[Fluffy]

---

MPs if it matters.

[Jinksy]

Given that W didn't raise, it seems like N has a few Hs, which means a points-based X. Slam looks in the picture, and I have everything I could want for a 4♥ bid, so put me down for that.

[manudude03]

I don't care if partner has a power double or not, I'm also bidding 4H.

[the hog]

4♠. Partner doubled in the protective seat and I am not going to crucify her. The fact that pd has some hearts does NOT augur well for slam.

[whereagles]

3♠. Pard seems to have a couple hearts, so he probably has extras and won't pass this. Whatever he rebids afterwards, I'll be well positioned:

3NT --> pass
4m --> 4♥
4♥ --> 5NT pick-a-slam
4♠ --> 5♥

I won't bid 4♥ directly because it will make it too difficult for pard to show his hand type.

[nige1]

Fluffy, on 2014-November-30, 17:39, said:

MPs if it matters.

---

4♥ = 10, 3♠ = 7, 4♠ = 6, 4♣ = 5. Even at MPs, it's worth risking getting too high to play in the right strain. The cue-bid is perfectly descriptive and stands out. If you bid anything else and miss a slam, it's your fault.

Bidding the previous round seems brave but Mr Ace or Phantomsac might persuade us otherwise.

[MrAce]

4♥

[wank]

not bidding 4h here is a firing offence.

aside from willfully neglecting to describe your hand, 4s is an attempt to play a 4-3 fit with the long hand with the top trumps getting tapped. try getting to the right slam after 4s when partner's got a 2245 26 count now too.

[WesleyC]

I play that 4H shows a shapely G/F with 4 spades and a longer minor OR ANY slam try with heart control. That makes it the obvious choice here.

I'm plan to pass 4S and bid slam over most other continuations.

[WesleyC]

whereagles, on 2014-December-01, 01:49, said:

3♠. Pard seems to have a couple hearts, so he probably has extras and won't pass this. Whatever he rebids afterwards, I'll be well positioned:

I agree that partner probably has extras. However, in competitive auctions it's up to the hand with the shortage to take the aggressive action. If partner made a t/o double on a flat 15-17 count (which seems pretty likely), he will take a conservative view and pass your 3S, worried that you have 2 or 3 heart losers off the top.

[ggwhiz]

My first thought was 4♠ for the matchpoints but I changed my mind to 4♥.

Partner may well have only 3 spades, especially with the lack of a heart raise.

That lack of a vulnerable raise may well be a hand that thinks they will go plus in 3♥ and going slamming is a hang job. If partner does have the power hand bidding slam is their job and you better check lho's pulse for their pass indicates at least a coma.

[whereagles]

WesleyC, on 2014-December-01, 07:17, said:

I agree that partner probably has extras. However, in competitive auctions it's up to the hand with the shortage to take the aggressive action. If partner made a t/o double on a flat 15-17 count (which seems pretty likely), he will take a conservative view and pass your 3S, worried that you have 2 or 3 heart losers off the top.

if he has a flat 15-17, why didn't he bid 3NT?

[Fluffy]

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So I passed this out as north, I scored 4 down (most people got only 3) but got an average due to the players doubling (I think with the 3 suiter)

Then I though this might be one of those positions where partner should read a reopening double as penalty due to his void and wanted to check. The poll result do not offer much doubt.

[MrAce]

Fluffy, on 2014-December-01, 14:51, said:

Then I though this might be one of those positions where partner should read a reopening double as penalty due to his void and wanted to check. The poll result do not offer much doubt.

Did you really think that Gonzalo?
Imo even the thought of it is a SIN!

[whereagles]

and to think mikeh was complaining about my "takeoutish" dbls

[Fluffy]

I just said that Timo, why would I lie?, would you like it better if I said my opponent doubled and partner passed and I said there was UI?

I knew I could be biased by knowing the full hand, and so I was.

[mikeh]

Fluffy, on 2014-December-01, 14:51, said:

---

So I passed this out as north, I scored 4 down (most people got only 3) but got an average due to the players doubling (I think with the 3 suiter)

Then I though this might be one of those positions where partner should read a reopening double as penalty due to his void and wanted to check. The poll result do not offer much doubt.

I think Zia and Rosenberg used to play that in some auctions double was takeout or penalty and partner was supposed to look at his holding in their suit and draw an inference. I don't think they played it for long: too much pressure/the opps can game you/and a disaster is likely to be a HUGE disaster.

As for the hand, 4♥ is clear, altho the follow-ups are far from clear. The idea of bidding 3♠ induces nausea: partner will pass with hands on which a minor game/slam is good and yet 3♠ barely makes (or goes down) when spades break 5=1 or 6=0.

[Phil]

Anyone doubling 3♥ like me in the direct seat? Sweeeet.

Gonzo we cannot double (at least in this position) and expect partner to read it as takeout OR penalties. It's just impossible. Otherwise your opponents holding five trump and no ruffing values will forever pass 3♥ and enjoy the 730s.

[Fluffy]

mikeh, on 2014-December-01, 15:02, said:

I think Zia and Rosenberg used to play that in some auctions double was takeout or penalty and partner was supposed to look at his holding in their suit and draw an inference. I don't think they played it for long: too much pressure/the opps can game you/and a disaster is likely to be a HUGE disaster.

I think for some very concrete positions like 1♠-p-p-X-2♠-X it is playable, although I know if partner catches a certain length he is making a blind guess. This is better swited for match points where a frequent small gains triumph over rare disasters.

Also Zia and live poker pros will have an edge reeading what is going on.

[jogs]

the hog, on 2014-December-01, 00:52, said:

4♠. Partner doubled in the protective seat and I am not going to crucify her. The fact that pd has some hearts does NOT augur well for slam.

4♠+2 wont necessarily be a bad board. 5♠-1 will be a terrible score.