[Fluffy]

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[gnasher]

I agree with both of South's actions. What else could he possibly do? 3NT is right opposite ♣AJ10xx and nothing else, and 5♣ seems a long way off with the red-suit finesses likely to be wrong.

I don't agree with any of North's actions. He had an obvious 3♣ overcall, and an obvious 5♣ bid on the second and third rounds. If the clubs are solid, 5♣ is likely to make. If there's a club loser, that puts 3NT in jeopardy because there may be no entry to dummy to cash them. I can't see what North was catering for by passing 3NT.

[Antrax]

5♣ on the second round? Do you mean
(1♠)-P-(1NT)-X
(2♠)-5♣?

Or only if S doubles after 3♣ by N on the first round?

[Cyberyeti]

Is this a Lebensohl situation for N, so is this the "good" 3♣ bid ? (It would be for us)

Quote

I can't see what North was catering for by passing 3NT.

Something like KQx, QJxx, AKxx, Ax ? that was looking for KQxxxx and out ? Although I do agree that it's an obvious 3♣ overcall (Ghestem in the way ? 4♣ might be a bit much at this vul)

[Fluffy]

Lebensohl doesn't apply here for most partnerships, since you have a pass available, and you will very rarely have high HCP count when 3 players bid before you. So 2NT is more practical as 2 places to play.

[Cyberyeti]

Fluffy, on 2014-March-03, 07:44, said:

Lebensohl doesn't apply here for most partnerships, since you have a pass available, and you will very rarely have high HCP count when 3 players bid before you. So 2NT is more practical as 2 places to play.

Yup, we play our simple overcalls as a decent hand, so it's entirely possible there can still be a 10 count or even a little more here particularly if holding clubs, no reason to suppose not 11/6/12 or similar in the other hands. Can be useful for doubling spades if you know partner has a fair hand rather than rubbish.

[gnasher]

Antrax, on 2014-March-03, 05:23, said:

5♣ on the second round? Do you mean
(1♠)-P-(1NT)-X
(2♠)-5♣?

Yes.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Fluffy, on 2014-March-03, 07:44, said:

Lebensohl doesn't apply here for most partnerships, since you have a pass available, and you will very rarely have high HCP count when 3 players bid before you. So 2NT is more practical as 2 places to play.

Isn't this a situation for Good/Bad 2NT ?
Similar to Lebensohl where 2NT! by North ( over West's 2S ) announces a weakish hand willing to compete ... and forces 3C by South ( for pass or correct ).... whereas, a direct 3C shows an invitational type hand.

However, I agree that North should make an initial preemptive overcall over 1S .

[Antrax]

gnasher, on 2014-March-03, 08:41, said:

Antrax, on 2014-March-03, 05:23, said:

5♣ on the second round?

Yes.

Thanks. Can you explain the logic? Can't W and E be heavier for their actions leaving S with a standard TO double?

[ggwhiz]

What do you call an 8-card suit? Trumps.

I can understand the temptation to pass 3nt at mp's but it's an unnecesary Hail Mary.

Without lebensohl, 5♣ at the second turn, with it 4♣ (forcing) to cater to a slam or respect a 4nt sign off.

[gnasher]

Antrax, on 2014-March-03, 10:07, said:

Thanks. Can you explain the logic? Can't W and E be heavier for their actions leaving S with a standard TO double?

So we have at least a ten-card fit, and opponents have a 9-card spade fit with a combined 23-count or so? It doesn't seem very likely given the auction, but if that is the layout it still seems sensible to bid 5♣. Imagine partner with xxx AQxx AJxx Qx. They're making at least 4♠, and they won't have any idea who can make what.

A bigger danger is that partner has a strong one-suiter in diamonds, with short clubs. If he has that, there's a risk that he'll convert 5♣ to 5♦, because he won't expect me to have passed over 1♠ with a hand like this.