[jschafer]

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Just checking if I'm crazy or not ^^

[ArtK78]

Don't have enough information to answer your question.

Now, about the hand.

2♦ is right on values and shape, but I don't really want to emphasize a suit of 10xxxx. If partner has a minimum (or sub-minimum) opening, he may pass 2♦ on a small doubleton or, in a pinch, a singleton. Do you really want to play a seven-card fit at the two level on a 10 high fit?

1NT is a better response to 1♥. If partner passes 1NT (assuming that you do not play it 100% forcing by a passed hand) you are probably in the right spot.

Having said that, one is now faced with what to do over 3♥. I think that 4♥ is the percentage call. 3NT has two potential weak points - both minor suits. If partner's hearts do not run, you may not have 9 tricks without giving up the lead once or twice. Besides, it is very embarrassing to lose 4 or 5 tricks in a suit that you bid as a 2/1 response.

I don't like the idea of raising spades. Partner's spades could be forced with diamond leads.

So, I bid 4♥.

[rduran1216]

3S is clear IMO. Partner will be able to figure this out and decide which game his holding is suitable for.

[ArtK78]

 rduran1216, on 2011-July-13, 12:56, said:

3S is clear IMO. Partner will be able to figure this out and decide which game his holding is suitable for.

How does partner know that you have the singleton ♥J as opposed to a void in hearts? The ♥J is a significant card.

Besides, as I already stated, the 4-3 is not likely to be right given that partner could be forced by diamond leads.

[Phil]

I have a great hand - everything is working overtime here. I would like a doubleton heart of course.

3♠ could be misconstrued as looking for a 4-3, or possibly letting partner retreat to 3N.

4♣ is unambiguous and agrees hearts.

[andy_h]

I would have bid 1NT over 1H - although it's true that we are somewhat protected by our passed hand status I still wouldn't want to introduce a 10-high five card suit.

Assume you play some sort of drury (or a way of showing 3-card raise on the first round) I will now bid 4C a cue setting hearts which typically may show a singleton honour or a doubleton (some doubletons may be able to bid 3H over 2S). We have very good cards for partner although I am somewhat afraid partner may over/under value their diamond holding (maybe partner will like their Qx or maybe dislike a singleton).

[gszes]

agree with artk78

after 1h u have to worry about potential misfit and
be a bit conservative. Save the 2d bids for hands with
at least halfway decent diamonds. The other BIG downside
of 2d is potentially losing a large club fit. It is
very unlikely you have a game if p cannot bid over 1n
(since i dont know system doing best i can).

If we assume the bidding proceeds in a simlar fashion

1h 1n
2s 2n
3h

Your hand is golden for suit contract and p knows you
have a maximum xx hearts yet still bid 3h. The heart J
is easily as good a xx and your KQ spades and side ace
are much more than p might expect go for game. 3S while
a decent bid on values leaves p with illusion you might
be void certainly at most 1 small heart and odds are
mighty thin p has 5 spades.

[rduran1216]

 ArtK78, on 2011-July-13, 13:05, said:

How does partner know that you have the singleton ♥J as opposed to a void in hearts? The ♥J is a significant card.

Besides, as I already stated, the 4-3 is not likely to be right given that partner could be forced by diamond leads.

If I was void in hearts, I dont think id entertain the possibility of playing 3NT, and may just blast 4S. I wouldn't mind playing this hand in NT, spades, or hearts depending on partner's hand.

I can see the argument that this hand will work great if partner has solid hearts, but can't partner have

AJxx KQxxxx A Qx

I have a great hand for hearts I acknowledge that, but I may not want to be past 4H, which is what 4C almost surely guarentees.

[han]

I would bid 3S. Agree that 2D was not good, especially with a passed hand one should try to make descriptive calls.

[jschafer]

Thanks for the responses! I also agree about the comments on the 2♦ bid, it was a bidding problem I was given after the 2 bid was already made.

[ArtK78]

 rduran1216, on 2011-July-13, 22:34, said:

If I was void in hearts, I dont think id entertain the possibility of playing 3NT, and may just blast 4S. I wouldn't mind playing this hand in NT, spades, or hearts depending on partner's hand.

I can see the argument that this hand will work great if partner has solid hearts, but can't partner have

AJxx KQxxxx A Qx

I have a great hand for hearts I acknowledge that, but I may not want to be past 4H, which is what 4C almost surely guarentees.

Where do you want to play if partner has the hand you suggest? 6♠? If your answer is 4♠, I suggest that 4♥ is just as good and may be better.

[Phil]

 rduran1216, on 2011-July-13, 22:34, said:

If I was void in hearts, I dont think id entertain the possibility of playing 3NT, and may just blast 4S. I wouldn't mind playing this hand in NT, spades, or hearts depending on partner's hand.

I can see the argument that this hand will work great if partner has solid hearts, but can't partner have

AJxx KQxxxx A Qx

I have a great hand for hearts I acknowledge that, but I may not want to be past 4H, which is what 4C almost surely guarentees.

Considering its very difficult to construct a passed hand without a primary fit that makes a slam opposite this, I think advancing past 4♥ would be very bad.

Examples like this do underscore how good hearts play, and how lousy spades play.

[whereagles]

Why is everybody nuts about slam here? I'll just bid 3♥ here and hope pard can make 4 of those

By the way, hearts should play safer than the moysian spade fit and that's why I prefer 3♥ to 3♠.

[MrAce]

I'd bid 4♥