[pescetom]

Most EW managed to find the right contract after a 2♠ overcall, but the auctions were many and often unconvincing.

MP

---

(not rotated, to confuse smerriman)

1♦ promises 4+ cards, NT is 15-17.

Your call here and why?

[mike777]

3H seems clear
Not double

[P_Marlowe]

X

Why? What else? Lack of alternatives.

We dont have a diamond fit, but we may may have a heart fit, we have inv. values.

We play 3H as fit showing, 5+H, 4+D. Not the worst lie, but why should I bid
something else, if I have a reasonable bid, that showes approx. 4+H, inv. vaues.

[TMorris]

I agree with 3 ♥.

[mikeh]

Whether we see this as gf or invitational depends upon opening bid style, but I’m treating this as gf even though n my main partnerships we open virtually all 11 counts. Sure, 3H may endplay partner in the auction….not only will he have to bid 3N with but a single, perhaps tenuous spade stopper but having him raise hearts may leave us vulnerable to the lead coming through his hand when playing hearts from his side is much better. But scared bridge is bad bridge. So 3H for me.

Doubling misleads….having 5H is ok for a double if….but only if….you have a weaker hand.

As for playing that 3H promises 4+ diamonds, all I can say is that you’re likely waiting a long time between having a 3H bid and, while you’re waiting, good luck sorting out strength and heart length if you must double with anywhere from 4-7 hearts and 9 to 19 hcp. Maybe it works for you, but I suspect it’s close to unplayable at a serious level.

Btw, I’m not at all surprised that auctions leading to the ‘right ‘ contract are often unconvincing. That’s why people take away constructive bidding space by making jump overcalls.

[mw64ahw]

3♥ shows 5+ and is forcing, but I'd like to be playing a Grue type switch here.

[WasWinM]

I don’t like to overthink these sequences yet I can be convinced if something else is clearly superior but that’s not the case here:
3H WTP?

[jillybean]

3H WTP?

Or as the President of the USA would say, WT*P?

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

#1 I misread the auction, I thought I was a passed hand, being a passed hand, would make 3H fit showing.
#2 Now you have to decide, if you go the high or low, given that this MP, staying low, missing a game is not the end of the world,
even at IMPs missing a green game is not terrible.
I still think X is not a the worst option, but overbidding and making sure to reach the right strain, misjudging the level is ok
as well.
#3 Obv. it helps, if your opening bids in 1st / 2nd look like opening bids.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[pescetom]

jillybean, on 2025-June-24, 19:30, said:

3H WTP?

I'm fine with 3H, there were many doubles.

Will follow up from East point of view when I reach a PC to draw the diagram.

[mw64ahw]

Coming back on this one. I had a discussion with partner recently on whether we should be playing the same approach as over 1N-2♠. I think the conclusion was we could do, but 2N now becomes a marionette rather than a puppet. So how about 3♦ as a transfer?

[pescetom]

Here is what is going on from East's point of view.

---

Your call after a 3♥ response?

---

And your call if partner doubles?

[TMorris]

3nt on either

[mike777]

Pass the double
I think I can beat it

[mw64ahw]

TMorris, on 2025-June-25, 10:23, said:

3nt on either

My first thoughts too

[pescetom]

mike777, on 2025-June-25, 11:14, said:

Pass the double
I think I can beat it

I would be happy to pass at favourable vulnerability, but not here.

[Cyberyeti]

pescetom, on 2025-June-25, 13:33, said:

I would be happy to pass at favourable vulnerability, but not here.

Entirely possible you're scoring overcaller's 6 side suit cards and a trump trick if you're making game, but no guarantee.

[mike777]

All I can add is see the other thread on what people preempt on when NV. smile.

If this time they have 8 or 9 solid spades, they got me.

[P_Marlowe]

mike777, on 2025-June-25, 14:28, said:

All I can add is see the other thread on what people preempt on when NV. smile.

If this time they have 8 or 9 solid spades, they got me.

You may beat it, but will you get it -3? You need to, if you have game on.
It is usually better to go for your own contract.

[Cyberyeti]

mike777, on 2025-June-25, 14:28, said:

All I can add is see the other thread on what people preempt on when NV. smile.

If this time they have 8 or 9 solid spades, they got me.

They don't need that much, partner doesn't need to have enough that 6N is probably slightly odds on.

Imagine partner a trick short of that with a stiff spade, they can probably scramble 6 tricks.