[ahydra]

3S-1 was kind of lame, with a (very double-dummy) slam in the frame. What can NS do differently to reach the game? It doesn't seem easy, I claim.

OK, enough rhymes... the hand:

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Both sides playing weak NT, 4cM. NS first time partnership, and have only agreed that 2S rather than 3H would show a good raise of hearts (rest should be "good NZ club player standard", whatever that is).

Thanks,

ahydra

[FelicityR]

Personally, vulnerable, with a passed partner I prefer X to 2♥ as North.. To me, if you're going to overcall vulnerable at adverse vulnerability at the two level, especially with a passed partner, the suit should be 6 cards+. The shape of the North hand suggests double than an overcall, despite having three honour cards in the ♥ suit. [Only, my opinion which, yet again, is probably wrong )

[nige1]

ahydra '3S-1 was kind of lame, with a (very double-dummy) slam in the frame. What can NS do differently to reach the game? It doesn't seem easy, I claim. OK, enough rhymes... the hand:Both sides playing weak NT, 4cM. NS first time partnership, and have only agreed that 2S rather than 3H would show a good raise of hearts (rest should be "good NZ club player standard", whatever that is).'
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hydra for Poet Laureate:

Miss a game
What a shame!
I'm to blame?
No. I claim.

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[Cyberyeti]

Surely 3♣ is some sort of FNJ by a passed hand here, the only question is whether you're good enough for the bid.

[FelicityR]

Cyberyeti, on 2019-September-19, 03:55, said:

Surely 3♣ is some sort of FNJ by a passed hand here, the only question is whether you're good enough for the bid.

Yes, on the current auction, 3♣ came into my reckoning, too, but as you rightly say it's whether South feels that he/she is good enough for that bid.

[rmnka447]

FelicityR, on 2019-September-19, 08:37, said:

Yes, on the current auction, 3♣ came into my reckoning, too, but as you rightly say it's whether South feels that he/she is good enough for that bid.

One might be a little more aggressive with the hand. It looks like partner must be short in ♠ based on your J9xx holding. You also have holdings in the side suits that will cut down on partner's losers there.

Close call either way but just make your best judgement and accept the results.

3 ♠x might be something to consider. It looks like you have a couple defensive tricks against partner's vulnerable overcall. But that's another close call.