[dboxley]

---

[Phil]

1N. Hate it but I hate x and 2D more. Pass is probably 2nd choice but there's no guarantee the auction will get easier.

2N is not worthy of discussion.

[mcphee]

Pass, 1N has appeal but i have no desire to play this in 2H. Thats what happens if I bid 1N.

[helene_t]

1N. The least risky and least misdescriptive choice.

Pass: ok if partner keeps it open with random 9-counts, but ...
2N: ok if partner will make a positive noise with random 9-counts, but ...
2♦: has a slightly bigger chance of keeping partner awake but obviously I'd rather defend 1♠ than play 2♦.

So I think all three are tied for the 2nd choice.

Dbl is beyond terrible, though.

[gwnn]

I'm ok with 2D. Ulven indoctrinated me into not caring about suit quality that much. I don't want to play 2H in a 5-1. Yes I know someone can now reply "I don't want to go for 1100 in 2Dx" so yes it kind of goes to personal preference in the end (as it often does).

[nullve]

1N. I'll pass if partner tries to transfer to hearts.

[Cyberyeti]

 nullve, on 2016-January-13, 05:42, said:

1N. I'll pass if partner tries to transfer to hearts.

Which is unfortunate when he has a 10 count.

[nullve]

 Cyberyeti, on 2016-January-13, 06:33, said:

Which is unfortunate when he has a 10 count.

Of course.

[Cyberyeti]

 nullve, on 2016-January-13, 06:35, said:

Of course.

Even more so when his 10 count is xx, Axxxx, AQxxx, x and 7♦ is rigid.

I don't think the "bid 1N and pass 2♦" strategy is any good particularly at teams, but I can live with X (bidding 2N 18-20 bal over 2♥), 1N intending to play 2♥ if partner transfers and 2♦.

[ulven]

2D. No 2nd choice.

[wank]

2d. i hate it but i hate 1nt more.

[gszes]

2NT

Nothing else comes close to this for descriptive ability and exploration. 2NT also carries with it a built in warning sign if p happens to have hearts since we would have vastly preferred to x or bid NT if we had tolerance for hearts. This hand is very close to the minimum one might expect for this action at these colors. We also have the ability to still explore for 3n or even a minor suit slam if advancers hand warrants it. For those that feel 2n is totally wrong here please give some examples of what a 2n bid at these colors would look like and lets see how far apart we are.

The main problem I have with x or 1n is that it encourages 3n and 4h on a huge number of wrong hand types whereas the 2n bid should get us to our most reasonable spot(except those hands where pass would have served us better).

2n = 9
2d =5
pass= 4
x 1n = 3

I would rate 2d a bit higher if this were MP since going for a monster minus is only 1 board

[ggwhiz]

 helene_t, on 2016-January-13, 04:22, said:

1N. The least risky and least misdescriptive choice.

I respectfully disagree. While 2♦ is not a thing of beauty it is off only by suit quality compensated by extra "stuff".

1nt on a stiff petunia in a MAJOR has huge risks unless partner can help that diamond suit AND not put us in a heart contract (or they just run the suit before or after we win 5 black tricks).

Least mis-descriptive? Got the point count right and that's all.

[Cyberyeti]

 ggwhiz, on 2016-January-13, 14:52, said:

I respectfully disagree. While 2♦ is not a thing of beauty it is off only by suit quality compensated by extra "stuff".

1nt on a stiff petunia in a MAJOR has huge risks unless partner can help that diamond suit AND not put us in a heart contract (or they just run the suit before or after we win 5 black tricks).

Least mis-descriptive? Got the point count right and that's all.

1N will come out OK unless partner has exactly 5 hearts and not enough to invite.

[mike777]

Non expert answer..

Pass

risk defending 1s.


2d is a close second option

[nige1]

 dboxley, on 2016-January-12, 11:02, said:

---

I rank

• 2♦ = Nat. If Notrump is the right contract, then partner should probably play it.
• Pass.
• 1N = Partner quite likely to transfer.
• Double

[PhantomSac]

Have no understanding of pass or 1N. 1N with the worst spade holding (Axx) and a stiff in the other major makes no sense to me. Passing with 17 HCP and not length in their suit makes no sense to me. I will bid my long suit.

[mike777]

 PhantomSac, on 2016-January-14, 02:43, said:

Have no understanding of pass or 1N. 1N with the worst spade holding (Axx) and a stiff in the other major makes no sense to me. Passing with 17 HCP and not length in their suit makes no sense to me. I will bid my long suit.

as a nonexpert rather shocked by the response that pass makes zero sense....I mean no sense to an excellent player such as Justin.

My nonxpert choice was 2d was a close second choice but pass= much more than zero sense


AGAIN as a nonexpert player I thought I had some length..in the opp suit. enough to justify pass but close.

[gwnn]

 PhantomSac, on 2016-January-14, 02:43, said:

Have no understanding of pass or 1N. 1N with the worst spade holding (Axx) and a stiff in the other major makes no sense to me. Passing with 17 HCP and not length in their suit makes no sense to me. I will bid my long suit.

[PhantomSac]

 gwnn, on 2016-January-14, 02:54, said:

YOU UNDID MY GOOD WORK SIR