[mtvesuvius]

NV vs V at IMPs, partner deals and you hold:

KQx
KQJxx
9x
K9x

Pass - (1♣) - ?

[hanp]

1H, 1NT is bad.

[kfay]

Don't understand the question.

[Lobowolf]

One heart. Not a particularly close call for me. Among the reasons -

*Strong preference for a heart lead.
*Worthless doubleton in a suit where I have no reason to think partner has anything.
*Only one stopper in opponent's suit.
*Likelihood of losing the heart suit if I don't bid them now.

[mtvesuvius]

I figured 1♥ also... Partner now bids 1♠, now what?

[655321]

1♥.

I often prefer to overcall 1NT rather than 1M when the hand is in range, but this hand has only 14HCP and no Aces, so is clearly underweight for a 1NT overcall.

The only other motive for overcalling 1NT might be to steal - at the vulnerability, to talk them out of something. But we have a decent hand, and no reason to assume that they are making a game.

[hanp]

I would bid 2S over 1S.

[whereagles]

1♥ + 2♣ over pard's 1♠, intending to bid 2NT or 2♠, depending on how many spades 1♠ shows.

[the hog]

Volcanic one are these trick questions? 1H and 2S seem obvious.

[mich-b]

1H on the first round - because I have a good Heart suit.
2S on the second round , because I have support.

What am I missing?

[Hanoi5]

1♥, wtp?

1♥-1♠
1NT

[P_Marlowe]

1H.

For most 1NT showes at least a good 15 count,
and this one is not even a bad 15 count (it is at
best a average 14 count).

So the question is, why should I bid 1NT?

With kind regards
Marlowe

[P_Marlowe]

mtvesuvius, on May 11 2009, 06:07 PM, said:

I figured 1♥ also... Partner now bids 1♠, now what?

2S.

Partially depends of course, if 1S showed 4 or 5, for me 1S
showes 5.
You could also pass, given that partner is a passed hand,
but since game is still an option, and it may make it easier
for them to enter the auction, I would go with a raise.

If 1S showed a 4 carder, ... bid 1NT or 2S.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[neilkaz]

1♥ of course, than after PD's 1♠ I am torn between 2♠ or something a bit stronger to be more of an invite.

[skjaeran]

Easy 1♥ overcall.

1♠ only promise four for me. Anyway, I'll raise to 2♠, 1NT most probably wrongsides the contract.

[mtvesuvius]

I did bid 1♥, and 1NT over 1♠, but partner had 5♠ and 10 points... We played that 1♠ only promised 4, so I guess this is an unavoidable problem... Although we can make 4♠ pretty easy.

[hanp]

It is possible that partner has 4 but assume 5 in this auction. Partner should try not to bid 1S with 4 (but with AQJx xx Qxxxx xx I would bid 1S).

[skjaeran]

hanp, on May 15 2009, 11:29 PM, said:

It is possible that partner has 4 but assume 5 in this auction. Partner should try not to bid 1S with 4 (but with AQJx xx Qxxxx xx I would bid 1S).

Disagree, I'd bid 1♠ even with 5432 on some hands.

[Old York]

mtvesuvius, on May 15 2009, 11:26 PM, said:

We played that 1♠ only promised 4, so I guess this is an unavoidable problem... Although we can make 4♠ pretty easy.

This is a slightly dangerous agreement to have. As soon as you start to deviate from standard practices, the more chance there is of getting into unusual contracts. This is a gamble at duplicate, sometimes you win and get a top, sometimes you lose and get a bottom. The normal contract of 2+♠ is likely to give you a good result, so shooting for tops is unsound.

The question of whether or not the spade game is "pretty easy" is a mirage
It is not recommended to bid borderline non-vul games at Imps, and even less so at MP. Again, you are just as likely to get a bottom as a top.
Playing in 2♠, you should get an excellent score for making 1 or 2 overtricks, so going 1 down in 4♠ is an unnecessary risk

Pushing for game with an Aceless hand is optimistic, partner is a passed hand with no Heart support. Using normal methods he should have 8-11hcp and 5 Spades, so game seems remote

Tony

p.s. Many players may choose to respond with a 4 card suit, but it is not necessary to include this in your system, allowing partner to use his judgement without hinderance is usually best

[bill1157]

hanp, on May 11 2009, 06:02 PM, said:

1H, 1NT is bad.

I like 1NT, it is an imaginitive call and is certainly worth considering.

Bill