[andy_h]

Scoring: IMP

---

We are favourable and playing 2/1 with a top player. Our partner, who is dealer opens 1D. RHO overcalls 1S and we bid 2H. Partner bids 3D over this, in which we bid 3S agree? Partner now bids the expected 3NT.

So:
1D---(1S)--2H--(p)
3D---(p)---3S---(p)
3NT--(p)---__


How far are you willing to go? Would 4D be your next move?

[jdonn]

I would bid 4♦ last round, forcing for me since I play partner's 3♦ not forcing. Seems like he would need nothing but second round spade control and KQxxxx of diamonds for slam. True they might lead a club then, but I'm oversimplifying and anyway he will have more than that. 3♠ really only makes sense if you intend to pass 3NT I think.

[helene_t]

I chicken out. In 6♦ we would probably have to ruff out the hearts for spade discards. I see a couple of problems with this. Maybe we have a trump loser plus a spade loser. Maybe opps will remove the ♣A as entry to the hearts.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I would pass.

You did ask about a stopper,
partner showed one.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[skjaeran]

jdonn, on Feb 3 2008, 07:35 PM, said:

I would bid 4♦ last round, forcing for me since I play partner's 3♦ not forcing. Seems like he would need nothing but second round spade control and KQxxxx of diamonds for slam. True they might lead a club then, but I'm oversimplifying and anyway he will have more than that. 3♠ really only makes sense if you intend to pass 3NT I think.

Agree.

[andy_h]

Thanks. I would move on definitely for sure, and via 4♦ directly or 3♠ then remove 3NT to 4♦ I'm not sure. Would the latter be more strong-hearts orientated? Not too sure at the time if 3♥ over 3♦ is forcing or not.

Anyway, it wasn't me who was playing this hand, but the partner is Ishmael. The full deal is:

Scoring: IMP

---

Now, I know 3rd seat openings can be light etc etc but I heard Ish say something about when at 1st seat favourable, that hand is a clear opening, so he favours 1st seat FAV light openings. For me, I think it's a pass. What's your opinion on this?

Just to complete it, the rest of their auction was
1D---(1S)--2H--(p)
3D---(p)---3S---(p)
3NT--(p)---4D---(p)
4S---(p)---4NT--(p) etc then 6D

Heard Ish say something about he thought he was obliged to cue 4S even with a minimum hand, since that spade control might've been what partner wants to hear for a slam.

[Gerben42]

Ish Del'Monte?

For me it's a bit good for a W2 in ♦ so either Pass or 3♦. 1♦ wouldn't occur to me but if your partner was who I think he was he plays much better than I do.

Fine if you agree on light openings 1st seat favourable, but must let partner in on the secret

[andy_h]

Gerben42, on Feb 7 2008, 04:41 AM, said:

Ish Del'Monte?

yeap

[the hog]

If Ish opened this 1D then he was kidding around. His ex partner, Fruewirth, and a better player than Ish, would have left Ish singing in a soprano voice had he opened this in first position.

[Cascade]

The_Hog, on Feb 8 2008, 05:30 PM, said:

If Ish opened this 1D then he was kidding around. His ex partner, Fruewirth, and a better player than Ish, would have left Ish singing in a soprano voice had he opened this in first position.

I am not so sure about your conclusion about Ishmael kidding around. I recall watching him on vugraph opening some light 5/5 minor hand and the commentator saying something like "it used to be that an opening hand opposite an opening hand and you had game with openings like this you might have 1NT"

[andy_h]

The_Hog, on Feb 7 2008, 11:30 PM, said:

If Ish opened this 1D then he was kidding around. His ex partner, Fruewirth, and a better player than Ish, would have left Ish singing in a soprano voice had he opened this in first position.

If Ish was kidding then I wouldn't have asked He was going off at Gosney for pulling 3NT and investigating slam.

[the hog]

andy_h, on Feb 8 2008, 04:30 PM, said:

The_Hog, on Feb 7 2008, 11:30 PM, said:

If Ish opened this 1D then he was kidding around. His ex partner, Fruewirth, and a better player than Ish, would have left Ish singing in a soprano voice had he opened this in first position.

If Ish was kidding then I wouldn't have asked He was going off at Gosney for pulling 3NT and investigating slam.

Well Andy(Hung?), then he's started taking noxious substances. Gosney has a clear slam try imo. (Pity Fruewirth doesn't play anymore btw.)

[jdonn]

andy_h, on Feb 8 2008, 04:30 AM, said:

The_Hog, on Feb 7 2008, 11:30 PM, said:

If Ish opened this 1D then he was kidding around. His ex partner, Fruewirth, and a better player than Ish, would have left Ish singing in a soprano voice had he opened this in first position.

If Ish was kidding then I wouldn't have asked He was going off at Gosney for pulling 3NT and investigating slam.

He would rather play 3NT and go down 4 if the diamond finesse fails?

[655321]

jdonn, on Feb 8 2008, 09:23 PM, said:

He would rather play 3NT and go down 4 if the diamond finesse fails?

Not commenting on the auction, but wouldn't you rather play 3NT with a chance, than 6♦ with no chance at all, on any distribution?

[jdonn]

655321, on Feb 8 2008, 09:30 PM, said:

jdonn, on Feb 8 2008, 09:23 PM, said:

He would rather play 3NT and go down 4 if the diamond finesse fails?

Not commenting on the auction, but wouldn't you rather play 3NT with a chance, than 6♦ with no chance at all, on any distribution?

I would rather not tell my partner to pass me in a stupid contract, and realize that if every other contract was also stupid it might be my fault.

[Edmunte1]

Let's consider this position a little more.

a ) Let's consider East had Axx --- KQJxxx Jxxx, a clear 1♦ opening, and still slam has no chances, or
b ) Axx x KQJxxx xxx and those pesky opps leads ♣ or
c ) Axx x KQ10xxx Jxx and the salm is pretty bad or
d )Axx x KQJ10xx xxx and the slam is good on a non club lead

Just commenting on the hand East really held, avoids the problem. I wish just to point out 2 ideas with my examples:

1)West hand is not as good as it looks, mainly due to the lack of third trump (just add one more trump in all my examples and the chances for slam will improve consistently). So a direct 4♦ should imply a 3 card fit, and 3♠ and further moving with 4♦ only Hx

2) Passing 3NT is too shy, on many layouts slam is on. After 4♠, maybe 5♣ should suggest this type of hand.