, I wouldn't have started from where the OP did though, I tend to treat the X as a 4 card spade overcall so don't feel the need to bid 1♠, pass or 1N would come above 1♠ on my list.

[Winstonm]

I think it is too late to ask partner to “do something intelligent” after failing to open 2H and a closer look at the freely bid 2H on a suit headed by QJ7

[jillybean]

Winstonm, on 2021-April-26, 13:53, said:

I think it is too late to ask partner to “do something intelligent” after failing to open 2H and a closer look at the freely bid 2H on a suit headed by QJ7

Take it easy, this player is straight out of school, learning to play bridge ACOL style.